ANN ARBOR, Mich. – University of Michigan President Mark Schlissel announced Wednesday that the university has appointed a search advisory committee and has hired Turnkey Search to find the university's next athletic director.
"I have decided that the time is right to launch a national search for a permanent athletic director," said Schlissel, who will personally chair the search advisory committee. The president said he did not have a specific timetable in mind.
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The firm will be paid $150,000, plus expenses.
The person hired will become the university's 11th AD in 150 years of intercollegiate athletics at the university. UM has 31 teams and more than 900 student-athletes.
Schlissel said Jim Hackett, the retired CEO of Steelcase Inc., who has served as interim AD since the resignation of Dave Brandon in October 2014, did not want to be a candidate for the position. He has agreed to serve until a permanent successor is in place.
The AD reports directly to the president and serves as a member of the university's executive leadership team. The department has an annual budget of $151 million and a staff of 350.
Hackett has been part of the hiring of football coach Jim Harbaugh and contract extensions for basketball coaches John Beilein and Kim Barnes Arico.
About the athletic director position
Key characteristics of a new AD are outlined in the job description (myumi.ch/ad-search) and include:
The highest levels of personal and professional integrity and trustworthiness.
A strong commitment to the health, safety, personal development and academic success of the university's 900 student-athletes.
Commitment to developing competitive men's and women's sports teams that have the opportunity to compete each year for Big Ten and other championships.
Demonstrated experience and a strong personal commitment to advancing all aspects of diversity, equity and inclusion.
Knowledge of intercollegiate athletics administration, skill in fiscal management, and insight into the challenges and opportunities of Division I athletics in an academic research setting.