Kaler Announces Search Firm, Committee For Gophers AD

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- University of Minnesota President Eric Kaler announced Wednesday that the school has retained the Turnkey Search firm to assist in the hire of its next athletic director.

Kaler also announced a 16-member internal search committee to assist in the process. Kaler said Wednesday he wants a decision on the athletic director by late spring or early summer, with the goal of that person being on the job by July 1.

Katrice Albert, the University's vice president for equity and diversity, and Perry Leo, professor of aerospace engineering and faculty athletics representative, will co-chair the search committee.

Norwood Teague resigned on Aug. 7, 2015, amid allegations of sexual harassment involving two women who work at the university. He admitted to being drunk at a school function, inappropriately touching at least two women and sending them graphic text messages.

Teague was hired to replace Joel Maturi and was largely in charge of the fundraising for the Athletes Village, giving the school's athletic facilities a major upgrade. The school has raised about half of the necessary funds for the project, estimated as high as $190 million. Officials broke ground on the project in late October.

Beth Goetz was named the interim athletic director shortly after, and has said she wants to be considered for the permanent position. Among her biggest moves so far was naming Tracy Claeys the permanent football coach for the Gophers after Jerry Kill had to retire due to recurring seizures. He signed a three-year contract last fall.

Kaler said Goetz will be considered, but is not a lock for the position.

The 16-person search firm includes current Gophers volleyball coach Hugh McCutcheon, former football player and current radio announcer Darrell Thompson, former Gopher hockey player Tom Vannelli and Kevin Warren, the chief operating officer for the Minnesota Vikings. Other members include current football play Duke Anyanwu, Shari Ballard, the president of U.S. Retail with Best Buy, Director of Athletic Compliance Jeremiah Carter, Kevin Cattoor, the former executive vice president for the Minnesota Twins, Bob Cunningham, Marty Davis, Emily Hoover, Lisa Kihl, Lisa Lissimore and Deborah Olson.