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Search Narrows For University Of Minnesota Athletic Director

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- It was last August when former University of Minnesota Athletic Director Norwdood Teague resigned from the school after allegations of sexual harassment surfaced. Several months later they're still looking for his replacement, but it looks like progress is being made.

The Minneapolis Star Tribune says sources connected to the search say the 16-member search committee has narrowed down the candidates to four. They include interim AD Beth Goetz, also AD Sean Frazier from Northern Illinois, deputy AD Phil Esten from Penn State and an undisclosed candidate.

"You want to do due diligence," Board of Regents Chair Dean Johnson said. "Background checks certainly."

The school has retained Turnkey Search to assist in the hiring. Johnson said the committee could also be a little skittish in the process based on what happened with Teague.

"We thought we had someone very, very good. It turned out we had someone with problems of course and we don't want to go through that again," Johnson said.

Once the committee and President Eric Kaler select a candidate, they'll be brought to the board for approval and approval of their compensation package, which Johnson says they're looking to increase.

"Minnesota presently is the lowest in the Big Ten, which has 14 schools, lowest in regard to the salary and compensation," Johnson said.

Teague's starting salary in 2012 was $400,000.

Johnson says a competitive salary for the job would be between $800,000 to $900,000.

"Given the right person I'm not bothered with that," Johnson said. "After all we're looking for a CEO of the department of athletics to oversee a $107 million budget, to oversee 26, 27 head coaches, subscribe to NCAA, Big Ten rules; certainly knowing what recruiting rules and regulations are; certainly establishing a relationship with donors; working with the administration, board of regents, with faculty; and most importantly with our student-athletes."

Kaler said last March he hopes to have someone in place July 1.

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