Who will be Notre Dame's next athletic director? Save Email Print
Posted: 6:13 PM Jun 2, 2008
 Last Updated: 6:31 PM Jun 2, 2008
 Reporter: Angelo Di Carlo
Email Address: angelo.dicarlo@wndu.com
35 comments
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Now that Kevin White is moving on to Duke, the big question amongst Domers is who will replace him as Notre Dame's athletic director.

University President Father John Jenkins said in a statement Saturday that there is no timetable for a successor to be named and that a thorough search will be made.

In the meantime, Missy Conboy, will serve as the school's interim Athletic Director.

The AD position at Notre Dame is one of the most powerful in the country. When the 11 conference commissioners meet to discuss the Bowl Championship Series, the 12th person at the table is the Notre Dame athletic director.

Here are some of the potential candidates who have ties to Notre Dame. This is merely speculation at this point.

Bubba Cunningham
The Tulsa Athletic Director is a Notre Dame alum and previously served as an Associate Athletic Director for the Irish. Before Tulsa, he was the AD at Ball State.

Steve Orsini
The SMU Athletic Director is also a domer. He knows all about Irish football as a former captain on the '77 National Championship team.

Rick Chryst
Another Irish alum. Chryst is the Commissioner of the MAC. He has not been an AD before, but knows all about being those BCS meetings.

Bernard Muir
The Georgetown Athletic Director is not an alum but served as ND's Deputy AD under Kevin White prior to leaving for G-Town.

Gene Smith
Ohio State's Athletic Director would be a major score for the Irish... if he is interested. When asked Saturday about his interest in the position by a Columbus newspaper, Smith elected not to comment. He was a member of the '73 National Championship team.

John Paxson
The former Irish basketball player is not being mentioned by many, but would make for an interesting candidate. Paxson knows a lot about winning, clinching a NBA title for the Bulls with a game-winning shot. He also knows about running in a big-time program, currently serving as the General Manager of the Bulls. Pax does not have any college experience, however. He also does not have experience with football.

Missy Conboy
The former Irish basketball player has been Notre Dame's Deputy Athletic Director for the past few years, having worked in the Athletic Department for two decades. She is currently taking over the AD position on an interim basis.

Other Candidates
Associate Athletic Directors John Heisler and Bill Scholl could also be considered.

Of course, the Irish may not go with someone with ties to the University at all as they did when they chose White---a non-Notre Dame alum who was previously the Athletic Director at Arizona State.
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Posted by: William Go Tell on Jun 8, 2008 at 06:46 PM
Sandy Barber of CAL for my money. Why is being an ND grad more important than being an outstanding AD? Hoss who doesn't care, I agree...hire you to clean up after the horses buddy.
Posted by: Patrick Location: Chicago on Jun 4, 2008 at 11:44 PM
I think Dan Coonan at Santa Clara University would be an excellent candidate for ND. He is an alum, an attorney, worked at the PAC 10, CAL and now Santa Clara. He hired Jeff Tedford while at CAL who is pursued by NFL teams every year.
Posted by: Mike Location: Portland on Jun 4, 2008 at 05:20 PM
I agree on adding Larry Williams from Portland (a Holy Cross School) to the list. He was a captain for ND's football team and an NFL veteran. Northern California also has two ND alums as D-1 AD's - Tom Bowan at San Jose State and Dan Coonan at Santa Clara.
Posted by: Hoss Location: Ponderosa on Jun 4, 2008 at 01:10 PM
ok, i'll do it ,goodness knows that notre dame needs some new horses on the football field.........
Posted by: earl Location: ann arbor on Jun 4, 2008 at 12:52 PM
I heard Mr. 3-9 himself is interested.
Posted by: JAMES on Jun 4, 2008 at 10:33 AM
LETS HIRE BOBBY BOWDEN. THAT WAY WE CAN RECRUIT ALL THE THUGS THAT PLAY FOR FLORIDA STATE.
Posted by: mike Location: Chicago on Jun 4, 2008 at 06:46 AM
George Bush , they deserve each other 2 sinking ships that never should had sailed.
Posted by: Wonderer Location: Mishawaka on Jun 4, 2008 at 03:16 AM
Robert Culp formerly of the SBPD
Posted by: leprecon Location: South Bend on Jun 3, 2008 at 05:06 PM
Oh come on, Charlie & Bubba? No way....
Posted by: Tim Location: Irishfan in ILLINOIS on Jun 3, 2008 at 04:55 PM
It makes you wonder why John Paxson hasn't named his BULLS Head Coach yet. Pax would be a great fit coming back to the Golden Dome.
Posted by: Anonymous on Jun 3, 2008 at 11:31 AM
WHO GIVES A RATS BEHIND
Posted by: finally Location: ND on Jun 3, 2008 at 09:27 AM
Kevin saw the writing on the wall! If charlie didn't do well this year, he would have been booted out of ND anyway. Good move Kevin!
Posted by: Anonymous Location: Mishawaka on Jun 3, 2008 at 07:49 AM
who cares is right. i just wish they'd put some more parking spaces or a parking garage on campus.
Posted by: JAMES on Jun 3, 2008 at 07:48 AM
WHO CARES?
Posted by: Jim Location: South Bend on Jun 3, 2008 at 12:05 AM
Regis Philbin would rock as AD!!! He j
Posted by: John Location: Elkhart on Jun 3, 2008 at 12:02 AM
Don't forget Lou Holtz. I think he would make a great AD.
Posted by: Doug Location: Elkhart on Jun 2, 2008 at 11:58 PM
Whoever ND picks they should be ND alum. I say White is better placed at Duke. Good riddens!
Posted by: Cindy Location: Mishawaka on Jun 2, 2008 at 11:39 PM
Re: Adam comment. Lou would be a better coach then an AD. Don't get me wrong I think Lou is great. Was pissed when he left ND and would jump for joy if he came back, but only as a coach.
Posted by: Mike Location: Madison, WI on Jun 2, 2008 at 09:08 PM
Give Barry Alvarez a call... He would love to get back to Campus.
Posted by: Terry Location: Cleveland on Jun 2, 2008 at 08:52 PM
I believe Williams may also be considered as well. Not only is he currently serving as Univ. of Portland AD, he also has a law degree from the University of San Diego, and an eight year career in the NFL. Prior to taking the Portland position, Williams was director of licensing at ND. Great backround for the position.
Posted by: Lou Location: S B on Jun 2, 2008 at 08:44 PM
Adam, your smoking crack!
Posted by: Bill Location: S.B. on Jun 2, 2008 at 08:34 PM
Missy and John would either one make a good AD as they know what is expected by the University and both have had experience with all facets of Notre Dames sports I remember when John first came to the sports information department as an asst.sports information director and when Karen and John got Married a coiple years later,I also remember when Missy first came to the University as I worked there for 30 years in two differant places.They both have always had the university first and there jobs as second.Neither one knows me by this name.
Posted by: Adam Location: Shipshe on Jun 2, 2008 at 04:22 PM
Am I the only one who thinks Lou Holtz would make a great AD!!
Posted by: No One Location: Louisville, KY on Jun 2, 2008 at 02:17 PM
Don't be surprised to see Tom Jurich's name in the mix. He is probably the best AD in the country right now behind Foley at Florida. Look what he has done at little old Louisville, imagine what he could do at ND!
Posted by: Paul Location: California on Jun 2, 2008 at 12:43 PM
Don't dismiss Larry Williams who played O-line in the mid '80's. He is currently the AD at Portland, another Holy Cross school.
Posted by: ND Fan Location: ND on Jun 2, 2008 at 11:30 AM
You must, Hoss, since you are reading and responding to this article. It's not healthy to deny your feelings, sweetheart!
Posted by: Hoss Location: Ponderosa on Jun 2, 2008 at 10:07 AM
Who cares?............
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