SCU's New Athletic Director's "Punch List" - Get Men's Basketball into the NCAA Tournament

The new AD search is ON...  

The "punch list" priorities are short, but not simple.  The majority of our Athletic program is already built out, but the inside needs some serious renovation.  Ergo, the punch list to national prominence.

The AD search rumors are off the charts; ranging from "it's already a done deal" and "we're just going through the motions" to Steve Nash is going to parachute in and cross-dribble us into the national spotlight.

LOL.  

At the top of the "punch list" for the new AD - Get Men's Basketball's ticket "punched" into the NCAA tourney.  

An "at-large" bid will produce extra-large benefits....

Most important of them all, will be the lubrication needed to get our "We're on a Mission" machine moving - $ money $.  A bid to the big dance will provide the SCU community bona fide proof that 20 + years of "wanting-to-be" is now going to be.

Getting to the big dance brings better scheduling, recruiting, and a national PR spotlight that illuminates the tremendous assets SCU would be able to leverage.

To make "We're on a Mission" a reality, we won't be shopping at Men's Warehouse anymore - we're talking Zegna or Brioni levels.

As I said earlier, the list is short, but NOT simple.

In fact, an "at-large" NCAA bid will be very hard to accomplish in the next two years; which is the Jared Brownridge most promising window. 

Here's what it will take:  

At least 24 Wins, RPI during the season of  < 50,  and 3 "signature wins" against other NCAA tournament level qualifying teams OR we win the WCC tourney one year.

To be blunt, next season we will need to beat St. Mary's, BYU, AND Gonzaga once.  Plus beat a team in the Wooden Classic Thanksgiving weekend.  As of this writing, expected teams include Arizona, Michigan State, BC, Providence, UC Irvine; all NCAA tourney teams last season.

In the 2016-17 season, Jared's senior year, similar formula as above plus beat another ranked team.  We are rumored to be playing Vanderbilt either on their turf or in a tournament with other higher profile teams.  

It might be possible to make the field with 22 wins and the signature team victories, but even though the NCAA selection committee is represented by smaller school execs, (Creighton, Northeastern) the WCC still lacks "cred".  Getting 3 teams in is a stretch.

My take.  Our best chance is in Las Vegas, an upset win in the WCC tourney.  

I believe our new AD will be smart enough to figure out the odds and I hope they make the Broncos the horse to ride!!!

Next up:  The questions the new AD should ask SCU in the interview.

For more Men's Basketball info, follow me on Twitter @Fcrary or LinkedIn.

SCU Athletics - Will The Re-Org "Reinvigorate" The Broncos?

In the annals of our history, May 6th isn't a memorable day. 

However, this date may become a day to remember for SCU as the University decided to "Re-Org" Athletics reporting structure.

Intercollegiate Athletics now reports directly to University President Fr. Engh.  

Club and Recreational Sports report to the Provost's Office.  

Within NCAA Division 1 programs, this is not a novel move.  In fact, much like our program itself, it's late to the game.

BUT, the move puts us an important step closer to being "in the game".

I even like the way it was done.  

First, an email was sent to The Bronco Bench contributors who have been loyal to Athletics, followed by an email to the University Alums.  I have to admit this was a deft touch - given the past communications strategy of  "silence is golden".  

More evidence of the "silence" in Athletics.  Did we, as Men's Basketball Season Ticket Holders know that Assistant Coach Sam Scholl left SCU last month?  Eight years on our bench and not a peep.  We wish him well back at his Alma Mater - USD.

Underneath it all, it means that the new AD and the President will be aligned both strategically AND monetarily.  One cannot succeed without the other...

And IMHO, since legacy is vitally important to a University President and championships to an AD, there should be no distractions to the goal of national competitiveness.  

Step 1 - Check...

Step 2 - Hire an AD who has proven they can execute given proper resources.  

Many have asked:  "What names would you suggest?"  or "Where will we find great candidates that would consider Santa Clara?"

I believe SCU will have choices from many outstanding candidates who believe in our Catholic and Academic ideals and know how to win.

Consider our connections:

Our University Executives have come from a number of bigger programs, like Notre Dame.  Fr. Engh sits on the Board of Trustees at Boston College and is the President of the WCC President's Council.   

A number of our current and former coaches know prime time AD's from coaching SCU teams in NCAA Tournaments, NCAA conferences meetings, NCAA Basketball & NIT tournament committees, and personal relationships with big time program coaches.  

Former SCU star athletes who are, or have been in the professional sports ranks, must know hot AD prospects from their college draft and recruitment processes.  We have NBA MVP's (yes, more than Nash) we know well.  We have NBA world champions to get input from; even beyond Kurt Rambis.  

We have retained a National NCAA Sports recruiting search firm who have placed AD's in big time programs.

We have plenty of sources...

Our search committee, in SCU tradition, is diverse. The trust in them and the magnitude of the task is BIG.  I just hope we have the courage to "think" BIG and not compromise on the moment at hand.

The job description is now posted on SCU's site and the NCAA sports recruiters' site.  

I'll save some of you reading time.  In a nutshell, it says "Guide SCU Athletics to national prominence through improving competitive performance and hold inviolate SCU's traditions."  

The link is provided below.

SCU - AD Job Desciption

Change is afoot.  We need fresh air and some fresh ideas.

Step 1 - so far so good. 

Step 2  - however, is a giant one.  Hopefully a giant step forward!!!

For more Bucking Bronco, follow me on Twitter @fcrary.