SCU's Senior Associate A.D. - My Interview with Jeff Mitchell - Fresh Air

Even though Jeff Mitchell was the acting A.D. during the recent search process, I can assure you he's wasn't "acting."  He's real.

He's wasn't there to make big changes, but the "little" things he changed, maybe helped start something big...

The first is, communication.  I'll call it "fresh air."  It's not Febreze. It's a willingness to engage and talk about the opportunities and magnitude of the challenges the new A.D. and University Exec team will confront.  

Let me be upfront - Jeff Mitchell was not a candidate for the full time position.  Although he'd like to be an A.D. at some point in his career, he recognizes that an "external" candidate was the right choice for SCU.

Some of you may be saying, "Who's Jeff Mitchell?"

Jeff is in his 10th year at SCU, rising from volunteer to Senior Associate A.D. and the sports supervisor responsible for Men's Basketball, Baseball, Tennis and Women's Volleyball; Big programs.  He's a lawyer, has an MBA, has media relations experience and was, prior to the above, responsible for NCAA compliance.  
Many of the MBB season ticket holders know him as the "voice" of the Broncos at Leavey  - "Jared Brownridge for t-h-r-e-e!!!"

During  my interview, I found his "voice" inside the department compelling and ready to tackle his role in the "makeover."

To be fair, he also wears the results from the past 10 years of mediocrity in his sports.  Exception - Women's Volleyball.  Coach Jon Wallace has taken the ladies to 12 NCAA tourneys!  Now that's a model we'd LOVE for MBB.

Now that Dr. Renee Baumgartner is on board, she inherits a staff that, for the first time in many of their careers, will be included in the strategy and at the same time tasked and measured to get SCU to national level performance in major sports.
  
And that's where Jeff Mitchell will be squarely positioned and have his chance to elevate his "voice" and SCU's reputation in MBB.

I felt that's exactly where he wants to be.  A "go to" catalyst to get things done. 

For example, he was already pushing for funding to relieve coaches of the extra hours spent fundraising just to try to make their budgets work.  When Fr. Engh announced $500,000 to alleviate much of those extra hours, Jeff was a key driver.  He had hands in the Nike all sports apparel deal and the locker room upgrades happening now.  
He also believes in communication.  I'm hopeful that the "cone of silence" around athletics and MBB will be lifted.  In the past regime, it was like you needed a Government "SCI" (Top Secret) clearance just to say hello to a coach.  

Press the link to read my prior Blog on "What we have here is a Failure to Communicate."  Pretty interesting.

SCU Failure to Communicate Blog - March 2014

Maybe the new S.I.D. (Sports Information Director) to be hired will actually want to listen to season ticket holders and fans and not press the "mute" button on our coaches.

Coaches will get clearer expectations from Dr. Baumgartner.  Over time, they'll be given proper resources and expected to perform per Fr. Engh's announced standard to "deliver extraordinary results." 

We'll be watching...

Expecting national level results is novel for SCU, but old hat for serious NCAA programs.

The work to be done to get us "National" in Men's Basketball is a huge task from where we are now.  That's a subject for my next column.

Short term to "National" in MBB is pretty straightforward, but not easy.  Either earn an At-Large NCAA bid OR win the WCC Tourney.  IMHO the second option might be the easiest.

In either case, Jeff Mitchell will be a co-architect of our progression in MBB.  With Men's Basketball being the centerpiece of SCU becoming "National", the "spotlight" will shine bright on everyone to perform.

And the Jeff Mitchell I met isn't "camera shy"...


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SCU's Athletics Director Decision - The "Final"

If the hiring of our new A.D. was a final exam and I was grading the process, communications, and our reaction to the SCU Athletics Director's decision, it would be a low "C" for all of us including the University. 

Barely Passing.  And our APR* would take a big hit.  

Fundamentally, we all choked a little bit...

For us, the season ticket holders, fans, alums, and donors reacted to a decision without additional facts.  We did not receive details from the University to reassure us that the process and vetting was broader and deeper than it seemed.

For the University, and I'm going to be a little harsh here, it was a failure to grasp the magnitude of the decision being made.  The vast majority of the SCU constituency were unaware of the unique qualities the selection committee, the broad spectrum of others who interviewed the candidates and Fr. Engh saw in Dr. Baumgartner that made her the consensus choice. 

It's s-o-o-o, Santa Clara...

I'm not trying to light a bonfire under our communications staff, I'm just sayin' we don't get it....Athletics....

After all the work of The Commission, Trustees, Athletics and University Staff, I believe this is our "Achilles Heel" - to national prominence in Athletics and, in particular major sports, and the centerpiece - Men's Basketball.

Someone once told me "You don't know, what you don't know." Maybe if we all would have recognized this flaw, we all could have "aced" the final.

For nearly 30 years, the "program across the street" has been given just enough gas in the tank to keep the engine going.  Now that we are committing to "revving" up the horsepower, we need a crew of mechanics to make it happen.  

To be fair, the University staff on board are great people, but they weren't hired for expertise in Athletics communications.  Our coaches are both talented and engaged, but need a "go to" person or two who get it.  

This just in - a top 20 Debate and Forensics Team is not going to energize a University like a Top 20 Men's Basketball program - and for SCU, BOTH are achievable.  

IMHO, one of Dr. Renee Baumgartner's biggest challenges is to educate the SCU staff of what is takes to build a competitive Athletics program. 

As to the decision itself,  it is FINAL.  We just need get over ourselves and "Melo" out, focus on the one thing we might all agree on - that Santa Clara INTENDS to be nationally relevant in Athletics.

  

You may not like the decision - and full disclosure - I felt other candidates on paper had more experience to bring.  

There were about 30 applicants that was whittled down to 9. The 9 was culled down to the final 3.  

Multiple interviews from more than 30 separate and diverse SCU University staff, athletics staff, coaches, former athletes, trustees, regents, donors, about 90 in total, (3 finalists) gave the edge to Dr. Baumgartner.  

Each interviewer was asked to privately answer questions and write in pros and cons.  The data was then tallied by an independent survey engine that quantified the feedback.

There were small social meetings where the above could observe candidates out of full blown interview mode.  The "vetting" went deeper than just her cheerleaders at Oregon and Syracuse.  I feel it should have gone further, but it wasn't a "stuff job." I can't give you the "inside" names because I said I wouldn't, but they're legit.

It also seemed the process was rushed.  I get the need to have a decision in the summer, but given the magnitude of the hire, a few more weeks to ensure some key SCU people would have been in town to interview would have been appropriate..

It also wasn't a money decision....like we have all suspected in the past with other hires where "frugal" is maybe being generous.

I can go on and on.  Summary, we didn't run the best process due to our naivete' regarding Athletics and the press release against the backdrop of the Syracuse issues was a non-starter.

  

It was written through an Academic vs Athletics "lens."  When you use the word administrative or administrator 9 times in your press release, it's not what your SCU community is wanting to see after 30 years.  Some of the right words are there, mentioning her responsibilities, but it was a bare list with not much behind it. We weren't looking for an "overseer."   We were hoping for someone who "directed" the operations and made dynamic changes.

Maybe use the word leadership 9 times?  How about describing what made Renee stand out?  How about more information what was accomplished in marketing, performance of the 8 teams she supervised, which standout coaches did she hire, how did fundraising $$ grow, and were there innovations in communications we should know about?   

The endorsement from the Syracuse Chancellor was tepid at best.  We were looking for something a lot stronger than "positive".  Then there was the gratuitous veiled reference to "values" that was slipped in for the right spin.

The PR retries, although more to the point, didn't do the trick as we were by then in defensive mode. There's also memories of past hires that still rankle alums. 

Dr. Baumgartner didn't deserve this reception.  So, we all are on probation...Everyone of us.

We booted the "Final" and we all need to raise our grade and game.

The tentative plan from the Commission, Trustees, and Athletics projects milestones out to 2020.  My guess is that's probably the term of the contract.     

Whether or not we liked the process or decision, I'm sure of one thing.  ALL of us want to see Santa Clara realize it's potential and "break out" of the funk of the past.  

I'm hopeful Dr. Baumgartner can be the catalyst for us to become National instead of Local in Athletics. She's here and deserves our support to reach our goals. 

I'll have my "grade book" with me to chart our progress.

*APR stands for Academic Progress Rate; a measurement of how well Athletes do in School.

Next Up:  What must SCU do to help build Men's Basketball into an NCAA Caliber Program.

Also follow The Bucking Bronco on Twitter @Fcrary

The Choice of SCU's New AD is...Brilliant!!!

You read the title correctly...Brilliant!

It has to be...

A brief summary of what some Broncos are saying:

When the initial reaction to the selection has former athletes, alums, fans, season ticket holders and potential donors scratching their heads - it must be "over their heads" as to what we didn't know. Brilliant!

When the new AD has no apparent connections to the University, Silicon Valley, the WCC or a rolodex of "go to" supporters and donors.   Brilliant! 

When the "vetting" process seemed to include mostly the cheerleaders for Dr. Baumgartner and not looking deeper into other sources at Oregon, the NCAA committees she worked on and private sources of people we know.  Brilliant!

When we pass on an opportunity with another candidate who had the potential to reunite decades of disconnected former Bronco star athletes who could work together to elevate the program and energize fans and donors.  Brilliant!

That being said, I DO THINK THE CHOICE IS BRILLIANT...

Here's why...

For the first time in 3 decades, the new AD - Dr. Renee Baumgartner, is set up for success.  It's a "can't fail" opportunity. The University leadership, Fr. Engh, his Cabinet, The President's Commission's on Athletics, The Trustees, and The Regents, will not allow that to happen.  There's just too much at stake.....

It's Brilliant!

All the success "pressure points" are aligned and as Fr. Engh now knows, the visibility to the University is enormous...And so is the potential.

Consider:

$The Funding will be there$  

Fr. Engh laid out the short term budget infusions that have happened and are committed.  That's never been made public before.  

The AD reports directly to Fr. Engh and is part of his Cabinet

As I've mentioned before, one of the most important things to a University President is his Legacy - what big things were accomplished.  The success of Athletics will be a centerpiece of that Legacy.  Therefore, he will be involved in whatever is required to ensure Athletics rises to national prominence.

Major sports will have to become Major

National relevance in athletics is all about VISIBILITY.  Major sports success is the "igniter" for national PR. Scheduling, recruiting, and beating better opponents.  We are already there in Women's Soccer and Volleyball.  Their consecutive NCAA appearances and wins are impressive.  This MUST happen in Men's Basketball and Baseball.  Men's Soccer has had NCAA success and the new facilities will help build consistency.

Donors know their contributions will have major impact

While it's great to have your name on an Engineering building, the visibility of having your name associated with building a nationally relevant Men's Basketball program, for example, is enticing.  

The new Stevens Soccer training facility and stadium expansion is a game changer...And now it's a surer bet that donors loyalty will be rewarded on a national scope.

Everyone will be Watching and Measuring

SCU's new direction in Athletics is a total "wake up" call.  The Athletic staff, alums, season ticket holders, the Press - everyone's antennas are up.  I like it.

So, it is brilliant!

Finally, at the announcement event on Wednesday, I have to say, both Fr. Engh and Dr. Baumgartner did well.  Fr. Engh, shared new details about the selection process and the unique qualities Dr. Baumgartner possesses that probably should have been done upfront in the original announcement.  It would have dampened the sharp response from Alums and the media.  It exposed SCU's naivete' when it comes to Athletics and communications.

The energy and enthusiasm in Dr. Baumgartner's remarks was palpable.  She showed a command of the stage and shared a preview of what to expect from her leadership.  I sensed a little bit of "prove the naysayers wrong" in her delivery; maybe a bit of the competitive former athlete's "tude" surfacing.  It was a good opener.  See the link below if you wish to see the video.

SCU Athletic Director Introduction Video

Occasionally, either intended or unintended, there's a little brilliance in craziness.  Whether you feel the new AD selection is crazy or brilliant - it's doesn't change the reality of what SCU has committed to achieving through athletics.  It won't happen fast, but finally, after decades of just having our athletics program as this "thing" across the campus - it is now "the thing" on campus.

The stage is set.  Can't wait to see the opening act!!

SCU's New Athletic Director Is......

According to John Wilner of the San Jose Mercury News "sources" at SCU say the new A.D. decision will be made soon, possibly this week.  The final 2 are reported to be Renee Baumgartner from Syracuse via University of Oregon, and Larry Williams from Marquette via University of Portland.

This identification of the candidates names is a pretty standard PR tactic to gauge press/people's reactions before a final decision. 

I met earlier this week with Jeff Mitchell, Senior Associate Athletic Director and interim Athletic Director.   He also intimated that the search process was "moving along" and there could be positive announcements sooner than later.

Whoever is the final choice, they will have an athletic staff who, perhaps for the first time in their SCU careers, will be included in the strategy, given resources to compete and tasked/measured with taking SCU to national level performance, first in major sports. 

All this won't be in place day one, but over time it's coming. 

While this sounds straightforward, it IMHO will be a welcome change for some coaches, both in resources provided and a shorter window for measurements of success.  Academic performance is already a mainstay. 

Wow...Resources....Accountability...Now that's real....


Who will it be?  

Both final candidates come from bigger programs that have dealt with big issues.

If these are the final 2, here's my guess...

Larry Williams.  
Seems to me to be the best match and least controversial. 
He has more than 10 years of A.D. experience at schools similar to SCU.
Knows the Jesuit foundations from the University of Portland and Marquette.  
Knows the WCC competitive environment from his days as A.D. at Portland.
Has the proper high level connections at SCU with people who know him from Notre Dame and Portland.
Known for his "transparency" and willingness/ability to communicate and connect - a biggie at SCU.
Manages to high standards and is not afraid to take on tough issues like he will face at SCU.  You can see the attached article on what he had to try to clean up at Marquette and appears to have left on his own principles. 
He's a good fundraiser - a key role for the new A.D. 
He's had success managing the exact same sports areas that SCU wants to take to national levels - particularly men's basketball.  Has managed women's soccer and volleyball at Portland and Marquette to NCAA titles and Big East Championships and inherits great coaches for these sports at SCU.
My only "unknown" is what he's been doing since leaving Marquette 18 months ago?

Milwaukee Journal Article


Renee Baumgartner
While Renee Baumgartner has outstanding credentials, for me the "fit" is a tough one.  
No doubt she's smart and motivated, but she has built her career at schools very different from SCU.
She appears to be a top notch manager and fundraiser and has been a sports supervisor for relevant SCU sports at Oregon and Syracuse.
Oregon and Syracuse, while known for athletic success, are much larger and have far different academic standards than SCU.
She has not been an A.D. and was seemingly passed over for the Syracuse A.D. job after surviving the Men's Basketball fiasco and NCAA suspensions.  (See attached article).
Even though she has loads of talent, it just seems to be an "outlier" choice to me.  

Maybe, that's what SCU feels it needs....

Syracuse Athletics Shakeup


So, for now the "ball" is in Fr. Engh's court to make the final decision.  Whatever the outcome - the most important thing is for SCU to follow through with the President's Commission on Athletics plan.  

Fund it, build it, measure it....

The long term payoff for SCU could be HUGE...

And, as season ticket holders and fans, we're ready to buy in....


Next up:  My conversation with Jeff Mitchell - Interim SCU Athletic Director.

Also follow The Bucking Bronco on Twitter @Fcrary.



  

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!!!

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SCU's Next Athletics Director – Job Description

The hiring of SCU’s next Athletic Director will signal to every Bronco fan and supporter whether “We’re on a Mission” to be nationally relevant or not.

The President's Commission on Athletics, the SCU Trustees, and Executive team must have a specific vision of what they wish to build.  

Will they hire an Architect or another Project Manager to implement?

Given the magnitude of the hire, I thought it appropriate, for us, as Men’s Basketball season ticket holders and fans, to submit some of our job description ideas for the next A.D. in addition to the soon to be published University formal criteria.  (As of this date, the job is not posted on the University Careers' page, the NCAA job posting site or on the national job boards such as Indeed.com).

Just to set YOUR expectations, I’m not talking a Georgetown or Notre Dame level here.  I hope we’re shooting for a Xavier, Butler level or higher – Villanova???

Key Qualifications:  The Short Version

Make SCU a consistent WCC and National contender in major sports without compromising any of our Academic or Jesuit and Catholic identity standards.

Sound easy? 

NOT.  Unless you believe that changing a culture of “hakuna matata” pervasive for the past 20 years is easy to accomplish.  Much will need to change and the new A.D. must be the catalyst.

I’m not saying we have to go buy a “name” for the new A.D. – but maybe one of the “names” knows the next up and comer big name to be built upon the success of SCU???

Just sayin…

And, I guess I’m the lone wolf here.  I keep harping. 

It starts with communication; getting your best supporters to literally “buy in” to the plan by talking about it.  I’d bet there’s some big potential donors who think the same way and hopefully have given our University Exec team the same message….

It might be a reason that students, fans, and alums don’t feel connected – because no one has shared a reason to be connected…

Here’s the more detailed version of Key Qualifications.

Key Qualifications:   More Detailed Version

A leader committed to ensuring the SCU tradition of academic excellence in our Athletic teams as measured by GPA, Academic Progress Rates (APR), graduation rates and post-graduation career outcomes within the context of a Jesuit Catholic University.

A proven track record building a national level Athletic program as measured by NCAA tournament appearances, victories, and championships in major sports programs.  SCU will be a perennial top contender for the WCC Commissioner’s Cup.

A leader who expects and measures the performance of the Athletic staff to achieve Conference and National level results as measured by the above criterion.

Possesses an intimate knowledge of NCAA major sports and, in particular, Men’s Basketball, at a nationally recognized program.

A demonstrated ability to recruit not only top level coaches, but nationally ranked players as measured by the consistency and number of top 100 recruits playing on SCU athletic teams.

An excellent communicator who can build a community of support for Athletics among all constituents.

Of course the U will list all the other usual attributes – team player, great marketer and fundraiser, collegiality, etc...


So, at the moment, instead of being "On a Mission", we're on a "national" search for someone who can take us national, after more than 20 years of just being local.....


Next Up:  How SCU can punch its ticket to the NCAA Tournament

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