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!!!

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

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

For more Bucking Bronco info, follow me on Twitter @Fcrary

SCU Men's Basketball Roadmap - Who's Gonna Drive?

Somewhere, inside SCU and Athletics there's a roadmap for MBB to become a contender in the WCC and a nationally recognized winning program.

I think that's great.  My biggest question is, Who's gonna drive??

In any successful venture, there has to be a "driver".  Someone who steps up and OWNS the process and the outcome. 

Like Jared Brownridge driving for the winning basket versus St. Mary's - taking the game and program on his back and delivering.

I've asked this question to several at the "U" and so far, no clear answer.... 

Being the driver is not for the faint of heart.  Particularly at SCU, given the magnitude of the challenge...

Maybe that's why we've not heard who's gonna drive "We're on a Mission" to something beyond a catchy slogan?

So, in the absence of communication, there are successful models of schools similar to SCU for us to emulate and in fact, several the President's Commission studied.

Examples: Villanova, Butler, Xavier, and Creighton.

I don't even have to introduce these programs, because most everyone "knows" who they are and what they've achieved.  Well, maybe Creighton is a little under the radar, but they have a strong MBB and Women's sports as well - in , ahem, Omaha.....

How do these schools do it?  There are many factors, but their recipe's have some similarities.

  

They each have a capable "driver" and sponsor.

The A.D's report directly to the University President, signifying Athletics is as important to the University and student life as Academics.

The University allocates significant funding to Athletics from their operating budgets.

They go public with their plans and ambitions.  Most of the A.D.'s are driving the strategic plan and are open about their goals and accountability.  

Some produce frequent "Ask the A.D." videos they share with fans.  They get fans and students on board.  At Xavier, A.D. Greg Christopher talks openly about their strategic plans and goals in his "Ask the A.D" video series. 

They have Marketing plans that build upon their Brand and get people engaged.  Some even publish an events schedule at the beginning of the season, so calendars can be coordinated.  

For example, Villanova has a Men's Basketball Banquet they offer to their fans that's a sellout.

You'll rarely find a Golden Circle type fundraiser that collides with an arch rival home game.  

Direct, Visible, DRIVEN.

IMHO, "who's gonna drive" is the most difficult part of the whole SCU potential Athletic's makeover.

We're sort of like a start up that has had some success, but needs to get to the next level and the Board of Directors has to decide if the current executive team can take us there?  

For a student, maybe it's like taking the leap from Freshman statistics directly into multi-variable calculus. Daunting....

When we have the answer to "who's gonna drive" it will signal to all SCU fans if we are really "On a Mission" or just out for a joy ride...

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

Follow The Bucking Bronco on Twitter @Fcrary

SCU Men's Basketball 2015 Season Recap - Ground Hog Day

I'm convinced Punxsutawney Phil transferred to Santa Clara.  

Just like our 2014-15 season and the Ground Hog Day movie, we just can't seem to break out of the "time warp" that is like Silicon Valley traffic gridlock.  

Gonzaga, BYU, St. Mary's lead the way and we are stalled with Pacific and Loyola behind us in a bumper to bumper WCC....

Some Numbers

MBB Season 14-18, WCC 7-11, tied for sixth place  

Over the past nine WCC seasons - we are sixth in number of WCC wins - W46 - L78.  "time warp."*

Pick a time period - even the last 3 years, other than the "big 3" teams, the next 4, including SCU have all won about 22 WCC games.

Needless to say, key game stats pinpoint our treading water status.  

The players' trends tell the same story.  

I looked at 10 key players since 2008 and only 2 had senior year statistics better than their sophomore or junior season.  Now, you can pick these stats apart in many ways - team mix and roles change, better WCC competition, etc, etc.  But, to me, the "trend" is compelling. 

 "Time Warp."

So, other than pull some Bill Murray outrageous antics - how do we break out???

Here are some, albeit, difficult options.

First.  Our new 2015-16 recruits have a "surprise" factor and make immediate impact.  They are, on average taller, more athletic, and have the potential to protect and yes, score in the paint.  A lot of other Freshman do this, why not ours?

Second.  We need "a breakout year" from our sophomores AND Jared to be Jared.  The Juniors need to show progression.

Third.  We need to reboot and do some creative, impact marketing. Build a "community of support" around MBB.  

How about involving the community living around SCU with incentives to come to games?  

How about some PR, getting our schedule out early in the media, other than our website, and create some programs around specific games?  We are playing Vanderbilt at home - rumor has it...

How about a "fan night" or season ticket holder rally where all the coaches press some flesh and the U makes us feel we're INcluded?

How about a Ruff Rider and Season ticket holder social mixer to build links and gain some more student support?

Maybe, be so bold as to share "the plan" for men's basketball going forward and enlist support.  Have us feel we're part of the process? I'm not talking about the usual hype, rather, be a little open about our challenges what we all have to do?  

Maybe we need to do what Phil Connors did in the film, improve ourselves, learn, involve, make changes.   Make this process a celebration of where we can go instead be stalled....

Maybe then instead of a"time warp" - IT'S OUR TIME....

*Does not include BYU and Pacific - new to WCC. 

Don't forget to follow The Bucking Bronco on Twitter @Fcrary.

Is SCU "All IN" for Men's Basketball?

So, I promised a Men's Basketball season recap for my next article, but yesterday my mailbox and Twitter were blowing up with the "All IN for SCU" challenge.

I think these crowd-funding challenge events are great and SCU knows how to fund raise...

BUT, it made me stop and ask - particularly when it comes to Men's Basketball, why is it that they are so direct and open with communications asking for money, yet so lacking in providing their best customers information that might build more trust, confidence, and a sense of community to go "ALL IN" to support the team?

Don' get me wrong.  Communications like "This Week In Bronco Sports" and "EYEBRONCO" sports recaps are nice, but they don't address the elephant in the room - the questions about the future strategy and plans for Men's Basketball.  

The Commission and the Trustees have spoken.  Yet, to date, no one has spoken to season ticket holders and loyal fans.  It seems we're acting like it's some super secret that we to want to invest in competing nationally and at the top of the WCC.

We're not expecting a bunch of confidential information, but some dialogue would be welcome.

Hitting the "mute" button isn't a strategy.  Even if the University is in the "silent" phase of a campaign to recruit large potential donors, wouldn't those prospects want to see that the season ticket holders and fans are already "All IN" as validation that their gift will have impact?

I think so...

Building a Brand around Men's Basketball doesn't start with asking for money.  It starts by making people feel like they are involved and included. 

Only then will we want to go "ALL IN"...