ATHENS, Ohio (Nov. 24, 2004) -- Moving decisively to begin the challenging process of identifying the next head football coach for Ohio University, President Roderick J. McDavis has appointed a university-wide 16-member committee to spearhead the search.
Vice President for University Advancement Leonard Raley will chair the search and screening committee set to begin its work immediately with the establishment of criteria for consideration of appropriate candidates, as well as the identification of a search and screening consultant to facilitate the process.
"We have a very strong sense of urgency to move this important search ahead so that our football program may introduce a new coach in time to effectively recruit talented student-athletes to our program for the signing of national letters of intent in February," said McDavis. "At the same time, we will be extremely deliberate in our approach. This is a critical position within our Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and we must be prepared to work long and hard to find just the right fit.
"I am confident we will attract an outstanding pool of candidates. In addition to the reputation of Ohio University, we have attractive athletic facilities and a very loyal base of supportive fans. We also hit this search during a real surge in interest in the Mid-American Conference. With so many outstanding football programs, we may have as many as half a dozen teams under consideration for bowl appearances."
Emphasizing the university's ongoing commitment to academic success, the committee features an academic dean, a faculty member, a member of the Board of Trustees along with a number of alumni. Student representation will be provided by three members of the football team.
"This is a dedicated and particularly diverse group of committee members," said Raley. "Their various areas of interest all bear directly upon our ability to recruit and attract the most appropriate candidate to assume the leadership role for our football program. I am confident in our process and our colleagues to move us forward and achieve a successful result for Ohio University."
The search will be national in scope and McDavis' goal is to conclude the process by the turn of the year. Click here to find a complete listing of the search committee members.
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Media Contact: Vice President for University Advancement Leonard Raley, (740) 593-0061 or raley@ohio.edu
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