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Ohio Basketball Topic
Topic: New AD (NT)
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GroverBall
6/5/2019 10:40 AM
colobobcat66 wrote:expand_more
It’s curious to me that some folks say that Nellis wants to control everything while others have said its a pre retirement job. I don’t get it, which is it? Others say he’s not interested in athletics and others say he wants to control it. See this post above. I’m getting mixed signals here. And some folks have said Nellis wants to spend less on athletics and he goes out and spends more on a BB coach.
When Nellis was first selected as O.U.'s president,I was one of the people who,
based on his resume,age,etc.viewed his taking the job as "early retirement".

That opinion has changed since he got here.

I still think this will be the last stop on the train.
But,based on what I've read,he does seem to be someone who wants to control everything.

As far as athletics.
Again,there doesn't seem to anything in his past that indicates an interest in
athletics.

Still,that doesn't mean he doesn't want to control the department.

I'm also concerned,given the comments in several of his "First Friday"letters,that he may be more interested in "making a statement",with the hiring of a new A.D.,as opposed to selecting the best candidate for the job.
If you look online at His vision Texas Tech when he took the job he said his vision (summarized by me)was to cultivate athletics, have competitive teams and that athletics are the “front porch” of the university. All the right things, I believe. Those statements may have been more necessary at TTU than at Ohio, but nevertheless he addressed them there. Haven’t seen it listed at Ohio, but may have missed it.
https://www.athensnews.com/news/campus/first-forum-held-f...
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rpbobcat
6/5/2019 10:40 AM
Thanks
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rpbobcat
6/5/2019 10:49 AM
GroverBall wrote:expand_more
If you look online at His vision Texas Tech when he took the job he said his vision (summarized by me)was to cultivate athletics, have competitive teams and that athletics are the “front porch” of the university. All the right things, I believe. Those statements may have been more necessary at TTU than at Ohio, but nevertheless he addressed them there. Haven’t seen it listed at Ohio, but may have missed it.
https://www.athensnews.com/news/campus/first-forum-held-f...
Reading what his Vision Texas Tech said and the link you posted, athletics being the "front porch" of a university sounds like his "stock" answer.

Maybe he means it.

I'll give him the benefit of the doubt,at least until I see who the new A.D. is.
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BillyTheCat
6/5/2019 12:31 PM
rpbobcat wrote:expand_more
If you look online at His vision Texas Tech when he took the job he said his vision (summarized by me)was to cultivate athletics, have competitive teams and that athletics are the “front porch” of the university. All the right things, I believe. Those statements may have been more necessary at TTU than at Ohio, but nevertheless he addressed them there. Haven’t seen it listed at Ohio, but may have missed it.
https://www.athensnews.com/news/campus/first-forum-held-f...
Reading what his Vision Texas Tech said and the link you posted, athletics being the "front porch" of a university sounds like his "stock" answer.

Maybe he means it.

I'll give him the benefit of the doubt,at least until I see who the new A.D. is.
That answer is the "industry standard", Tom Boeh used that a lot, McDavis used that a lot. No different than when we "wish them well on their future endeavors".
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SBH
6/5/2019 1:14 PM
Many claimed Nellis wouldn't pony up more than $250K for the new bball coach. Boals is making more than 2.5x that.

Athletics recently got by with just a $600k budget cut versus very deep reductions in other departments.

I was told Nellis approved ICA's use of Ohio University Foundation's database for funding campaigns. Even McDavis didn't allow that.

I think Nellis understands importance of ICA but will not let it become the focal point of faculty unrest, as it did under McDavis.
Last Edited: 6/5/2019 1:17:15 PM by SBH
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randy
6/5/2019 3:09 PM
being around town for a while from what I gather. Nellis = research $> athletics $
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Joe McKinley
6/5/2019 3:16 PM
SBH wrote:expand_more
I was told Nellis approved ICA's use of Ohio University Foundation's database for funding campaigns. Even McDavis didn't allow that.
In my opinion, strong ties between academic and campus life/athletics advancement with coordinated relationship building helps a university fulfill it's mission.
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OUcats82
6/5/2019 4:11 PM
Joe McKinley wrote:expand_more
I was told Nellis approved ICA's use of Ohio University Foundation's database for funding campaigns. Even McDavis didn't allow that.
In my opinion, strong ties between academic and campus life/athletics advancement with coordinated relationship building helps a university fulfill it's mission.
Agreed. I would argue that was the original intention for the creation of organized collegiate athletics, along with friendly competition against peer institutions.

Right or wrong, collegiate athletics is one of the most visible forms of exposure a lot of universities get and broadcast/other similar rights help pay a lot of bills (albeit normally arranged through a conference but it trickles down).

Think about the windfall of media exposure a mid or low-major team gets with a nice run in the NCAA basketball tournament or an early season football upset. App State's win over Michigan is mentioned with regularity now over 10 years later.

Ohio's 2010 Georgetown win, 2012 Sweet 16 and 2012 football win over Penn State to start the year were all major sources of student/alumni pride and provided exposure that could not have been bought, even with the deepest coffers. I'd be curious to see what impact those events had on both new student applications as well as donor activity (especially the latter).

I have always greatly admired universities like Stanford that are excellent in both academics and athletics.
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colobobcat66
6/5/2019 4:54 PM
randy wrote:expand_more
being around town for a while from what I gather. Nellis = research $> athletics $
I agree with Nellis if that’s his position. If anyone here has different priorities I hope they’re in the minority. Academics always should be first. I don’t see anything that he has said that minimizes the importance of athletics either.
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OhioCatFan
6/5/2019 11:18 PM
After a recent discussion, admittedly not an extended one, with President Nellis, I will have to disagree with my friend rpbobcat. I think that Nellis is committed to athletics as the "front door" of the institution and that his attitude on this has not changed since his days as head man at Texas Tech. Also we have the evidence of Jeff Boals salary. We heard many posters here say that the next coach's salary would be less, maybe significantly less, than Sauls. Didn't happen. I will admit that I had previously shared misgivings similar to those expressed by rpbobcat, but these recent developments have changed my mind on Nellis' attitude on athletics.
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randy
6/5/2019 11:39 PM
agree guys. this is an institution of promoting higher learning. with that includes extra curricular activities . one is sports. we are barely a "mid-major" program. We can hope to compete with Power5's . but in my 40 years I understand we will always be the MaC. BTW. I love seeing upsets . The front door is when OU is on TV in sports. I hate to say that as a supporter for all. don't dig me please! but when was the last time a philosophy class etc. being nationally/ world televised? the exposure sure does help
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Ohio69
6/6/2019 10:45 AM
When coaches leave we often think of candidates with OHIO connections. For the AD position I thought of Mark Wilson and Dan Hauser as they are sitting ADs who who worked at OHIO and may be interested in having D1 football on their resume. Internally I wonder if Amy Dean or Michael Stephens will apply. And I assume Nellis would call his former ADs (Kirby Hocutt is one) and the OHIO sports ad folks for ideas. Anyone think of other potential candidates with OHIO ties? I don't think they need OHIO ties at all. But, fun to speculate/discuss. I hope the next AD really understands the nuanced position they will be in. They will have leadership who supports athletics, solid support from alums (including some donors), a regional fan base that shows up for winners, a fairly apathetic student body, and an ever-simmering-disdain for athletics by a sizeable portion of faculty/staff and community members.
Last Edited: 6/6/2019 10:46:24 AM by Ohio69
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OUcats82
6/6/2019 2:21 PM
Ohio69 wrote:expand_more
and an ever-simmering-disdain for athletics by a sizeable portion of faculty/staff and community members.
Just curious from those who are more knowledgeable than me on the subject...

Are there any universities out there where this isn't the norm? I would guess it's even worse at P5 schools?

I also know that faculty and staff are sometimes the biggest fans of their institutions.
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randy
6/6/2019 9:10 PM
Much respect to Amy D. In my perfect world.. I would love for her to be given the opportunity to get a chance to really take control, build more on her resume. meanwhile in my perfect world. Give," Got Frank" in a situation and give him tenure... and as things progress, hopefully he won't will not leave . but coach, the ball is in the court
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The Optimist
6/6/2019 9:24 PM
I’m embarrassed to admit I believed the “Nellis doesn’t care about sports” narrative preached by some on this board up until the Boals hire.

I feared (incorrectly) they might be right and we might try to go cheap on our next MBB hire... clearly that was entirely fake news/wishful thinking from the anti-athletics crowd. Pretty obvious now Nellis is in the correct school of thought camp that athletics is the front porch to OUr own fine University
Last Edited: 6/6/2019 9:25:34 PM by The Optimist
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RPO R6V
6/6/2019 11:06 PM
OUcats82 wrote:expand_more
[QUOTE=Ohio69]and an ever-simmering-disdain for athletics by a sizeable portion of faculty/staff and community members.

You mentioned faculty/staff but didn't mention the alumni.
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sargentfan
6/7/2019 10:36 AM
Based on conversations I've had with those that have had interactions with Nellis is that he has a very measured and pragmatic approach. He understands the value of Athletics within the full picture of a university. You won't see him too involved watching any Ohio sporting event like McDavis would at times. Rather he is always working the crowd and taking advantage of the opportunities presented. He is proud of the Athletics program and how it brings in Alumni. So my take is he will afford it the resources inline with how it helps the profile of the University in balance with the needs for Academics and Facilities.
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SBH
6/7/2019 11:02 AM
Nellis's image would be improved immeasurably if he would simply lose the combover.
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SBH
6/7/2019 11:03 AM
Ohio69 wrote:expand_more
When coaches leave we often think of candidates with OHIO connections. For the AD position I thought of Mark Wilson and Dan Hauser as they are sitting ADs who who worked at OHIO and may be interested in having D1 football on their resume. Internally I wonder if Amy Dean or Michael Stephens will apply. And I assume Nellis would call his former ADs (Kirby Hocutt is one) and the OHIO sports ad folks for ideas. Anyone think of other potential candidates with OHIO ties? I don't think they need OHIO ties at all. But, fun to speculate/discuss. I hope the next AD really understands the nuanced position they will be in. They will have leadership who supports athletics, solid support from alums (including some donors), a regional fan base that shows up for winners, a fairly apathetic student body, and an ever-simmering-disdain for athletics by a sizeable portion of faculty/staff and community members.
I get the disdain from faculty and staff. Why community members? They don't like us coming into town to spend $$$ at their establishments? They don't want the university to have a higher profile?
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Alan Swank
6/7/2019 1:05 PM
SBH wrote:expand_more
When coaches leave we often think of candidates with OHIO connections. For the AD position I thought of Mark Wilson and Dan Hauser as they are sitting ADs who who worked at OHIO and may be interested in having D1 football on their resume. Internally I wonder if Amy Dean or Michael Stephens will apply. And I assume Nellis would call his former ADs (Kirby Hocutt is one) and the OHIO sports ad folks for ideas. Anyone think of other potential candidates with OHIO ties? I don't think they need OHIO ties at all. But, fun to speculate/discuss. I hope the next AD really understands the nuanced position they will be in. They will have leadership who supports athletics, solid support from alums (including some donors), a regional fan base that shows up for winners, a fairly apathetic student body, and an ever-simmering-disdain for athletics by a sizeable portion of faculty/staff and community members.
I get the disdain from faculty and staff. Why community members? They don't like us coming into town to spend $$$ at their establishments? They don't want the university to have a higher profile?
Athens is an interesting town. Where else would over 100 people show up at a city council meeting to protest the selection of a garbage company? Athletics are an easy target for disdain for some simply because of the millions spent on a bunch of kids playing games and coaches supervising those games when so many believe that our schools don't get enough money and the academic and support units at OU are cutting their budgets. That is not my view but one that I hear on a very regular basis. It will be interesting to see if that changes a bit if football were to win the MAC or men's basketball makes it to the NCAA tournament.
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SBH
6/7/2019 2:10 PM
But they're all okay with their pampered "student-athletes" in Buckeye world.
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OUbobcat9092
6/10/2019 9:43 PM
Ohio69 wrote:expand_more
When coaches leave we often think of candidates with OHIO connections. For the AD position I thought of Mark Wilson and Dan Hauser as they are sitting ADs who who worked at OHIO and may be interested in having D1 football on their resume. Internally I wonder if Amy Dean or Michael Stephens will apply. And I assume Nellis would call his former ADs (Kirby Hocutt is one) and the OHIO sports ad folks for ideas. Anyone think of other potential candidates with OHIO ties? I don't think they need OHIO ties at all. But, fun to speculate/discuss. I hope the next AD really understands the nuanced position they will be in. They will have leadership who supports athletics, solid support from alums (including some donors), a regional fan base that shows up for winners, a fairly apathetic student body, and an ever-simmering-disdain for athletics by a sizeable portion of faculty/staff and community members.
Hocutt???, surely you jest...
Last Edited: 6/10/2019 9:44:23 PM by OUbobcat9092
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brucecuth
6/11/2019 9:34 AM
Alan Swank wrote:expand_more
When coaches leave we often think of candidates with OHIO connections. For the AD position I thought of Mark Wilson and Dan Hauser as they are sitting ADs who who worked at OHIO and may be interested in having D1 football on their resume. Internally I wonder if Amy Dean or Michael Stephens will apply. And I assume Nellis would call his former ADs (Kirby Hocutt is one) and the OHIO sports ad folks for ideas. Anyone think of other potential candidates with OHIO ties? I don't think they need OHIO ties at all. But, fun to speculate/discuss. I hope the next AD really understands the nuanced position they will be in. They will have leadership who supports athletics, solid support from alums (including some donors), a regional fan base that shows up for winners, a fairly apathetic student body, and an ever-simmering-disdain for athletics by a sizeable portion of faculty/staff and community members.
I get the disdain from faculty and staff. Why community members? They don't like us coming into town to spend $$$ at their establishments? They don't want the university to have a higher profile?
Athens is an interesting town. Where else would over 100 people show up at a city council meeting to protest the selection of a garbage company?

Upper Arlington. You'd have thought the world was ending when the city switched from municipal collection to private about 5 yrs ago...
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mcbin
6/11/2019 6:28 PM
Search committee announced: https://www.ohio.edu/compass/stories/18-19/06/search-comm...
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MonroeClassmate
6/11/2019 9:17 PM
If the President were to see the remaining AD staff as efficient, since there are no coaches to hire soon, does there need to be urgency to hire an AD?
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