Like it is

Pick a name for AD, but passion a must

NWA Democrat-Gazette/BEN GOFF @NWABENGOFF
Julie Cromer Peoples, Arakansas interim director of athletics, speaks Friday, Nov. 17, 2017, during a press conference at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville.
NWA Democrat-Gazette/BEN GOFF @NWABENGOFF Julie Cromer Peoples, Arakansas interim director of athletics, speaks Friday, Nov. 17, 2017, during a press conference at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville.

It is a must that a newly hired athletic director immediately should start meeting with booster clubs, Rotary or Lions clubs, whatever it takes to reunite a fan base from border to border without asking for more money -- at least for now.

There are many from different walks of life who are interested in becoming the new AD for the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. Some are native Arkansans and some aren't -- which is not necessarily a requirement, but understanding the fan base is essential.

Only the UA president, chancellor and board of trustees know what is going on. They aren't talking, but others are.

The two most prominent names being heard are Joe Kleine and Kevin Scanlon.

Kleine is one of the most popular athletes in UA history and a successful businessman.

Scanlon is one of the state's best kept secrets. He is a successful supervisor at Stephens Inc., a company that resists headlines.

Both adopted Arkansas as their home states, and both have spotless reputations. The reasons they could be successful are too numerous to list, but they aren't the only names that should be considered.

Here are a few more, in no specific order.

Charlotte Jones Anderson, who probably wouldn't leave the family business of the Dallas Cowboys.

Julie Cromer Peoples was named the interim AD, and she stepped up to fill in all the gaps since Jeff Long's dismissal.

Besides Cromer Peoples, there are at least three other associate ADs who could be candidates. Matt Trantham, a native of Hot Springs, and Jon Fagg were both hired by Long. They were seen as vital cogs in the athletic department.

Kevin Trainor, a UA graduate, has been with the Razorbacks for more than 23 years and has a knowledge of how it all is supposed to ebb and flow.

Scott Varady, as UA's attorney, wrote every contract for more than 20 years and heads up the Razorback Foundation now.

Former Razorbacks basketball player and assistant coach Jim Counce is a noted heart surgeon. Jay Bequette is a top-shelf attorney.

Former quarterback Quinn Grovey has vast management experience at Wal-Mart and Home Depot.

Fitz Hill and Tommy Tuberville could fill the bill. Hill is the former Razorbacks wide receiver/recruiting coordinator and head coach at San Jose State. He raised millions as president of Arkansas Baptist College.

Tuberville is the former head coach at Auburn, Ole Miss, Texas Tech and Cincinnati. He currently is a really good football analyst on TV.

A list should include former Vanderbilt player Derrick Gragg, who spent six years at Arkansas working for Frank Broyles and is now Tulsa's athletic director.

There may be others, but time is of the essence if other changes are coming.

Regardless, an AD with energy, enthusiasm and a heartfelt passion for all things Razorbacks is a must.

Too many of today's ADs are fundraisers first, second and third, and that's why the coaching in the SEC isn't as good today as it was 10 years ago, as witnessed by the fact that Florida and Tennessee got rid of their coaches before the season ended.

Money has to be raised, but it can't be the only thing an AD does. It has to be someone who knows how to be an administrator too, someone who can see a problem and get his coach to fix it before it is too late.

Does that person have to be a former Razorback? No, but it would help to have someone who knows what it feels like to have pride in the Razorbacks.

Sports on 11/21/2017

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