UConn AD Hathaway probably on his way out
Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2011 1:46 am
The New London Day reported Saturday that new UConn president Susan Herbst is catalyzing a removal of Jeff Hathaway as athletic director.
Hathaway (above, left) has been at Connecticut for eight years, witnessing two men's and four women's national championships in basketball during his tenure. Of course, he was also in the house when the NCAA slapped the men's program with a tag of failure to promote an atmosphere of compliance. Hathaway is also the chair of the NCAA men's basketball selection committee for the 2012 NCAA tournament. Stories of his impending departure from the university are only the latest in the series of sagas in Storrs, Conn., the past few years. The latest here, this news, is not surprising. Some would say it's been a long time coming.
There's a clear power struggle and crisscross of communication in the athletic offices at the school. And it seems the new president is siding on behalf of those who'd like to see a new leader in charge. From the Day's report:
Hathaway, who operates under a six-year rollover contract (through 2017) with a base salary of $351,717, will receive a buyout. Once the parties reach an agreeable monetary figure, the sources said, Hathaway will leave the job he's had for the last eight years.
The process could take at least "a few weeks" and likely longer, according to one of the sources, who said it is doubtful Hathaway will be the athletic director by the time classes begin in September. The sources had no knowledge of potential candidates for Hathaway's successor.
Hathaway begins his duties as chairman of the Selection Committee in September.
Rumors of Hathaway's departure -- for instance, replacing Debbie Yow at his alma mater, Maryland -- have existed for some time; well more than a year. There's been an increasing amount of frustration in Hathaway's inability to run a tight ship and bring in public money for the school. And the stink from the men's basketball violations -- violations that would get most coaches fired -- is still something that inhibits Hathaway more for than any other person.
Perhaps rightfully so; he is the athletic director. Still, this is quite a big change. Hathaway was also the associate athletic director at the school form 1990 to 2001. He's been along for nearly as much of the UConn empire-building as Jim Calhoun. More perspective from the Day:
Hathaway's most serious deficiencies, the sources said, centered primarily on fundraising revenues in consistent decline and a lack of attention paid to NCAA compliance. In both cases, the sources said, Hathaway failed to hire experienced replacements for former athletic fundraiser Paul Pendergast and former compliance director Bill Shults.
The sources said that Herbst is taking NCAA compliance with the utmost seriousness, given the recent transgressions of the men's basketball program. UConn's compliance staff now has four full-time staffers (it previously had two). By comparison, Ohio State has eight (six full-time members and two interns) and Tennessee has five full-time employees.
There is not only a probable change in athletic director coming, but a change in culture, too, as Calhoun creeps ever closer to retiring. The Hartford Courant's Jeff Jacobs had an outstanding column this weekend, a column that really nailed just what a mess this whole situation is. Before the summer's out (read: once this becomes official) I can and will get into the effect this change will have on UConn. For now, please read Jacobs' editorial for a sense of how reputations and legacies (within the state, at least) could be established based upon the effect and fallout from Hathaway's departure.
But for now, I present this: Has Calhoun not publicly said he's coming back yet because Hathaway is still there? There is no love loss between the two. Is this a power play by Calhoun? Get rid of Hathaway, and then you'll have my vow for a return for next season.
It wouldn't shock me if that's the case. Calhoun's been active on the recruiting trail and looks vibrant and ready to start again. But he's keeping his lips sealed -- for now -- as we wait to see when this buyout happens.
To sum it up: UConn just won a national title three months ago. Its athletic director is on his way to being forced out. Its head coach still hasn't publicly made his decision. This is more problematic, short-term and long-term, than most realize.
Hathaway (above, left) has been at Connecticut for eight years, witnessing two men's and four women's national championships in basketball during his tenure. Of course, he was also in the house when the NCAA slapped the men's program with a tag of failure to promote an atmosphere of compliance. Hathaway is also the chair of the NCAA men's basketball selection committee for the 2012 NCAA tournament. Stories of his impending departure from the university are only the latest in the series of sagas in Storrs, Conn., the past few years. The latest here, this news, is not surprising. Some would say it's been a long time coming.
There's a clear power struggle and crisscross of communication in the athletic offices at the school. And it seems the new president is siding on behalf of those who'd like to see a new leader in charge. From the Day's report:
Hathaway, who operates under a six-year rollover contract (through 2017) with a base salary of $351,717, will receive a buyout. Once the parties reach an agreeable monetary figure, the sources said, Hathaway will leave the job he's had for the last eight years.
The process could take at least "a few weeks" and likely longer, according to one of the sources, who said it is doubtful Hathaway will be the athletic director by the time classes begin in September. The sources had no knowledge of potential candidates for Hathaway's successor.
Hathaway begins his duties as chairman of the Selection Committee in September.
Rumors of Hathaway's departure -- for instance, replacing Debbie Yow at his alma mater, Maryland -- have existed for some time; well more than a year. There's been an increasing amount of frustration in Hathaway's inability to run a tight ship and bring in public money for the school. And the stink from the men's basketball violations -- violations that would get most coaches fired -- is still something that inhibits Hathaway more for than any other person.
Perhaps rightfully so; he is the athletic director. Still, this is quite a big change. Hathaway was also the associate athletic director at the school form 1990 to 2001. He's been along for nearly as much of the UConn empire-building as Jim Calhoun. More perspective from the Day:
Hathaway's most serious deficiencies, the sources said, centered primarily on fundraising revenues in consistent decline and a lack of attention paid to NCAA compliance. In both cases, the sources said, Hathaway failed to hire experienced replacements for former athletic fundraiser Paul Pendergast and former compliance director Bill Shults.
The sources said that Herbst is taking NCAA compliance with the utmost seriousness, given the recent transgressions of the men's basketball program. UConn's compliance staff now has four full-time staffers (it previously had two). By comparison, Ohio State has eight (six full-time members and two interns) and Tennessee has five full-time employees.
There is not only a probable change in athletic director coming, but a change in culture, too, as Calhoun creeps ever closer to retiring. The Hartford Courant's Jeff Jacobs had an outstanding column this weekend, a column that really nailed just what a mess this whole situation is. Before the summer's out (read: once this becomes official) I can and will get into the effect this change will have on UConn. For now, please read Jacobs' editorial for a sense of how reputations and legacies (within the state, at least) could be established based upon the effect and fallout from Hathaway's departure.
But for now, I present this: Has Calhoun not publicly said he's coming back yet because Hathaway is still there? There is no love loss between the two. Is this a power play by Calhoun? Get rid of Hathaway, and then you'll have my vow for a return for next season.
It wouldn't shock me if that's the case. Calhoun's been active on the recruiting trail and looks vibrant and ready to start again. But he's keeping his lips sealed -- for now -- as we wait to see when this buyout happens.
To sum it up: UConn just won a national title three months ago. Its athletic director is on his way to being forced out. Its head coach still hasn't publicly made his decision. This is more problematic, short-term and long-term, than most realize.