There was not a large amount of AD turnover in September, but a pair of jobs in LA have created two of the biggest openings in college athletics. Of the four departments to experience AD turnover in September, one has already found a new leader while the other three have launched searches.
USC
In what many have described as an open secret, new USC President Carol L. Folt announced on Sept 9 that Director of Athletics Lynn Swann had resigned. Folt, who was named USC’s 12th President in July has announced that former USC Vice President of Compliance Dave Roberts will serve as the Trojans interim AD. The school recently announced it had hired a search firm to assist in the process.
Southern Illinois
Southern Illinois was the second school to experience AD turnover in September and is the only department to have already named a new director of atheltics. On Sept. 16, SIU announced that AD and former football coach Jerry Kill had resigned his post to join the football staff at Virginia Tech. At the same time, Chancellor John M. Dunn announced that associate director of athletics Liz Jarnigan had been promoted to succeed Kill. Jarnigan first joined the SIU athletic department in July 2018.
Arkansas Pine Bluff
The Golden Lions are looking for a new AD after it was announced that Melvin Hines had been relieved of his duties. “In an effort to build upon the positive momentum in the Athletics Department, Keith McCluney has been named Acting Director of Athletics effective immediately. Mr. McCluney, Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director, has worked in athletics administration at major universities since 2004,” UAPB Chancellor Laurence B. Alexander said in a statement, “As with all faculty and staff, Mr. Hines participated in an annual evaluation, which revealed that it was time to move in a new direction.” Hines was hired in Sept 2018.
UCLA
On Sept. 19 it was announced that longtime UCLA AD Dan Guerrero would retire following the conclusion of his contract. Guerrero’s contract expires on July 1, 2020. The university plans to hire a search firm this fall as it begins to search for Guerrero’s replacement.