Yesterday, Kevin Scarbinsky wrote this article in the Birmingham News. In it he talks about the growing trend of college athletic departments contracting with sports-centered placement firms to help in AD staff (i.e. coaches) hiring.
In general, I think he does an OK job of raising the question of whether public universities should be spending this level of money on task that have traditionally been done by the AD staff. However, I think he missed a few REALLY BIG REASONS why this type of outsourcing is probably a good idea. Here’s the email I sent him:
Dear Mr. Scarbinsky:
In general, I enjoyed the article, “Searching for reasons to hire search firms”, but I think you’re overlooking some important aspects of the new reality of athletic staff hiring. I suspect outside firms are being brought in for two main reasons: positive PR and the reduction of litigation risk.
An initial candidate list of 50+ names communicates a stronger sense of thoroughness than a list of 10 or 20. Even if only the top 10 or 15 candidates will be seriously considered, it’s just more reassuring to the fan-base to be looking at a large number of candidates. Remember, this is the SEC, we’re focusing on - where a $15K or $35K secondary expense is practically negligible.
The risk of litigation is a growing concern in AD hiring decisions. Using an outside source for preliminary profiling allows a university to document its efforts in avoiding unfair and discriminating hiring practices. Incidentally, there’s also the “George O’Leary Factor” to consider. Having a firm performing some extra “due diligence” on candidates is always money well spent.
Now, I do think you touched on an interesting question regarding the role of the Athletic Department staff. Namely, “how much of the staff’s resources should go to AD operations verses staffing/ hiring?” I’d be interested in reading an article that examines that issue more closely and relates it to what the “top” AD programs in the country are doing.
Thankyouverymuch, thankyouverymuch,
Auburn Elvis
We’ll see if I get a response.
- UPDATE:
Ok, I got a response from one of the BN editors asking for my name and city so my comment could be added to the “sound off” section. Which, I realize is less a response to what I wrote, and more that I wrote. But “hey”, I’ll take any recognition I can get.