#10: Neinas Sports Services President/former Big Eight Commissioner Neinas, whom the Los Angeles Times’ Kartje and McCollough describe as former USC AD Bohn’s mentor, reacts to Bohn’s departure: “Well, I’d say, number one, it’s bull—, but then I’m not objective. He brought in Lincoln Riley, which was one hell of a move, and turned the football program around, created much more interest in Trojan athletics. And then the opportunity to triple their income going to the Big Ten Conference, putting the institution at a very solid financial condition, and he’s voted athletic director of the year by his peers. You’d say the guy is on a roll, wouldn’t you?” Regarding allegations of a toxic work environment, Neinas remarks: “You can talk to anybody in the college athletic business, and they will tell you that Mike Bohn is one of the friendliest people in the business. … He has a great sensitivity about him, which makes the accusations relative to his treatment of women suspect in my opinion.” Lots more. (link)
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#9: Watch as Cleveland State AD Garrett and Asst. AD for the Viking Fund Longmeier make good on their promise to take a plunge off the high-dive after achieving their fundraising goal. In total, the Vikings raised more than $1.2M this year. (link)
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#8: Eastern Washington’s AD search is down to three finalists in former Illinois-Springfield (DII) AD Sarrá, Fresno State Senior Assoc. AD for Development Collins, and Valparaiso Executive Assoc. AD/SWA Jarnigan, who was previously AD at Southern Illinois. Campus visits are set for each candidate between May 25 and June 5. (link)
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#7: USC President Folt appoints Executive Senior Assoc. AD Kwok as Interim Executive Administrator as the Trojans search for a new AD. Additionally, former Penn State AD Barbour, former Big 12 Commissioner Weiberg and former Duke Deputy AD/CFO Moser have agreed to serve on an interim leadership team composed of internal and external members. Folt: “This team brings depth, experience, and great expertise in championship-level Division I intercollegiate athletics, including NIL, recruiting and facilities management, operations, marketing, finance, and Big Ten conference processes and procedures. They will augment the leadership and staff in our department and provide a broad national perspective on changes taking place nationally.” (link)
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#6: The LA Times’ Plaschke questions USC President Folt’s interpretation of the word “integrity,” which she used to describe then-incoming Trojans AD Bohn in 2019. Fast forward to 2023 and Plaschke points to a number of articles his publication was working on about Bohn, including one that “recounted concerns about his conduct in his previous job at Cincinnati, citing six sources both named and anonymous who said he made unwanted physical contact with women while creating a toxic and hostile work environment.” More from Plaschke: “When asked Saturday whether Bohn was properly scrutinized before he was hired, a source close to Bohn’s search maintained that the university conducted a thorough vetting process. This all comes back to Folt. This is her account. This is her responsibility. This is her mess and right now, she must swim in it.” (link)
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#5: Grand Valley State (DII) AD Becker calls out Oklahoma and “other DI coaches” for being present and recruiting at the DII Women’s Golf National Championship. (link)
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#4: From The Action Network’s McMurphy: “Washington State president Kirk Schulz says WSU athletics will have ‘temporary freeze on all current & future vacant positions until further review, as well as a pause on non-essential travel, purchases & new professional development’ because of ‘significant decrease in Pac-12 revenue distribution as result of overpayments from one of the conference media partners that must be resolved. Relocation of the Pac‑12 headquarters out of San Francisco exceeded budget projections as well. Additionally, WSU projects that Cougar Athletics exceeded its expenditures for the year due to inadequate documentation of revenues and expenses.’” (link)
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#3: USA Today’s Berkowitz reports the U.S. House of Representatives is set to discuss a college sports bill this week that centers on NIL. Details of the bill include the creation of a new entity to monitor & enforce NIL, student-athlete safeguards of institutional retaliation, as well as “a provision ‘clarifying that student-athletes are not eligible for employee status.’” The bill is what many are calling the “skinny” approach to federal NIL legislation. More. (link)
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#2: "Iowa athletic director Gary Barta is expected to announce his retirement," per ESPN's Thamel. (link) |
#1: USC AD Bohn has resigned, per multiple sources. In a statement to the Los Angeles Times, Bohn writes, in part: “I have dedicated my life to serving student-athletes and advancing the enterprise of intercollegiate athletics. I will always be proud of leading the program out of the most tumultuous times in the history of the profession and at USC with a restored reputation and national milestone accomplishments. […] I have been fortunate to have had so many wonderful opportunities and met so many terrific people, and I depart wishing the very best to all with whom I worked and served. In moving on, it is important now that I focus on being present with my treasured family, addressing ongoing health challenges, and reflecting on how I can be impactful in the future.” (link)
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