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New AD Across The Bay - pefloresjr - 04-09-2018

Cal has its new AD: Jim Knowlton, most recently from the Air Force Academy. 
https://www.sfgate.com/collegesports/article/Cal-expects-to-name-Jim-Knowlton-athletic-director-12818101.php

Cheers,
Pete F.

Rats! - Redrum - 04-09-2018

I was hoping they'd swoop in and steal Swarthmore's AD.

Re: New AD Across The Bay - wallendar - 04-09-2018

Interesting choice...  I think they made the right move going outside the UC system.  They desperately need someone who will take a fresh approach to some seemingly intractable problems.  For their sake, I hope he knows how to shake money from the pockets of the alums.



Re: New AD Across The Bay - 82lsju - 04-09-2018

his bio from the USAFA

http://www.goairforcefalcons.com/genrel/jim_knowlton_958650.html

Re: New AD Across The Bay - winflop - 04-09-2018

My sense is he was about #10 on their list. The first 9 said thanks but no thanks.

Re: New AD Across The Bay - OutsiderFan - 04-10-2018

(04-09-2018, 07:04 PM)winflop link Wrote:  My sense is he was about #10 on their list. The first 9 said thanks but no thanks.

I think you need to re-evaluate, sir.  There is no way there are too many options that bring the following:

- High academic undergrad (West Point)
- Working in a highly bureaucratic organization (Air Force)
- Has faculty and AD experience
- D1A AD experience
- Has spearheaded a $100M fundraising campaign

He's demonstrated some ability to get more butts in seats at Air Force football games too. I wouldn't be surprised if Knowlton was Cal's #1 choice, and the search firm they hired did a great job.



Re: New AD Across The Bay - winflop - 04-11-2018

In part I'm judging by the timeline. It took how many months to fill the job? That tells me they talked to a good number of people before this guy.

Re: New AD Across The Bay - OutsiderFan - 04-11-2018

Cal takes forever to do anything. Who knows how long it took to put together the search committee, how many meetings it had, how long it took to hire the search firm, and how long it took for the search firm to identify candidates. If you look at the data through the prism of how UC works, the data supports the notion Knowlton was a top tier choice.

Re: New AD Across The Bay - wallendar - 04-11-2018

The “interim” Williams wanted the job.  However, the turmoil at the Chancellor’s level (Dirks was in deep water at the time) caused everything to be put on hold until Dirks’ status could be resolved.  Once a decision was made to dump him, the AD search became secondary to finding a new Chancellor.  Upon the hiring of Christ, the timeline was pushed again (she had bigger problems to address).  After due deliberation (meaning conversations with key donors), she decided she wanted someone other than Williams.  This caused the hiring process to start anew which brings us to this week.....

Re: New AD Across The Bay - pefloresjr - 04-11-2018

My sincere hope is that Cal sports fans suffer nothing but loss and despair (my freshman year was 82), but I don't think anybody can know whether an AD is going to be a good hire or not.  Knowlton has done the job at a pretty high level, has raised money, and was in the job when attendance at football increased.  I don't know the amount of credit he deserves for the improvements but he definitely seems qualified for the job.  I'm not real sure why he would want to be the CEO who likely has to make some painful, drastic changes but in the corporate world those people make a lot of money.  I wonder how well his military background will play across many parts of the Berkeley community but I don't have any real basis to question the hire.  Back to my original point, I hope he guides Cal to greater loss and despair.

Cheers,
Pete F.