Although
I want BC to look beyond the familiar names, I fear the school's leaders will want someone they know and who can take over the role quickly. If the school heads in that direction, I don't want any current Athletic Department officials. My bias may be unfair, but are any of Gene's lieutenants really capable of changing the culture, rebuilding bridges and bringing new ideas and approaches? But there are two current BC employees who could change our Athletic Department in a positive way.
Warren Zola
Currently the Assistant Dean for Graduate Programs in the Carroll School, Zola worked in the Athletic Departmet in the 1990s. In his current role he has been advising BC student athletes on their professional options and life after sports. Zola also consults other Athletic Departments and is a frequent speaker and writer on sports topics. What I like about Zola is that he's got one foot in the NCAA world, but also has the education and experience beyond the playing field. Zola understand's media and could be a driving force in improving our coverage and making sure the ACC keeps up with other major conferences media revenues.
Lou Imbriano
The trend in college athletic leadership is to hire marketing guys from the business world, instead of just promoting long-time administrators. Fortunately for BC, current marketing professor Lou Imbriano was the Patriots Chief Marketing Officer during their Super Bowl runs and also helped build the marketing department at WEEI in the 1990s. BC needs to boost marketing, fix our ticketing system and begin huge infrastructure projects. Lou's time with the Pats building Gillette Stadium would be especially relevant.
I don't think either guy will get serious traction, but both embody the type of thinking we need.
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