Colorado State president Larry Penley hopes to have a new athletic director hired before the end of the school year.
CSU is looking to replace Mark Driscoll, who recently resigned. He will be on the job through March 31.
“It’s clear to me we need to focus on an even better athletic department,” Penley said. “While we believe we’re doing well, there’s always considerable room for improvement. Alumni, friends, students and faculty see the athletic department as the front door to the university. We would like to have the kind of program that invites enthusiasm of faculty, alumni, students and staff.”
Although the official NCAA job announcement lists a preference for athletic administrative experience at the Division I level, Penley said, “We hope to have a wide variety of applicants from men and women from diverse backgrounds. We certainly hope to have an array of candidates from traditional backgrounds in athletics and a number of other careers.”
After a promising start, the men’s basketball team is mired in eighth place in the nine-team Mountain West Conference, leading to speculation about coach Dale Layer’s future. Attendance has plummeted, with fewer than 3,000 on hand Wednesday night for the TCU game.
But Penley said any change in coaching will not come from his office.
“Any issues or key decisions that will be made with regard to any of our sports will ultimately be made by the athletic director or individual in charge of the athletic program,” the president said.
Senior associate AD Christine Susemihl has been appointed interim athletic director until Driscoll’s successor is named.
The basketball team has three games left in the regular season, starting with Saturday’s game at Wyoming. The Rams are 14-12 overall, 3-10 in the MWC.
Natalie Meisler can be reached at 303-820-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com.
