The search committee to assist Colorado athletic director Mike Bohn in finding a replacement for departing men’s basketball coach Ricardo Patton will include at least seven employees of the school, CU spokesman David Plati confirmed Sunday.
In addition to Bohn, the search committee includes chancellor Bud Peterson; Tom McGrath, special assistant to the athletic director; former women’s basketball coach and current associate athletic director Ceal Barry; faculty representative David Clough; assistant athletic director Charles Johnson; and Garnett Tatum, CU’s director of diversity and equity.
Bohn said he has no timetable on how things need to progress.
“We want to make sure the committee is not a distraction to the team,” he said. “We anticipate the group will meet as needed. Their roles will evolve. Everybody has a role. For instance, Charles Johnson has been integral in engaging relationships with the student body, and fostering those relationships with/by the new coach will be important.”
McGrath and Barry have direct ties to the college basketball community.
McGrath, who will be the committee’s chairman, served 15 years on the staff of USA Basketball in Colorado Springs, with duties that included the 1992 U.S. Olympic “Dream Team.”
Barry retired from coaching after the 2004-05 season after 22 years as head of the CU women’s program. She compiled a 427-242 record with 12 NCAA Tournament appearances and 13 20-win seasons.
As a quarterback, Johnson earned MVP honors in the 1991 Orange Bowl, winning a national championship. In addition to his duties as Colorado’s assistant athletic director for external affairs, Johnson serves as analyst for CU’s men’s basketball games.
Patton announced Oct. 25 that this, his 11th full season as head coach, will be his last.
Tom Kensler can be reached at 303-954-1280 or tkensler@denverpost.com.
