While Luck was only with the university a short time (four and a half years), change was something that came to mark his tenure.

 

There will be plenty of time to discuss Luck's legacy at WVU in the coming months and years and we will. However, today let's focus on our attention to what's next for the athletic department.

 

As the book closes on Oliver Luck's tenure and the university looks to find a replacement, a few names have already surfaced. I won't go into great detail here, as you have probably heard many of these names discussed already. We talked about many of these people extensively on Wednesday when I was sitting in as the host of the Metronews Ram Hotline from 3-6pm, shortly after the news broke regarding Luck.

 

If the university is looking for candidates with college athletics experience, here are some people that may be potential candidates, all with ties in some form to WVU and/or the state.

 

In alphabetical order:

 

Chris Boyer - Senior Associate Athletic Director, North Carolina State

Chris Fuller - Senior Associate Athletic Director, University of Tennessee

Shane Lyons - Deputy Director of Athletics, University of Alabama

Rob Mullens - Athletic Director, University of Oregon

Jim Schaus - Athletic Director at Ohio University; son of the late Fred Schaus, former WVU head basketball coach and athletic director. 

 

Current interim athletic director Kelli Cunningham has said publicly she does not consider herself a candidate for the job.

 

West Virginia President Gordon Gee told me during an interview earlier this week, he doesn't feel the next athletic director must have a tie to West Virginia, but would like to get the very best person possible. That is certainly the right thing to say when you are in his position. I don't think there is any question however, someone who understands the university and the state would certainly be preferable.

 

As you can see just from the list above, there is no shortage of experienced senior administrators, with West Virginia ties already operating at high levels of institutions across the country.

 

As I stated on our radio show earlier this week, if I were President Gee, my first call would be to Mullens at Oregon. Not only is Mullens a state native and graduate, but he has extensive experience inside of college athletics and in the business world. Mullens began his career as an accountant/auditor with Ernst & Young. Given how much of college athletics revolves around money, having an athletic director with a true understanding of budgeting and finances would be of great benefit.

 

Mullens also has extensive experience at a number of major institutions, having worked at the University of Miami, the University of Maryland and most recently the University of Kentucky prior to his current job as AD at Oregon.

 

State ties - check. Business background - check. Worked at a number of high-profile universities - check. Experience at the position of athletic director - check. Leading one of the best "brands" in college sports -  check.

 

Mullens certainly checks every box you would like checked when hiring for this position. In fact, he even checks boxes you normally wouldn't expect. As AD at Oregon, Mullens must work closely with Nike and its founder, billionaire Phil Knight. Someone with close, personal ties to Knight and Nike certainly wouldn't hurt West Virginia's brand, would it?

 

And how about salary? Somewhat amazingly, Mullens actually makes less than what WVU was paying Luck. That's right, the guy that presides over Phil Knight's alma mater make less than Luck. So, worrying about finding the money to match Oregon's/Nike's offer isn't an issue. Even if WVU just left the AD salary the same at WVU, Mullens would be getting a raise.

 

Every box checked and money shouldn't be an issue? It would seem apparent to me, the first call should be the 541 area code in Eugene, Oregon. I'm not saying any of those other names I mentioned previously wouldn't be good athletic directors. In fact, I think all of them have a chance to be really

 good.

 

However, rarely do you have an opportunity to pluck someone of Mullens' caliber from a school as high profile as Oregon. Remember, Mullens isn't on the way up in this business. He's established. He's currently running the show at a school that boasts the recently-named Heisman Trophy winner, is a participant in the first ever college football playoff and has the hottest brand name, especially among kids, of any school in the country. Oh, and keep this in mind. Mullens told us recently as a guest on the Northside Automotive Sportsline that he still breaks down Mountaineer football games each Sunday with his two young sons.

 

A guy with his level of experience, with that kind of passion for WVU and who appears to be affordable based on what WVU currently pays the position…I think you have someone who would be an excellent fit.

 

Who do you think should be the next athletic director at West Virginia University? Send me a tweet: @bradhowe07 and let me know what you think.