BGSU to use search firm to find Krebs replacement

BOWLING GREEN To assist in the search for its new athletic director, Bowling Green State University has hired one of the most prominent headhunters in the business, Chuck Neinas.

Neinas will identify candidates to replace Paul Krebs, who will finish his seven-year tenure at BGSU at the end of the month

BGSU vice president of student affairs Ed Whipple said the school has not used a search firm in the past to fill athletic department positions, only on the academic side.

Neinas, who lives in Boulder, Colo., has worked in college sports for more than 40 years. He has run his consulting firm, Neinas Sports Services, since 1997. He has been involved in the hiring of college coaches and ADs at schools such as Texas, Florida, Oklahoma and Notre Dame. Sports Illustrated once named him the 10th-most influential person in college football.

From the list of candidates Neinas provides, BGSU president Sidney Ribeau will make his selection and present it to the board of trustees.

When Krebs was hired in 1999, the athletic department was in need of a financial overhaul, resulting in the school cutting four men s sports in 2002. Through restructuring, Krebs was able to get BGSU s operating expenses under control. Now the focus will be on fund-raising and facilities expansion.

The expectation is we want to hire an individual who understands development and fund-raising, so he or she can step right in and start developing those relationships, Whipple said.

The $8.7 million Sebo Athletic Center is under construction and expected to open in February 2007. Feasibility studies are being conducted on whether to improve Anderson Arena or build a convention center.

I think we need somebody that can be aggressive raising money, BGSU football coach Gregg Brandon said. It s the MAC, you can say that about any one of our schools.

To me, facilities is the next step. You drive down to Oxford, Akron, everybody is doing something.

MAC schools are always looking for innovative ways to boost attendance and interest in revenue sports to help their non-revenue sports survive.

Having a sensitivity and appreciation for the MAC is important, Whipple said. Here you have to be creative, in a variety of ways.

Contact Maureen Fulton at: mfulton@theblade.com or 419-724-6160.