Wisconsin Launches AD Search With 9-Member Panel, Outside Firm

Overview

• University of Wisconsin formalized its athletic director search by hiring CSA Search and Consulting and naming a nine-person committee.
• The panel is chaired by faculty athletics representative Lauren Bishop and includes Colts GM Chris Ballard, Mavericks executive Michael Finley, and Devils development director Meghan Duggan, with plans to gather feedback from athletes, coaches, staff, alumni, and other stakeholders.
• Incoming interim Chancellor Eric Wilcots is leading the process during the campus leadership transition, with the university expecting the new AD to start this summer.
• Marcus Sedberry remains the interim athletic director with a base salary of $875,000, according to his offer letter obtained through an open-records request.
• The next AD will inherit pressing issues that include back-to-back losing football seasons and budget pressure from rising costs and a shrinking ticket base, with some coverage suggesting an early call on coach Luke Fickell could loom if results do not improve.