Big Ten Conference Taps Korn Ferry to Find New Commissioner
March 15, 2019 – Korn Ferry will conduct the search for a new commissioner for the collegiate sports Big Ten Conference. Earlier this week it was announced that Jim Delany, who has held the commissioner role for 30 years, will step down when his contract expires at the end of June 2020. The search will be led by Jed Hughes, Korn Ferry’s vice chairman and global sports sector leader.
“Jim has had an extraordinary impact on the Big Ten Conference, its member institutions, administrators, students and coaches since 1989,” said Morton Schapiro, chair of the Big Ten Council of Presidents and Chancellors (COP/C) and Northwestern University president. “He has been a forward-thinking, collaborative and decisive leader in every aspect of conference proceedings. We thank him for his dedicated service to date and look forward to working with him through the conclusion of his contract.”
“We’re certainly looking for someone who can bring those same qualities, and who can build on the foundation that Jim established over the past three decades,” said Mr. Schapiro.
A Long Run
The search will be under the direction of COP/C and led by Mr. Schapiro. “I was asked by my peers to chair the search, and I’m honored to help guide this process,” Mr. Schapiro told the Northwestern student newspaper, the Daily Northwestern.
Mr. Delaney said he was grateful for his long run as commissioner. “It’s been an amazing opportunity to serve and lead these preeminent institutions, presidents, administrators, coaches and students,” he said. “It is incredibly fulfilling to support the hundreds of thousands of young men and women who have been afforded an opportunity to obtain best-in-class educations as a result of the invaluable, one-of-a-kind lessons learned through the unique combination of athletic and classroom competition.”
Related: Executive Recruiters Continue Their Expansion into the Sports Industry
“I would like to recognize and thank each of my colleagues for being such invaluable members of, and contributors to, the Big Ten Conference team, while acknowledging that there is still plenty of work to be done,” he said. “I look forward to continuing that work through the balance of my term.”
Among his accomplishments, Mr. Delaney helped give birth to the Big Ten Network. He also added new teams to the conference. And, he stewarded creation of the Big Ten Football Championship Game.
A Possible Successor
Although it is early in the process, the Daily Northwestern raised the possibility that Jim Phillips, Northwestern’s athletic director, would be considered for the position. Mr. Phillips serves on several NCAA committees, including the NCAA Division I Council, the NCAA Awards, Benefits, Expenses and Financial Aid Cabinet, and the men’s basketball tournament selection committee, the newspaper said.
Mr. Schapiro, however, declined to comment about Mr. Delaney’s successor. “Korn Ferry will lead a confidential process,” he said.
College Sports Solutions Recruits Commissioner for Big Sky Conference
Executive recruitment firm College Sports Solutions placed Tom Wistrcill as the seventh commissioner of the Big Sky Conference, a Division I collegiate athletic league in the western U.S. The previous commissioner, Andrea Williams, moved on this summer to become chief operating officer of the College Football Playoffs.
Founded in 1895, the Big Ten Conference, is considered the oldest Division I sports conference. Based in Rosemont, IL, the conference actually consists of 14 educational institutions. The broad-based programs of the schools provide over $200 million in direct financial support to more than 9,500 students for more than 11,000 participation opportunities on 350 teams in 42 different sports. The Big Ten sponsors 28 official conference sports, 14 for men and 14 for women, including the addition of men’s ice hockey and men’s and women’s lacrosse since 2013. Its member schools include: Indiana University, University of Maryland, University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Ohio State University, Pennsylvania State University, Rutgers University, University of Illinois, University of Iowa, University of Minnesota, University of Nebraska, Northwestern University, Purdue University and University of Wisconsin.
Prominent Searches
Korn Ferry’s sports practice is led by Mr. Hughes, an expert in identifying, assessing, and developing leaders for sports organizations. His relationships within sports and intercollegiate athletics are extensive, having spent 20 years coaching in professional and intercollegiate football and working for five Hall of Fame coaches. Jason Belzer of Forbes has called Mr. Hughes the most valuable connector of the sports industry.
Related: Recruiters Offer Sports Clients an Expanding Talent Platform
The firm’s sports practice has conducted a number of prominent searches in the field, including commissioner for the NFL. Korn Ferry’s other work across the league includes placing Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid, Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider. The firm has also been active filling head coaching and general manger roles for both professional and collegiate sports teams – a large, competitive and expanding subsector for recruiters specializing in the sports talent field.
Mr. Hughes’ highest profile placements include: former New York Jets general manager John Idzik; John Dorsey, general manager of the Cleveland Browns; Mark Murphy, CEO of the Green Bay Packers; Larry Scott, commissioner of the Pac-12; Bob Bowlsby, commissioner of the Big 12; and Dave Brandon and Jim Harbaugh, the athletic director and the head football coach of the Michigan Wolverines, respectively. He has also conducted searches for the USOC, LPGA, PGA of America, Seattle Seahawks, Arsenal Football Club, Liverpool Football Club, Ohio State, ATP Tour and Women’s Tennis Association, among others.
Related: Executive Recruiters Prove Invaluable to Thriving Global Sports Sector
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor; and Andrew W. Mitchell, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
