TurnkeyZRG Tapped by Texas Christian University to Lead Search for Director of Intercollegiate Athletics
December 11, 2024 – Texas Christian University (TCU) has retained TurnkeyZRG to lead in a national search for a director of intercollegiate athletics. Chad Chatlos, managing director, college & coaching practice, is leading the search. “TCU has shown again and again that not only are we committed to competing at the highest levels of college athletics but that we already do and continue to rise in prominence,” said Victor J. Boschini, chancellor. “From our appearance in the College Football National Championship to our success across all sports, I am excited we have begun the search for the next AD and to build upon our firm foundation.”
The search for TCU’s next athletics director will involve input from key university and campus stakeholders and a search committee has been established. “This is a time of immense opportunity for TCU,” said Daniel W. Pullin, president of TCU. “We are committed to finding an exceptional leader to build on our strong foundation and advance our vision for athletics.”
During this transition, Mike Sinquefield has been named interim director of intercollegiate athletics. “Mike is a longtime and valued member of Horned Frogs athletics and his experience ensures that we continue the incredible momentum generated by our programs, our student-athletes, coaches, staff and fans,” Mr. Pullin said. “We appreciate Mike’s leadership and willingness to serve in this additional capacity.”
TurnkeyZRG has extensive experience in collegiate athletics leadership, having previously worked with TCU and several other leading national universities. The firm also assisted with the search for the new Big 12 Commissioner and conducted the NCAA president search, as well as the Big Ten and American Athletic Conference commissioner searches.
Founded in 1873, Texas Christian University’s mission is to “educate individuals to think and act as ethical leaders and responsible citizens in the global community.” TCU offers rigorous academic programs in 131 undergraduate areas of study, 49 master’s level programs, and 20 areas of doctoral study. The TCU Horned Frogs are the athletic teams that represent the school. The 18 varsity teams participate in NCAA Division I and in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) for football, competing mostly in the Big 12 Conference.
Founded in 1996, TurnkeyZRG is a specialized talent recruitment/executive search firm filling C-level, senior-level and mid-management-level positions throughout sports, media and entertainment. Over the past 25 years, the firm has filled more than 1,400 positions. TurnkeyZRG helps teams, leagues, stadiums, arenas, theaters, college athletic departments, events, sponsors, agencies, media companies, private equity companies and other clients identify, recruit, and hire the best management talent.
Len Perna is the founder, chairman, and CEO of Turnkey. He has 30-plus years’ experience in the sports and entertainment industry, with senior-level management experience in sales, event marketing and management, sponsorships, venue feasibility and development, facility operations, licensing, and legal affairs. Since founding Turnkey, Mr. Perna has managed over 1,400 executive searches.
Related: TurnkeyZRG Recruits Executive Director for the Head of the Charles Regatta
Mr. Chatlos specializes in senior executive searches across the sports industry with a focus on diverse roles in the ever–changing landscape of Intercollegiate Athletics. He has completed multiple Power Five commissioner searches for the ACC, Pac-12, Big 10 and Big 12. Mr. Chatlos has also placed multiple Power 5 head football coaches and played a pivotal role in the NCAA president search. Prior to joining TurnkeyZRG, Mr. Chatlos started and ran the sports & entertainment practice at Ventura Partners. With more than 15 years of experience in sports marketing and event management, he has property, agency, and corporate experience in the business of sports. Throughout his career, Mr. Chatlos has completed searches for the NFL, NBA, MLB, MLS, multiple National Governing Bodies, and several brands as well.
Today’s Athletic Directors
Athletic directors are playing an increasingly vital role at colleges and universities across the country. With the expansion of athletic departments and, for the larger schools, the infusion of big dollars for sports, more schools have turned to search firms when such positions become open. Too much is at stake, they feel, to go at it alone. What’s more, the AD job has come to demand greater business and management skills than the typical academic search.
TurnkeyZRG Assists the New York Jets with General Counsel Search
TurnkeyZRG recently assisted the New York Jets in the recruitment of Andrew Lee as its new general counsel. Len Perna and Shelly Scott led the assignment. He is returning to the Jets after more than 15 years away from the franchise and replaces Jill Kelley, who left the Jets in July. Mr. Lee is a veteran sports and entertainment attorney. He was previously with the Jets from 2005-09, and later served as general counsel to the NY/NJ Super Bowl Host Committee. Mr. Lee also ran his own private practice and, since 2020, he has been of counsel with Foley & Lardner in Manhattan. In this position, he served as an outside general counsel and trusted advisor to various high profile firms in the sports, PR/communications, and entertainment fields.
“The AD today is the CEO of athletic operations at a college,” said John Lahey, current president at Quinnipiac University. “Thirty to 40 years ago, you were more likely to see former coaches and athletes promoted into those roles as a way of rewarding success or longevity, but now you need a business-person who is able to lead people, generate revenue and understand how the marketing and brand of athletics can impact the entire university.”
Bill Lennox, president at St. Leo University in Florida, said schools must make sure that the AD is a senior member of the entire university staff. “We moved the AD to the equivalent level of a vice president, so he sat in all of the meetings and in the decision-making process with the rest of the VPs of the university,” he said.
The modern AD position oversees finances, marketing, human resources, student-athlete wellness, media contracts, and of course overall performance – all while salaries head well into seven figures and beyond.
Related: TurnkeyZRG Recruits Director of Athletic for the University of Iowa
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
