Lots Of Speculation On The U's Next Athletic Director
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- As the dust settles over the resignation of University of Minnesota Athletic Director Norwood Teague, the search for a new leader has yet to officially begin.
But already there's talk about who might be next.
Among the names of potential new athletic directors is Peter Najarian, an options trader and television personality.
The former University of Minnesota football star told WCCO Radio's Dave Lee he'd consider it.
"It's extremely flattering," Najarian said.
He said he has a lot of good memories of with the Gophers, and he recently moved back to the Twin Cities to be closer to his family.
His father is a famous surgeon at the university.
He believes he does have the ability to raise money at the school.
"I think somehow you have to recapture some of those folks who got disappointed. If you can get some of those alumni from the U, we all know they have big check books, if we can get some of that we could see an acceleration of that sport's complex," he said.
President Eric Kaler has said the university will do a national search, but some say they think it would be better to hire someone already on staff, or with close connections to the school.
Najarian said if they called, he'd consider it.
"It's a desirable role, it's the only role I would ever want to have," he said.
Other people reportedly being talked about for the job are interim athletic director Beth Goetz, associate athletic director Dan O'Brien and Minneapolis attorney Lee Hutton III, a former Gophers wide receiver.