The scam of coaching search firms

[whaler11]

Pitt paid a search firm to land on Kevin Stallings?!?

Shocking it's the firm run by Todd Turner who was the AD who hired Stallings at Vandy in the first place.

Nothing like people wasting institutional money to further their own position on the job merry-go-round. It's amazing nobody seems to care at state funded institutions (in general).

 

[FDNY99]

Pitt paid a search firm to land on Kevin Stallings?!?

Shocking it's the firm run by Todd Turner who was the AD who hired Stallings at Vandy in the first place.

Nothing like people wasting institutional money to further their own position on the job merry-go-round. It's amazing nobody seems to care at state funded institutions (in general).

• Todd Turner..a blast from the past..hired by John Casteen to replace John Toner at UConn. Hightailed it back to UVA shortly after Canteen was named President there.

 

[raf46]

Pitt paid a search firm to land on Kevin Stallings?!?

Shocking it's the firm run by Todd Turner who was the AD who hired Stallings at Vandy in the first place.

Nothing like people wasting institutional money to further their own position on the job merry-go-round. It's amazing nobody seems to care at state funded institutions (in general).

The world is a circle, not a straight line.

 

[J187Money]

I have no problem hiring a search firm. But if you know who you are going after it is a waste. I probably save $100-200K/year hiring people that I have access to without using recruiters.

 

[whaler11]

I have no problem hiring a search firm. But if you know who you are going after it is a waste. I probably save $100-200K/year hiring people that I have access to without using recruiters.

Private industry is totally different.

My issue with public institutions using them for coaching.

A: Coaching is a very public profession. When say Maryland needs a basketball coach this isn't a secret to those that would be qualified. Nor is it a secret who is qualified - message boards can nail down a list of reasonable candidates for an opening in 10 posts.

B: They lead to ridiculously bad decisions. Pitt could have made a better decision by just hiring Andy Toole without even leaving the city.

C: It's public employees using public funds for their own benefit. When you pay search firms... guess who they float for jobs in the future? That's right the same people that paid them for searches in the past.

 

[noeynox]

Private industry is totally different.

My issue with public institutions using them for coaching.

A: Coaching is a very public profession. When say Maryland needs a basketball coach this isn't a secret to those that would be qualified. Nor is it a secret who is qualified - message boards can nail down a list of reasonable candidates for an opening in 10 posts.

B: They lead to ridiculously bad decisions. Pitt could have made a better decision by just hiring Andy Toole without even leaving the city.

C: It's public employees using public funds for their own benefit. When you pay search firms... guess who they float for jobs in the future? That's right the same people that paid them for searches in the past.

I always thought the point of those firms is to weed out things like the George O'leary resume lies and things of that nature? Could the AD do that himself? I suppose but it would seem like a lot of checking into depending on the number of candidates being considered.

 

[whaler11]

I always thought the point of those firms is to weed out things like the George O'leary resume lies and things of that nature? Could the AD do that himself? I suppose but it would seem like a lot of checking into depending on the number of candidates being considered.

The purpose is to stay in the good graces of the search firms so they attempt to sell you for your next position. Everything else is window dressing.

This stuff isn't that difficult. I don't know if Rutgers used anyone when they hired Mike Rice... but I could have told them he was a complete maniac and too unprofessional to hire just by watching him coach once or twice a season against CCSU.

You can't be sure someone can win - but you certainly know what you are getting with Stallings for example. A team that ends most seasons looking relieved it's over.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

Private industry is totally different.

My issue with public institutions using them for coaching.

A: Coaching is a very public profession. When say Maryland needs a basketball coach this isn't a secret to those that would be qualified. Nor is it a secret who is qualified - message boards can nail down a list of reasonable candidates for an opening in 10 posts.

B: They lead to ridiculously bad decisions. Pitt could have made a better decision by just hiring Andy Toole without even leaving the city.

C: It's public employees using public funds for their own benefit. When you pay search firms... guess who they float for jobs in the future? That's right the same people that paid them for searches in the past.

You basically nailed it. There is no ethical reason for a major university to hire a search firm for an open basketball or football coaching position.

 

[J187Money]

Private industry is totally different.

My issue with public institutions using them for coaching.

A: Coaching is a very public profession. When say Maryland needs a basketball coach this isn't a secret to those that would be qualified. Nor is it a secret who is qualified - message boards can nail down a list of reasonable candidates for an opening in 10 posts.

B: They lead to ridiculously bad decisions. Pitt could have made a better decision by just hiring Andy Toole without even leaving the city.

C: It's public employees using public funds for their own benefit. When you pay search firms... guess who they float for jobs in the future? That's right the same people that paid them for searches in the past.

In hoops I'd agree. In football, probably more work since you have to comb through the lower ranks and a lot more unknowns.

 

[CTMike]

A benefit (or hindrance, depending) is that the firm keeps communication with candidates off the readily discoverable record.

 

[Chin Diesel]

I have no problem hiring a search firm. But if you know who you are going after it is a waste. I probably save $100-200K/year hiring people that I have access to without using recruiters.

I always thought the point of those firms is to weed out things like the George O'leary resume lies and things of that nature? Could the AD do that himself? I suppose but it would seem like a lot of checking into depending on the number of candidates being considered.

You basically nailed it. There is no ethical reason for a major university to hire a search firm for an open basketball or football coaching position.

Not many people will get Waylon's sarcasm.

The whole point of search firms are a CYA for the president and/or AD and to protect the school against lawsuits and investigations. It's also an opportunity cost. Presidents and AD's have functions they have to perform every day. Each minute spent vetting and trimming down a list of candidates is a minute they can't spend doing their core function of running a university or an athletic dept.

Somewhat ironic that using a search firm is even more of a necessity when you plan on hiring someone you know. It mitigates the nepotism or favoritism excuse from others.

 

[whaler11]

A benefit (or hindrance, depending) is that the firm keeps communication with candidates off the readily discoverable record.

People don't have personal cell phones? Or the ability to set up conference calls so everyone is just dialing an 800 number?

It keeps the AD in play in the future and helps them pass the blame if it goes south.

 

[whaler11]

Not many people will get Waylon's sarcasm.

The whole point of search firms are a CYA for the president and/or AD and to protect the school against lawsuits and investigations. It's also an opportunity cost. Presidents and AD's have functions they have to perform every day. Each minute spent vetting and trimming down a list of candidates is a minute they can't spend doing their core function of running a university or an athletic dept.

Somewhat ironic that using a search firm is even more of a necessity when you plan on hiring someone you know. It mitigates the nepotism or favoritism excuse from others.

LOL - hiring a coach is the most important thing athletic director's do.

Can't let it get in the way of what? Everything in the world that is less important?

What AD isn't walking around with a list of people they want anyway.

Sorry we need to give Todd Turner a couple hundred grand for 2 weeks of work because our athletic director can't waste time on it.

You'll have to point me towards all the major lawsuits that schools have lost over hiring coaches when not using search firms. I can't wait to see the list.

 

[JMick]

I have no problem hiring a search firm. But if you know who you are going after it is a waste. I probably save $100-200K/year hiring people that I have access to without using recruiters.

are you in Connecticut and looking to fill any positions...?

 

[J187Money]

are you in Connecticut and looking to fill any positions...?

I'm everywhere lol - what do you do?

 

[JMick]

I'm everywhere lol - what do you do?

A little bit of everything but mostly operational support and sales support

 

[J187Money]

A little bit of everything but mostly operational support and sales support

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