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Steve Orsini, Notre Dame Football and Tough Choices

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Steve Orsini, Notre Dame Football and Tough Choices

PostPosted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 8:27 pm
by HB Pony Dad
Saw this at ND Nation:

"So, what happened recently that caused SMU's AD Steve Orsini to pull out of consideration to become the next Athletic Director at Notre Dame?

Orsini wanted the job. He campaigned for it publicly and those who knew him campaigned on his behalf privately.

We know Orsini was a finalist for the position, but there appears to be a complicating factor in the new hire proceedings, a separation of church and state so to speak. Likely in response to criticism of Kevin White and his role at Notre Dame, whoever the new Athletic Director is will likely have diminished power over football. In other words, we're seeing a separation of control of the football program from the rest of Notre Dame athletics.

And whether Orsini turned down Notre Dame or Notre Dame moved onto another candidate altogether, it's likely this emerging structure was a factor."

Very interesting but I doubt we shall ever know the full details.

Link:
http://therockreport.blogspot.com/2008/ ... l-and.html

PostPosted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 8:38 pm
by StallionsModelT
HB,

You are becoming a great poster here! Glad your daughter chose SMU!

PostPosted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 8:41 pm
by HB Pony Dad
StallionsModelT wrote:Glad your daughter chose SMU!


She likes it better than USC :D

PostPosted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 8:45 pm
by StallionsModelT
USC was a school I looked at coming out of high school, but L.A. was a bit too much for an 18 year old country boy from a one stoplight town in East Texas. Funny now that I fly to SoCal at least 3 or 4 times a year on business.

PostPosted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 9:05 pm
by HB Pony Dad
And as predicted by many the Orisini and JJ smack has started on the ND Boards:

http://www.ndnation.com/boards/showpost ... m/ig?hl=en

PostPosted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 9:08 pm
by DanFreibergerForHeisman
Well, it's certainly possible SMU will win more football games than ND in the next few years. Seriously.

PostPosted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 9:28 pm
by that's great raplh
blsahhhhh

PostPosted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 10:06 pm
by Ponymon
StallionsModelT wrote:USC was a school I looked at coming out of high school, but L.A. was a bit too much for an 18 year old country boy from a one stoplight town in East Texas. Funny now that I fly to SoCal at least 3 or 4 times a year on business.


Plus it is my understanding that the drug problem in LA puts every other area of the country to shame.

Re: Steve Orsini, Notre Dame Football and Tough Choices

PostPosted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 10:14 pm
by smw6230
HB Pony Dad wrote:Saw this at ND Nation:

"So, what happened recently that caused SMU's AD Steve Orsini to pull out of consideration to become the next Athletic Director at Notre Dame?

Orsini wanted the job. He campaigned for it publicly and those who knew him campaigned on his behalf privately.

We know Orsini was a finalist for the position, but there appears to be a complicating factor in the new hire proceedings, a separation of church and state so to speak. Likely in response to criticism of Kevin White and his role at Notre Dame, whoever the new Athletic Director is will likely have diminished power over football. In other words, we're seeing a separation of control of the football program from the rest of Notre Dame he finished 2nd and had a great interview. Structure wouldn't have prevented him from accepting the job. He's a ND alum and his wife still has family in the area. The bottom line on his non hiring is that ND really liked him but while going through the process they found someone who knocked their socks off and they decided to go in that direction.athletics.

And whether Orsini turned down Notre Dame or Notre Dame moved onto another candidate altogether, it's likely this emerging structure was a factor."

Very interesting but I doubt we shall ever know the full details.

Link:
http://therockreport.blogspot.com/2008/ ... l-and.html


You must understand that Orsini was a popular choice and when he removed his name people started venting and while screaming 'end of the world' tales. The theory espoused in that blog was a real time working theory based off minimal information. There were no facts behind it just suppositions.

The hiring of John Swarbrick effectively settled any and all questions about a diminished AD role for White sucessor. Swarbrick never would have accepted the ND job under those circumstances. In fact Swarbrick will clearly have more power than his predessor Kevin White.

As for Orsini;

Per ESPN article: (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/story?id=3490653)

With the help of Parker Executive Search, a search firm based out of Atlanta, Notre Dame interviewed several candidates, including SMU athletic director Steve Orsini, but sources say Swarbrick was the school's ultimate target.


He finished 2nd and had a great interview. Structure wouldn't have prevented him from accepting the job. He's a ND alum and his wife still has family in the area. The bottom line on his non hiring was that ND really liked him but while going through the process they found someone who knocked their socks off and they decided to go in that direction.

It happens every day in offices all across the country.

PostPosted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 10:20 pm
by 03Mustang
ND's happy, we're happy, I'm sure SO is as well.

Let's move on - I can't wait for the Rice game

PostPosted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 10:28 pm
by MrMustang1965
03Mustang wrote:ND's happy, we're happy, I'm sure SO is as well.

Let's move on - I can't wait for the Rice game
At least we didn't have to wait 71 days to find out what was going to happen.