SB Nation Minnesota - Joel Maturi Retires, Gophers Begin Search For New Athletic Directorhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48959/mn-fave.png2012-02-09T12:58:17-06:00http://minnesota.sbnation.com/rss/stream/25307192012-02-09T12:58:17-06:002012-02-09T12:58:17-06:00Mountain West Commissioner Craig Thompson Open To Gophers Athletic Director Position
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<p>It's been about a week since Joel Maturi announced that he'd be retiring as the athletics director for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/minnesota-golden-gophers">Minnesota Golden Gophers</a>, effective June 30, but there hasn't been much said about potential replacements and, really, not much out there in the public about what Minnesota is looking for. Well, the <a href="http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_19922468" target="_blank">Pioneer Press</a> has floated one potential candidate in <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="#">Craig Thompson</a>.</p>
<p>Thompson is the Mountain West Conference Commissioner and graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1978. At least four members of his immediate family have degrees from Minnesota, and he's apparently interested in this job. He actually said that he was "open" to discussions about it, but is a lot to consider.</p>
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<p>"But there would be a million questions to learn more about the position," he said. "Is there a budget deficit? Is fundraising the issue? Is the focus on rebuilding the football program? Are there academic concerns? Is there a support system to graduate student-athletes? There would be a lot more to know about the needs and wants of the athletic department before you can even think about taking the next step." </p>
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<p>He does say some encouraging things about Minnesota football, and it's clear that's something very important to him. He's got memories of Minnesota being a good team, and says there's no reason teams like Iowa and Wisconsin to have surpassed Gophers football, suggesting that the town is great and the school is great, then they can make the athletics great</p>
<p>Thompson has been the commissioner of the American South Conference and the Sun Belt Conference and seems to have very solid credentials. The most important aspect of this potential candidate is probably his passion for the school, however.</p>
<p><span id="internal-source-marker_0.4249047925695777"><i>For more on the Minnesota Golden Gophers, check out <a href="http://www.thedailygopher.com/">The Daily Gopher</a>.</i></span></p>
https://minnesota.sbnation.com/minnesota-golden-gophers/2012/2/9/2787386/minnesota-golden-gophers-athletics-director-craig-thomspon-mountain-westJames Brady2012-02-02T12:10:44-06:002012-02-02T12:10:44-06:00Joel Maturi Makes Retirement Official, Steps Down As Minnesota Athletic Director
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<p>After earlier reports that the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/minnesota-golden-gophers">Minnesota Golden Gophers</a> would be without their athletics director in the near future, we now have some confirmation. At a Thursday press conference, Joel Maturi announced he is retiring as the University of Minnesota's athletics director, according to the Star Tribune.</p>
<p>Maturi will be officially retired on June 30, but the search for his replacement will be underway as soon as possible. President Eric Kaler has said that the next hire is of huge importance to the school, as the hire will impact the perception of the entire program. The new athletic director will handle contract negotiations as soon as he's brought in. According to the report, Kaler said that they hope to have someone in place on July 1.</p>
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<p>"Obviously I will look for someone with experience in D-I athletics and someone with good business acumen," Kaler said. "I also want someone who will engage well with the rest of the community -- booster, alumni [and others.]" </p>
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<p>Maturi will stay on with the school for next season as a special assistant to Kaler, though it's unclear what that entails. All that was said was that Maturi has more to offer the organization. </p>
<p><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6877195877023041"><i>For more on the Minnesota Golden Gophers, check out <a href="http://www.thedailygopher.com/">The Daily Gopher</a>. </i></span></p>
https://minnesota.sbnation.com/minnesota-golden-gophers/2012/2/2/2766682/joel-maturi-retirement-press-conference-minnesota-golden-gophersJames Brady2012-02-02T09:42:51-06:002012-02-02T09:42:51-06:00Minnesota AD Joel Maturi Set To Retire, According To Report
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<p>Minnesota AD Joel Maturi is holding a Thursday press conference, reportedly to announce his retirement. </p> <p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.startribune.com/sports/gophers/138564279.html" target="_blank">The Minneapolis Star-Tribune</a> is reporting that University of Minnesota athletic director Joel Maturi will retire as of June 30.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A press conference has been schedules for 11 a.m. Central at TCF Bank Stadium. Maturi is expected to remain with the school as an assistant to the university president, Eric Kaler.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In an email addressed to students athletes, coaches, reporters and staff, Maturi wrote,</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">"It is with mixed emotions that I share with you that…I will announce my retirement as the director of athletics at the University of Minnesota effective June 30<sup>th</sup>. There is sadness because I have enjoyed every day of this 10-year journey…."</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Maturia has had a rocky tenure as Minnesota’s AD. He was heavily criticized following his hiring of football coach Tim Brewster, who was fired in the middle of the 2010 season. Compounding matters, Maturi hired Brewster to replace Glen Mason, who himself was fired just one year after signing a contract extension.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Brewster, who had never been a head coach, was a flop. In addition to a nightmarish home loss to North Dakota State, Brewster went just 6-21.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Maturi, however, does have some successes to his name. According to the Star-Tribune he avoided the elimination of three sports after the merger of the men’s and women’s athletic departments, and helped spearhead fundraising for TCF Bank Stadium. </p>
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<div style="background-color: transparent;"><b id="internal-source-marker_0.3389133866876364"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal; font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For more on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/minnesota-golden-gophers">Minnesota Golden Gophers</a>, check out </span><a href="http://www.thedailygopher.com/"><span style="font-family: Arial; color: #000099; font-weight: normal; font-style: italic; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Daily Gopher</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal; font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. You can also head over to SB Nation’s main NCAA Football hub at </span><a href="http://sbnation.com/ncaa-football"><span style="font-family: Arial; color: #000099; font-weight: normal; font-style: italic; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">SBNation.com/NCAA-Football.</span></a></b></div>
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https://minnesota.sbnation.com/minnesota-golden-gophers/2012/2/2/2766292/joel-maturi-retire-minnesota-athletic-directorDavid Vranicar