John Cunningham-Boise State Senior Associate Athletic Director/External Operations
I see Cunningham as a Kustra hire and a quick fix. He came into Boise State the same month Bleymaier was fired and had to clean up the NCAA mess. Very tricky. When the NCAA sanctions went down in 2011, Kustra pulled all compliance into his office and Cunningham was selected to be the face man with the NCAA. He did it well. And, if Boise State slips one more time until September 16, 2016 , they are subject to a repeat violator ruling and then all hell will break loose. More power for JC. So, he has the compliance part down cold and that is very important to Kustra who has had his fill of NCAA attention. He recently got his feet wet with fund raising and has re-structured the booster organization with his hires. He is respected by the department coaches and well liked. Handles all of the basketball operations. A trained lawyer and a gun for hire on campus. Biggest weakness is he hasn’t hired any coaches. That’s what you have search firms for IMHO. And, he won’t cost an arm and a leg.
Tim Leonard– Towson State University Athletic Director
Dark horse here. Twin Falls native. Got his degree from Boise State and worked in the Bronco Athletic Association. Stint at Illinois State as Annual Giving Director and Senior Associate Athletic Director for External Relations at SMU.
Curt Apsey-Carroll College Athletic Director
He was passed over for the job when Coyle was hired. Why didn’t Kustra hire him then? Too closely tied to Bleymaier possibly. Well-liked by some, not by others. He moved a lot of fund raising mountains while he was at Boise State for 16 years and probably rubbed some the wrong way to get that done. His results, the Stueckle Sky Center, the indoor facility and basketball complex, speak for itself. But, Boise State doesn’t need new facilities. Apsey already helped do that, so why would he want to come back?
Brad Larrondo– Boise State Assistant Athletic Director/Football
May need to work in a Senior Athletic Director role before tackling this job. Most popular guy in athletic administration because he is a Bronco, treats boosters with a soft touch and sincere approach and goes the extra mile. Knows everybody and is invaluable.
Jon Oliver-University of Virginia Executive Associate Athletic Director
Could have been considered for job when Coyle got it but money wasn’t near big enough IMHO. Boise State graduate and Idaho Law School Graduate. 14 years at Virginia and 6 at Washington State. I would put him close to the top if it were not for the story that resurfaced when he almost took the South Florida AD job. Read here. Dui dropped to inattentive driving and drug charges dropped and no trial. Messy. Virginia has forgotten about it why not Boise State? What a talented no brainer but who knows.
Mack Brown– University of Texas Special Assistant to President and Men’s Athletic Director
Very close to Bryan Harsin and is intriguing. No roots here but could probably raise tons of cash. At age 63, doesn’t fit Kustra profile and would be the biggest guy in any room with Kustra. I say no.
