The search continues.
Men’s head basketball coach Lorenzo Romar left to take the reins at the University of Washington one week ago. His departure created a flurry of activity in the Athletic Department and for Doug Woolard, the director of athletics. A nation- wide search began, with the committee combing the country for viable, qualified candidates.
“It’s been seven days since Lorenzo left. We’ve come up with a profile for the next coach. We’ve been accepting applications, nominations and recommendations. We created a list from these and have narrowed that list,” Woolard said.
The committee is composed of University officials.
“The committee is internal,” Woolard said. “They come from various areas within the University. They’ll visit with the people who come here and give them an idea of who we are.”
The profile that the committee has developed provides a glimpse into the decision-making process for SLU. The committee is searching for someone who possesses the skills needed to create the “best partnership possible with our student-athletes.”
Academic success is high on the list of qualities that the committee values. The candidate must be “committed to academic success and understand how to work at a highly selective academic institution.”
The new coach must be someone who “not only understands and supports the Jesuit tradition of developing the whole person but one who accepts and fosters the Catholic, Jesuit mission of SLU.”
A candidate’s current occupation and experience is playing a role in the process. The University is seeking someone who is actively coaching and has significant coaching experience at the Division I level. The candidate must also show the ability to successfully recruit nationally.
Communication skills off the court are essential in the eyes of the committee. The individual must possess “excellent interpersonal skills, which will enable him to effectively communicate with players and a variety of other constituents.”
The individual’s morality on and off the court will be discussed.
The new coach must demonstrate a thorough understanding of NCAA rules and regulations, and that person’s actions must comply with high ethical standards.
The next coach must have not only displayed these characteristics in the past, but must be committed to continue these actions once hired.
This checklist has already helped the committee narrow the list of potential candidates.
“We started with a large group. Through calling and reference checking, we’ve gotten the list down to a workable group,” Woolard said.
The current players are being informed of the events that have and will transpire, as best as Woolard is able.
“I’ve visited with players almost every day,” Woolard said. “We don’t want to have anything fall through the cracks. Brad (Soderberg) has stayed here to help ensure the same thing. I’m trying to keep the players informed as best I can. The biggest thing is confidentiality.”
Ultimately, the decision will fall on University President Lawrence Biondi, S.J.
“He’ll use the feedback. We’ll collectively get a good feel and make a collective decision,” Woolard said.
Many names are being considered as a possible replacement for Romar. But one name has been removed from everyone’s list. On April 8, Woolard announced that SLU assistant Cameron Dollar resigned so that he could assume the same position at the University of Washington with Romar. Dollar had just finished his third season as an assistant coach for the Billikens.
