For those that don’t know, I started Higher Ed Athletics to interview ADs in hopes of studying the position as a career one day in a research setting or at an industry search firm. I will be finishing my doctorate dissertation on athletic director hiring trends in 2025-2026 academic year, so I thought it was time I start finding my own voice on the subject of AD hires and trends. Big-Time Front Porch is going to be the space I share my thoughts.

If you are reading this because you are interested in the AD opening at USF, then I invite you to read the HEA Briefing I completed. The purpose of the HEA Briefing is to give administrators an understanding of the political landscape of the institution and its location to help them improve their political IQ and awareness of trends in higher education.

USF Bulls Athletic Director Search

The University of South Florida is in an interesting situation right now. The search for their next university president is underway as President Rhea Law is set to retire once a successor is identified. I haven’t seen any indication that this will slow down the athletic director search, but it isn’t exactly ideal for a new AD to come in and not know who their boss will be in such a pivotal moment in college athletics.

Outgoing AD Michael Kelly clearly left the institution better than he found it in 2018, and recently captured final Trustee approval for the on-campus stadium set to be built and open in 2027. The football team is trending in the right direction. He led the institution through the tragic and unexpected death of their men’s basketball head coach, Amir Abdur-Rahim, who had just had one of the best seasons in program history in 2023-2024. Kelly made a big splash in hiring Mitch Hannahs from Indiana State last year to take over the baseball program. I am biased as I’ve worked with Coach Hannahs in two different stints at ISU and have often cited him as the best coach I’ve ever been around.

Floated Names

Interesting names always come to the surface when an AD position opens. I wanted to highlight a few I did read and hear in a Tampa article and podcast. I’m sure there will be more once the prediction buzz around the Georgia Tech opening dies down.

• Derrick Brooks, Executive VP for Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL) + Tampa Bay Bucs NFL Hall of Famer + Pensacola Blue Wahoos investor (AA Baseball)
  • Brooks has a daughter on the USF softball team, so between that and his sports ties to the city of Tampa, it is not surprising to see his name mentioned.
  • A different reason stood out to me while doing the HEA Briefing for USF. Derrick Brooks is on the presidential search committee, signaling influence and possible reverence by the Board of Trustees.
• Internal Hires
  • Tampa-area outlets mentioned internal hires like Jay Stroman – USF Foundation CEO, Lelo Prado – Deputy AD/Development (former Bulls baseball HC), and current softball head coach Ken Eriksen (former Bulls baseball alum). I would include Kris Pierce – Deputy AD/COO/SWA on that list, too, especially given her 18 years at the ACC.
  • Stroman was named the interim AD and probably has the best chance of an internal USF hire to the permanent role based on the situation with the football stadium and the need for continued funding in athletics. The Tampa Bay Times reports that Stroman worked closely with outgoing AD Michael Kelly on fundraising for the stadium, and that he has helped coordinate capital campaigns in athletics throughout his higher ed career.

Out of Left Field Hire – Jon Gruden

Jon Gruden. Let me explain. Since being pushed out of the NFL and coaching, Jon Gruden has returned with a popular YouTube show called “Gruden Loves Football” that has over 250,000 subscribers in under a year. Gruden does the show from his property in Tampa where he calls home.

Gruden recently had The American commissioner, Tim Pernetti, on the show to talk about the current situation of college football. The two playfully talked about the need for someone like Jon Gruden to come in and help college football. Gruden was excited about the future on-campus stadium as USF.

If USF wanted to go all in on football as it prepares the department for a professional model, would it consider Jon Gruden as the next athletic director? It seems highly unlikely that any college president or Board would seriously consider him, or that a search firm would float his name, but anything is possible these days. Build a team around him and I could see it happen, maybe. It would definitely be a splash in the college football world and in the Tampa community as they invest in football and usher in the new stadium. The timing of the conversation with the commissioner seemed interesting, too.

HEA Prediction – Rob Higgins

My prediction for next AD at USF is alumnus and USF School of Advertising Hall of Famer Rob Higgins, the executive director of the Tampa Bay Sports Commission. I think the only way he isn’t the next AD is because he turns it down. Yes, he has been a name that’s already been floating around, but let me share why I think it makes sense.

• Spent the last 20 years as Executive Director of the Tampa Bay Sports Commission and bringing in several high profile events to the city.
  • Likely has strong political IQ of the city and Tampa Bay area
  • Once the new stadium is built he could help them attract additional events to generate new revenue.
  • If he was going to leave Tampa, he probably would have by now. If he becomes the AD then my guess is he wouldn’t be poached.
• His background seems to cover everything USF would possibly want if they aren’t specifically looking for a sitting AD.
• If you’re a USF Trustee, you can probably feel okay having President Law hire him and taking some athletic pressure off the next president since he is so connected to Tampa.

Finally, when I did some research on Rob Higgins, I found a post on LinkedIn from outgoing AD Michael Kelly just last month at the USF graduation ceremony with pictures of him, President Law, and Rob Higgins:

“I was thrilled to watch my good friend and faithful Bull, Rob Higgins, receive the Distinguished Citizen Award from President Rhea Law at Friday afternoon’s Commencement Ceremony at the University of South Florida. Nobody has done more to put Tampa Bay on the map for big-time sports and events. A truly fitting recognition for a true champion of #TeamTampaBay! I also thought he delivered one of the finest messages to a graduating class I have ever heard – very well done!”

If he wants the job, I predict Rob Higgins will be the next leader of the Bulls.

Travis