Search Firm Will Target Next University of Minnesota Athletics Director

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - University of Minnesota President Eric Kaler has changed course and agreed to use a search firm to hire a new athletic director.

The university's human resources vice president, Kathy Brown, strongly urged the use of an external search company to help find a replacement for former AD Norwood Teague. He resigned in August after he was cited for two sexual harassment complaints.

The university used a search firm when it hired Teague, but Kaler pointed to an external review which said that wasn't the reason the school ended up with a questionable hire. Brown says the majority of searches for the athletic director position in the Big Ten utilize search firms.

Kahler plans to have a new athletic director in place by July 1.