The job posting for DePauw's head football coach appeared on Alden & Associates' website yesterday, following the search counselor's visit to campus on Friday.
The three-page post explaining both the position and DePauw to those interested went out to a number of forums, including the American Football Coaches Association, the National Collegiate Athletic Association, the National Association of Division III Athletic Administrators and Black Coaches & Administrators. The public can view the summary on the Alden & Associates website under current searches at aldenandassoc.com.
The lead counselor on the DePauw head football coach search, Philip Goldstein, came to visit campus. During his visit he met with alumni, the search committee, head coaches and student life representatives. He also attended an open forum.
According to junior wide receiver Jackson Kirtley, the team was not notified of the visit to campus.
"I would say we are getting as much [information] as any one else," Kirtley said. "We aren't getting anything more than the faculty and staff. I guess it's because with two weeks left in the season, it's not the focus. For some people, it could be a distraction."
Goldstein had a short meeting with President Brian Casey. Casey's main goal for the conversation with Goldstein focused on the student athletes at DePauw.
"I have to make sure we bring in a coach who understands the student experience we have here; these are students first," Casey said. "I mean sure, who doesn't want a winning schedule, but you also need to understand what we are recruiting into a very specific context, the Div. III student-athlete context."
Athletic Director Stevie Baker-Watson found the visit to be helpful for the search. It was a chance for Goldstein to get to know the campus and discover what DePauw needs.
"[The visit went] well," Baker-Watson said. "Our counselor thinks there will be a tremendous number of prospects. He said the pool for candidates will be outstanding."
The search company is charging 30 percent of what the new head coach's salary would be, and this fee is paid by the administrative fund. Baker-Watson said this is a common charge for services like this and finds the value of the service to be worth the price.
"It is something important as a form of transparency. We know we are going to have a number of internal candidates, and we want folks to know it was done fairly," Baker-Watson said.
Another value according to Baker-Watson is the company's experience in the field and the circle of applicants known by the counselors.
The position that is being filled has very specific requirements.
"I tell people the big picture of what we are looking for is someone that reveres the DePauw program," Baker-Watson said. "No one is bigger than DePauw. [We need] someone who values the liberal arts. Someone with experience, [who has] had success on the field. We need someone to engage with the community. They need to be able to manage people. They need to be able to manage a budget."
As a player, Kirtley is looking for certain qualities in a coach.
"I want a new head coach that is a player's coach," Kirtley said. "I want to have a relationship with someone you can go to outside of football. A lot of times having a relationship beyond football makes you want to play for them. I have that relationship now with some coaches."
The search process is just starting. The first checkpoint will be at Thanksgiving and based on what is found, the pace of the search will be determined then. Baker-Watson's goal is to have a coach named before Winter Term so recruiting can proceed as normally as possible.
Once the season is over, Kirtley hopes to have an active role in finding a new coach.
"I want to be personally involved," Kirtley said. "Especially for those underclassmen, it is important to have a good relationship with a coach. I want to get to know the candidates and be informed about who [the administration is] bringing in."
The main focus on the search comes down to one major factor for Baker-Watson.
"DePauw students don't come here to be exceptional in some areas and mediocre in others," Baker-Watson said. "They come here to be exceptional in all areas. We need a coach that can teach them to be exceptional."
- Ellen Kobe contributed to this article.