What?! No....... why!? What does scouting players for the NFL have to do with being an AD? Will he sit down with Mac and go over recruiting tapes?
He could develop into a good candidate at some future time. He is reportedly very intelligent and has a phenominal mind for detail. He manages a large staff of scouts and all the data that they generate plus now has more player personnel responsibilities working with players and their agents. He sets very high standards for himself and the people who work for him and is highly respected. Someplace down the road I could see him developing into a guy I would gladly have involved with the program.
Unfortunately right now he doesn't have the fund raising contacts or experience. He also hasn't been "the guy" in charge with full responsibility. He would have a huge amount to learn and CU right now can't afford to wait the time it would take for him to settle in and hit his stride.
I get all that. What I don't get is what separates him from the tons of other people that are also smart and also gregarious? I'm pretty sure being a good AD is a lot more than being smart and working hard. Bohn didn't seem overly dumb and apparently worked really hard. We need someone with a lot of charisma and the ability to navigate social circles well. That's where Bohn came up short imo.
He is in a hyper-competitive world in the NFL and is leapfrogging other people. There are tons of other people who are smart and gregarious but very few who have had the kind of success and career growth that Russell has earned. Only 32 people get to be NFL GMs and Sand Diego wanted him to be theirs. To be as successful as he has been usually means that he has something special that other people don't have, even the smart and gregarious ones. The people who spend millions of dollars see him as a guy who brings value.
As I stated I would bet that he could learn the skills to do the AD job and do it well. The reason I don't want him right now is that it would take him some time to learn those skills and CU doesn't have the time to wait right now. The school needs somebody who can come in and close deals right now and as capable as Russell may be he would still have to learn how to do that.
As long as it not an endorsement from folks that make false statements he will be alright.
I have a gut feeling that Matt Russell will do really well as AD. As Director of player personnel with the Broncos, he is surrounded by pros every day. He does more than just watch film. He has to organize the college scouting staff, organize the draft process and etc. He will bring a professional approach to Boulder. On the subject of fundraising, likability is a very important fundraising tool. He will create a buzz among the donors. He will also surround himself with people that will help him in the area of fundraising. This could be a hire that could unite Buff nation, right now it is fractured. Former players will get involved again.
You just made some false statements earlier today on your other account. What kind of credibility do you have?
Likability matters, even though Tebow sucks as a QB, I just donated to his charity foundation.
Because he's likeable? Not because you support the mission of the charity?
Both, I like him and his mission. But there are many charities that I also like, but never ponied up the cash. Tebow closed the deal.