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BCA serving as unofficial 13th member of Duke AD search committee

By Dave Nathan

May 23, 2008

Back in April, Duke University announced a 12-person panel commissioned by President Dr. Richard Brodhead to assist in finding Joe Alleva’s successor. Bill Carr and Associates is the unofficial 13th member of Duke’s search committee for a new Director of Athletics.

Carr’s firm has specialized in consulting, hiring, and other collegiate projects since 1997. He’s helped conduct dozens of searches across the country since then.

Search firms aren’t a new thing in Durham. Alleva used Chuck Neinas’ service when David Cutcliffe was hired as the Blue Devils football coach last year.

BCA is no stranger to the state of North Carolina either. Duke is merely the latest area school to add its name to an impressive list of previous associates. BCA counts UNC, NC State, Appalachian St., UNC-Asheville, Elon, and NCCU as some of their past clients.

Carr’s familiarity with the university landscape is due in large part to his deep background in college athletics. He’s been involved in the business for over 30 years in some way, shape, or form.

During his playing days as an offensive lineman at The University of Florida, Carr was an All-SEC and All-America center during his senior campaign of 1966. He played professionally in the NFL with the New Orleans Saints.

He was the AD at his alma-mater from 1979-86. When he accepted the position in Gainesville, he became the youngest AD in country at the time. He held the same position at The University of Houston from 1993-97.

Since beginning Bill Carr and Associates, Carr is now back in the Gainesville area. His son, Curtis, is currently a walk-on defensive back on the Gators football team.

Today, his best work is done in the shadows. Secrecy and confidentiality are two of the biggest things BCA has going for it. However, when Carr’s work is done, college administrators freely trumpet the asset that BCA can be.

“Bill Carr has been a successful collegiate athletics director with a full knowledge of what it takes for a university to have a program that fits its needs,” former ACC commissioner and 1952 Duke graduate Gene Corrigan said.

“He is well qualified to handle multiple tasks, which can be of service to a university, including personnel searches and program evaluations. Over many years of association I have found him to be extremely effective in these roles. He is always truthful and completely trustworthy.”

This is just one of the many ringing endorsements of BCA that can be found on its website. Corrigan is now working with BCA.
Other proponents of search firms, like Tennessee AD Mike Hamilton, say they are an invaluable resource. Yet, some people misunderstand their actual role.

“Often the misconception is the search firm is hiring the coach,” Hamilton said. “They’re a tool used to get candidates, do background searches. They help you with research and go about it in a confidential manner.”

During the process, BCA has the ability to discreetly talk to prospective candidates without much, if any, information aired publicly. This can be a tremendous tool for universities looking to quietly go about their hiring practices before unveiling their choice.

“The two times we’ve used a search firm, they’ve helped determine a candidate’s interest,” Hamilton said. “They’ve also served as a communication between the school and the individual.”

Champ Search firm helped Hamilton land Bruce Pearl in 2005 to lead the Tennessee basketball program. Last year Dan Parker and Associates was called upon to assist the Vols search for a new baseball coach.

Although Hamilton hasn’t used BCA during his five-year tenure, his predecessor, Doug Dickey, used BCA at least once when he was Tennessee’s AD. Dickey, like Carr, is a Florida graduate and former Gator football player.

The advantages BCA provides don’t come cheap. Unlike public institutions, Duke doesn’t have to release what BCA’s fee is. However, when BCA helped Kentucky find a new AD in 2002, the cost was $45,000 plus expenses. Expenses can be, but are not limited to, airfare, hotels, food, and other sorts of transportation.

In 2003 Clemson needed some help in formulating a strategic plan for their athletics department. BCA got $60,000 for their assistance.

Hamilton estimates the cost of landing a search firm’s services today would be around $75,000. He added it may cost more, maybe as much as $100,000, if a speedy hire is needed.

In the world of big-time college athletics, a few thousand dollars can get lost in a multi-million dollar budget. But, how much is it worth for college administrators to do business privately? BCA has the ability to go about their business quietly while helping deliver key answers for schools nationwide.

In the words of current Kentucky president Lee Todd, which can also be found on BCA’s website, “They delivered as promised.”