Syracuse acting AD French: It’s “not uncommon” to hire AD who hasn’t served in position

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — It’s “not uncommon these days” to hire an athletic director (AD) who has never had the job before.

That was part of the response Wednesday from Daniel French, Syracuse University’s acting AD and general counsel, when asked about the school’s hiring of John Wildhack, ESPN’s executive VP for programming and production.

Syracuse announced Wildhack as its next AD on Wednesday.

The University of Notre Dame, Purdue University, and the University of Alabama have all made similar hires, French noted when speaking to reporters at the Ensley Athletic Center.

Syracuse is “comfortable” that Wildhack’s 36 years of experience at ESPN have involved “a lot of different elements,” said French. Common AD decisions about coaches and other matters are often “done by group thinking,” the general counsel added.

“We’re confident that he has all the skill sets to do a tremendous job here. He’s got tremendous people here that will help him … We’re confident,” said French.

Wildhack has been an active Syracuse University alumnus. He sits on the advisory board for the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics and was an honoree at the “Newhouse at 40” Gala, the university said.

Syracuse is “super pleased” to bring Wildhack back to campus, French said. Wildhack is a 1980 graduate of its S.I. Newhouse of School of Public Communications.

A reporter asked French if Wildhack’s ties to the university were a factor in its decision to hire him.

“It was certainly a point that we were cognizant about, but it was not the deciding factor. It’s a strong factor for John … it was one of many factors,” said French.

Wildhack, who was born and raised in Buffalo, first joined ESPN as a production assistant in 1980. He served in a number of production positions prior to taking on his leadership role.

Syracuse University will introduce Wildhack to the public at an on-campus event on Tuesday, Sue Cornelius Edson, executive senior associate athletics director and chief communications officer, said.

Academics
Wildhack impressed Syracuse with a “commitment to academics,” Rick Burton, a professor of sport management in the Falk College, said in his comments Wednesday to assembled reporters.

Burton is also Syracuse’s faculty athletic representative to the Atlantic Coast Conference and the NCAA.

Burton believes Syracuse University Chancellor Kent Syverud’s vision for the school is to “look and act and play” like a Stanford or Notre Dame, or what Burton described as “great academic institutions that are private universities.”

“John really gets that,” said Burton.

Burton also thinks Wildhack will be a “phenomenal hire” for Syracuse in looking at the “future landscape of college sports,” considering his background with ESPN and media, including traditional forms and social media and digital platforms.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com