New Candidate for AD

[GoRamblers]

Do you have a photo of Kelly you can post here? I find it's easier for me to work up a good lather against somebody if I can visualize him or her.

Man, I keep getting it wrong. Maybe 86 can chime in.

[hooprambleon]

Never met Tom Kelly before but I know his MO. It's one of the problems a lot of schools like Loyola have- mid major candidates looking for a ticket to the next level- don't care about the school they are at, just where this could take them next.

That's what scares me about getting a new AD. They're going to get someone the same. Someone looking for a bump to the next level. That's why I hope the athletic department is looking for someone who will actually stay here for more than a couple years. That comes down to the people hiring the new AD. Gotta admit- I am afraid for who comes next unless it's someone I know won't be looking for the first ticket out.

[ahunte1]

Do you have a photo of Kelly you can post here? I find it's easier for me to work up a good lather against somebody if I can visualize him or her.

Here's his LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=23848507

I've never met him, and actually had no idea what he looked like until today.

[swellafelon]

ahunte,

Can you just post his picture here?

I clicked the link you posted and they want me to create a linkedin account before I access Kelly's profile. This runs counter to every fiber in my being...

[lusuperfan]

You're welcome.

[swellafelon]

THANKS! (Seriously, is this the right Tom Kelly? He's much younger and much fatter than I pictured him... Much, much fatter.)

This guy looks more like he should be the night manager at an Evansville, Indiana Denny's instead of a senior vice president at a major university. But I guess what he lacks in maturity and gravitas he makes up in mashed potatoes and gravy.

And for some reason when I look at his picture I want to say "And you want to be my latex salesman?"

[Johhnyfingers]

Thank you. He really seems like a cancer to a university. Here is to hoping we get rid of him.

[GoRamblers]

THANKS! (Seriously, is this the right Tom Kelly? He's much younger and much fatter than I pictured him... Much, much fatter.)

Yup, that's him. Why do you think I posted the pictures I posted?

[swellafelon]

Which is better: Kiloton Kelly or KiloTom Kelly? I can't decide. I like the sound of KiloTom, but I'm afraid people may not get the fat reference at first.

[JCT]

I don't have a particular dislike for Tom Kelly per se. I have never met him, and I don't really care what he looks like. There are many Tom Kellys in the world-- they're at every school and at many organizations. They end up doing a lot of the dirty, unpleasant work that presidents and CEOs don't want to touch. Theoretically, the people who end up doing those jobs and embracing that role are quite likely to have some personality traits that make them disliked by a lot of people inside and outside the organization.

The real issue in this particular case is whether the AD hiring decision should be made with more oversight/participation from the President, whether Tom Kelly has had too much personal influence, whether he is qualified to have as much influence as he has had, and whether the process has been handled properly. The answers to those questions are probably (from what I've heard) yes, yes, no, and no.

Either way, two of the people in line for the job at present appear to be experienced current or former ADs who have been proven at similar schools and appear to be perfectly reasonable candidates. Whether there was proper evaluation of Loyola's direction and needs in order to select finalists is another question, and that is the crucial area where Tom Kelly likely had the most influence.