UM Heads North For Athletic Director
MIAMI (CBS4) - Months after losing former athletic director Kirby Hocutt to Texas Tech University, the University of Miami has settled on University of Wisconsin deputy athletic director Shawn Eichorst to take over the athletics department at UM, according to CBSMiami.com news partner the Miami Herald.
"Shawn Eichorst has the skills, experience, and philosophy to elevate UM athletics and exceed our highest expectations," said University of Miami President Donna E. Shalala.
Eichorst has been the number two person in Wisconsin's athletic department behind athletic director Barry Alvarez. Eichorst also served as a senior associate athletic director at South Carolina.
"I'm very confident that the coaching staffs at Miami will enjoy his leadership," Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez said. "He will make a tremendous contribution."
The Herald reported that UM also interviewed Virginia Commonwealth athletic director Norwood Teague and ACC associate commissioner Michael Kelly before settling on Eichorst.
"The success of our student-athletes - academically, athletically and socially - will always be our foremost objective and I am looking forward to working collaboratively with our coaches, staff, student-athletes, campus administration, faculty, board of trustees, donors, alumni, fans and community members to realize our full potential," Eichorst said.
At the same time, "the U" has been searching for a new men's basketball coach. Eichorst handled oversight of the men's basketball team among other areas while at Wisconsin.
Multiple reports have UM at least showing some interest in current Harvard University head coach Tommy Amaker. The former Duke star put together a 108-84 record at Michigan, which was coming off probation when he took over.
Overall, Amaker has a career record of 242-189. During each of his last two seasons, Amaker has led Harvard to records of 21-7 and 23-7 respectively.
Harvard lost in the first round of the NIT in March. Amaker has been to the NCAA Tournament once in his 14-year career.
(© MMXI CBS Television Stations. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. CBS4 news partner The Miami Herald contributed material for this report)
