Fordham’s Frank McLaughlin is the last of a unique breed. He was a sensational college basketball player, a terrific college basketball assistant and head coach, and a devoted athletic director.
McLaughlin always cared about the players — from basketball to tennis and back — under his watch and in giving his coaches the opportunity to succeed.
Fordham yesterday announced McLaughlin has been promoted to the new position of associate vice president of student affairs for athletic alumni relations and external affairs/athletic director emeritus, effective July 1. A national search has been launched to find a successor.
We can speculate if McLaughlin received this “promotion’’ because the administration was tired of hearing him fight for his department, or, if after 27 years, the man and the university felt a change would be best for all.
What is not up for debate is that Fordham has reached a crucial moment in its athletic department and university future. With the uncertain future in college sports — especially the tenuous future of the Big East — Fordham, long considered the Sleeping Giant of New York college sports, has a can’t-miss opportunity.
The next AD must be a savvy business person, a deal maker and he or she should have a former coach’s sensitivities. There will be a lot of names associated with this search and, if Fordham is wise, it will allow McLaughlin a voice in the next hire.
Charlie Elwood is Fordham’s director of athletic administration. He’s a Fordham grad who has marketing teeth at St. John’s. He is a former chair of the NCAA Division I men’s soccer tournament.
Jim Fiore, the athletic director at Stony Brook, has completely redefined the athletic department there, bringing football to the FCS level and making men’s basketball an America East force. Fiore was a finalist for the UConn job before withdrawing.
Bill Smith, another Fordham graduate, is director of team sales at the Garden, where he also has a strong hand in marketing. He also served as the director of business development for the Jets and was the director of corporate sponsor for the Giants.
Whoever the next AD, he or she should pick McLaughlin’s brain, and, more importantly, his soul.