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As previously noted, Marquette has named Steve Cottingham the Athletics Director, dropping the “interim” from his title. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel report on the move noted that:

Cottingham said the university received more than 60 applications from around the country, adding that many represented universities and colleges in high-profile athletic conferences. Internally, deputy athletic director Mike Broeker had interest in the position, and his candidacy was well-known among Marquette insiders.

Tom Crean’s statement to the Marquette Tribune:

“We’re not in a transition stage anymore; that’s the most important thing,” Head Men’s Basketball Coach Tom Crean said. “With Steve’s leadership and with the abilities Mike Broeker…and everybody else upstairs, everybody has a role to play.

Tom Crean’s statement from the Marquette Athletics Department:

.Tom Crean, men’s basketball coach, called Cottingham “conscientious, committed and an exceptional leader.” “I have every confidence that he will continue to flourish and make our department even more respected nationally,” he said. “Steve, along with his outstanding team led by Mike Broeker, gives us every opportunity to grow and take the steps necessary to continue to compete at the highest level.”

It is simply interesting to note that in both of his public statements on the Cottingham appointment, Coach Crean mentioned Broeker. Hmmm…

Meanwhile, this whole episode reminds me of another situation in the Athletics Department, from Marquette’s recent past. From a 2006 Marquette Tribune story about the hiring of the men’s soccer coach:

Before Bennett was hired, a group of five team representatives was selected to participate in the hiring process of the team’s new coach. The plan was for this committee to meet with each candidate and have discussions with Athletic Director Bill Cords based on the committee’s impressions. But, the plan did not come to fruition. Cords hired Bennett without consulting with the player committee or anyone else on the team.

Though I cannot find it because we lost both GOP3 and Warrior archives, I believe at the time I praised Cords for empaneling a committee with student representatives to interview candidates (unlike the Provost search committee), and then criticized him when the committee process was ignored. I’m just struck by the similarity between that incident and the promotion of Mr. Cottingham.

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