AD Leaving?

[TUTrojan]

A report out this morning has Johnny Williams possibly leaving Troy to be an associate AD at Alabama. I haven't read anything yet, I was just told about it five minutes ago.

I would hate to lose him... Anybody else know anything?

[TUTrojan]

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/NEWSV5/storyV5williams14w.htm

[faithintsu]

"Their committee approached me," Williams said. "I told them I'd come and listen. I went and visited about it and had a great visit. I haven't been offered anything. I don't know where it's going from here, but it's a new position and it's a great opportunity for somebody."

From that quota I do not see Johnny Williams leaving Troy. If he stays, in 4 or 5 years we will be competing with the likes of Alabama and Auburn year and and year out, so I do not see him leaving. But everyone has a price, so who knows.

[TrojanFan2]

If I were him I don't think I'd take an associate position after I've been the top dog for 11 years. I wouldn't care who offered it. Unless the money is tremendous.

[tntrojan]

is he will leave at end of season.
The financial package is just too good to say no. I hate that he will leave too, he has brought us a long way, but the money and the history and the fact that he is from the area, it would be a no-brainer if he were in fact offered and accepted. I just hope he'll do the right thing when he gets there and put Troy on the football schedule.
2 for 1 Johnny? Missouri did it. Why not the vaunted Crimson Tide? :)

[faithintsu]

I honestly do not see him taking the job unless the money is just huge. JW seems like a guy that just would not leave here after coaching and investing so many years here. But again, as I and others have said, its all about the Benjamins

[tntrojan]

The number I've heard kicked around is $400,000.
That is a lot of Benjamins. :)

[TUTrojan]

I sure hope he can say no to the mucho dinero offer and stay out of that hellhole. He is the best AD in the state. He doesn't need to go anywhere in the nation as an "associate". I really wish Troy could afford to keep such top notch personnel, from athletic directors to professors. He has been a genious in developing the Troy football program. We simply cannot let him go!

Does anybody remember the AD that our national championships were won under?

[Sarahbelle]

Okay, I guess I'm just an oddball, but there's just no way I would take a position at AU or UA...no matter how much money they were offering. But then again I value the quality of my life more than the amount of money in my bank account. There is no way I would intentionally involve myself in the constant corruption of that program plus you have to answer to Paul Bryant, Jr and those other backwoods BOT members! Is he insane??? Throw in the crazed fans calling for your head every other week and you've really gotten yourself into an ugly situation. But whatever floats his boat. :roll:

[TrojanFan2]

It's not all about the money but when you have an opportunity to be financially secure and independent in just a few short years (guarenteed by a contract), it's hard to turn down.

He may feel he has done almost all he can at Troy. Besides if he leaves there are plenty of folks on this board that have clearly indicated they can do a better job.

[TrojanHoarse]

This would be a big blow to TROY. We have come a long way, but we are not over the hump yet in being consistently successful at this level. We aren't going to be able to attract an equitable replacement, unless we are able to pay TOP DOLLAR. It is in our interest to pay Williams whatever it takes to keep him. We will never be on the same level as the top two schools in the state in athletics if we pay our AD less than they will pay their second level jobs. If he does leave, then we will have to find the money to recruit an AD that is on par or better than Williams, and that can NOT be done on the cheap.

[formerlytsufan]

It's not all about the money but when you have an opportunity to be financially secure and independent in just a few short years (guarenteed by a contract), it's hard to turn down.

He may feel he has done almost all he can at Troy. Besides if he leaves there are plenty of folks on this board that have clearly indicated they can do a better job. :lol

They need to go ahead and fill out an application.

[troymarkus]

Most of you on this board know how much I admire and appreciate Johnny Williams. He is by far the best AD in this state and has done a fantastic job in bringing Troy to where we are. It would be a tough loss and I would hate to see him go.

However, I have a gut feeling that he will take the job if offerred. Bottom line--you have to take care of your family. If they offer him the job, it will be significantly more than we are paying him. We just don't have the funds to match right now. Maybe in a few years all our staff will be paid adaquately.

[Tums]

Troy needs to get off the $$$$$$$$ and pay people like they deserve to be paid. We have done what it takes to start a D1A program. Now we need to do what it takes to keep a D1A program. It is time to pay these people (both Admin & coaches) what they rightfully deserve. Troy may not be able to pay like the UA's & AU's of the world. Troy can however afford to pay a respectable decent wage. If Troy U. is not going to do what it takes to stay D1A then the move to D1A should have never been made. It is time for Troy U. to step it up another notch with the money. The AD & the coaches have stepped up with their performances.
In 2001 year’s increase, Blakeney’s salary was up to $134, 844. The average Division 1-A coach made $466,000 that year, according to USA Today. To put things into perspective a Kentucky Football assistant coach average wage was $139,111.

[faithintsu]

I agree with ya that we need to pay competitive salaries, but right now we are just not at that level to do so. If we can get to a bowl game this year and next then we should be able to starting payin bigger salaries. But I think right now with the Stadium Upgrade and transition state we are still in, we need too hold off on any huge increases in pay.

Who knows, Johhny Williams might be doing this to get a raise like Blakeney did with the Georgia Job when it opened up. He got his name on the list so he would get an increase in pay.

[troymarkus]

My point is that we don't have the money to get off of!! We need private booster donations to rise bigtime to be able to pay them more. If you look at our athletic budget, we are doing good to even stay afloat. That's just the reality of the situation. We need more $$$$$!!! We'll get there.

[TUTrojan]

I would put the quality of our coaching staff up against any in the nation. What's the average cost per win in athletic overhead (head coach, assistants, AD) compared to other schools? We are getting 25 times the return on investment other schools are getting. Raises better be in store for them.

Think about where we were 10 years ago. Think about what happened September 9, 2004. Imagine where we can be in another 10 years if our program improves only half as much in that time... If we falter now, we could become the next UAB... KEEP JW!

[TTownTrojan]

I think if the money is right, that Johnny will leave. One thing to note is this: Johnny is originally from the Tuscaloosa area, Holt I believe. It would be natural for him to return to his roots. I'm sure he still has family ties and friends up this way. He has already stated in an interview with Paul Finebaum a few weeks back that if he were contacted by Auburn he would have to consider what would be best for his family financially.

Mal Moore is probably looking to retire in the next couple of years. By hiring Johnny now with the promise of grooming him for taking over the AD position within one to two years would be lucrative. He wouldn't be considered an "outsider" because he would already be associate AD. Anyway, that's my two cents.

[tgrad8384]

Several obsrevations. First, every professional person wants the opportunity to work at the pinnacle of his/her profession. Say what you want, but this opportunity qualifies. Second, as I said to Coach Maestri last year when he was rumored to be headed to USM, I hope we can keep you, but I wish you all the best. Thanks for what you have (and hopefully will) do for this program! Third, for all of you who are calling for the University to get off its wallet... Are you a member of the Trojan Club? Do you contribute to the athletic department? The only way to pay the kinds of salaries that allow us to keep the best is for US to get off our wallets and pony up. I hope you already are. If not, get started today even if it's a small amount.

[troymarkus]

I agree completely TSUD. We are the ones who need to show our support by giving financially.

[TrojanHoarse]

Is this a ploy to get more donations from Alumni??? :P
Is this a ploy to get a bigger salary???
:P


Or is this a sign that supporters need to get on the ball and TROY needs to do what it takes to keep talent if we want to succeed at this level.

[Tums]

Several obsrevations. Third, for all of you who are calling for the University to get off its wallet... Are you a member of the Trojan Club? Do you contribute to the athletic department? The only way to pay the kinds of salaries that allow us to keep the best is for US to get off our wallets and pony up. I hope you already are. If not, get started today even if it's a small amount.
Tgrad8384, I am glad to see someone callin on other people to support Troy. Thanks to a Comment Roger Shultz made I have stepped up my donations a little more this year. I have purchased General Admission season ticket packages (near 50) to just give away. I contribute in my own way at my own pace outside of the TROJAN CLUB. No one bothers me and that is the way I like it. So far this season I have given most of the tickets to single parents with kids playing football between ages 8 to 15. The only catch I require is the parent must take their child and a few of his friends to the game. In some cases I have made arrangements for transportation and refreshments.

[tgrad8384]

Several obsrevations. Third, for all of you who are calling for the University to get off its wallet... Are you a member of the Trojan Club? Do you contribute to the athletic department? The only way to pay the kinds of salaries that allow us to keep the best is for US to get off our wallets and pony up. I hope you already are. If not, get started today even if it's a small amount.
Tgrad8384, I am glad to see someone callin on other people to support Troy. Thanks to a Comment Roger Shultz made I have stepped up my donations a little more this year. I have purchased General Admission season ticket packages (near 50) to just give away. I contribute in my own way at my own pace outside of the TROJAN CLUB. No one bothers me and that is the way I like it. So far this season I have given most of the tickets to single parents with kids playing football between ages 8 to 15. The only catch I require is the parent must take their child and a few of his friends to the game. In some cases I have made arrangements for transportation and refreshments.

Tums, that's a great way to build the fan base, and I applaud you for what you are doing. BUT that still doesn't put enough $$$$ into the athletic department to pay the significant salaries needed to compete at the highest levels of D1. That must come through the athletic department's fundraising arm. Everyone on this board is at different stages of life and disposable income so not everyone is going to participate at the same pace. But everyone needs to get on board even if it's at the T-Roy or Coach level.

[TrojanHoarse]

Tums, that's a great way to build the fan base, and I applaud you for what you are doing. BUT that still doesn't put enough $$$$ into the athletic department to pay the significant salaries needed to compete at the highest levels of D1.

What TUMS is doing is awesome. Enough said.

Each will support in their own ways with their own means. I agree we should all support TROY, I agree that we need to pay D1 salaries for D1 competition, but there is no "BUT" about what TUMS is doing.

[Lord-Mustang]

I KNOW I'm going to get some bad reactions to this, but why should be pay any of them more money? A University is there to EDUCATE not Entertain! Why is it that Blakney and Williams deserve these huge salaries when you have personnel that work to keep the daily business of the University running, making very very low salaries. Do they not deserve Fair and Equal treatment? I mean, they do keep the resources running that students depend on to get thier education and such. So why should it be different? I know secretaries that do more than any of you could ever realise that barely make above minimum wage. The University can spend $18 million of stadium upgrades/renovations...yet complains when $300,000 is requested to put in a proper network and internet access for research and development. Don't get me wrong...I enjoy Athletic events, but when you have a negative operating budget, where does one draw the line? Do we contine to pump funds into larger athletics and continue to ignore the students NEEDS? Do we continue to build new and upgraded atheltic venues and ignore classroom space and parking facilities? Where should we draw that line people?

[Hector]

Johnny Williams, during the past 12+ years, has lead TROY through the largest athletics growth of any institution near our size in the entire Southeast. To say he has put us and kept us on the fast track is an understatement, to say the least. I know that several posters here can recall that in the old days of the Rivals board, and gotroystate.com, that Johnny was regularly trashed by certain posters on issues related from scheduling, to not being "kept informed", as if part of Johnny's job description was being their personal secretary. The objectors seem to be gone now, because even a fool can see that Johnny has done a tremendous thing for our athletics programs. My personal feeling on this one is not good. I think he will be offered by Bama, at a tremendous rate of pay, and I think he will have to take the offer. Money isn't everything, by the kind of money we are talking about can't be ignored. And no, Troy University is not yet at the point where we can offer those kinds of salaries to our athletic department officials. I believe we will be there someday. Meantime, we need to be competitive, salarywise, with other mid-majors. As far as a replacement for Johnny, it must be a person who will buy in entusiastically to our direction. It must be a risk-taker, and someone who, like Johnny, can think outside the box. Who do I see on the horizon? There are some out there that we should look at, but I'm not prepared to put out their names. It must be someone with IA football experience in an AD office. BTW, I do NOT want Watson Brown. Let's not even go there.

[tgrad8384]

Tums, that's a great way to build the fan base, and I applaud you for what you are doing. BUT that still doesn't put enough $$$$ into the athletic department to pay the significant salaries needed to compete at the highest levels of D1.

What TUMS is doing is awesome. Enough said.

Each will support in their own ways with their own means. I agree we should all support TROY, I agree that we need to pay D1 salaries for D1 competition, but there is no "BUT" about what TUMS is doing.

Sure, there is always a BUT to everything 8) I take it that you work in a university setting so you should understand that.

My post(s) was (were) not intended to negate in any way what TUMS is doing. He has proven over and over that he is a huge supporter of Trojan athletics.

My point is simply that if we want the university to pay what it takes to keep these guys, then we must be willing to step up to the plate with our donations. And that must come through the athletics development office.

When I first graduated and went to work for the University "back in the day" I had them deduct $10 a month for the "loyalty fund" as it was called back then. It wasn't much, but it was a start. If everyone could find a way to join the Trojan Club at some level (Coach is only $50 per year, I think) then we could significantly expand our ability to spend money in the athletic department.

By the way, expect us to face this same situation with every top level coach/administrator in the next few months.

[tgrad8384]

I KNOW I'm going to get some bad reactions to this, but why should be pay any of them more money? A University is there to EDUCATE not Entertain! Why is it that Blakney and Williams deserve these huge salaries when you have personnel that work to keep the daily business of the University running, making very very low salaries. Do they not deserve Fair and Equal treatment? I mean, they do keep the resources running that students depend on to get thier education and such. So why should it be different? I know secretaries that do more than any of you could ever realise that barely make above minimum wage. The University can spend $18 million of stadium upgrades/renovations...yet complains when $300,000 is requested to put in a proper network and internet access for research and development. Don't get me wrong...I enjoy Athletic events, but when you have a negative operating budget, where does one draw the line? Do we contine to pump funds into larger athletics and continue to ignore the students NEEDS? Do we continue to build new and upgraded atheltic venues and ignore classroom space and parking facilities? Where should we draw that line people?

I agree that we must also find ways to be continually improving our academics at TROY. Just remember that having a first-rate athletic department is one of the best recruiting tools a university can have. Good athletics builds good recruiting. Good recruiting builds good enrollment. Good enrollment builds good (better) funding. Better funding builds better graduates. Better graduates build good alumni base. Good alumni base builds better giving. It's not an either/or proposition.

Having said all that. This is the football board so it's OK to talk about funding sports without talking about funding academics 8)

[TrojanFan2]

All the posts are right and I applaud anyone who buys tickest to give away to build a fan base. That requires a lot more work than contributing. I have extra stadium club seats that I give away (certainly not 50) and sometimes it's a pain making sure the person you are giving them to actually wants to show up and cheer. To do that with 50 is a job!!!

I think most of the discussions here boil down to marketing and alumni. Troy doesn't do well at either. There are some chapters that are active and they seem like they are good social gatherings but others exist only on paper.

When I went to Nebraska last year I read something in their game day program that said they were going to build something nice (I forgot what is was) for pre-game and that they had notified 30,000 of their top contributors. I couldn't imagine how many contributors they must have if they have 30,000 top donors.

Troy needs to do a much better job in marketing and alumni. I contribute to Troy and two other universities. Troy is the most difficult one to give money to. I had to call them about my donations to the academic scholarships and remind them it was time for me to pay. I had to ask who got the money, why it wasn't offered system wide, Etc. The other two universities send me updates and thank you letters from the person who got the scholarship. That's a big difference to me. I've contacted the alumni office, Dr. Laliberte, and Dr.Martindale about getting someting going in Columbus/Phenix City and got a tepid response. Until Troy aggressively persues alumni and donors I doubt it will get better.

[littlebittyschool]

I talked to some people who have inside info with Alabama operations up here in Tuscaloosa. They aren't in the "inner circle" or anything, but they do get some info. Word is that they want Williams. Everybody is giving more than just approval on his potential hire. The old men with the pocketbooks think pretty highly of JW, like the fact he is from Tuscaloosa, and more than a few of them are looking forward to getting rid of Mal Moore in the near future and they think JW would be a great replacement.

These are just the thoughts and rumours from some of the outer circle, but from past experience, they are usually reliable. I really think if JW wants this job, it's his.

[Hector]

TrojanFan2, I am sorry you have had a tough time donating. Your difficulty seems to run counter to what many others have experienced on this, however. I know that there have been some issues re personnel which have been resolved. Things are moving a lot more efficiently. The track record during the last five years in academic advancenet has been very good, with signigicant growth there. They must be doing something right. If you discuss concerns directly with Dr. Laliberte, I can assure you that the response you get will not be tepid.

[TrojanFan2]

I already said that I have discussed it with Laliberte and the response was tepid. She said the right words but I still had to call back and write emails to get her, or her office, to do what she said.

I didn't say I had trouble giving the money. Someone will take your money and forget about you. I meant that it was difficult to give the money to an organization that seems to care less whether you give or not.

The other universities I give money to supply me with periodicals, requests, thank-you letters, and dinners for reconigtion. I have to call/write Troy several times to find out what is even happening.

I didn't mean for this to turn out as a discussion on donations. I merely was responding to the posts that talk about ways to pay the AD more money that Troy doesn't have.

Maybe Things have changed in the past couple of years. I sincerely hope they have.

[Hector]

TrojanFan2, I think you misread my post to a certain degree. I did not mean to imply that were unwilling to donate the money. I simply said I was sorry that you had trouble with the process. If you are a donor, you will be treated as special. Several employees in that department are spending 16 hour days (quite literally). They write thank you notes on a constant basis. They travel on a constant basis to Montgomery, Columbus, Dothan, Birmingham, and Mobile, to pay calls on donors. They will come to you, depending on your donation level. Please continue to keep the faith.

[TU94]

Bama closing in on new associate AD
Saturday, October 16, 2004
Staff Report

The senior associate athletics director's spot expected to be filled soon at the University of Alabama is not considered an AD-in-waiting hire, a source close to the program said Friday.

The main thrust of the new position is to work toward filling the expansion seating at Bryant-Denny Stadium, which is expected to number between 8,000 and 10,000 seats and be ready for the 2006 season.

Athletics director Mal Moore interviewed four candidates for the post, which is expected to have oversight of the football program, as well as the athletics ticket office, Tide Pride, media relations and marketing and promotions.

Among the finalists are Troy State athletics director Johnny Williams; Michael Alford, the recently hired general manager of Crimson Tide Sports Marketing; and Avery McLean, a former associate athletics director at the University of Georgia.

The new hire will carry the title of senior associate athletics director for external affairs, taking some of the load off of Finus Gaston, who is senior associate AD for internal affairs and chief financial officer in the athletics department.

Moore, who has said he's committed to staying on board until the department's facilities upgrade is completed in the next couple of years, is expected to announce the hire early next week.


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