Will UO have an open search for the AD and BB Coach?

3/23/2010: So far I haven’t seen much on how Oregon House bill 3118 will impact hiring for the new coach and AD. This bill took effect Jan 1, the text is here. The official summary:

WHAT THE MEASURE DOES: Requires public institutions of higher education to interview qualified minority candidates when hiring head coach or athletic director unless institution is unable to identify qualified minority candidate willing to interview for position. Sunsets January 2, 2020.

BACKGROUND: According to the 2006-2007 Racial and Gender Report Card that is published annually by the Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sports based at the University of Central Florida, whites held 90.6 percent, 89.5 percent and 93.4 percent of all National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) head coaching positions for men’s sports in Divisions I, II and III, respectively. In 2008, there were four African-American head coaches out of 119 in the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision schools. On women’s teams, whites held 89.6 percent, 89.9 percent and 92.9 percent of all head coaching positions in Divisions I, II, and III, respectively. The overall percentage of white male and female student-athletes in 2004-2005 was 61.7 percent and 70.1 percent respectively. 

House Bill 3118-B was modeled on the “Rooney Rule” that was adopted by the National Football League (NFL). That rule, named after Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney, specifies that NFL teams must give fair interviews to minority candidates whenever a head-coaching position comes open. 

… But seriously, keep in mind the last three high-profile openings at Oregon were filled by white guys, and essentially without a search. Bellotti moved up to athletic director. Chip Kelly moved up to head football coach. Paul Westhead was hired as women’s basketball coach as a friend of Pat Kilkenny. Each hire was justifiable. Each guy was qualified, and might have been the best fit. But there wasn’t a traditional search, or much chance provided to any other qualified candidates.

I wonder what UO’s VP for Diversity Charles Martinez is going to do about this?