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JANUARY 30, 200 8 • OSCEOLA
Mayhew eager to come ‘home’ to FSU Former FSU star is now executive with Lions By Ira Schoffel
Martin Mayhew relied upon his speed and agility during his years as a football and track standout at Florida State, as well as during an eight-year NFL career. But Mayhew didn’t try to elude any questions about his inexperience during an interview Tuesday for Florida State’s vacant athletics director position. Mayhew, who has been an assistant general manager with the NFL’s Detroit Lions for three years (eight years with the team overall), was asked repeatedly by search committee remembers about his lack of experience as a college administrator. In particular, Mayhew was asked several times about how familiar he was with gender equity and Title IX issues. Mayhew acknowledged that he had no experience in that regard, but said he believed men’s and women’s teams and student-athletes should be treated the same. “It’s my job to make sure that all of those sports are treated equally,” Mayhew said.
Another committee member asked him how many women worked in the Lions’ front office. Mayhew said there were two, but then quipped, “I’m the assistant GM. I’m not the GM.” Mayhew told committee members that he oversees a budget of about $8.5 million with the Lions, but when asked if he had any fund-raising experience, Mayhew said he did not. “But I know [Seminole Boosters President] Andy Miller does, and I hope to lean on him,” Mayhew said. Miller later asked Mayhew how he would overcome his lack of college experience, and Mayhew relayed a story about his one season of playing for highly respected NFL coach Tony Dungy. Mayhew recounted how Dungy approached his first season (1996) as head coach in Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers had failed to make the playoffs the year before, but Mayhew said Dungy didn’t come in making wholesale changes. Instead, Dungy
was deliberate with his evaluations and waited until after the season to make moves. Mayhew said nearly all of Dungy’s decisions worked out for the best and set the Bucs up for their run of success earlier this decade. He said he would follow the same path. Mayhew, who was the second of four candidates expected to interview this week, offered several main issues that he would work to address as athletics director. ■ He wants to restore academic integrity to the athletics department, particularly after the recent academic cheating scandal. He called it a “credibility issue.” ■ He wants to work on improving the athletic department’s image, sharing positive stories with fans and the media. Part of reshaping the image, he said, is recruiting student-athletes with the right character. ■ He also would use his business background to help FSU get on better financial ground. ■ Lastly, he wants to see improved performance on the field across the board. “We should try to dominate every sport we play,” he said. Mayhew was one of four candidates to
advance to the interview round of the application process. He will be followed by former Florida Marlins president Don Smiley on Wednesday and Utah State athletics director Randall Spetman on Friday. Mayhew said he is not necessarily looking for a career change from the NFL to the college ranks, but he was immediately interested when Dave Hart resigned late last year. A Tallahassee native, Mayhew said his mother, grandmother and other relatives still live in Tallahassee. “This is my home,” Mayhew said. “If hired, I’m totally committed to this program, this university and the City of Tallahassee.” Tallahassee attorney Sean Pittman asked Mayhew about dealing with a legendary figure like Bobby Bowden, particularly if another program’s needs conflict with those of the football team. “I’m not in it to win a popularity contest,” Mayhew said. “I believe it’s more important to be respected.” The most important thing, he said, is to make the right decision for the university and communicate to all parties why it’s the best course of action. “That’s all you can really do,” Mayhew said.
Hogan impresses during A.D. interview Former FSU administrator focuses on Seminole roots By Ira Schoffel
The interviews for Florida State's vacant athletics director position started with a familiar face Monday as former FSU assistant A.D. Wayne Hogan answered questions from members of a 24person search committee. Hogan, who currently is an associate athletics director at Georgia Tech, was the first of four candidates expected to interview this week. Former Seminoles football star Martin Mayhew, who is an assistant general manager with the NFL's Detroit Lions, interviewed Tuesday afternoon. The final two candidates have no Florida State ties. Former Florida Marlins President Don Smiley is expected to interview Wednesday, and Utah State athletics director Randy Spetman is scheduled to interview Friday. Hogan got the process off to a strong start, as he seemed to impress committee members with his background in college
athletics – he served as athletics director at the University of Montana for nine years after spending 13 years at Florida State – as well as his passion for Florida State University. At the conclusion of his 20-minute interview, Hogan drew rousing applause from several committee members. A Tallahassee native and Florida State graduate, Hogan previously served as the school's sports information director and interim athletic director. "My love for this place is deeper than you can ever imagine," Hogan said, in summarizing his desire to bring his 30 years of collegiate administration experience back home. Hogan faced questions ranging from how he might handle a difficult decision about Bobby Bowden's future, the looming academic scandal and relationships with
Warchant.com Recruiting Wrap-up Party Sunday, Feb. 10 Tallahassee Comedy Zone at 4 p.m.
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boosters, fans and former athletes. "We want to get back to being about the people," said Hogan, noting that the big business of college athletics has negatively changed the way schools are perceived. "At the end of the day, it's still college sports. It's supposed to be fun." One of the criticisms of former Florida State athletics director Dave Hart, who resigned in late 2007 after 13 years on the job, was that he had a tendency to be distant from the community and the rest of the university. Hogan vowed to be more accessible. "From the time I was 3 years old, I was a Seminole," Hogan said. "I've spent a lifetime following and loving this program with every bit of my soul. I will not be someone sitting behind a curtain pulling strings." Hogan was not asked about his resignation from the University of Montana in 2004. According to published reports, Hogan stepped down from his post following the news that university’s athletics budget was nearly $1 million in the red. Of the four candidates, Hogan and
Spetman are the only ones with administrative experience on the collegiate level. Spetman, who was announced as a candidate Monday, was recommended by search consultant Chuck Neinas. Neinas was expected to turn in two names for the committee to consider on Monday, but the committee was given no explanation as to why there was only one additional candidate. Spetman, who previously served as athletics director at the U.S. Air Force Academy, is a retired colonel and holds several advanced academic degrees. While the school will continue to accept applications through the hiring process, search committee chair Mary Coburn. Coburn told the group she would like to wrap up the interview and candidate evaluation process by Friday. A timetable for naming the new athletic director has not been established. Though the committee will conduct public interviews with each candidate, the final hire is expected to be made by university President T.K. Wetherell.
Gene Williams will break down FSU's 2008 recruiting class and present video highlights of the recruits. Florida State running backs coach Dexter Carter will also discuss the class and answer questions. Each attendee will receive a handout with information on the 'Noles' 2008 recruiting class. All proceeds go to benefit the Warrick Dunn Foundation.