Hyman candidacy remains uncertain
By Braden Howell
Staff Reporter

Athletic Director Eric Hyman, reported to be one of the top two candidates for the same position at the University of Tennessee, could be meeting soon with search committee representatives if their timetable holds true.

Tennessee search committee chairman Steven Leonard, also the university’s executive vice president, said Thursday he expects the process to conclude quickly.

“We expect the search to be concluded within the next two weeks,” said Leonard, who would neither confirm nor deny Hyman’s candidacy. “It would be unusual if we didn’t try to get together with (Hyman).”

Leonard said it was the responsibility of the search firm, Heidrick and Struggles, to set up interviews with prospective candidates, and would not confirm any specifics on the candidates.

Hyman confirmed his intentions Wednesday to contact the university, but has continued to downplay his candidacy for the job.

Steve Fink, director of media relations for TCU, said Hyman, who could not be reached for comment, was on vacation in Florida Thursday. Fink said he does not know if Hyman has any intentions to interview for the job.

Eric Sodorff, communications manager for Heidrick and Struggles, said the search was highly confidential and would not say if the firm has contacted Hyman to set up an interview.

Although Leonard would not say if anyone from the university already has a meeting scheduled with Hyman, he did say he expects there to be a face-to-face meeting soon.

“It’s kind of like when you’re looking for a job, no one is going to hire you over the phone,” Leonard said.

The Knoxville News Sentinel has recently reported several times that Hyman is one of the top two candidates to replace current Tennessee Athletic Director Doug Dickey, who is retiring in June. According to the Knoxville News Sentinel, Tennessee Associate Athletic

Director Mike Hamilton is the other top candidate on the school’s short list.

Although Hyman has never publicly acknowledged he is pursuing the job at Tennessee, he has said that having a big school like Tennessee looking at TCU is a tribute to the overall success of the athletic department.

b.r.howell@tcu.edu