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HEEKE ADDRESSES COACHING SEARCH
Central Michigan University athletics director Dave Heeke is being proactive in getting the word out there.
On Monday he released a statement through the CMU Sports Information Department that essentially spoke to the specifics of the search for a new head football coach.
Over the course of the past week CMU lost head football coach Butch Jones as he signed a contract with Cincinnati. Steve Stripling was named interim head coach late last week and will coach the Chippewas in the GMAC Bowl on Jan. 6 in Mobile, Ala.
That much is known right now.
What isn't known is the specifics of the coaching search in terms of candidates and timeframe and things of this ilk, thus Heeke's statement sets forth the path that the university plans on taking.
"It is our intention to announce the hiring of a head football coach after the January 6 GMAC Bowl. In this time of panicked coaching changes across the country, we want to provide our student-athletes with stability and certainty. Our focus is on providing our student-athletes and fans a terrific bowl experience. We have hired a highly respected interim head coach in Steve Stripling and we are committed to the outstanding staff we have in place. During the next few weeks, we will celebrate the accomplishments of this team and the senior class who is participating in its fourth consecutive bowl game.
"We remain solid in our commitment to all of our recruits and we are confident they will remain with us as we do what is best for our student-athletes and the future of our championship caliber football program. They have chosen CMU because of its tradition, history, championship culture, and student-athlete focused mission. That will remain our commitment through the search process."
Part of the reason as to why Heeke released this statement centers on all the speculation that comes with such searches.
In today's media world there are plenty of Internet sites out there that claim to be in-the-know, yet most aren't.
Additionally Heeke said the focus of the next couple weeks should be centered on the football team and what is has achieved in 2009.
"My responsibility is to maintain a strong sense of order and help celebrate what's been a terrific season," said Heeke during a phone interview Monday. "I think it's important to keep people informed especially when there's so much speculation out there that harms the search process."
Heeke said he along with other senior members of the CMU administration will be actively involved in the search process as will be search firm DHR International.
"The search has started. We're trying to identify candidates who fit our needs the best," he added.
No further comments on the search process will be made until a head coach is announced.
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Media Contact:
Lindsay Walter
(312)782-1581
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