UW searches for new AD

In discussing the resignation of Washington athletic director Todd Turner on Tuesday, UW president Mark Emmert said the qualifications necessary for the job "shifts over time. That's what's going on right here."

Emmert said that with Turner's help "we are now in a position where we have the kind of integrity and quality that we want" after scandals that rocked the department.

So what the school might be looking for now is a more dynamic personality who instead of uniting the department itself can bring together a fan base frustrated, and fractured in many cases, by four straight losing football seasons. The Huskies were 12-35 during Turner's four years.

Also needed is someone who can begin raising the money to renovate Husky Stadium, a project that has struggled to get off the ground.

"We've got some development issues we've got to get done, a lot of issues around rebuilding our football stadium," Emmert said.

Emmert said the decision on a new AD will be his and that he hopes to hire one by the spring.

Possible candidates:

Scott Woodward: UW vice president for external affairs will become interim AD once Turner is finished on Jan. 31. Woodward has been close to athletics since his arrival at UW in 2004, serving as liaison between the president's office and athletic department. Louisiana State grad is close with Emmert, having worked with him at LSU before coming to UW.

Woodward, 44, called any thought he might be interested in the job "premature" but wouldn't rule it out, saying, "You always leave your options open."

Bill Moos: The former Oregon AD expressed interest when Turner was hired, which didn't go over well in Eugene. He resigned last November, and left his job last spring. He now lives in Eastern Washington and might be a longshot. He would have to forfeit a $1.85 million, 10-year noncompete deal made when he left the Ducks. The contract says he cannot work as an AD "or a comparable position at a Bowl Championship Series Conference school located west of the Mississippi River." But he can work as a consultant for up to six months during any three-year period.

Bob Stull: Currently athletic director at Texas-El Paso, where he has been the AD since 1998 (hiring Mike Price). Stull has long ties with Washington dating to coaching under Don James from 1975 to 1984. He was also associate AD for development at UW for two years before taking over at UTEP.

Mike Cragg: An associate athletic director at Duke, he is a 1986 graduate of Washington who is in charge of the Duke Basketball Legacy Fund. Cragg was also interested in the job when Turner was hired.

Mitch Barnhart: AD at Kentucky since 2002, he was previously AD at Oregon State from 1998 to 2002, hiring Dennis Erickson. He was mentioned as a possibility when Turner was hired and was reported to be a favorite of Emmert's. Emmert reportedly wanted to hire Barnhart at LSU in 2000.

Jim Phillips: Now the associate vice president/director of athletics at Northern Illinois, he was a finalist for the UW position when Turner was hired.

Chris Hill: Athletic director at Utah, he was a finalist when Turner was hired. He reportedly was offered the job before deciding to stay at Utah.

Bob Condotta: 206-515-5699 or bcondotta@seattletimes.com