— By Bill Cornwell
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — An 11-member committee made up of Marshall University administrators, coaches, former athletes and others was formed to conduct the search for the university’s next athletic director.
The committee is seeking a replacement for current athletic director Christian Spears. The university announced April 29 that Spears’ current contract would not be renewed when it expires next February.
The group’s goal is to recommend a potential new Athletic Director within 60 days.
The search committee, chaired by Marshall’s Chief of Staff Ginny Painter, will be assisted in its work by CarrSports Consulting, a firm with deep expertise in collegiate athletics executive searches.
CarrSports Consulting has a team composed of former Division I athletic directors, commissioners and coaches and the firm has led more than 130 successful Athletic Director searches.
“The role of athletic director is crucial to the continued success of Marshall Athletics and our university community,” MU President Brad Smith said. “We are committed to finding a bold, forward-thinking leader who will build on our proud traditions and drive us into the future with innovation and excellence.”
Besides Painter, committee members include MU Board of Governors Athletics Committee Chairman Jim Smith, former Marshall football player Logan Osburn, Marshall’s NCAA Faculty Representative Karen McComas, head women’s basketball Coach Juli Fulks, Senior Associate Director of Athletics Beatrice Crane-Banford, Marshall Faculty Senate Chair Shawn Schulenberg, College of Business Student Services Director Lance Bittinger, Vice President for Student Affairs Marcie Simms, MU Quarterback Club President Mark George and the university’s Senior Vice President for Operations Brandi Jacobs-Jones.
Over three-plus years at Marshall, Spears oversaw growth and athletic achievement, including the opening of Jack Cook Baseball Field, Sun Belt Conference Championships in football, men’s soccer and women’s basketball and notable academic success culminating in a collective 3.36 GPA for student athletes in the fall of 2024.