Notre Dame needs a new AD

As everyone knows by now, Dr. Kevin White has left the University of Notre Dame to take the AD position at Duke.

As an alum, its easy to say that he wasn't a good fit for ND and never really managed to grasp an understanding of what makes ND special - especially in regards to the storied football program. But it would be interesting to see exactly how much he was hamstrung by the administration and the Board of Trustees.

If any of the rumors are true regarding Fr. Malloy's input (demands?) as former University President in the two coaching searches the football program went through, then I think we're forced to see White's tenure a bit differently. That's not to say he wasn't involved in the downswing of the program as a whole...

There was the Bob Davie extension, followed a year later by his firing. There was the Ty Willingham hire, followed by the vote to keep him around - which he made the mistake of publicly stating - despite it being clear to all that he would not be turning that corner anytime soon. There was talk of conference affiliation, jumbotrons, water-down schedules and over-commercialization of the ND brand.

Don't get me wrong, I'm very very very glad he's gone .Yet, part of me can't escape the fact that we may see him a bit differently once the whole story comes out.

As for a new AD, your guess is probably as good as mine. I just hope ND can find someone with a passion for all things Notre Dame that has a strong business sense to go along with it.