Arne Carlson was outspoken last week when he advocated that the University of Minnesota promote John Anderson to athletic director, and hire Flip Saunders and Lindsay Whalen as basketball coaches.
The former Minnesota governor is a U alum and passionate supporter of Gophers athletics. Speaking on Thursday’s WCCO Radio morning show with John Hines, Carlson said he isn’t formally involved with the search for a new athletic director but added “we have a lot of gold right under our nose.”
“John Anderson would be a remarkably good athletic director,” Carlson said. “A very successful baseball coach, knows how to build a program. He’s very modest, but also very capable.
“And then look at what else we have—Flip Saunders. How many people would love to see him take over the basketball program? And then you look at Lindsay Whalen. What a remarkable addition she would be on the women’s side.
“We have the talent right here and we have to learn to develop that talent to give them a chance to manage, to build, and then we can hold them accountable. But these are all good people.”
Anderson is in his 31st season as Gophers baseball coach. He, Saunders and Whalen are Minnesota alums.
The Gophers athletic administration has often been criticized, and the department’s most visible programs like football and basketball have struggled to win games. Carlson said years ago Wisconsin was in the same “pickle” as Minnesota when it turned to former Badgers football hero and state native Pat Richter to become athletic director. That hire put the Badgers on a path to success that continues to this day.
Carlson said Minnesota can also learn a lesson taught in the University’s business school and practiced by the Wisconsin athletic department. When Badgers savior Barry Alvarez stepped down as football coach, he chose defensive coordinator Bret Bielema from his staff as his successor.
Succession planning and searching for local candidates makes sense to Carlson. “…If you look at that team of Anderson, Whalen and Saunders, I would buy that any day of the week,” he said.
Good stuff David on the A.D and coaches selections. Makes a lot of sense. See you on Thursday.