The formal announcement that John Wildhack is retiring this summer means that the Syracuse Orange will have new leadership before the 2026-27 season. All eyes are on the men’s basketball coaching situation, but that’s not all the new athletic director will need to navigate, so we put up the TNIAAM Roundtable signal to get some thoughts from the staff.
In your opinion what is the most important thing that Syracuse’s next AD needs to be successful at?
Kevin: Generating revenue streams
Syracuse can’t keep going to the same well for donations, NIL, season tickets, etc. The next AD needs to build bridges to business local and national. They need to maximize uniform patch sponsorship, find ways to bring more money via ACC bonuses, merchandise partnerships, etc. Gone are the days of calling on one major booster to provide for all sports, so creativity and commitment is crucial. Coaching hires matter, but if programs aren’t funded at levels they need to compete, they will struggle in the current landscape.
Dom: Giving a clear message to the fans
In this modern era of college sports, communication and transparency is key. On day one during the opening presser, the new figure in charge needs to acknowledge where the state of athletics is at, what it isn’t doing and where it needs to go. There needs to be set goals and strategies to move forward. That level of dialogue will go a long way, especially for the majority of fans ready to see the page turned to the next chapter of Syracuse Athletics, and especially those paying the price to see the product take the court/field.
Mike: Nailing their hires
Despite his faults, Wildhack laid a solid foundation for his successor with the Dome and Lally complex renovations. The infrastructure for athletic success across many sports is in place… but to capitalize, the right people have to be running things top to bottom. Of course hiring the next men’s basketball coach is extremely important, but so is someone who can get football seven home games and matchups against someone other than UConn or a CFP contender. So are advisors to ensure neglected programs like women’s soccer get some financial support.
Szuba: Corporate relations
We’ve heard Wildhack say Syracuse needs more corporate support and there’s a reason for that. Big business isn’t exactly abundant in the American rust belt and therein lies the challenge. Syracuse has to target every local company that does $100mm+ in annual revenue and try to get them on board. Enhance the box suites in the dome, invite them into athletic programs, give them access and make it worth their investment. Continue to do banquets and meet-and-greets that connect big donors and athletes.
While businesses with global footprints that lack local ties would have little interest in supporting Syracuse Athletics, there are ways to leverage key alumni relationships to create strategic partnerships. Elsewhere, Micron has a chance to revitalize CNY and also change the trajectory of Syracuse Athletics. As much as we may lament the current state of affairs in college athletics, the modern Athletic Director is the new CEO. Syracuse needs a leader with a business background that has the foresight to see where college sports are headed and evolve with it. Syracuse needs someone who has a vision for athletics while being bold enough to act.
Sam: Aligning the interests
Syracuse has an identity crisis. We have donors beefing with each other on Twitter, former and current players and/or coaches getting into it with other former and/or current players and/or coaches. Parents are openly beefing with the men’s basketball coach, there’s turmoil across the entire athletic department. The new athletic director has to get people all on the same page. Every single stakeholder in Syracuse athletics needs to have the same goal in mind. From the athletic director and chancellor to the coaches and donors all the way down to the casual fan who attends one game a year. Get a unifying leader.
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What do you think will be the most important thing that the next athletic director will need to be successful at?