Gold and Black is a multi-platform media company that covers Purdue athletics like no one else.
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/644223
VOLUME 26, ISSUE 4 25 Burke said. The biggest question now is what's next? Board of Trustees chair Mike Berghoff, who is also serving as chair of the athletic director search com- mittee, said Burke has made the search for his re- placement easy. "We are going to let the candidate quality dictate the timing," Berghoff said a few days after Burke's announcement. "We have that luxury because of Morgan's willing- ness to serve in any way we ask him to." Burke informed university president Mitch Dan- iels last summer that when 2016 approached, Daniels should consider getting a search committee together to look for a new AD. Burke said he wanted Daniels to have the "luxury" of having 17 months to get the job done. A search committee has since been formed. The current group is comprised of six people, including former athletes Matt Light, Rod Woodson and Steph- anie White. Berghoff said the search committee may grow when work begins in earnest on the process. Burke likes the idea of a succession plan — he's obviously directed more than one in regards to coach- ing transitions — and said that could be an option with his future, too. "I'm a willing person. I want to see this handed off in the right manner. At the same time, it's got to be a decision that Mitch and the Board embrace," Burke said. "So I'll be able to assist and consult but only as asked. The next person needs to come in free and unencumbered of anything that I've done here. … I don't want to have anybody in any way, shape or form feel like I'm orchestrating something from the bleachers. I'm not doing that." What if Purdue identifies a candidate and makes a hire by, say, July? What would that mean for Burke's role? That remains to be seen. It could depend on the experience level of the per- son hired to replace him, Burke says. But he'll be attentive to what that person prefers — and what Daniels directs. "I guess what I can tell you is I have a light touch, and I will do as much as necessary and as long as nec- essary to pass the baton," Burke said. "Then I'll head back in the stands. … It'll be whatever the Board and the president want. I recognize I need to be there to assist when asked and not overly insert myself in the process going forward." WHAT ROLE WILL FIXING FOOTBALL PLAY? As it relates to his duties with football, Burke, again, is unclear what his role will be moving for- ward. He said it depends on when a new AD is hired. "There will be a certain fragment out there who would want me engaged and a certain fragment that doesn't want me engaged," he said. Burke hired Joe Tiller, Danny Hope and Darrell Hazell during his tenure. Tiller left as the program's all-time winningest coach. Hope was fired after four seasons that included two bowl trips. And Hazell has guided the program to a 6-30 record the last three seasons. Still, Burke said Purdue is in a position to "really build some momentum" in the department with the transition. "I know football is the elephant in the room. We all know that. I'm eager to see how those kids do this year," he said. "I think the returning cast they have, they have every opportunity to be successful. Once they are, the rest of it is going to take off." Berghoff said that while fixing football is import- ant, it isn't the sole litmus test for the next AD. The next person must run a program with complex chal- lenges. "There won't be a specific sort of criteria for foot- ball," Berghoff said. "We don't expect football to continue as it has the last three years. We are con-