Tulane Football Blog

The Tulane AD search has been extremely buttoned up so far with no candidates other than Kortne Gosha being made known to the public. According to sources, Kortne and one other candidate interviewed in person with Tulane power brokers in Atlanta this week. The other candidate was apparently University of Florida deputy athletic director, Lynda Tealer.

Tealer currently serves as Executive Associate Athletics Director for Administration and holds status as an Athletic Association Board Member and the UAA’s Deputy Title IX Coordinator. She performs duties as the sport supervisor for Florida’s men’s basketball, volleyball and softball programs.

At Florida, Tealer has a wide variety of job responsibilities, including overseeing men’s basketball, sports health, and human relations, among others. Not only is she one of the most well-respected administrators within the SEC, but she also serves as the chair of the NCAA’s Competition Oversight Committee. One Power 5 AD said Tealer”could go run any program she wants if she wants to.”

Tealer has been attached to almost every single high profile AD hire recently.

Boston College

Duke

Georgia Tech

If you’re wondering what these three schools have in common, they’re all in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Most Tulane fans would agree that the ACC is the desired landing spot for us. It’s clear that the power brokers in that division hold her in high regard.

In addition to her multi time ACC AD candidacy, Tealer is currently leading Gator Booster’s 10-year fundraising campaign related to the celebration of 50 years of women’s athletics at UF. There is not a lot of data on the goal or progress available online, but her heading up a fundraising campaign is a positive fact point for a future AD.

While there is not a direct connection between Tealer and the athletic facilities in my research, The University of Florida has invested nearly $300 million into facility enhancements across athletics over the past six years all years that Tealer was in the athletic department. The recent completion of Phase I included an indoor practice facility, but the standalone building will feature locker rooms, a strength and conditioning space, coaches offices and lounge spaces. The new, planned training center is considered Phase 3 of a 10-year plan to upgrade the digs in Gainesville.

Does a combination of ACC ties and various NCAA committee experience make her the right person for the job? Interested to see if other “finalists” will be revealed as the week goes on or we really are down to Kortne and Lynda.