Originally published Wednesday, April 16, 2008 at 12:00 AM

UW hires search firm to aid in finding an AD

Washington has hired the Atlanta firm Parker Executive Search as it attempts to find a new permanent athletic director. The Huskies are seeking...

By Bob Condotta

Seattle Times staff reporter

Washington has hired the Atlanta firm Parker Executive Search as it attempts to find a new permanent athletic director.

The Huskies are seeking a replacement for Todd Turner, who resigned under pressure in December. Scott Woodward, who is also the school's vice president for external affairs, has been serving as acting athletic director since January. Some consider him the favorite to become the new AD if he wants to pursue the job. But he said again Tuesday he has yet to make a final decision, though he said he continues to "lean in the direction" of wanting the position.

Washington also used Parker Executive Search in 2004 when it hired Turner. A UW official said Tuesday he did not know how much the school was paying Parker. LSU paid Parker $75,000 earlier this year in hiring a new athletic director. Schools typically use search firms largely to maintain confidentiality — they act as a third party to determine interest — as well as perform background checks.

Washington is looking to fill three of its top positions in its athletic department after it became official on Tuesday that Jeff Compher, who had been the school's executive associate athletic director, is leaving to become the new athletic director at Northern Illinois.

At UW, Compher oversaw the daily administrative operations of the department with a special emphasis on football and men's and women's basketball, including oversight of scheduling for those sports.

Scott Barnes, who had been UW's senior associate athletic director for advancement, left to become the new athletic director at Utah State in March.

Woodward said Compher will stay through June and noted that the timing for his departure is good in that football and basketball are entering their offseasons.

Washington has also formed a search committee in the hunt for a new AD, and it has met several times. UW president Mark Emmert has said he hopes to find a new AD by the end of the school year.

Bob Condotta: 206-515-5699 or bcondotta@seattletimes.com

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