Mississippi State Announces Nationwide Search to Replace Scott Stricklin

In an announcement made by Mark Keenum and Mississippi State University this morning, the university and Keenum confirmed that Scott Stricklin was headed to the University of Florida. They also announced their intentions to search for a new athletics director.

From the official statement made by the university:

Mississippi State University President Mark E. Keenum today announced that a nationwide search is now underway to choose the institution’s 17th director of athletics to replace Scott Stricklin, who has accepted the athletic director’s job at the University of Florida.

The university has reached out to a search firm and will be considering input from major stakeholders in the university to assist in finding a suitable replacement for Scott Stricklin:

An executive search firm has been engaged to assist in this effort. Keenum said he intends to follow the same procedure employed during the athletic director search six years ago. He also indicated he would seek input from MSU stakeholders during the process.

Reaching out to a search firm is the right move here. Though it doesn’t specify what exactly they will do, it will allow them to consider the best candidates available, both those already in the athletics department and those around the nation.