The tenure of Ohio University's director of athletics Thomas Boeh ended Friday when he resigned from OU and accepted a similar position at Fresno State University. Although it might seem that the university is facing a great loss -just when Ohio sports are seemingly coming around -Boeh's decision to leave is actually the best-case scenario for him, Ohio sports and the university as a whole. Despite a few highlights under Boeh's watch -namely the recent success of the men's basketball team and the hiring of Frank Solich as the new football coach -his 10-year administration was mediocre at best, and the university is now poised to find a candidate who can really build upon the recent successes of Ohio sports.
Until the recent past Boeh's tenure at OU can be characterized by two major themes: sub-par performance of major Ohio sports and questionable coaching choices. Under Boeh's watch, Ohio made questionable choices on personnel to run its top programs. Brian Knorr, former Ohio football coach, succeeded the mildly successful Jim Grobe, but under Knorr's watch the team slid deep into mediocrity and Knorr was terminated before the end of his contract. Until recently, i.e. last season, the hiring of Tim O'Shea to a lucrative seven-year contract was not without its critics.
Compounding the on-the-field problems, Boeh's tenure was also marked by other questionable decisions and procedures. Most notably, when Boeh's contract with the university was essentially negotiated in secret, away from the collective eyes of students and Ohio sports supporters. Also, under Boeh's watch the resurfacing of the field at Peden Stadium had less-than-ideal results. The field was resurfaced but had to be surfaced again with Field Turf, an artificial carpet that has long blades to mimic a natural surface. The mishandled project cost the university about $800,000, not to mention the extra time and hassle involved in redoing the improvements twice.
Finally, although Boeh's departure is welcomed, it is ironic that he has decided to capitalize on a few successes -the 2004-2005 basketball team and the hiring of Solich, which cannot be judged because he hasn't even coached a game -and ride them into another position where a university maintains a larger financial commitment to its sports programs. According to www.cbs.sportsline.com, Fresno State University has an operating budget of $22 million, distributed to 17 programs, while Ohio has a budget of $14 million distributed to 20 programs.
The current situation is a prime example of the realities of NCAA D-I sports. Recent successes outweigh past problems, and there is always another job offer out there. As for Boeh, who made $138,300, he is wished all the luck in the future, but the truth remains that a clean break between he and the university has benefits across the board.
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Boeh's departure good for all
