Rutgers Names Interim AD as Search Begins for Pernetti Replacement

Rutgers University turned to a familiar face for a temporary solution to the vacancy at the position of Athletic Director in the wake of the Mike Rice scandal.

President Robert L. Barchi tapped Carl Kirschner to serve as interim athletic director until a full time replacement is found for  Kirschner previously served as interim Athletic Director in 2009 after Bob Mulcahy was fired and before Pernetti was brought on board.

“I thank Carl for stepping up to take interim leadership of intercollegiate athletics,” Barchi said. “His many years of service to the university community and to our student athletes give me every confidence in his ability to oversee the Rutgers athletics program until we find a new athletic director.”

Helping Kirschner manage the daily operations of the department will be senior associate athletic director Doug Fillis, and Janine Purcaro, chief financial officer for athletics.

Kirschner serves as special counsel for academic programs in the Office of the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, and was also dean of Rutgers College for 13 years.

Kirschner was previously chair of the Academic Oversight Committee for Intercollegiate Athletics, which reviews the applications of student athletes and monitors their academic progress.

The Star Ledger reported that University of Wisconsin deputy athletic director Sean Frazier, Michigan State deputy athletic director Greg Ianni, Stony Brook athletic director Jim Fiore, Baylor athletic director Ian McCaw and former Rutgers deputy athletic director Kevin MacConnell are among the names Rutgers will contact once the search for a new AD begins. 

Rutgers announced that is has also formed a search committee to find Pernetti's permanent replacement. The committee will be co-chaired by Rutgers alum Kate Sweeney, who works as senior vice president and certified financial planner with Morgan Stanley in New Brunswick, and Richard L. Edwards, executive vice president for academic affairs.

“As we seek to move the university and Rutgers athletics forward, it is imperative that we move expeditiously to fill this important post,” Barchi said. “I’m pleased that Kate Sweeney and Dick Edwards have agreed to head the panel, and I am certain they and the other members of the search committee will work diligently to identify the most stellar candidates for consideration.”