Michigan to force Athletic Director to resign

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (U-WIRE) -- University of Michigan Athletic Director Tom Goss will be forced from his position by university administrators as early as the end of this week, sources close to Goss told The Michigan Daily. The move comes amidst continuing controversy throughout the department, punctuated by recent developments within the men's basketball program. Sources within the Athletic Department said Goss' departure is a power move by the university administration to regain executive control over the department. In October 1997, University President Lee Bollinger appointed Goss to overhaul the department and take full control, including all financial operations. But recent events tarnishing the Athletic Department, from a $2.8 million budget deficit to athletes in trouble with law enforcement officials, have led to increased scrutiny on Goss. That included the creation of a chief financial officer within the department, where Goss delegated some of his power. Sources told the Daily that Bollinger was growing increasingly frustrated with Goss' handling of controversial matters, and that this frustration came to a head last Wednesday. It was not until then that he learned Michigan's star basketball player, Jamal Crawford, was benched for the Michigan State game the night before because the NCAA had been investigating his eligibility since January 28. Bollinger declined comment on the matter. "I don't talk about personnel matters in public," he said. Goss canceled a scheduled appearance at a Title IX symposium Friday, did not attend Saturday's home hockey game nor Sunday's home basketball game as he usually does and was away from his residence into the late hours of the night Sunday night. Former Michigan Athletic Director Don Canham, who said he talked to Goss Sunday night, relayed that Goss does not wish to relinquish his position. "He does not want to resign," Canham said. "He will resign if he doesn't get some encouragement." Canham praised Goss and his 29-month tenure and questioned the motive behind the impending move. "Whose agenda is it? That's what I want to know," Canham said. "If they get him out of there, it's a step toward oblivion." The new athletic director "will be a puppet" to university administrators, a source within the department told the Daily. University Regent Andrea Fisher Newman (R-Ann Arbor), reached Sunday in Tampa, Fla., said it would be inappropriate to comment at the present time, saying that she has "not been critical of Tom Goss. I was critical of the financial management of the department, but never of any individual." Former Executive Associate Athletic Director Fritz Seyferth, who was the in-house heir apparent to former athletic director Joe Roberson before Goss got the job, said he was deeply saddened by this development. "Unfortunately, everything in the Athletic Department is public," Seyferth said. "No one person can stand that scrutiny. The recent notoriety has made the situation untenable." Seyferth, who has since pursued interests in the private sector, said he would not accept an offer to replace Goss. Michigan hockey coach Red Berenson declined comment on the matter, but told the Daily that he would not consider an administrative position at this time. The last Michigan coach to accept the athletic director position was Bo Schembechler, who filled the office from 1988-90. Former Michigan basketball coach Steve Fisher, whose highly publicized firing was Goss' first major act as director, told the Associated Press in San Diego that he did not have any comment on the issue. Fisher, with long-time assistant Brian Dutcher, now coaches at San Diego State. University spokeswoman Julie Peterson said, as of Sunday night, that there was no official announcement on the matter.