Maryland’s AD search is reportedly down to 3 finalists

Maryland has narrowed down its Athletic Director search to three finalists, according to The Baltimore Sun’s Don Markus.

This saga began when Kevin Anderson went on a six-month sabbatical in October 2017 and resigned after it ended in April. Maryland announced the hiring of a search firm and the formation of a committee less than two weeks later. It hasn’t been a public search, so this is the first major report since then.

Interviews are reportedly expected to be conducted this week, and Kraft is believed to be the front-runner, one source told The Washington Post’s Jesse Dougherty.

Kraft took over as Temple’s AD in May 2015 after serving two years as its deputy AD. The Owls have reached new heights in several sports in the last three years, and annual donations to the athletic department have increased 75 percent in that time, according to his bio on the school’s website. Sports Business Journal included him in its “Forty under 40” series in 2016.

Evans has been at Maryland since 2014 and has been running Maryland’s day-to-day operations since October. He previously held the AD position at Georgia from 2004-10, but resigned after being arrested for a DUI with a mistress in the passenger’s seat. It took him four years to return to athletic administration.

Currie, 47, served as Kansas State’s AD from 2009-17 before taking the Tennessee job last February. He didn’t last even 10 months in that post, as he was relieved of his duties during the Volunteers’ disastrous football coaching search, when he reportedly agreed to terms with Greg Schiano before the deal fell through amid fan backlash. He was replaced by Phillip Fulmer, and Tennessee eventually landed Jeremy Pruitt for the job.

It’s unclear when a decision is expected, but the search looks to be nearing its conclusion.