Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, April 29, 1993 TAG: 9304290102
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: SCOTT BLANCHARD STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Tech athletic director Dave Braine is one of four finalists for the athletic director's job at Iowa State, and he could become involved at another school. Michigan, in the pre-interview stage of its search, has contacted Braine. Tech executive vice president Minnis Ridenour confirmed Tuesday that he and Braine have discussed the athletic director's interest in the Wolverines' job.
Braine, generally perceived as having put a wobbly program on steadier legs since his arrival in January 1988, works on an annually renewed letter of appointment. Tech sources say the sixth-year athletic director is not happy that some of his peers - such as Virginia's Jim Copeland - have contracts or lengthier appointments.
Current Iowa State athletic director Max Urick is near the end of a five-year contract that pays him $102,300 per year.
Tuesday, Ridenour said the school's aversion to long-term contracts (except as necessary for football and men's basketball coaches) resulted from a 1987 policy review. That coincided with the fallout from Tech's payoff of former football coach-athletic director Bill Dooley and buyout of former basketball coach Charlie Moir.
Braine was hired in November 1987 at $75,000. Last December, he got a 19 percent raise - to $106,775 - that Ridenour said was made in part "to make sure Dave was comfortable staying here." However, that salary is $20,225 less than that of Copeland, for example, who has a five-year appointment.
Braine, 49, did not apply for the Iowa State or Michigan jobs and won't say if he's upset about not having a contract. He said he turned down a three-year deal in '88 because of the Dooley and Moir situations and because of Tech's experience with Dutch Baughman, who was athletic director for five months in 1987.
"I said, `You don't know whether you want me, and I don't know whether I'll want the job after one year,' " Braine said Wednesday. "It wasn't a really good job at the time."
Asked if he would accept a contract if offered one now, Braine said, "Sure."
Tech president James McComas and Ridenour, who oversees the athletic department, praised Braine. McComas cited Braine's efforts as Tech raised more than $18.5 million for athletics during an economic recession, and he said athletes' graduation rates since Braine arrived have "turned around dramatically."
Yet McComas admitted Tech could not make a financial counteroffer to Braine - or any other administrator - and indicated a long-term contract is unlikely.
"We would have to do an analysis across the country and see what's there," he said when asked about giving an athletic director a contract.
Ridenour said a deal for Braine "hasn't been an issue."
"If Dave gets an offer [to move]," he said, "Dave has to consider that against what he has. I have tremendous respect for Dave's ability and his judgment. I want to continue that relationship, and I hope he will."
Ridenour said Braine's yearly appointment is the same given to every Tech administrator.
by CNB