MINNEAPOLIS — The University of Minnesota is getting closer to hiring athletic director Joel Maturi's replacement.
University president Eric Kaler announced Sunday that Norwood Teague is the lone finalist for the position. Teague currently serves as the director of athletics at Virginia Commonwealth University, where he's run the athletic department since 2006.
"He rose to the top of the candidate pool not only because of his proven history of success but because he is genuine and authentic," said Mary Jo Kane, who is the co-chair of Minnesota's athletics director search. "He has a superlative track record of fundraising and attracting and retaining high quality coaches. He's committed to maintaining an academic standard of excellence that is a tradition of Gopher athletics. And he has the expertise, values and work ethic to ensure that athletics at the U of M will reach an even greater level of success."
Maturi is stepping down as Minnesota's AD when his contract expires June 30. He's been the school's AD since July 2002.
"It's been a great 10 years," Maturi said in February when he announced he would be stepping down. "It's been a wonderful journey."
Gopher athletics have seen success during Maturi's tenure — the men's hockey team won the national championship in 2003, women's hockey won national titles in 2004-05 and again this year, and wrestling won a championship in 2007 — but there have also been bumps along the way. The football program has failed to compete with the top teams in the Big Ten and is coming off its second straight 3-9 season. The men's basketball team has also failed to live up to expectations and missed out on the NCAA Tournament the past two seasons.
Teague, 46, will visit the Minnesota campus Monday and will meet with Kaler and the search advisory committee for interviews. He'll also meet with Gophers coaches and faculty. According to a release sent out by the university, Teague was one of about 40 candidates to apply for the AD position but was the lone finalist. Teague has worked in college athletics for more than two decades and is a graduate of the University of North Carolina. He also received his master's degree in sports administration from Ohio University.
Kaler's goal has been to have a new AD in place by July 1, the day after Maturi's contract runs out. With the list of candidates narrowed down to one finalist, it appears Minnesota will achieve that goal.
"We're confident Norwood Teague is that finalist," Kane said.
Follow Tyler Mason on Twitter.
