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Mike Marlow, the Washington State Cougars’ deputy director of athletics, will become the next athletic director at Northern Arizona University. NAU’s president announced the news this morning:
I'm pleased to announce Mike Marlow has been selected to lead our @NAUAthletics program. I will be introducing him to the Lumberjack family today at 10:00 a.m: https://t.co/eu9vJW0sMh.
— Rita Cheng (@NAUPresident) December 13, 2017
Marlow was known to be former Athletic Director Bill Moos’ top deputy. Moos brought Marlow to WSU from Oregon, and Marlow oversaw the Cougar Athletic Fund, marketing and ticket operations.
He was also instrumental in getting Mike Leach to come to WSU.
When WSU President Kirk Schulz named John Johnson the interim AD, and when Johnson said he wasn’t a candidate for the top job, Marlow’s name was thrown around among fans and media as a possible hire.
But WSU is doing a national search for its next AD, and The Seattle Times’ Stefanie Loh reported today that Marlow, “was not seriously considered” for the job, and that Marlow himself said Schulz is looking for someone who has experience as an athletic director.
Of course, whenever the athletic director job comes up, the first question is always, what does this mean for Mike Leach?
Well:
Mike Leach on Marlow: “I think he will make a fantastic athletics director, and he is someone I would very much look forward to working with again.”
— Kyle Bonagura (@BonaguraESPN) December 13, 2017
Leach made it clear he wanted Marlow to replace Moos at Wazzu. pic.twitter.com/LkTxnHIxRO
Schulz told The Seattle Times this week that WSU is still on track to hire someone by Feb. 1.