Thorr Bjorn to Remain AD at Rhode Island

daytonflyerfan · Unread post by **daytonflyerfan** » 11 years ago

This might have been posted elsewhere, but Thorr Bjorn is rumored to be a candidate to be the new AD at Xavier.

http://musketeermadness.com/board/viewt ... =1&t=14080

adam914 · Unread post by **adam914** » 11 years ago

daytonflyerfan wrote:This might have been posted elsewhere, but Thorr Bjorn is apparently a strong candidate to be the new AD at Xavier.

http://musketeermadness.com/board/viewt ... =1&t=14080

Definitely first I have seen of this. Nothing would surprise me anymore though at this point.

Unread post by **ATPTourFan** » 11 years ago

Whoa... this gets its own thread NOW.

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 11 years ago

OK, some poster says, "I THINK he's from Rhody" and everyone goes nuts?
Get a grip!
This makes Cordischi's piece seem like Pulitzer Prize material.
Unfounded, and toally without merit!

Blue Man · Unread post by **Blue Man** » 11 years ago

Difference being that a) who the hell knows anything about AD's? I swear I could name maybe 5 total. Certainly not in the A10. b) these people live in ohio. OHIO. they don't know anything. so for them to know where an AD could potentially be coming from scares the hell out of me.

What I can say is that I am doubled over in my pod, texting every single person I know in the athletics department, and wanting to vomit my insides out.

If we lose Thorr - think of who would be our athletic director...even in the interim. THE DEPUTY ATHLETIC DIRECTOR RIGHT NOW. You don't think he sucks so bad that Hurley would run from what would become a shit show very fast???

We are so so so sooooo lucky to have someone like Thorr. He represents every single thing good about our athletic department, and is finally being able to get the bball program (aka the athletic department's economic machine) into the right direction. The wrong guy at the top would undo everything Thorr has finally been able to do, and we'd be back to where we started.

Suicide pact? I'm in.

URIGONZO · Unread post by **URIGONZO** » 11 years ago

Who is the Deputy Director right now? Is it still Gregg Burke? I thought he became the golf coach?

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 11 years ago

Lighten up Francis!
They haven't even begun the interview process!
They have formed a search committee, and hope to narrow down possibilities,
and then begin the interview process, wirh the goal of naming an AD
in mid April.
Just a stupid off handed comment on an obscure message board, and everyone
heads for the Pell Bridge.

Blue Man · Unread post by **Blue Man** » 11 years ago

rodfromcranston wrote:Lighten up Francis!
They haven't even begun the interview process!
They have formed a search committee, and hope to narrow down possibilities,
and then begin the interview process, wirh the goal of naming an AD
in mid April.
Just a stupid off handed comment on an obscure message board, and everyone
heads for the Pell Bridge.

Wouldn't all that stuff happen behind closed doors? As the poster is insinuating?

"Strange first name...but might bring a hammer."

Plus I just got what that guy means by that.

And yes the deputy athletic director is still Gregg Burke. He's also the golf coach.

BFC · Unread post by **BFC** » 11 years ago

Someone on Xavier's premium board said it's going to be Thorr which is why they're dancing around it on the free board.

"Scout.com: AD Search Wrapping Up
mbd.scout.com › Forums › Premium Forum
1 post - 1 author - 3 days ago
There are a few names still alive in the process technically, but I'm told the new AD will be Thorr Bjorn, current AD at Rhode Island."

adam914 · Unread post by **adam914** » 11 years ago

BFC wrote:Someone on Xavier's premium board said it's going to be Thorr which is why they're dancing around it on the free board.

"Scout.com: AD Search Wrapping Up
mbd.scout.com › Forums › Premium Forum
1 post - 1 author - 3 days ago
There are a few names still alive in the process technically, but I'm told the new AD will be Thorr Bjorn, current AD at Rhode Island."

Well lets hope he is wrong. We can't afford a loss like this with the uncertainty surrounding the A10.

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 11 years ago

Hey, I could say Jim Calhoun is going to succeed Hurley.
Who the hell cares?
What credibility is there?
Some poster picking a name out of his ass, and people panic?
Please!
So this "premium" poster knows more than the search committee, which hasn't interviewed
one damned person yet?
Get real!

Keaney.Blue · Unread post by **Keaney.Blue** » 11 years ago

That'd be a HUGE blow to URI's athletic future, those who know Thorr know he's exactly what we need. I'd be really bummed if he left, but happy for him. The guy is a first class individual.

He's extremely well respected, which is why this story seems legitimate to me.

Unread post by **ATPTourFan** » 11 years ago

adam914 · Unread post by **adam914** » 11 years ago

rodfromcranston wrote:Hey, I could say Jim Calhoun is going to succeed Hurley.
Who the hell cares?
What credibility is there?
Some poster picking a name out of his ass, and people panic?
Please!
So this "premium" poster knows more than the search committee, which hasn't interviewed
one damned person yet?
Get real!

Hey Rod, obviously you could be 100% right and the guy could be taking a total shot in the dark, but we've had people on this board with some inside info on hirings before so whats to say someone over there doesn't have similar inside knowledge?

BFC · Unread post by **BFC** » 11 years ago

Hard to believe that someone at Xavier would start a rumor about Thorr Bjorn of all people, out of thin air.

Billyboy78 · Unread post by **Billyboy78** » 11 years ago

I'm getting tired of rumors.

URIGONZO · Unread post by **URIGONZO** » 11 years ago

I agree BFC. I can't name 1 other AD in the A-10. They can't just be making that up.

RF1 · Unread post by **RF1** » 11 years ago

Xavier would be a step especially with them moving on to a new conference. Money certainly would not be as much an issue there. Thorr however supposedley does love football and X has no program. He is also a very New England type of guy having been from Ct, gone to school and worked at UMass, and lived and worked in RI. Cincinnati is not close by.

If Thorr were to leave, this would not be good for Rhody. This is not the time with conference realignments to be losing an AD and it would look bad. It would also probably make the Hurleys uncomfortable as he hired them.

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 11 years ago

So, you'll choose to ignore the fact that the process has only just begun, and no inteviews have been held,
over some anonymous poster?
Wow! When I was an Investigator, I worked with facts, not idol conjecture.
I see nothing remotely factual here.

Unread post by **ATPTourFan** » 11 years ago

Dooley should make an offer to Thorr. Things are starting to roll now. SADC, Hurleys, etc etc.. Stay Thorr!

BFC · Unread post by **BFC** » 11 years ago

This isn't a court of law.
Noone said it was a fact.
Discussion of rumors isn't uncommon on sports messageboards.
If it's so silly, ignore it.

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 11 years ago

Wow, really? I had no idea!
I'm talking about the concept of fact vs. baloney. Get it?
There's a full process that Xavier has implimented, and somebody
is saying that's been aborted.
I'm, not buying it, and logic calls "Bullshit!"

twisted3829 · Unread post by **twisted3829** » 11 years ago

didn't thorr just renew his contract?

edit: renewed his contract last march for a 3 year extention (through 2015)

Optimistic · Unread post by **Optimistic** » 11 years ago

I doubt he has the job in hand right this second, but I wouldn't be surprised if he was a candidate for the X job. I hope he stays for obvious reasons, but I wouldn't blame him if he took the job. Probably better pay, definitely a better conference.

And Rod, you realize you're just as bad as the people who assume all rumors are true, right? They freak out in one direction, while you freak out in the other. If this rumor is such "bullshit" why are you even posting in this thread?

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 11 years ago

Don't lecture me.
Lack of objective logic bothers me.
It should bother anyone who thinks about this for ten seconds
or more.
I am pointing that out.

BFC · Unread post by **BFC** » 11 years ago

rodfromcranston wrote:Wow, really? I had no idea!
I'm talking about the concept of fact vs. baloney. Get it?
There's a full process that Xavier has implimented, and somebody
is saying that's been aborted.
I'm, not buying it, and logic calls "Bullshit!"

Ok, so start a separate thread about the "concept of fact", this one is not about facts, it is clearly about a rumor, it even says it in the title. I agree the claim he's the new AD is most likely BS, but it does make me suspect that he might be a candidate which I think is worthy of discussion.

Billyboy78 · Unread post by **Billyboy78** » 11 years ago

Thorr makes about 175,000 a year at URI. That seems a little low to me, isn't it?

URIGONZO · Unread post by **URIGONZO** » 11 years ago

There is no doubt in my mind that Xavier can offer DOUBLE what URI can offer.

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 11 years ago

Not saying he couldn't be a candidate.
I'm only saying, it would be very far from a done deal.
I like Thorr very much.
However, on his watch, our two top sports have been horrible
in the recent years.
How would a school gloss that over, were they to hire him?
Just playing Devil's Advocate, minus Al Pacino and Charlize Theron.

Iggy1979 · Unread post by **Iggy1979** » 11 years ago

I agree with Optimistic.
(And remember not that long ago when many people on this board were questioning whether Thorr was any good at his job?)

Unread post by **ATPTourFan** » 11 years ago

Are there buy out provisions for AD contracts?! I doubt it.

Hopefully he's top on their list but wants to see some "Stuff" through here at Rhody, now that he has a supportive president and great head coach and SADC set to open, etc etc.

Rod, even playing devil's advocate, nobody would blame Thorr for the past two seasons of hoop, including this one. Those in his circles and in head coaching know by now the cesspool that had been created here in Baron's last year.

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 11 years ago

I didn't say it's on Thorr, ATP.
However, someone looking at the record might
have a reason to pause.

twisted3829 · Unread post by **twisted3829** » 11 years ago

I think it would be really tough on Thorr to leave, I know he absolutely loves it here and URI. On the other hand he is also such a likable guy I can see people being interested in interviewing him.

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 11 years ago

Iggy, the perception of many of us on Thorr
changed, when we saw him pull one of the most
dynamic moves in URI history.
His hire of Dan Hurley and the way he and Dr. Dooley went about it,
was epic.
It made many of us see him in a different light. Those of us who spent
decades watching sedentary ADs just go along to get along, suddenly liked
the decisive action we saw last April.

RF1 · Unread post by **RF1** » 11 years ago

URIGONZO wrote:There is no doubt in my mind that Xavier can offer DOUBLE what URI can offer.

Given that they might soon be getting tv revenue (approx 3-4m/yr) 10 times greater than what URI will be getting, I would think doubling his salary would not be much of an issue.

Iggy1979 · Unread post by **Iggy1979** » 11 years ago

rodfromcranston wrote:Iggy, the perception of many of us on Thorr
changed, when we saw him pull one of the most
dynamic moves in URI history.
His hire of Dan Hurley and the way he and Dr. Dooley went about it,
was epic.
It made many of us see him in a different light. Those of us who spent
decades watching sedentary ADs just go along to get along, suddenly liked
the decisive action we saw last April.

Rod: I'm aware of that. just want to remind everyone that at the time I told you all that he would do the right thing with Baron and make a great hire.

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 11 years ago

And, thankfully, you were right!

rhodyram81 · Unread post by **rhodyram81** » 11 years ago

Man!! What bad timing!! A little earlier and we could've had Bobby Valentine! Haha. In all seriousness, this would be a blow to URI. Thorr is pretty much the first guy we've had that has a clear and intelligent vision as to where we should be heading. Hopefully the rumor is unfounded.

RF1 · Unread post by **RF1** » 11 years ago

Speaking of URI AD's, Mark Blaudschun aka AJERSEYGUY writes that Tom McElroy might be a candidate for the new Catholic Big East commissioner job.

Two other solid choices both have ties to the Big East. Former Big East official Tom McElroy, knows the landscape and knows the people.

http://ajerseyguy.com/?p=5519#more-5519

Unread post by **ATPTourFan** » 11 years ago

Question for those old timers (I mean that with the utmost respect): When was the last time our Director of Athletics was coveted by another school??

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 11 years ago

Um, never!

RF1 · Unread post by **RF1** » 11 years ago

ATPTourFan wrote:Question for those old timers (I mean that with the utmost respect): When was the last time our Director of Athletics was coveted by another school??

McKinley Boston by Minnesota in 1990. He is currently the AD at New Mexico State.

rambone 78 · Unread post by **rambone 78** » 11 years ago

I'm not going to go off the deep end like I did with the Cordischi article.

If Thorr is a candidate for the X job, more power to him. Way more money I'm sure, but since he's a football guy, I would think he would go to a good football school.

Makes sense doesn't it?

The ONLY thing that would be really bad for URI, is if they hired Burke to replace him.

If Thorr does leave at some point, hopefully Dooley realizes this, and conducts a thorough search for a QUALIFIED AD, one that will build on what's been started here by Thorr. Maybe the Hurleys would even be involved in that search.

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 11 years ago

Forgot about Mac Boston. He wasn't here very long.

Seawrightspostgame · Unread post by **Seawrightspostgame** » 11 years ago

Hurley's dad for AD.... lets go all in.

ace · Unread post by **ace** » 11 years ago

Need Thorr to get some middle school-aged sons to talk him out of going to Xavier. It worked years ago in a slightly different situation.

rambone 78 · Unread post by **rambone 78** » 11 years ago

Imo Thorr might leave, not just for more money, but maybe because he realizes that football at URI just isn't going to be as important as he would like it to be.

Even with more money coming in from BB success, it's still not going to get to that level where it sustains itself. Never will happen at URI. Going to cost many millions to update the physical plant to be on par with most other CAA programs.

Thorr's been having to nickel and dime the athletic dept ever since he got here. Has to do more with less, which is pretty difficult to say the least.

I guess it would be kind of ironic for him to leave, just when the program's on the brink of good things, but stranger things have happened, especially here.

BFC · Unread post by **BFC** » 11 years ago

If he really wants to be an AD at a football school, Xavier would probably give him a better chance. Going from URI to a BCS school is unlikely but Xavier's last AD left for Georgia Tech.

Obadiah · Unread post by **Obadiah** » 11 years ago

I have enjoyed talking with Thorr very much. He's a great guy. Times at URI Athletics are troubled and when you look at the cumulative losing over the last three years in the major sports, the record is astounding. No matter what the reasons behind this sad development, it does not look good on one's resume, so if Thorr can get a better gig despite that drag, I wouldn't blame him one bit.

rambone 78 · Unread post by **rambone 78** » 11 years ago

Obs, I'm guessing that people in the know, know that Thorr is doing the best he can with very little.

If you go by records, then he couldn't get a job washing dishes somewhere.

But, there's a lot more than meets the eye here, I'm sure. Given the resources, I think Thorr would do a good job wherever he goes.

It'll be a shame if he leaves, because times are going to get better here soon. However, URI will never have the resources to maximize their results, even with increased revenue from BB.

Thorr's been here long enough to figure this out.

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