By ADAM ZAGORIA
After ZAGSBLOG initially reported Friday that Fordham University was expected to announce major changes within its athletic department possibly as early as Friday afternoon, Fordham athletic director David Roach announced his retirement later Friday.
Senior associate AD Ed Kull is expected to take over for Roach, according to multiple sources.
“After much thought and reflection, I have decided to retire at the end of June”, said Roach, 70. “It has been an exceptionally satisfying and rewarding forty-five years in intercollegiate athletics, and I am incredibly grateful for all that my time in athletics has given me. It is far more than I ever imagined. “
“Fordham and its student-athletes are deeply grateful to Dave for his eight seasons of leadership on and off the field,” said Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president of the University. “I know the Fordham community joins me in thanking Dave for his long service, and in wishing him a joyful retirement.”
Meantime, it remains unclear if head men’s basketball coach Jeff Neubauer will also be replaced. He is currently signed through the 2020-21 season.
Some sources say that Neubauer will remain in his job because his buyout is too high and the new athletic department officials may not want to deal with a coaching change amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Others say they expect Neubauer to be replaced.
Fordham will announce major changes within its athletic department this afternoon, multiple sources said.
— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) April 3, 2020
Changes are expected at both the athletic director and men’s basketball coach positions.
Neubauer, 49, is 60-94 in five seasons at the A-10 school, including a 9-22 mark last season in which the Rams went 2-16 in league play.
Among the potential candidates to replace Neubauer should the school go in that direction are Colgate coach Matt Langel, Pitt associate head coach Tim O’Toole, Villanova assistant Kyle Neptune, Bryant head coach Jared Grasso, former St. John’s and UCLA head coach Steve Lavin and St. Benedict’s Prep head coach and Fordham alum Mark Taylor.
This story has been updated.
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