Cleveland State has hired Mike Thomas as its new athletic director.
Thomas most recently worked as Illinois athletic director during a tumultuous stint from 2011-15. He was eventually fired after the release of the final report from a university-commissioned independent investigation that found extensive mistreatment of football players by Tim Beckman, the former coach he has hired.
The report revealed no direct wrongdoing by Thomas.
Thomas also hired men’s basketball coach John Groce and women’s basketball coach Matt Bollant. Both programs have struggled under their guidance.
Thomas had several signature successes at Illinois as well.
He launched a $165 million fundraising campaign over four years to help renovated to State Farm Center. The Illini also won a national championship and four Big Ten championships in spring sports.
In his other stints as athletic director at Akron and Cincinnati, he also had high-profile hires. He hired Brian Kelly, the current Notre Dame coach, when he was with the Bearcats from 2005-11. At Akron from 2000-2005, he hired basketball coach Keith Dambrot.
Illinois fires AD Mike Thomas amid damning report on football program Shannon Ryan
Saying a change in leadership was needed after months of upheaval in the athletic department, interim University of Illinois Chancellor Barbara Wilson on Monday announced the firing of athletic director Mike Thomas.
The move accompanied the release of the final report from a university-commissioned…
Saying a change in leadership was needed after months of upheaval in the athletic department, interim University of Illinois Chancellor Barbara Wilson on Monday announced the firing of athletic director Mike Thomas.
The move accompanied the release of the final report from a university-commissioned…
(Shannon Ryan)
At Cleveland State, Thomas will manage operations for the school’s 18 Division I sports. He will start at CSU on March 1.
Thomas replaces John Parry, who announced his retirement late last year.
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