Husky Football Blog

Times reporter Bob Condotta keeps the news coming about the Montlake Dawgs.

E-mail Bob| Husky Football forum | Subscribe | Blog Home

January 30, 2009 12:59 AM

Condi Rice for Pac-10 commissioner?

So here's an intriguing name as a candidate to become the new commissioner of the Pac-10 Conference --- former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

Two sources said that she is on the list of candidates to replace Tom Hansen, having shown definite interest in the job. Indications are that she may not be the favorite, though it's unclear who is.

But a hire of Rice would obviously get a lot of attention for the conference.

For those wondering why she'd be interested, Rice has described herself as a lifelong football fan, once saying her ideal job would be to be commissioner of the NFL. Last fall, she was rumored for a possible position with the 49ers. Here's another story from 2007 detailing her interest in sports in general, and football in particular

Rice was provost at Stanford from 1993-99 --- it was under her watch that the school hired Tyrone Willingham as football coach and the two have remained friends --- so she knows the conference well, and it's through some of those contacts that her interest in the Pac-10 commissioner's job has apparently come about. Rice has said she was planning to return to Stanford to teach.

Hansen is retiring July 1 and there is some push in the conference for a young, fresh face who will be aggressive in making TV and bowl deals. A replacement is likely to be in place before Hansen retires.

Digg | Newsvine