Jackson Jambalaya

Meet the new search, same as the old search.

Surely there’s a Khayat somewhere who needs a job.

Remember when they were floating big names like Condaleezza Rice? Then they picked Dan Jones, I remember that as a sad day.

Chip, Greg and Ronnie all in the mix. I vote for Greg.

We need to re-hire Dan Jones. Of course, IHL wouldn't do that bc they're loyal to Phil Billy, but it would be a nice middle finger to him

I truly wish some hotshot investigative reporter would go in depth into the inner workings of the college board's presidential selection process. I mean, compare and contrast the process used for each university and look at it from a historical perspective. The college board's ultimate agenda will emerge and it does not include the "advancement" of certain institutions. Candidates who may be highly qualified and bring a dynamic plan for development of a certain university might be found unacceptable while someone willing to advance the agenda might be chosen. Obviously this is not directed at the Ole Miss search in particular, but it presents a good opportunity to examine and contrast the proceedings.
...Just wishful thinking.

What about Glen Boyce?

I hope the IHL will hire a top notch candidate like Dr. Robert Robbins rather than going with an ex-politician.

Dr Boyce has more gumption that to say yes to that job.

They should move LaForge from Delta State to Old Miss. He fits their narrative very well. He is liberal and thinks mighty highly of himself.

Speaking of Dan Jones, what is he running into the ground these days? He started UMC down hill, then set his sites on Old Miss and it seems to be on the downhill slide. At least there is no one left on the plantation to fire Bianco and Luke. #flagship

When Dan Jones was stupid enough to throw his reputation and support behind a do nothing Longshot Hattiesburg Mayor right in Phil's face. He deserved to be fired. What was he thinking?

Until the IHL is abolished and each school has its own Board of Trustees, I have no confidence a capable Chancellor will be hired.

Glen Boyce is the leading candidate. Very impressive.

12:04 If the objective were to select the most capable person for each university that would make complete sense. Sorry, that ain't got nothing to do with it!

See 10:41

Greg Harper is by far the best choice.
University leadership is about tirelessly fundraising, positive interaction at hundreds of events each year, and hiring the right people to administrate (do their jobs).
UM needs a leader with Mississippi roots, with UM ties, and one that plans to retire a Mississippian.
Harper is THE right one.

Mississippi is one of a few states that has an IHL rather than board of trustees for each university. It's an old way of doing things. I guess it explains a lot really.

Harper he has zero fundraising ability. The guy couldn't raise money for himself, how is he going to raise it for Ole Miss.

Also - what did he ever accomplish in Congress to make himself a chancellor candidate for an institution he didn't even attend as an undergraduate.

Boyce would be a great choice if he would take the job. Knows the system, politicians, faculty and can make tough decisions.

Pick Ronnie PLEASE

It's already Greg. This "search" is a farce.

Bennie could slide in there and they would never miss a lick.

These predictions are about as accurate as all of the speculation about the new State Auditor. Same outcome, I have no idea who it will be but neither do any of you idiots. Just throw Buck Clark in the mix while you are at it.

There is no way they will pick him, but Gerard Gibert would be an excellent choice, if they are going to go off the grid and pick someone with no academic credentials, such as a retired politician. At least Gibert has actually run something (a large private sector company which he started). He has expressed interest in the position, but probably won't receive consideration.

MSU fans everywhere are pulling for Musgrove, but if the board has any sense it will choose Gibert. Out of the box choice, for sure, but the university needs leadership that's not afraid of the liberals and can put the place on solid fiscal ground.

Harper is an empty suit. One of the, if not the, most forgettable House Reps from Mississippi ever who accomplished nothing for his district. He won't last 4 years in the job. The school needs a leader not a brown-nose.

I knew Boyce, professionally, when he was in Goodman. Not sure why anybody thinks he would be a good candidate. A virtual mental midget, it was simply his turn to advance at Holmes after the prior president got caught stealing a set of automobile tires. Not sure how Boyce managed to get a promotion after Holmes. If he makes the first interview, he won't make the second.

Some are throwing around the name of Gerard Gibert. A tech guy who created a company and got rich. Other than that, what the hell? He's an ego-maniac with zero (say it with me...ZERO) knowledge or background in administrative or educational affairs/knowledge. He can sling around corporate buzz phrases with the best, hangs with a few republican think-tank types and covets the notion of becoming famous.

Here Are His Qualifications:

Started a business, it became profitable, his board sold it.

He has a lot of money.

He is friends with Russ Latino.

He drives a nice car and lives in a big, Ridgeland house.

He says he would like to have the job.

Chip Pickering. Next.

Harper=nice guy and long time cowbell ringer. Sorry.

Gerard. Only a BA. So no. That's how it works at a minimum.

Wasn't Musgrove the one bonding one-time spending? Not a good choice. I vote for Gerard Gibert. He is ready and willing to serve and could bring University of Mississippi in line with Mississippi values.

Nothing is more entertaining than reading Gibert’s “humble brags” on social media.

Seriously.

Try it. You’ll be amused.

4:13, do tell why MSU fans everywhere are pulling for Musgrove. In a thread about Ole Miss, not even about sports, you, little brother, make a comment about MSU. They are living rent free in your head.

If the IHL doesn't even attempt to hire Dr. Robert Robbins, they have dropped the ball.

6:17 gets it. The rest of yall have no idea.

Its fun to read this blog every once in a while, but it's thread's like this that remind me how out of the loop most of the readers are. These names are laughable. Yall would be posting the same names for an open congressional appointee or Rankin dog catcher. Not a single one of the names in these posts has a snowballs chance.

I’d try the 3-star general. Worked great for State. Got rid of the dead wood and corrected our course quickly.....never mind, stay with the old tried and true good ol’ boy system. That should work.

Why would anyone seriously suggest that Greg Harper would be considered for the position of chancellor at Ole Miss? Greg is genuinely nice guy who served in Congress for ten years, but how does that translate into possessing the qualifications to lead a state university? Greg was a mid-level lawyer before he was elected to Congress. Without his being a Congressman, no one would ever suggest that we would be a candidate to lead a university. So, how does sitting in a legislative body of 400+ folks qualify one to lead a state university? Also, without his serving in Congress, Watkins & Eager would never even have granted Greg an interview.

Hard to decide which one of these is the most ridiculous - Harper, Pickering, Musgrove. Neither Harper or Picarting has ever managed anything - being a Congressman doesn't involve a bit or managerial ability. Pickering wouldn't have even been there if not for Daddy Trent's money, and Harper got his entry due to the stupidity of David Landrum who couldn't even lie hood.

Musgrove's four years of managing was an absolute disaster and Delta State was smart enough to keep him off their campus during the middle of his losing reelection campaign.

The only thing that qualifies to be in the same discussion with these three loses is the egomaniac Gibert who csnt decide what he wants to do now that his Board of Directors 'retired' him earlier than he planned. Hmmm, run for the Senate (since the sale happened to late to give Governor a serious thpught, or be Chancellor? Exactly what Ole Miss needs as its head, someone with a BA degree, a pocket full of money, and a wife with good connections with NCAA investigators. No educational experience - but hey, he'll get Chris active as his lawyer and save all the monuments. You know, take care of the important stuff.

God help us if the members of the IHL cave into a couple of members that think these type candidates are the answer.

"Mid-level lawyer" is being kind to Greg.

Ronnie Musgrove wanted to be president of Delta State. He told the college board he wanted the job and did not want to interview for it. They told him to stick it.

Yes. It’s a good idea to put a “retired” politician in there. Or a business man that has no clue what he’s in for.

What do the two classifications have in common? They’re connected to the out of touch old south network system.

Personally, if we’re going the route of the ‘Ole Miss identity’, they should just put a pageant queen in there. She could handle the politics and the sororities could dress her up each day to feel creative and in control. I bet some of those pageant queens are smarter than 3/4ths of the politicians that are being mentioned.

There’s my novel idea. Other than that, I don’t have much to offer.

Whatever happened to trying to conduct a national search and hiring the best candidate?

What the hell have these favorite sons done to earn such a Chancellorship?

Two do-nothing Congressmen who think they are entitled to the job. A very sharp businessman is better qualified but nothing in background about academics.

But hey, its all about making the homeboy hire, not actually hiring the best person to lead the school.

Perfect example why Mississippi always runs last in anything.

"Whatever happened to trying to conduct a national search and hiring the best candidate?"

Well, the searching nationally isn't the problem, but the hiring...I have two words for you: "Carey" and "Wright." The problem is that "the best candidate" (or the top 50-plus candidates) wouldn't want the job under any circumstances. Ole Miss will simply have to settle for "whoever is at least superficially qualified and wants the job" if it doesn't simply go with a pure politicopick. Ole Miss is what it is - a merely adequate state school in the bottom half of schools nationwide - if you want a college education, it can certainly provide one. But it also comes with the various self-inflicted social issues of not only its state but its own history re: racial, social, religious, etc. And on top of that, its alums think both the school and themselves are top-shelf swells and many are so rabidly into the whole thing they don't even acknowledge that there are rules, much less follow them. True enough, MSU is also a merely adequate state school, also in Mississippi, and has some pretty rules-adverse alums, but at least its national image and history isn't quite as, um, "uncomfortable" for lots of people, especially those in higher education.

Bluntly, why in the hell would a well-qualified university administrator (who would have options) want to come to Ole Miss?

Neither you or I would've picked her for MDE based upon her resume.

Archie flew a borrowed plane and brought Hugh Freeze to campus. Let Archie handle it.

The 'very sharp businessman' is a megalomaniacle-egomaniac.