Ravens to begin interviewing head coach candidates, decision expected early next month

The search for the Carleton Ravens’ new varsity football coach is switching into the next gear.

The selection committee recently met with the search committee and narrowed the group of candidates into a short list, says Manager of Football Operations Tom Timlin.

This week the Ravens contacted their interviewees and the selection committee will be conducting interviews starting next week. They hope to make their decision before Christmas time, though Timlin says the head coach likely will not be announced until January.

The Carleton Ravens revival was officially announced earlier this year after much demand and fundraising pushed the athletics department to reinstate the program, beginning in 2013, after a 15-year hiatus.

Carleton’s Athletic Director Jennifer Brenning says the university is taking their time to make sure the right candidate is hired.

“It’s obviously a challenging task, finding somebody with experience building a football program who is a good communicator… has outstanding leadership qualities and strong values of what it is to be a student athlete,” says Brenning.

The Ravens are employing Russ Buckland, the managing partner for a Toronto-based consulting group, to handle the applications and act as an advisor during the hiring process.

Buckland played quarterback for the Ravens in the mid-60’s and works for one of the leading executive search firms in the country.

“We are very pleased with the response from the head coach posting and we have an outstanding group of candidates to choose from,” he says.

The Ravens, however, are keeping mum in regards to who might be in that group of candidates.

“I’m not saying anything!” exclaimed Timlin.