× Thanks for reading! Log in to continue. Enjoy more articles by logging in or creating a free account. No credit card required. Log in Sign up {{featured_button_text}}

ESPN Richmond, the radio station that broadcasts University of Richmond football and basketball games and coaches’ shows, reported Thursday morning that Bucknell athletics director John Hardt is the front-runner to become Richmond’s next AD and that his hiring “may be imminent.”

After the release of that report, the chair of the 10-person search committee, Dave Hale, responded to a request by The Times-Dispatch for comment.

Via email, Hale wrote: “The university is not in a position to make a job offer to anyone at this time as the hiring committee has not yet met with any potential candidates.”

Hale is Richmond’s executive vice president and chief operating officer. Dr. Ronald A. Crutcher, the school president, modified UR’s administrative structure July 1 and said athletics now reports through Hale on a day-to-day basis.

“As we’ve said since the beginning of our hiring process, the engagement of the campus community in this important decision is of paramount importance to us, and we will not move forward until the committee has had the chance to vet our candidates,” Hale wrote.