New AD looks like a good fit

Evaluating the hiring of an athletic director isn't easy because there are no quantifiable performance results like wins and losses.

But on the surface, SEMO appears to have done well in landing 39-year-old Mark Alnutt.

I thought Alnutt, a former Missouri football player who has spent the last 14 years at the state's flagship university, made a favorable first impression when he was introduced as SEMO's new athletic director last week.

Alnutt seems to have the personality, presence and drive to lead SEMO athletics into the future.

He worked and learned under Mizzou athletic director Mike Alden, and that should be a plus. Alden has done wonderful things with the Tigers' overall program.

Alnutt agreed to a five-year deal but the contract numbers have not been finalized. He is scheduled to begin his duties next month.

Time ultimately will tell what type of impact Alnutt, currently the senior associate athletics director for administration at Mizzou, makes at SEMO.

But for now I'd say SEMO supporters should be happy Alnutt is on board.