by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
When the Super Bowl kicks off in New Orleans Feb. 3, the entire Jacksonville Super Bowl Host Committee will be there. They hope Mike Kelly will be joining them, also.
Kelly is currently the associate athletic director at the University of South Florida in Tampa. He’s also the Host Committee’s top choice to replace Mike Weinstein, the current CEO and president of the Host Committee. Previously, Weinstein had stated that he wanted to have his successor in place by Feb. 1 for two reasons: one, so they could accompany the Host Committee to New Orleans this year and, two, so Weinstein could concentrate on running for mayor, a race that is starting to get crowded with other big-name Republicans.
Weinstein said the Host Committee is still actively pursuing Kelly and, for that reason, indications are he will remain with the Host Committee for several more months.
“The exact time of my transition will depend on who takes over,” said Weinstein. “We are moving forward and we are still optimistic it will be Mike.”
Should Kelly accept the job, it’s likely he won’t take over until late spring or early summer. He’s contractually obligated to stay at USF until the end of the current academic term, which is May. That commitment is precisely why Weinstein is willing to stay with the Host Committee another four months.
“If it’s Mike, that’s what drives the May or June date,” said Weinstein, who was in South Florida this week. “It [his departure] will not be any later than summer. I will not be leaving the Super Bowl Host Committee by the end of this month.”
Kelly certainly has the qualifications for the job. In addition to running the Super Bowl for Tampa last year, he also orchestrated the 1999 NCAA men’s Final Four basketball tournament in St. Petersburg, both to the satisfaction of everyone involved. Although a previous deadline for Kelly to accept the job has come and gone, Kelly said he was still interested in the job, despite not yet agreeing to take it.
“I do have interest in further discussions about the position,” Kelly said Thursday. “Most of my communications about the topic have been directly with Weinstein and he has been in contact with me in the last two weeks.”
Weinstein said he expects to have his successor, perhaps not in place, but certainly hired, soon.
“We are within a couple of weeks of finishing this up,” said Weinstein, adding that if Kelly turns the job down, alternative plans are being made. “We continue to talk with people that have had NFL and Super Bowl experience. It’s not a done deal with Mike, but he’s our primary target. ”
If he accepts the job, Kelly said there would be no way for him retain his position at USF and a prolonged leave of absence isn’t likely.
“I am certain that the position would require me, or any other candidate, to resign their current post as the Host Committee job is certainly a full time endeavor,” said Kelly.
Weinstein said that while he would like to concentrate on campaigning full time as soon as possible, the fact that the election is still 16 months off means staying with the Host Committee longer than planned won’t be a problem.
“I think the summer works out fine for both the Super Bowl and becoming a full time candidate,” said Weinstein. “I’m comfortable with the timing, but I want to make sure the Super Bowl effort is adequately transitioned. Going to New Orleans is our focus right now.”
If Kelly declines the offer, there has been speculation that Robert Dale Morgan, vice president of championship management at the PGA Tour, is next on the list. He joined the Peach Bowl (in Atlanta) staff in 1986 and was executive director of the game from 1988-97. In 2000, he ran the Super Bowl in Atlanta. Morgan could not be reached for comment.
Gator Bowl Association president Rick Catlett reportedly turned down the job, while former World Golf Village chief operating officer, Bruce Lucker, has also been mentioned as a possible candidate. Most recently, Lucker was transferred from the WGV to the Senior PGA Tour in charge of promotions.