Oh, boosters are free to do what they want. However, doesn't mean that their efforts will be well received or even considered by the next AD. The fact that we're hearing movement on the HFC front spearheaded by boosters is not only concerning, but it's the antithesis of the message Cabrera sent at the presser announcing Collins and Stansbury were fired.
Reading between the lines, it appears Cabrera named Neville the interim for a reason, and he specifically made a point to say that the next AD will be the one to run the HFC search. There's a reason why Stansbury is gone, and the #2 guy in the Athletic Department quietly left. Neville being interim AD, and not someone from within the Athletic department, is a signal that the old way (giving Donors heavier weight in making hiring decisions) isn't going to cut it this time. I think Cabrera would be stupid to not hear mega Donors out and give them a voice...given GT's financial situation, donors are an important part of our funding, but I also think Cabrera's moves are also a message to the donors: You had your chance, you picked Collins and it didn't work out, now we're going change directions letting #1 and #2 in the Athletic Department go, and we're to review how things are done in the Athletic Department and do it a different way. Sports does not wag the dog at GT.
I don't think there's any problems with vetting candidates, but that's why Cabrera paid a LOT of money to Parker Executive Search (PES). Will donors have input? Most likely because they will probably be stroking checks, but I don't think Cabrera wants a parallel search with PES and donors. That sends a wrong message to HFC candidates...Why is PES calling for GT...AND donors?!! I don't think candidates would want to step into another Auburn type situation.
It's interesting because the AJC ran a story a few weeks ago about possible AD candidates. Some on here hinted that one of the prominent candidates mentioned in the AJC write up was going to be "the guy" according to their sources...Allen Greene. Turns out, he wasn't even a candidate. I think that's great because it sounds like Cabrera and Neville are keeping things close to the vest, and staying true to their word: Parker Executive Search will be running the search for both AD and HFC, regardless how much donors want input.