Admiral William McRaven, a Navy SEAL and current commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, is reportedly among the front-runners to take over as chancellor of the University of Texas system, according to The Dallas Morning News.
The possibility was first reported by Paul Burka at Texas Monthly, who also said Richard Fisher of the Dallas Fed was in the running. The Morning News also spoke with a source about other "strong contenders," to include the Texas state health commissioner Kyle Janek.
The Daily Texan reports:
Outgoing Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa announced his resignation in February, launching a search for his replacement. Paul Foster, Board of Regents chairman, has said he hopes to find Cigarroa’s successor before the start of fall 2014 semester. At a regents meeting on Thursday, Foster said several candidates have been interviewed for the position.
While he appears to have some competition for the job, the stars may align for McRaven's move from the military to education. His successor has already been named at SOCOM and his request to retire after 37 years was approved late last month, according to The Tampa Tribune.
A 1977 graduate of the University of Texas, McRaven went on to have an impressive military career, being best known for overseeing the mission that resulted in the death of Osama bin Laden in 2011. In May, the officer shared some remarkable life lessons from his career to graduates when he returned to his alma mater to give a commencement speech.
For now, UT isn't talking, as a spokesperson told the Morning News the hiring process is confidential: "The board of regents is overseeing the search for a new chancellor, and they’re not releasing any information about potential candidates at this time," Karen Adler said.
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