Brogan's talks with colleges heat up rumors of FAU post

© St. Petersburg Times
published December 3, 2002

TALLAHASSEE -- Is Lt. Gov. Frank Brogan eyeing the presidency of Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton?

Brogan won't say. Several trustees at FAU said Monday they would welcome Brogan as a candidate but were not aware that he might be interested in the post, which could pay as much as $500,000, more than twice the salary paid to most of the state's university presidents.

Brogan got his master's degree at FAU.

"I'm very flattered," Brogan said Monday when reporters surrounded him as he and Gov. Jeb Bush accepted delivery of a Christmas tree from the Ergle Family Tree Farm near Dade City.

"I have had conversations with people at four universities that have available presidencies, but I am focused on transition and the inauguration and that's it for now."

When Bush was asked whether Brogan might be leaving, the governor said: "I hope not. I hope he stays here. I love my lieutenant governor."

Bush and Brogan were re-elected to a second four-year term Nov. 5. If Brogan left, Bush would pick his replacement.

Even before the election, there was speculation that Brogan might seek the top job at Florida State University. He said then that he was flattered but uninterested.

Last week George Zoley, the chairman of search committee at FAU, delayed interviewing finalists for the post for at least a month. That means it will be January before finalists are interviewed.

The delay was announced just a few days after Brogan spent a Saturday afternoon at the first football game between FAU and Florida International University. Brogan was a teacher, principal and Martin County school superintendent before he was elected state education commissioner in 1994.

Brogan does not have a doctorate, which some universities require for the top job. FAU invited applicants with "outstanding corporate or government experience" to apply if they lack a doctorate.

Brogan said he had nothing to do with the delay. "I wish I had that kind of authority, but I don't," he said. "They apparently have delayed the search because they want to put more time in on the search and the interview process."

Brogan, 49, recently announced plans to marry Courtney Strickland, a 26-year-old FSU law student. Brogan's wife, Mary, died of cancer in 1999.

Brogan has been a target of jokes because of his plans to marry a much younger woman. A recent column in the Tallahassee Democrat suggested that Brogan and his fiancee registered for wedding gifts at Toys "R" Us.

Many Florida Republicans expected Brogan to run for statewide office in 2006, but he has dodged questions about his political plans.

-- Times staff writer Anita Kumar contributed to this report.

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