Former Michigan, Steelers, Vikings Coach Jed Hughes Joins Top Search Firm

As major colleges and professional sports teams look to fill coaching and top-level administrative positions, they are increasingly looking toward executive search firms to narrow the field and find the best fit. 

With extensive experience in the sports field—having placed Mark Murphy with the Packers and Brady Hoke with Michigan—Jed Hughes is a leader in the field and has just joined Korn/Ferry, one of the top industry firms, as head of its sports practice.

Hughes cut his teeth in the sports world as former assistant coach under such luminaries as Bo Schembechler (University of Michigan), Chuck Noll (Pittsburgh Steelers), Bud Grant (Minnesota Vikings), John Ralston (Stanford University) and Terry Donahue (UCLA). 

Those connections, coupled with the specialized knowledge that only a coach could possess, give him a major credibility hike when it comes to finding the right man (or woman) for the job.

Bob Damon, president of Korn/Ferry International North America, knew that in expanding its sports division it would need someone with Hughes' level of experience and track record.

“Professional sports is a complex business that co-mingles entertainment, retail, consumer goods, technology and new media. Choosing the right leadership is critical to success,” Damon said in a statement in the announcement of Hughes' hiring:

"

Jed has a long and distinguished career as the leading consultant in professional sports and intercollegiate athletics. His relationships are extensive and his knowledge of the critical trends and leadership issues impacting the world of sports is unparalleled.

"

For more than a dozen years, Hughes led the sports practice at Korn/Ferry's main rival in the industry, Spencer Stuart. 

In addition to Murphy and Hoke, he also made other high-profile placements in Larry Scott, Commissioner of the Pac-12 conference; Scott Blackmun, CEO of the United States Olympics Committee (USOC); Tony Petitti, CEO of the MLB Network; Mike Whan, Commissioner of the LPGA; Joe Steranka, CEO of the PGA of America, and Adam Helfant, CEO of the Men’s ATP Tour.

Quite a resume, and all are considered hires that have led those organizations into uncharted territory, hugely successful in this tough economic environment.