After months of being on paid administrative leave, University of Idaho athletic director Rob Spear has been ousted.
The State Board of Education announced the unanimous decision Thursday. Board member Emma Atchley announced the state board took over handling Spear’s tenure after UI President Chuck Staben disclosed a conflict of interest and requested recusal.
The termination is in “convenience” with Spear’s contract. He will continue being paid until Feb. 17, 2020. His annual salary this year is $194,833, up slightly from last year’s $193,024.
Spear has been on administrative leave since April after reports showing he mishandled complaints of sexual misconduct, including at least one of sexual asault, in 2012 and 2013 came to light earlier this year. In a little over of a handful of incidents during that time period, it was unclear whether the dean of students office was contacted to conduct an independent investigation, as first reported by the Idaho Statesman.
Associate Athletics Director Pete Isakson has led the department ever since Spear was put on administrative leave in April. UI Director of Communications Jodi Walker said Isakson will continue as interim for the foreseeable future.
An article from the Moscow-Pullman Daily News published two weeks ago reported an athlete’s career was quashed after Spear denied a request to transfer to another college.
A recent report on UI’s athletic department’s mishandlings put some blame on the university, citing sub-par communication on a policy change on how sexual misconduct complaints should be handled. The report, however, called Spear’s actions in response to a sexual misconduct complaint insensitive.
Atchley said the state board considered the report, along with other information in making its decision.
Following Spear’s initial 60-day paid leave, UI President Chuck Staben announced in June Spear’s absence would continue until further notice, as external consultants investigated the department’s mishandlings of the assault case brought forward by former diver Mairin Jameson against wide-receiver Jahrie Level, who was accused by another UI athlete of harassment.
Spear received widespread backlash from the UI student body after Jameson’s story came to light. The ASUI Senate called for Spear’s immediate removal in an April resolution and a student-ran petition separate from the vote called for his removal.
Spear was hired as athletic director in 2003. Following a swell of reporting on the mishandlings, UI President Staben announced his plans to leave in June 2019 — marking nearly five years with the university. Staben said the decision to not renew his contract was unrelated to the mishandlings and was mutual between him and the State Board.
Kyle Pfannenstiel can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @pfannyyy.
Colton Oliphant
Ousted is a more forceful synonym of the word fired. He was fired.
Deacon Dianne Lowe
You have used the word “squashed” to describe a female athlete ‘s career, where the *correct* word is “QUASHED.” Don’t try to use big words you for which you don’t know the meaning.
Lawrence Moran
So, was he fired? Was his contract not renewed? Was he forced to resign? What, precisely, is meant by ousted?