Bresciani Claims Support for His Work in North Dakota Caused Him to Withdraw Bid for Ohio Job

Last month we learned that embattled NDSU President Dean Bresciani had applied for a job in Ohio.

Today we learn that Bresciani has withdraw his bid for that job. His reasoning? Supposedly everyone thinks he’s doing such a wonderful job in North Dakota he’s decided to stay.

“After notifying the State Board of Higher Education members and the Chancellor, I quickly heard back from many, with messages echoing those of Chancellor Hagerott who offer ‘Appreciate that you’ve decided to stay with NDSU and look forward to continued work together to build a stronger (university system) and NDSU,” he said in a campus email.

“I believe their strong support will be critical as we move forward, and it is greatly appreciated,” he continued.

[mks_pullquote align=”right” width=”300″ size=”24″ bg_color=”#ffffff” txt_color=”#000000″]”Bresciani wasn’t going to get the job so he withdrew,” a long time member of the North Dakota media told me in a text message today. “Does he think anyone is gullible enough not to realize that?”[/mks_pullquote]

I’m sure there were some who wanted Bresciani to say. He’s built up something of a cult of personality in the rabid NDSU sports fan/alumni community, and enjoys the uncritical support of certain apologists in the media. But to suggest that his decision to withdraw was the result of widespread acclaim for his performance here in North Dakota?

He’s not fooling anyone.

“Bresciani wasn’t going to get the job so he withdrew,” a long time member of the North Dakota media told me in a text message today. “Does he think anyone is gullible enough not to realize that?”

Maybe he does.

But then, what else can he say? I think it would have been great if Bresciani tried for a new start in Ohio, where maybe he wouldn’t repeat some of the mistakes he made here in North Dakota, but I don’t think he ever really had a shot at getting the job. His horrendous track record with public transparency, and oh-so-public spats with the Legislature, the State Board of Higher Education, and multiple Chancellors of the North Dakota University System are well documented.

His track record on transparency, specifically, came up during an interview in Ohio.

If you were in charge of hiring at a major university, would you take Bresciani and his related baggage?

I wouldn’t.

So, for now, he and his $345,000 per-year salary remain North Dakota’s problem.