Grambling State News

GRAMBLING, La. – April 21, 2021 – Grambling State University (GSU) announced today that it has engaged the services of TurnkeyZRG to collaborate for the Vice President of Athletics job search.

Managing Director Chad Chatlos will oversee the TurnkeyZRG search firm’s role in assisting GSU in a variety of areas, but most notably by identifying high-quality candidates, handling the logistics associated with the application and evaluation process, and performing background checks on potential candidates. Chatlos specializes in senior executive searches across the sports industry with a focus on roles in the ever-changing landscape of intercollegiate athletics.

Turnkey has successfully completed over 200 searches in the intercollegiate athletics industry, including athletics directors, deputy athletics directors, and Senior Women’s Administrators, and head coaches.

Effective May 1, 2021, Dr. David Ponton will transition to supporting the university’s enhanced focus on student success and retention as Special Assistant to the President for Student Success.

“Dr. Ponton has demonstrated a proven dedication to all parts of our student experience for more than 30 years,” said President Gallot. “We are grateful for his service and willingness to continue innovating for our students.”

Collaborating with TurnkeyZRG, GSU intends to conclude its search with a contracted hire in place by July 1, 2021. In the interim period, senior athletics leaders will report directly to the president.

Grambling State is an NCAA Division I institution and has been a member of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) for over 60 years. The school sponsors 15 varsity sports, including football, baseball, softball, and men’s and women’s basketball. The rich history and tradition span decades from former legendary head football coach Eddie Robinson to NBA great Willis Reed. Grambling State has produced over 200 players in the NFL, including the only Historically Black College and University (HBCU) Super Bowl MVP, Doug Williams. The University has also garnered over 140 players selected in the NFL, NBA, and Major League Baseball drafts.

About TurnkeyZRG

Founded in 1996, TurnkeyZRG is a highly specialized talent recruitment/executive search firm filling C-level, senior-level and mid-management level positions throughout sports, entertainment and media. Over the past 25 years, TurnkeyZRG has filled more than 1,400 positions throughout sports, entertainment and media. TurnkeyZRG helps teams, leagues, stadiums, arenas, theaters, college athletic departments, events, sponsors, agencies, media companies, private equity companies and other clients identify, recruit and hire the very best management talent. Turnkey now benefits from ZRG’s global footprint, full array of industry practice groups, data-driven, analytical search tools, and technology investment in changing the way executive search/talent recruiting is done. TurnkeyZRG becomes a tech-enabled disrupter of the prior executive search model. For more information about TurnkeyZRG, visit www.turnkeyzrg.com.