Northwestern's AD search narrowing; Pitt AD Heather Lyke, alum Jason Wright among 'finalists'

The Sun-Times has learned of three candidates, described by a source as “finalists,” for Northwestern’s athletic director job.

One is Jason Wright, who was a standout running back at the school, played in the NFL for seven years and in 2020 joined the Commanders as the first Black president of a team in league history. Wright left that role in July.

The others are current ADs Heather Lyke of Pittsburgh and Mark Jackson of Villanova.

Further discussions with Lyke, who is in the final year of her contract, were expected to take place this week. Pitt hired her in 2017 from Eastern Michigan, where she was AD. Before that, she spent 15 years in Ohio State’s athletic department.

Jackson is entering his ninth year in his role at Villanova. He previously worked in the athletic departments at Syracuse and USC and in the NFL for the Patriots and Raiders.

“There is a great deal of speculation surrounding this important position,” a Northwestern spokesman said in a statement to the Sun-Times. “Out of respect for everyone involved, we cannot discuss individual candidates or confirm any rumors.”

Current AD Derrick Gragg will be reassigned as vice president for athletic strategy when his successor begins.