they need to be smart enough to delegate and trust too. E.g, they don't know things about WBB (or insert sport ) coaches and hiring that's anywhere near what an AD does. Doesn't mean Pres/BOV are totally disconnected, but it's Whit's job to make athletic department decisions. The only thing I'd expect higher-ups to be *really* involved in is something like switching conferences. Keep in mind that the Pres/BOV oversee a whole university that athletics plays a bit, albeit very public, part in.