Yahoo Continues Search for Head Coach

Friday, January 9th, 2009 by Andy Beal

Yahoo Continues Search for Head Coach

What type of CEO do you think Yahoo needs? Calm and steady, or someone with more flair and willing to take risks?

According to the WSJ, Yahoo could be close to choosing a CEO that’s a safe bet, rather than a gamble.

Among candidates still under consideration is Carol Bartz, the former chief executive officer of Autodesk Inc., a publicly traded company that builds design software used in engineering. She’s “on the list,” said a person familiar with the matter…[and] would indicate that Yahoo is looking for a steady hand who has run a public company over someone with Internet and online advertising experience.

As the search continues, I can’t help compare it to the annual football coaching shuffle, which happens this time of year. Will the AD/manager pick someone on the rise? Someone with proven experience? Or, pick the offense coordinator in-situ–which rarely gets anyone excited.

What type of CEO do you think Yahoo needs right now?

PS. Carol Bartz should be grateful she wasn’t fired just for interviewing!

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20 comments on “Yahoo Continues Search for Head Coach”

Quilmes Verano Says:

January 9th, 2009 at 10:56 am

It’s going to take helluva person unsink Yahoo!…
Matthew Says:

January 9th, 2009 at 11:07 am

Yahoo need to go with someone explosive!

If I was yahoo it is time to put it all on red and spin that roulette wheel. If they don’t gamble now they we never be better than the first loser!
Patrick Says:

January 9th, 2009 at 11:13 am

Right now, Yahoo needs somebody who is going to take risks and get them out of the rut they are in. If they continue to be conservative as Matthew said, they are not going to grow any.

Patrick’s last blog post..Are We Eating Too Much Meat?
Frank Reed Says:

January 9th, 2009 at 11:21 am

Wow! I couldn’t even read the article because you went right after my BC Eagles with the Coach Jag picture. That is just cold-hearted, man.

Oh yea, Yahoo!? Does it even matter who takes over? Lol, that was cold too.

I think the guy / gal who gets that job is going to have just one of two results, 1) incredible success by engineering a turnaround of ginormous proportions or 2) a goat who is saddled with unsuccessfully trying to unseat Google from its perch of power. There will be no in between. Their resume will either enhance or explode. Have fun!

Frank Reed’s last blog post..SMB’s Social Media Reminder – Use LinkedIn
Dan London Says:

January 9th, 2009 at 11:21 am

The first thing is for them to realize that Yahoo! is a portal not a search engine and focus on hiring someone who can win that battle vs AOL and MSN.

Dan London’s last blog post..Don’t Judge a Person by Their Twitter Profile
Andy Beal Says:

January 9th, 2009 at 11:24 am

@Frank – I hear coach Jags is looking for a new job, maybe he could send his resume to Yahoo.
Blog Guide Says:

January 9th, 2009 at 12:11 pm

Can’t they just get someone already, I mean seriously. Without a head coach it must be a disaster there.

Blog Guide’s last blog post..20 Factors to Better Google Rankings
Silvia Says:

January 9th, 2009 at 11:17 pm

Yes. the situation there takes serious measures.
Nicole Price Says:

January 10th, 2009 at 9:30 am

Despite rumors, I would not be surprised if they chose someone from outside the IT industry to head up their operation. Someone who can bring strategic and tactical management skills rather than the two types that you have listed.

Nicole Price’s last blog post..Good Deals on Hair Products
Silvia Says:

January 11th, 2009 at 2:07 am

Sure they will invite some new personality with fresh ideas and spirit.
Saad Kamal Says:

January 11th, 2009 at 7:13 am

Yahoo is a great company. They just need a CEO who has past experience of running a company of Yahoo’s size..someone who will make decision based on his/her intellect, experience & judgment and not just personal Ego.

Saad Kamal’s last blog post..Google Dumped by Firefox for Yandex
R&B Love Songs Says:

January 11th, 2009 at 8:06 am

I think Saad is right. They need someone with strong experience here. Yahoo has a ton of great assets, they just need to revamp them and get the public excited again.
Utah SEO Pro Says:

January 11th, 2009 at 2:40 pm

How about Eric Schmidt?

Utah SEO Pro’s last blog post..An Interview with Utah SEO Pro (Jordan Kasteler) by Martin Bowling
Shirley Says:

January 11th, 2009 at 9:16 pm

They definitely need to go with the safe choice, and someone with a whole lot of experience. Choosing someone who takes too many risks might not be the best thing for the company. But hopefully they do find someone who is a bit creative and can offer a new perspective.

Shirley’s last blog post..How To Make A Favorites Icon (Favicon.ico)
Goran Web Design Says:

January 12th, 2009 at 5:27 am

Someone willing to take risks… Yahoo! hasn’t really shone in…. uh… well, they’ve never really shone and maybe snatching up someone who’s more likely to dive into the unknown is a better idea if they want to start soaring rather than simply staying afloat
Lily Bent Says:

January 12th, 2009 at 2:14 pm

Yahoo needs a CEO who will be able to take risks. There is no way for conservative head coach, but for the one with innovative ideas and courage to come them true.
Wii Says:

January 13th, 2009 at 4:15 am

Whoever gets the job will have a mammoth job at hand trying to overturn the google domination of the market
John Says:

January 13th, 2009 at 9:49 am

I would rather go on safe side rather than taking the gamble out of nowhere and risking the companies future.

John’s last blog post..Busby SEO Test the hard way
Jacques Seoman Says:

January 14th, 2009 at 2:14 am

Somebody really dynamic and innovative is going to be needed if Yahoo wishes to remain a viable entity for much longer! A conservative plough horse definitely isn’t going to pull the Yahoo wagon through the river!
DF Marketing SEO Says:

January 16th, 2009 at 9:27 am

I am interested to see how the new CEO turns out, hopefully she can help

Marketing Pilgrim