A search for University of Minnesota’s next athletics director is officially underway.

University President Eric Kaler announced Thursday during a Board of Regents committee meeting that the school plans to use an external search firm to hire a new director.

At the meeting, Kathy Brown, the university’s vice president of human resources, strongly recommended using a search firm. Kaler agreed, despite leaning toward not using a search firm two  months prior.

Interim Athletics Director Beth Goetz announced on Friday that she plans to seek the job.

“It has been an honor to lead the University of Minnesota Athletic Department during this time of transition, and I am more passionate than ever about the opportunity for the Gophers to achieve excellence athletically, academically, and in the development of our future leaders,” she said in a press release.

Goetz was appointed after former Athletics Director Norwood Teague resigned last August amid two sexual harassment complaints.

“The search process was not the reason that we got a guy that turned out to behave very badly,” Kaler said as he highlighted an external review by attorneys hired by the school.

Though the University hired Teauge using an external recruiter, Kaler and Brown detailed how they intend to improve the upcoming search and hiring process.

In a Friday meeting, some regents voiced concerns about using a search firm, saying that the University and state has enough suitable candidates for the job. Others pointed to the estimated $100,000 costs hiring an external search firm.

Kaler said he expects to name a search firm in March with plans to hire the new athletic director by July 1.

“I am looking forward to what the candidate pool will be,” he said.