Sports reporter -- Pensacola (Fla.) News Journal

Bob, obviously you hired someone that you believe in. Dkphxf, I believe, was upset at your hiring process and felt misled.

 

The 2007 hiring had nothing to do with this decision. Frankly, I'm humored by dkphxf's anger. It's as simple as not wanting to go into football season a man down. That was especially important in this situation because this position is the face of our prep football coverage. The job was posted, a guy who already has proven his ability to handle and thrive in the role applied, was pursued and hired. It's not like Brady said yes before the job was posted.

 

As someone personally familiar with the PNJ, I have nothing but good things to say about Jason B. and Bill Vilona. Both are top-notch guys who work their butts off and are great to hang out with after deadline and throw back a few.

While I never worked directly with Bob Heist, I have heard nothing but good things. And given where things were in 2007, the fact that he has turned the PNJ sports section into such a respectable read says a lot about his abilities as an editor.

 

Hire seems fair and seems like a good one. But, oh yeah, did the hire increase diversity? Admitedly I don't know any of these people, I'm from New England but it cross threads with the APSE's demand for diversity. Seems like Bob found what he was looking for in a fair fashion that didn't include any look at race. This is how hiring should be done, completely blind to so-called diversity.