John Cunningham said he wanted the University of Cincinnati director of athletics position essentially on face value.
Then initial conversations with UC president Neville Pinto during the hiring process turned Cunningham's thinking. He didn't just want the job. Cunningham began to think about how upset he would be if it went to somebody else.
"You certainly do because when I got here it felt so good," he said. "I think that's where it starts getting in your mind a little bit, of, 'Man, this would be a really good fit for myself and my family.