NOCs News: Seibel Out as USOC Chief Communications Officer

Darryl Seibel will remain in his job until June 5. (Getty Images) (ATR) Darryl Seibel resigns as chief communications officer for the U.S. Olympic Committee, becoming the fourth key staff member to step down in the last six months.

The USOC, which made the surprise announcement Tuesday afternoon, will conduct a national search for a successor to Seibel. Later this year, the USOC also will launch a national search for its permanent CEO, with Stephanie Streeter now on the job as Acting CEO.

Seibel, who has been the USOC spokesman since January 2003, will remain through June 5. He will then become a consultant on specific assignments, such as smoothing the transition to his successor.

"Since the conclusion of the Beijing Games, I have had the opportunity to give serious consideration as to when the time would be right to turn the page and begin a new chapter professionally - and that time is now," Seibel said in a statement.

He added to Around the Rings, "Stephanie has been extremely supportive. She has given me the time and support to think about this, and I greatly appreciate everything she has done."

The USOC did not give a timetable for Seibel's replacement, but noted it has nine months until the Vancouver Olympics.

Seibel, 41, had a compensation package totaling about $340,000.

His resignation is the fourth since Nov. 3, when Rick Burton, the chief marketing officer, took his leave. Steve Roush, the chief of sport performance, announced his departure on Jan. 6. CEO Jim Scherr resigned on March 5. Only Burton has a permanent replacement, Lisa Baird. Many felt Seibel would be the next high-ranking USOC official to go.

Seibel was not believed to have been forced out like Scherr, Burton and Roush. Scherr did not have the CEO skills Streeter and USOC board chair Larry Probst said they felt were necessary for his position, Burton failed to bring in new sponsorships and Roush was caught up in the furor over the U.S. cyclists who wore anti-pollution masks as they arrived in Beijing.

However, the USOC under Probst and Streeter, who both come from outside the Olympic sports world, is a different environment from what Seibel had experienced with Scherr and former chair Peter Ueberroth. The job is also extremely time-consuming and Seibel has a family.

"Darryl Darryl Seibel, left, with former CEO Jim Scherr and Peter Ueberroth. (ATR/Panasonic: Lumix)has been a terrific spokesperson who has given his all to the USOC and our partners," said Acting CEO Stephanie Streeter. "His contributions have been integral to the success of the USOC and the Olympic Movement in the United States. While we are going to miss him greatly, we fully understand and support his decision, and appreciate his willingness to assist us during the transition. He is a tremendous talent and I am certain he will experience continued success in whatever he chooses to do next professionally."

The move comes just five months before the IOC votes on the 2016 host city in Copenhagen. Seibel was a visible presence during the IOC evaluation commission visit to Chicago last month.

"Like everyone at the USOC, Darryl has been a strong partner," Chicago 2016 spokesman Patrick Sandusky tells Around the Rings. "He will be someone we will continue to work with. He's going to continue in some capacity with the USOC. We're looking forward to working with him and the person who replaces him in the next steps of our bid."

As chief communications officer, Seibel was not only the spokesperson for the USOC, but was also responsible for establishing the overall communications strategy and direction for the organization.

"My gratitude for having had the opportunity to work alongside so many talented athletes, coaches, teammates and journalists is immeasurable," Seibel said. "In departing, I am confident the USOC, America's athletes and the National Governing Bodies are on a path that will lead to even greater heights of success in the future, and I will remain steadfast in my support."

Seibel has also worked with USA Wrestling, USA Hockey and the Colorado Springs Sports Corp.

With reporting from Karen Rosen .