In today’s edition of the Boston Herald Jessica Heslam writes about a struggle for the top job at Suffolk University where the combatants – veterans of the political slog – both claim “nay – nay.” Both former Boston City Councilor John Nucci and former Member of Congress Marty Meehan deny any interest in replacing the current university – President David Sargent – whose contract will expire in 2013. Both men are now in academia – Nucci is a Suffolk University Vice-president and Meehan is the Chancellor at UMass Lowell. Meehan is close to many at Suffolk having served himself for  years as a trustee. As Heslam describes it:

Elbows are flying and dimes are dropping in a bruising behind-the-scenes battle between two local political figures over the plum $1.5-million gig running Suffolk University.

A couple of twists – William Hogan a trustee on the “succession planning” committee told the Herald:

There isn’t a job – there’s nothing to angle for,” said Hogan, adding the succession committee “isn’t a search committee.” “The charge was to interview people at the school, all of the various stake holders, looking at what best practices would be for moving forward with a succession plan,” Hogan said.

On the other hand since his contract as Chancellor ran out in July – Meehan is in negotiations for his current position. And then there’s this –  University of  Massachusetts President Jack Wilson is stepping down from his position as head of entire system in June 2011. Meehan told the Herald:

“I’m very happy at the University of Massachusetts Lowell,” he told the Herald. “I’m fully engaged in transforming this campus and have no interest in becoming president of Suffolk University.”

Opportunities abound – stay tuned.

Read the full Herald article here.