How ironic it would be if the next dean of the Harvard Business School were named Cash.

Ironic perhaps, but quite possible. The 6' 9" technology expert and former basketball star has numerous skills which make him a frontrunner in the race to be the next Business School chief, professors have said in interviews.

But despite rumors which peg Robison Professor of Business Administration James I. Cash, Jr. as a leading contender for the job, Cash himself won't comment on his potential candidacy.

"I have total confidence that the president will as always do his homework and will make a decision based on the insights he develops," Cash said.

Others whom faculty members have listed as potential contenders for the Business School deanship include:

Professor of Business Administration Leonard Schlesinger.

Figgie Professor of Business Administration Kim B. Clark '74.

Class of 1955 Professor of Business Administration William A. Sahlman.

"The next dean's going to really have to build the faculty with more teamwork orientation, and I think [Cash] can do that," said McLean Professor of Business Administration James L. McKenney, who helped recruit Cash to teach at the Business School in 1976.

Faculty members praise Cash as an exceptionally skilled administrator.

According to professors, ever since Cash arrived, he has assumed and performed well in leadership roles.

"[Cash has] been involved in leadership activities for an extremely long time. He's had a series of increasing responsibilities," said Walker Professor of Business Administration H. Warren McFarlan, who also participated in recruiting Cash.

In the past, Cash served as faculty chair in several of the school's executive education programs, including "Managing the Information Services Resource" and "Managing Business Transformation."

As chair of the MBA program since 1992, Cash was also instrumental in initiating and directing Leadership and Learning, a comprehensive restructuring of the MBA program which began in 1992 and ended this past February.

In interviews with The Crimson last week, Business School professors saidCash's enthusiasm encouraged others to support andjoin in his efforts.

Cash was successful in "getting everybody'sthumbprint on what [the school was] trying to do,"McKenney said.