Finding Ohio State band director replacement taking time

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) – Hiring a replacement for fired Ohio State University marching band director Jonathan Waters is taking longer than the school originally anticipated.

A university spokesman acknowledges that, as of the end of February, the university has overshot the four to six months that it projected would be needed.

Spokesman Chris Davey said Friday that more than 25 people have applied for the job and several others have been recommended. He says the search committee remains actively engaged in filling the position.

Waters is among the applicants. He was fired in July after an internal university investigation concluded he turned a blind eye to a “sexualized” band culture of rituals, pranks and traditions.

Waters and his supporters dispute the findings and he has sued for reinstatement and damages.