I expressed skepticism weeks ago about how much long-term damage new trustees could do at New College. While I predicted President Patricia Okker indeed faced peril, her firing came days after my column, which challenged my premise. Okker’s ouster came with some news that generated, depending who you ask, uncertainty or gloom.

Richard Corcoran, former Florida Education Commissioner, will become interim president. He’s a close ally of Gov. Ron DeSantis, who orchestrated this seeming takeover. But what to make of this turn of events? Corcoran has a reputation as a disruptor, mostly thanks to a stint as Speaker of the House. At the same time, I couldn’t help but wonder if Corcoran might insulate the school from further fire.

I haven’t spoken to Corcoran yet — we’ve exchanged a couple texts — but I spoke to someone with surprisingly rosy feelings about the former Speaker. State Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, served under Corcoran in the House but was no close friend. Corcoran warred with then-Gov. Rick Scott over economic development, and Gruters remained Scott’s staunch ally.

Yet it turns out Gruters made calls to trustees two years ago, before Okker was hired, and recommended the Corcoran for the job. “Richard Corcoran is a man of excellence,” Gruters said. “He is disciplined, and he believes in a liberal arts education.” Corcoran was pursuing the presidency at Florida State University at the time and didn’t get that job.

I’ve heard numerous people say they reached out to Gruters about the recent takeover. He fought efforts a few years ago to fold New College back into a larger university, but he hasn’t seemed willing to challenge the Governor. Indeed, he seems to welcome DeSantis taking an interest in the school. “The Governor is all in,” Gruters said, choosing to see a positive. DeSantis could have called on New College’s closure based on its enrollment challenges in recent years. Instead, he’s put close allies on the board and now in the president’s office.

One disagreement with the new trustees is that Gruters heaps praise on Okker. He thinks the former president had the calm demeanor to lead the school through an admittedly challenging transition.

But he suggested what New College needs more than anything is money. DeSantis under the old regime wouldn’t help, vetoing projects secured by the Legislature year after year. But with his own trustees in place, DeSantis seems ready to provide an infusion of state capital.

More important, like the new board or not, Gruters said they will be able to raise dollars from around the country.

Indeed, the Chris Rufos of the world — in my opinion an unsavory lot — know how to raise money. Some might label his public campaigns against Disney, critical race theory and racial diversity as “grifts.” But can he and the other conservative pundits placed on the board now grift for New College?

Regardless of whether these trustees can be trusted, Gruters believes Corcoran can. An experienced politician, he can also raise significant private capital himself to help New College renovate physical structures. That’s something Gruters pointedly said many of those criticizing the recent transition have failed to do.

“A lot of people complaining weren’t feeding New College the money it needed over the last coupe of decades,” he said.

I’ll say Corcoran’s interest in the FSU presidency gives me hope. Just as new University of Florida President Ben Sasse’s hire proved controversial given his political history, Corcoran’s arrival will spur some resistance. But hopefully, he can bring the school a financial lift, without tearing the whole place down.

Jacob Ogles is contributing senior editor for SRQ MEDIA.