I deleted the Athletic Director email where they ask you what kind of schedule you want. Now, I don't see a path forward in the game. Stuck. Any ideas?

Deleting that email shouldn't stop the game. It's merely telling you you can call the AD sometime before the end of August to let him know what type of schedule you'd like him to try to develop.

What is showing up in small blue rectangle in the upper left corner of the screen (right above "Play/Sim" and "Advance") as the next action and is the "Advance" button lit?

Both are disabled.

Suggest you submit a Support Ticket together with your game files so Gary can take a look at what's going on.