FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[smedindy]

Sigma One -

How about this:

"Today, DPU and Coach Robby Long mutually announce that Coach Long has resigned for personal reasons, effective immediately. We wish Coach Long the best in the future." - signed anonymous PR flack

"Today, I am stepping down as head coach of the Tigers for personal reasons. I wish the Tigers well in the remainder of the 2012 season."

It may not have quelled the speculation, but it would be a cleaner exit perhaps.

[wallyworld12]

As I've said time and again, it's the language I find so particularly fascinating. When Coach Walker "resigned" this was the statement from DePauw:

"Matt Walker '99, head baseball coach since 2000 and the University's head football coach for the past three seasons, resigned today, effective immediately."

"The announcement of a replacement to lead the baseball program will be made soon. Robby Long who had been serving as assistant head coach and defensive coordinator, has been appointed the Tigers' interim head coach."

Short, sweet, to the point. Compare that to this latest dismissal and it just baffles you as to why the AD would be loose with her language. Inviting all kinds of speculation and possible litigation. It's just nuts.

And, given that Coach Walker ended up at UW-River Falls, one can surmise what he had done couldn't have been that bad. No one would hire somebody with that past without knowing what actually had happened. Period.

Sure, it may be unfair to use the word "administration" because that assumes everyone is marching to the beat of the same drum. And making connections to regimes that dispatched Rogers, Walker, and now Long is unfair because those two have changed. But what has remained is that DePauw has had a lot of turnover in the head football coach position over the last decade, and the last three coaching tenures have ended suspiciously. And when you end things suspiciously, you provide a lot of fodder for people to come up with their own interpretations of the events.

We don't know what happened, and we likely may never know. But it stinks. A lot. And what was already seeming like an uphill battle in Greencastle now seems to be a lot more like an uphill war.

[Li'l Giant]

Of course, also in the separation agreement might be that he cannot bring a case--but I don't know if that language actually carries weight if he later chooses to ignore the agreement and find an attorney.  Those with real expertise in the law, please . . .

If there was a severance package that paid him any kind of consideration in exchange for not bringing any claims that would be binding. And in the interest of disclosure I'm not licensed in Indiana but I can't imagine being able to break that kind of agreement. If that happened, then it's not likely there will ever be any more explanation that we have. His original contract may have been subject to an arbitration clause which could prevent the claim from proceeding to a jury trial. Arbitrations are private proceedings and usually only the outcomes of them are ever know, if that much.

I agree the speculation is fun but like it did with Walker this will eventually die down and we'll focus more on who they end up hiring.

I do think we should do a pool as to when whomever gets the permanent position after the national search gets canned.

[oldtigernewtiger]

I agree about the wording. There are a thousand better ways to say he was fired/canned/let go/resigned/etc. DPU did themselves no favor by releasing that particular statement.

I'm very curious to see who the potential candidate pool will include, given the circumstances surrounding the last three exits. You would imagine they're going to need to approach this search very carefully. Do they hire an alum or go completely away from the program? Lots of questions to ask in that search. DPU folks, any names that pop out?

[bashbrother]

Other interesting NCAA stats through Week 3 - (National Rank)

M. Espinosa OWU -   Completions per game -  33 -   (#1)
Reed Florence WITT -  Pass Efficiency -      205.81 -  (#3)
J. Koop - WAB -   Passes Defended - (#1)
Reed Florence WITT - Points Responsible for -  (#2)

Field Goals - OWU -  (#2)
Field Goals - Oberlin -  (#2)
Scoring Defense -Wabash - (#9)

[sigma one]

Exactly, Smed.  There you go.  I'd say they should hire you, but I know you wouldn't pack up and move to G'castle.  Now, I, for one, am starting to think about the Little Giants and the Gators this Saturday in Hollett Little Giant Stadium's home opener. 

[AndOne]

He could have had a valid Illinois license but be suspended in Indiana. Enterprise probably just checks against the home state records. Maybe. Or some DPU grad at Enterprise helped him out.

I don't like the implication that the AD was hired because of PC reasons. Long may have stepped in it big time after the 1000 cuts and the axing was justifiable. However, the issue to me is the release and the timing of said release with obfuscation and that's on the entire DPU administration. I bet the AD is the fall person for the entire thing - she didn't just fire Long on her own no matter what the release said.

It's either an overreaction to something, or placing someone in a situation where they could not succeed, ever, given their talents and tools and the limitations put on them by the administration in regards to facilities and financial aid, among other things.

Of course, had they not felt they had to fire Walker this never would have happened.

No,,,,,,,,,and yes.

No, you can't have a valid license in both Illinois and Indiana at the same time. When you apply for a license in one state, which by statute you must do in every state within a certain number of days of establishing residency, you must surrender your license from the former state. That way, when you get pinched you don't have a choice of which license (the one you have the good record under)  to give the cop. Also, you would think that a state wouldn't want to give a license to someone who is currently suspended in another state. Either the Indiana Drivers License Bureau person didn't do his job if Long applied for an IN license, of Long didn't apply for an IN license as he should of--maybe because he knew In wouldn't give him one if he was still suspended in IL. Something fishy going on there for sure.

Yes, you can bet Baker-Watson didn't make the decision on her own to fire the football coach despite whatever bullcrap statement to the contrary was released.
One poster made reference to an article that talked about a Cindy Babington. Ms Babington was said to be VP of Student Life and Dean of Students, and Baker-Watson's boss. I know all or just about all schools have a position of this type that is over the AD, but in day to day school operations I would think taking care of all the details involving student life and discipline would take just about every minute, and I would question just how much Cindy knows about football (or any other sport for that matter) or about the inner workings of a successful athletic department. Anyway, there is no way Baker-Watson didn't have to clear dumping the football coach "immediately" with Babington first. And it was probably at least run by the DePauw president. 

[AndOne]

Here is some info on Stevie Wonder fresh from the Danny archives:

"Baker-Watson started at North Central in 2007 and has directed the department's compliance and eligibility activities as well as all aspects of its student-athlete leadership development programming.  Through her work with the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Student-Athlete Mentors and Cardinal Marketing and Promotions, she provided student-athletes leadership awareness training and leadership development opportunities.

Additionally, she supervised undergraduates and post-graduate interns in areas of athletics administration, academic services and athletics marketing and promotions and previously served as the manager for all of North Central's indpoor and outdoor athletic facilities.

Prior to coming to North Central, Baker-Watson spent eight years at Aurora University where she was the head athletic trainer, senior woman administrator and instructor in physical education.  As part of the athletics management team, she oversaw all aspects of game operations, directed student-athlete education as CHAMPS/Life Skills Coordinator, helped develop marketing and promoitions initiatives and served as an advisor for the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee."

So ... as the DePauw piece is dated Jamnuary 6, 2012 ... she is in her 9th month at DePauw.  Her academic training is as an athletic trainer and PE person, which is apparently what she was at Aurora University.  Her employment with North Central was - by the article - from 2007 to end of 2011.  She is labeled as an "Assistant AD at North Central" during that period with responsibilities as outlined (by the Danny news release) above.  She is highlited as have marketing and promotions experience pertaining to things athletic.

1. If B-W was "manager for all of North Central's indoor and outdoor athletic facilities," then why does the North Central athletic web site list, under Athletic Administration, a woman whose title is 'Manager of Athletic Facilities, Events, and Recreation,' and  2nd lady whose title is 'Coordinator of Recreation and Ass't Athletic Facilities and Events Manager'?

2. Does being trained as an athletic trainer, and being a former PE instructor not signify a high degree of qualification for the position of Athletic Director?     

* By the way, the office of the Manager of Athletic Facilities............. is right behind the front desk in the 200,000 square foot Res/Rec Center at North Central. The separate Ass't AD's office is in Merner Fieldhouse.   

[Pat Coleman]

Here is some info on Stevie Wonder fresh from the Danny archives:

"Baker-Watson started at North Central in 2007 and has directed the department's compliance and eligibility activities as well as all aspects of its student-athlete leadership development programming.  Through her work with the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Student-Athlete Mentors and Cardinal Marketing and Promotions, she provided student-athletes leadership awareness training and leadership development opportunities.

Additionally, she supervised undergraduates and post-graduate interns in areas of athletics administration, academic services and athletics marketing and promotions and previously served as the manager for all of North Central's indpoor and outdoor athletic facilities.

Prior to coming to North Central, Baker-Watson spent eight years at Aurora University where she was the head athletic trainer, senior woman administrator and instructor in physical education.  As part of the athletics management team, she oversaw all aspects of game operations, directed student-athlete education as CHAMPS/Life Skills Coordinator, helped develop marketing and promoitions initiatives and served as an advisor for the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee."

So ... as the DePauw piece is dated Jamnuary 6, 2012 ... she is in her 9th month at DePauw.  Her academic training is as an athletic trainer and PE person, which is apparently what she was at Aurora University.  Her employment with North Central was - by the article - from 2007 to end of 2011.  She is labeled as an "Assistant AD at North Central" during that period with responsibilities as outlined (by the Danny news release) above.  She is highlited as have marketing and promotions experience pertaining to things athletic.

1. If B-W was "manager for all of North Central's indoor and outdoor athletic facilities," then why does the North Central athletic web site list, under Athletic Administration, a woman whose title is 'Manager of Athletic Facilities, Events, and Recreation,' and  2nd lady whose title is 'Coordinator of Recreation and Ass't Athletic Facilities and Events Manager'?

2. Does being trained as an athletic trainer, and being a former PE instructor not signify a high degree of qualification for the position of Athletic Director?     

* By the way, the office of the Manager of Athletic Facilities............. is right behind the front desk in the 200,000 square foot Res/Rec Center at North Central. The separate Ass't AD's office is in Merner Fieldhouse.

Those are not mutually exclusive. Perhaps the department decided to reallocate responsibilities.

[wally_wabash]

So if it wasn't a unilateral decision on the part of the AD, it meant discussion amongst administrators, probably at length, which is a process that takes time.  If it takes time, then doesn't it seem like maybe this decision to release Coach Long had been cooking for the last couple of weeks and possibly (probably) already made before Sunday?  He was going to get done Sunday whether they won 52-14 or lost 52-14. 

OR...

Something egregious happened on Saturday that forced the administration's hand.  Almost has to be one of those two scenarios it seems. 

[Li'l Giant]

So if it wasn't a unilateral decision on the part of the AD, it meant discussion amongst administrators, probably at length, which is a process that takes time.  If it takes time, then doesn't it seem like maybe this decision to release Coach Long had been cooking for the last couple of weeks and possibly (probably) already made before Sunday?  He was going to get done Sunday whether they won 52-14 or lost 52-14. 

OR...

Something egregious happened on Saturday that forced the administration's hand.  Almost has to be one of those two scenarios it seems.

first scenario seems more likely especially given bear's warning last Tuesday about the "dark ages" returning.

[wabco]

Ahhh... Dannyland is truely "an unweeded garden" of "things rank and gross in nature".  "Something is rotten in the state of" ... Dannyland.

I vote for both: ... poor Robbie was on his way out ... the result of mysterious and disjointed action, the princlings had decided, ... but then poor Robbie got smoked by Witt and - worse - cursed the performance of his soldiers ... the hand was called early. Poor Robbie ... and with no driver's license and a damaged rental van to boot.

Time for the next chapter in As the Stomach Turns.....

[smedindy]

He could have had a valid Illinois license but be suspended in Indiana. Enterprise probably just checks against the home state records. Maybe. Or some DPU grad at Enterprise helped him out.

No,,,,,,,,,and yes.

No, you can't have a valid license in both Illinois and Indiana at the same time. When you apply for a license in one state, which by statute you must do in every state within a certain number of days of establishing residency, you must surrender your license from the former state. That way, when you get pinched you don't have a choice of which license (the one you have the good record under)  to give the cop. Also, you would think that a state wouldn't want to give a license to someone who is currently suspended in another state. Either the Indiana Drivers License Bureau person didn't do his job if Long applied for an IN license, of Long didn't apply for an IN license as he should of--maybe because he knew In wouldn't give him one if he was still suspended in IL. Something fishy going on there for sure.

I meant that he had an Illinois license. Due to shenanigans his privileges were suspended in Indiana, but if Indiana and Illinois don't talk to each other Illinois has no idea that his license is suspended in Indiana, and the Enterprise computers just look at the home state. Maybe. Or his license got cleared up. At any rate...

[wabco]

SmedIndy ... you confuse yourself.

[Li'l Giant]

I suppose someone else could have rented the vehicle (spouse for instance). Or, his license may have been valid when he rented it. Who knows when his license was suspended, or if he even knew. I've had clients get pulled over or get into accidents and find out that their license was suspended when the police officer informed them. Days later, the letter shows up in the mail.