A Question You'll Hate Me For
by travissimmo on Feb 9, 2010 12:28 PM PST
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PrintWelcome to one of my twice-a-year fanposts...
Before you start reading this, you should be aware that I address the Ernie Kent situation. I know most of us automatically discontinue reading anything of the "Fire Ernie" sort, so let's just get this out of the way-- this is not a question of whether or not he should keep his job, but rather a question of timing. This fanpost is not intended to provoke all the opinions associated with the Fire Ernie scenario, such as coaching style, Mexican Riviera infidelities, the ability to develop recruits, the ability to implement a successful gameplan, the ability to put warm bodies in Matt Court, the Free Ray Schafer campaign, Tajuan Porter's ears, the demise of Champ Oguchi, the disappearance of Drew Wiley, etc. This is written under the assumption that this is Ernie's last season. So if you comment on any of these aforementioned things, you are a dbag who deserves to be flagged.
Moving on...
As of today, Oregon is 12-10 and 4-6 in conference. There are eight conference games left, and while the possibility always exists that the Ducks will catch fire right around Pac-10 Tournament time, I'm not feeling all that confident. Yes, they could sneak into the NIT. And there's always the NIT Lite (CBI).
My personal opinion is that MB would be doing the basketball program a favor if he announced that this will be Ernie's last season at Oregon while allowing him to finish out the season. Doing so would spare the players a messy middle-of-the-season transition. And yes, it will make EK a lame duck coach (terrible unintentional pun). On the flip side, they would be giving additional time to Dunlap or whoever the next coach will be (Tubby Smith! Tubby Smith!) to organize their own staff. This would help in recruiting, as an end-of-the-season firing always sets a program behind while the new staff is completed.
This could also serve as a spark for this year's team to try to send him out strong. They could put together a run, win a couple games, and maybe get into postseason play. Because at this moment in time, regardless of our personal opinions of Ernie, everyone knows the writing is on the wall. I feel like making the announcement that Ernie is in his final year will ultimately be the best possible option for the basketball program right now. Delaying the inevitable will only hurt the program and kill any momentum it needs in order to begin next season with excitement and a sense of forward progress.
What are your thoughts? Vote in the poll and leave your comments.
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or the Addicted To Quack Moderators. FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable Oregon fans.
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If they’re going to let him go, it’s the way to do it. I agree most from a recruiting standpoint. It tends to be Ernie himself more than anything (system, pro prospects), that draws guys in, so knowing he won’t be here next year would paint a better picture.
It's spelled "R-E-D-V-I-N-E-S"
I support Roger Kieschnick in his quest to becoming the best Kieschnick ever to play professional baseball.
Addicted to Quack, the home of Tako Tuesdays
I disagree
I don’t think putting Ernie in that situation is the best for the program, for Ernie or the team this year. Look at UW when they did that same thing to Willingham, the players quit, recruits who may have been looking at the school bailed and fans became divided and the program slipped tremendously.
If you want to give a new coach a head start on recruiting and building the program, fire Ernie and let him walk now. If you want to let him finish the season, let him do so in a manner that will allow him to do with his head held high.
Don’t put him in a lose-lose situation where his only option is to hope that he gets some standing ovations and parting gifts.
I'm going to the beach to bury metal objects that I've written "Get a Life" on.
Addicted to Quack
by Matt Daddy on Feb 9, 2010 2:15 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
I agree with your disagreement
Let him finish out the year and then send him packing. Or demote him to head recruiter and see if he sticks around. Or let him live in Mac Court until they tear it down, he could be a super hero and use it as his BatCave. The MacCave, where Ernie sleeps during the day only to rise at night, fighting crime on the streets of Eugene while jacking up transition three pointers.
What has me curious is Dunlap and whether he’s been put into a Chip Kelly situation, being involved with the team so when the head guy splits you have the future coach already on staff.
I like the MacCave idea, except instead of becoming a superhero, he should just grow a really long beard and throw rotten fruit at freshmen that walk too close to Mac Court.
It's spelled "R-E-D-V-I-N-E-S"
I support Roger Kieschnick in his quest to becoming the best Kieschnick ever to play professional baseball.
Addicted to Quack, the home of Tako Tuesdays
Rotten tomatoes: not just for freshmen anymore.
s-panic = σ – ⅓ (σx+σy+σz) I
by Bill Musgrave on Feb 9, 2010 5:32 PM PST up reply actions
No way. It's not like he's retiring.
Think of it like any other workplace. If you were retiring, then it’d be fine if the boss told everyone a couple months in advance and turn your final weeks working into a long sendoff. But if you were getting fired, would you want to even be there, nevermind make a big deal about it?
Firing him mid-season would be the worst solution possible.
Allow me to bore y’all with a personal experience.
The day before Christmas several years ago, the CIO of the company I was working for paid me a visit in my office (he was based in another city, so it was a bit of a hike for him).
He let me know that there was a “pretty good chance” that my job would be RIFd , possibly within “the next month or so.” Oh, and “Merry Christmas.”
Had I been so inclined, I could have used that period to wreak unseen havoc on the health care system in my community, leaving no trace. Although a scorched-earth policy would have been totally appropriate, I’m not that type; all I did was act sulky and depressed through the holidays, playing the sympathy card for all it was worth, knowing the ax was about to fall.
Two weeks later, the Chief Irrelevance Officer came in and dropped the ax.
Not only was my morale destroyed during this period, everyone who worked for and with me was aware of the issue; he didn’t tell me not to share, so why wouldn’t I?
Telling someone they’re going to be sacked after N days or weeks is just mean. “We’ll pay you for now, although we really don’t like you enough to keep you around, but go out there and do your best!”
Dumping a coach mid-season for performance reasons is a crazy idea. I think MB is smarter than that. Ernie Can’t is, likewise, smart enough to know his days may be numbered. But as long as he’s got some hope of pulling a rabbit out of a hat, he’ll do the best he can, which will be a LOT better than if he just doesn’t give a shit.
The ONLY reason to shitcan a coach in mid-season is for egregious contract violations, high crimes or misdemeanors. Get pulled over for a DUII with a dead cheerleader in the trunk? Probable cause. Being a so-so coach with a bad recent record and little evidence of a turnaround? Not even close.
Have some class. Show the guy a little dignity, he’s given us 13 years of loyal service.
/rant
PS: Consider how a mid-season firing would look to any potential replacement coaches.
everything is history, eventually.
It all depends on if this is Ernie Kent’s last coaching stop. If he’s moving on to another coaching job, than I completely agree. But he’s heavily invested in Eugene, both from a family and community standpoint. Does he retire when his tenure ends here, even if it’s after this year? If he does, then let the Ernie Kent farewell tour begin. Athletics could even sugarcoat it as a “mutual agreement” even though everyone would see right through that.
It's spelled "R-E-D-V-I-N-E-S"
I support Roger Kieschnick in his quest to becoming the best Kieschnick ever to play professional baseball.
Addicted to Quack, the home of Tako Tuesdays
Athletics could even sugarcoat it as a "mutual agreement" even though everyone would see right through that.
Canzano and his ilk would have a field day with this level of hypocrisy. I’d be piling on right along with them.
Besides, why would he retire? Few coaches give it up in their early 50s, unless they’ve pulled a Eustachy.
everything is history, eventually.
You’re probably right, I would just rather see Ernie leave on amicable terms. But that’s basically impossible. I concede my initial opinion in favor of your more logical one.
It's spelled "R-E-D-V-I-N-E-S"
I support Roger Kieschnick in his quest to becoming the best Kieschnick ever to play professional baseball.
Addicted to Quack, the home of Tako Tuesdays
I concede my initial opinion in favor of your more logical one.
You’re giving up already?! Did you learn nothing from last week’s discussion? At least call him a Kiffinesque Douchebag or something.
PS: :)
ha just wait till next tueaday dude you'll be singing kiffin's praises
Proud winner of the 2009 ATQ Jersey Contest
You can’t read a map, why should I believe you can read a calendar? You’ll probably post your Tako Tuesday on Sunday night.
Hey maybe i can't read a map
but i at least know that tuesday is 5 days before football and 2 days before the shit dumping
Proud winner of the 2009 ATQ Jersey Contest
He's only 55
Not that old for an NCAA hoops coach. And hell, if Isaiah-freakin’-Thomas can get a head coaching job, EK sure can.
No, no, no
Look, I support getting a new coach after the season, but Ernie has done enough for us to warrant the respect to finish the season. There’s a way of treating someone—especially one who’s been here for 13 years and made our program relevant again.
--Dave
Addicted to Quack, SBN's Oregon Ducks blog
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