Athletic Director Search

[PAmedic]

will bet a lot more of this is tied together than WE know.

[Sly Fox]

Well, unless I missed something we still are looking for an AD.

[tallyw]

Is it possible that Sam is still in the running for AD?

President Bush tapped Mr. Richard (his common first name was censored by the board) Cheney to look for his VP. You know where that ended up. He's now the VP.

I wonder... If Coach Sam is Dr. Falwell's search committee Then maybe he will look around and find himself as the best man for the job?

[Sly Fox]

I don't see it from either Sam or the school's perspective. We'll be hiring someone else.

[baldspot]

Noticed in the latest Liberty Journal that the Parks donated $10,000 to LU athletics. Nice.

[thelaxman]

I understand the changes needed for the Football program. I'm just getting some of these details because I have been in recovery from Brain Surgery but I'm very very upset about what I have heard.

I'm just very disappointed that Associate Athletic Director Larry Hubbard was let go. He is one of the finest Men of God in College Athletics I have ever met.

Larry was a starter on the University of Maryland Lacrosse Team that won the NCAA Div. 1 National Championship in 1973. He worked as an Assistant Coach at UMBC in the Baltimore area in the early 80's and I almost ended up playing there for him. He Coached 14 years at Lynchburg College and built a nationally ranked NCAA Div.3 Lacrosse program.

This last seven years he worked as Liberty University's
Associate Athletic Director and Tennis Coach. He told me that he had a great 7 years at LU and really enjoyed the personal growth. But I can't help but feel for the guy now in his early 50's with a family and right before Christmas. I'm sorry but my feelings for the Liberty University administration are changed forever.

I just know that this guy would have been someone I would have wanted to play for as a Player. When I was the Lacrosse Coach at LU and nobody would help us from the Athletic Department because we were a Club Team. Larry was a huge help and worked out the details for the Lacrosse team to have a field to practice on and to play our games in Williams Stadium. He really was a great Coach and a great administrator and a huge loss for LU Athletics. I wish Larry well he really is a great Man of God and has a great testimony for the Lord.

All the best,

Thelaxman

[A.G.]

That's why I say some of the staff firings make no sense, and why I say, and will always say, the AD is a powerless position at LU. It is absolutely a joke, and a reason some of the anon "guests" say that there is other evil afoot in the athletic department.

[tallyw]

I recall reading a thread somewhere that explained the packages and compensation given to each of the men who were dismissed. In addition, no one knows what went on behind the scenes. I've been a part of behind the scenes scenerios that to the public make no sense. I've seen situations where the person HAD to go but the integrity of those making decisions forced them not to give details. I'm only submitting to everyone that it may be an honorable thing that you and I don't know details. It's not really our place. If one of the coaches came forward and spoke of wrongdoing on the part of administration, I'd be more open to being critical but if the coaches know what went down and they move on without talking about it... we have to accept the facts as they are.... they were let go and we don't know the reason. It may frustrate us but it's not necessarly the administrations failure. Many times we just want more answers than we're entitled to. It's likely for everyone's benefit that those answers don't come out.

I personally think it's classy that these men are given good compensation upon dismissal and their private conversations and contracts don't become public.

[A.G.]

True, tallyw, it was very classy to offer those involved good severence packages, but it was absolutely CLASSLESS the way it went down for the non-football personnel. I've had a career in management, and one typically "counsels" employees on performance deficincies before terminating them. Offer them the chance to make improvements. Certainly, not dismissing them without cause offerred.

[tallyw]

Do we know for sure that cause wasn't offered?

To my knowledge, members of this board aren't aware of cause, but I can't say that the employees themselves aren't aware of the cause. That's what I mean. We just don't know. So I side with believing everyone dismissed knows the reasoning (not that everyone agrees).

If however, (I'd agree with you A.G.) these staff were not given the rationale, that would be classless. I somehow don't see that happening. I tend to believe that something went down that we don't know about and it may be better that way for everyone.

I have tons of compassion for the particular people affected. Even if they get the compensation, they are still emotionally affected as well as professionally and relationally... I'm not dismissing all that they will go through... I'm simply saying that unless we know... we don't know and therefore we shouldn't get on anyone's case on a board unless we have 'cause' ourselves.

[thelaxman]

Tallyw:


You make some great points and I have been in communication with Coach Hubbard and he is the type of Guy that would not say anything negative about anyone even if he had the right too. He is a class act and a true Man of God. He said to me that his seven years at LU were a time of personal growth and he enjoyed his time at LU very much.

Liberty can say what they want. I have seen it from the inside on the stuff I have had to deal with this past year. All I know is I have lost respect for Liberty University, plain and simple.

Liberty has also lost a great Man of God from their Athletic Department. I don't know about all of you but when an organization let's quality people go it usually means they are going down hill. It is very hard to find quality people to do the job and when you lose quality personnel it will effect your final product.

I think the Alumni and the University have to get in reality. Liberty is a strong small private University on the Division 1 level of Athletic competition but at least not in this lifetime is it a reality that Liberty be on the same level as USC and the University of Alabama in big time College Athletics.

Again I do feel winning is important and we need to have vision but from what I have seen this past year and from some of these firings I'm sorry I have lost respect for Liberty University. Our testimony is more then scoreboard or running the score on our opponents. It is how we handle our affairs and how we treat others. God will judge us on how we handle our personal dealings. How we conduct Business and how we treat our own is more of a testimony for the kingdom of God rather then beating our opponents on the Athletic Field by 40 points.

All the best,

Thelaxman

[thelaxman]

Case and point there seems to me that there was this Guy Morgan Hout that was let go for no reason back in 1986 as the Head Football Coach and that year he won Coach of the year honors. We hired that Sam guy who coached in the NFL to replace Hout and we had maybe two solid seasons where we had national rankings. Morgan Hout was a great Coach and if we had given him a chance he would maybe still be here and Liberty would have won a national championship in Football by now. Morgan also had a great testimony for God also.

You don't just throw good personnel away and not pay the price. But like you say Tallyw we don't know the whole story and all this talk is just speculation. Again from what I have seen this past year I just have a hard time respecting the decisions of those in charge. I will also say that I hope I am wrong on my opinions and that there are good reasons for these firings but I don't think it is.

Thelaxman

[A.G.]

Why get rid of the academic coordinator when football had their own? Why get rid of other staff who had nothing to do with football? I tell you, something is fishy in the athletic department and I am beginning to believe some of the conspiracy posters. It will either be confirmed or debunked once the athletic administrative shake-up and reorganization is complete. I just want to see completely new life brought in on all the levels that were let go. That will silence the conspiracy critics and there will be no baggage brought to the table by the new hires.

[tallyw]

A.G.-
I'm with you on the need for new life being brought in... as an aside...

What is the better way to handle these staff decisions at LU? (assuming they aren't all connected but rather each had individual problems)

Release everyone that needs to be let go at once (for one reason or another).

OR

Release some in December, some in January, some at the end of the school year. To the average student/alum/news reporter, etc... these moves were hardly noticed under the cover of the AD and Head Football coach. Especially since the moves happened over Thanksgiving break.

If you're in the shoes of the administration do you release them one by one over the course of a year or all at once when everyone is focused on the A.D. and football coach?

I'd think I'd probably do all at once. Otherwise it looks like a larger problem. On this board we rightfully discuss all of the positions affected but let's be honest and realize that in the bigger picture of the University, it was much better PR to do it all at once. Instead of a drawn out report about the various positions and the 'exodus of staff at LU', there are stories about coach Rocco and an upcoming story of a new A.D.

TheLaxman:
You make good points as well and I don't personally doubt or have problems with anything you're saying. You obviously have done a lot for the University and are owed every bit of respect. In addition you do know someone personally affected. I feel horrible that you've personally been dealt with poorly this past year. You've had a lot to go through. I respect you and appreciate your insight.

[A.G.]

tallyw: OK, you got me on that one. If you are going to make changes, why not make them all at once. But riddle me this--tough to bring in a new tennis coach at mid-year. If I am correct, Hubbard was in charge of both teams? I contend the decisions were made by people with no sense as to how the dismissals would actually affect the athletes and the entire athletic department.

[tallyw]

I'm not arguing for/against anyone's dismissal. I'm simply saying that IF one were to make these changes, it was better to do them wholesale.

I'm sure whoever made the final decision was keenly aware of Mr. Hubbard being the coach of the tennis teams and the decision was weighed.

[tallyw]

BTW, how many thousands of posts before us newbies lose the "new member" tag?
I see the vets around here tend to have 1k or more posts.

[PAmedic]

Personnel decisions are CONFIDENTIAL and NOT a matter of public record.

LU admin could be civilly liable if they were to put that kinda info out there w/out some sort of consent.

Personally- I don't know these men, and I'm sure Coach and others that DO take it very personnally. But from the perspective of a manager w/ 50+ people under me- I take a beating every time disciplinary action up to and including termination takes place BECAUSE I CANNOT DEFEND MYSELF. even WITH just cause, even if I've explained things to the staff member, followed progressive discipline, and have a repeat offender- I'M ALWAYS the BAD GUY.

just the way it is.

my advice. LETS ALL JUST LET IT GO AT THIS POINT AND MOVE FORWARD. we will NEVER know the full story. Let GOD sort it out.

[PAmedic]

TALLY, I think you lose the "new" tag at 50 posts. Then you're a "JR" until 300 or 350 I believe.

[tallyw]

Thanks PAmedic. Appreciate it.

[thelaxman]

Ok, PA Medic and Tallyw:

I'm moving on but with all the things I have been through this year and how I feel about the way Coach Hubbard was treated it just changes my opinion on a few things. I'm a big enough Man to let it go and move forward.

I also feel even with some of the Football staff that was released that we have to remember these are middle aged folks with Families and they sacrifice a great deal to coach on the sidelines and when we are so critical of these individuals we need to recognize that coaching College age adults between the ages of 18-22 is some of the hardest but most rewarding work one can do.

When I get my health back this spring I will be helping out with the Lacrosse Club at the University of New Mexico and I take over next year as their Head Coach. I will start giving you guys websites to look at and info as soon as the Lax season opens for the Lobos. Current Spring Schedule for UNM is:

Feb. 25th Colorado Mines Home
March 21st Colorado State Pueblo Home
April 2nd Western State Away
April 8th Wyoming Away
April 9th Weber State Away

In 2007 when I take over, look out for a 17 game schedule and some big guns like Texas Tech, Arizona, Wake Forest, Clemson, Arizona State, Colorado, Utah, and who knows if we are in Carolina to play Wake and Clemson we may even come up to Liberty in Lynchburg.

Just keep me in your prayers. I'm slowly but surly getting my health back.

God Bless you Guys,

Thelaxman

[HoldMyOwn]

A return was much needed here....

1. Hubbard while a great man was not getting the Job done...and great men who don’t get the Job done get fired...It's a sad but true fact....What was his Big South record??? Also, I hope everyone is aware of the number of student athletes who have had to take extra semesters at LU due to poor academic planning and NOT failing...advising students to take classes that were not needed or forgetting classes that were

2. The Finalist for the AD position will be on campus Thurs. I'm not going to mention a name but if someone else wants to that's fine....IT"S NOT SAM!!! LoL...although his son will get a position somewhere in the admin. although with no hopes of being or becoming an AD (as of now)

[Sly Fox]

HMO - Long time, no see.

Laxman - I'm glad to see your feeling well these days. And I completely understand you taking up for your friend. Loyalty is an atribute in short supply in this world. But I hope you don't give up on your alma mater quite yet.

[thelaxman]

HMO:

I don't know enough facts to comment on the academic stuff for the Athletes. But what I do know is how things are run from the inside. One fact in my mind remains is that nobody in the Athletic Dept. or the Administration would do anything for the Lacrosse Team because it was a Club when I started helping out in the fall of 2002. Larry, because he had worked in Lacrosse so many years and knew it was a sport that would bring recognition to the University really went to bat for me and the program.

The Lacrosse Team would not be what it is today without the help of Larry Hubbard and that is a fact.

What Mettalo does with it is up to him. But the foundation for a quality Lacrosse program has been laid out for success. Larry Hubbard is part of that success of having a nationally ranked collegiate Lacrosse program at LU.

Working with Larry Hubbard on a regular basis I found out he did do a good job and he was a very good administrator. But it is time to move on.

I also believe or I at least hope Mettalo will get the Lacrosse program to the point to become very competitive and it could very well one day win a National Championship in USL MDIA as a Club or as a Varsity program in NCAA Lacrosse. With the sport now the fastest growing sport not only in America but World wide that can only do great things for Liberty University.

Slyfox, I have not given up on my Alma mater but because of all I have been through and some things I have seen this year some of my opinions have changed. Liberty will always have some great memories for me and a place that God called me too and the experience of meeting so many great people as a Student, an Athlete and a Coach.

God Bless,

Thelaxman

[bigsmooth]

great to see you back coach! im praying for your continued return to good health!

[PAmedic]

Coach- good luck with that program out west, I'm sure you'll do a great job.

Re: Hubbard- I never met the man, I'm sure he was a great guy and I'm all for anyone who supports LULAX. Having said that, his first priority was the academic health of the atheletes- and I had also heard there were some issues w/ getting these kids thru their classes and graduating ON TIME. Apparently quite a few that were pretty upset. Since such a small percentage of these guys and girls will go on to a professonal career- it is CRITICAL that the new person in this position executes their responsibilities well- academics should be the focal point for our students, not just on the field success.

Just my opinion, but its a good one! just ask me!

[A.G.]

Then perhaps they will hire someone and have academics as their sole responsibility. Hubbard had to be spread thin coaching two sports along with the academic responsibility.

[PAmedic]

yup- see the thread on John Blanchard

[flamesfan710]

Any more news on the AD search? this has been a bit quiet since Mr Blanchard got his extension from UNC

[Sly Fox]

I get the impression that now that the primary targets are out of the picture, we are taking our time to avoid a hasty decision that could prove detrimental to the longterm goals of the department.

In other words, be patient.