Fire Gene Stephenson

[rrshock]

I hope so. Krusty needs to go. Or this program is finished until he does go.

[GoShockers89]

Who would have thought we'd see the day when the MVC finishes as a top 5 conference, receives 3 bids, and we're not one of them?

The rising tide still couldn't lift our leaking ship. Next year's team will probably be marginally better- maybe even good enough to grab a 3 seed as an at large bid if we're lucky. But how sad is it that a possible 3 seed is the culmination of 3-4 years of disappointment and rebuilding?

[Veritas]

ADES needs to seriously discuss options with HCGS. The Shox recruiting could take a hit the next few years without an extension, termination, or "a plan" with a HC in waiting scenario.

Simply can't understand why ADES doesn't force HCGS to hire an assistant with the thought of the new assistant taking over the reins in a few years. That would provide a very smooth transition. Otherwise, ADES must clean house.
What will it be?

[DUShock]

The Gene/Krusty U-Turn & subsequent devil may care attitude displayed by Krusty is one o the few blemishes on President Beggs record.

[Ricardo del Rio]

ADES needs to seriously discuss options with HCGS. The Shox recruiting could take a hit the next few years without an extension, termination, or "a plan" with a HC in waiting scenario.

Simply can't understand why ADES doesn't force HCGS to hire an assistant with the thought of the new assistant taking over the reins in a few years. That would provide a very smooth transition. Otherwise, ADES must clean house.
What will it be?

Door number two.

Has anyone mentioned Coach Hooper as yet?

[Ta town]

Does Hooper have his degree? I thought he played four years but Jenn Bates tweeted he can't because he isn't degreed. Or someone tweeting to her, I don't quite grasp twitter at a level which would be required for legal operation.

[Ta town]

Regardless a quick login to University of Phoenix should fix that problem, lol.

[Ta town]

ICTSPORTS @ICTSPORTS
@JennBates12 Not sure Gene has that in him. Personally, I'd rather see #Shockers move on to Kevin Hooper. #wingnuts.
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27 May Jenn Bates @JennBates12
@ICTSPORTS That's a nice thought, but Hoop doesn't have a college degree, required for coaching D1
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4:56 PM - 27 May 12 via web · Details

[ShockerFever]

ADES needs to seriously discuss options with HCGS. The Shox recruiting could take a hit the next few years without an extension, termination, or "a plan" with a HC in waiting scenario.

Simply can't understand why ADES doesn't force HCGS to hire an assistant with the thought of the new assistant taking over the reins in a few years. That would provide a very smooth transition. Otherwise, ADES must clean house.
What will it be?

Sexton won't force anything. He's just as guilty as letting this continue as Gene is.

Don't expect anything different.

One of President Beggs' few miscues was the promotion of Eric Sexton to AD.

[shockfan89_]

I think we have some good young talent on this team. If you look back at the season we were 10-10 by the time we settled on the younger guys (maybe later than that). We played much better baseball the last several weeks of the season (other than the MVC tournament). We still saw too many mental errors but we had 7 Freshman and Sophomores on the field most of the time. Even so, our fielding was much improved over recent years. If the new class coming in has some decent talent we could easily compete for a MVC championship the next two years and probably make two regionals.

Say the above happens. Then what in the hell do you do? We have a 70 year old coach at the end of his contract coming off of two straight seasons finishing 1st or 2nd in the conference and making the NCAAs... Will ADES not renew his contract at that point? Should he? That is a no win situation... The only good solution to this problem has been stated over and over. Gene NEEDS to be forced to hire his replacement THIS off season and no, BK and JT should not even be considered for the job!!! If this is done, Gene and Brent could continue to coach as long as we keep winning. The new coach would have 2 years to get up to speed and then the team would be his in practice but Gene would keep the title of head coach and could keep racking up wins until Auggie retires.

[Ricardo del Rio]

Sexton won't force anything. He's just as guilty as letting this continue as Gene is.

Don't expect anything different.

One of President Beggs' few miscues was the promotion of Eric Sexton to AD.

+1

[1972Shocker]

The only good solution to this problem has been stated over and over. Gene NEEDS to be forced to hire his replacement THIS off season and no, BK and JT should not even be considered for the job!!! If this is done, Gene and Brent could continue to coach as long as we keep winning. The new coach would have 2 years to get up to speed and then the team would be his in practice but Gene would keep the title of head coach and could keep racking up wins until Auggie retires.

That is certainly thinking outside the box but I just don't think that is a viable solution and I don't think that having Gene hanging around getting credit for wins is an attractive situation at all to any quality prospective head coach.

To me the only good solution is for Gene to realize and admit that he is coming to the end of the line and that he needs to work with the AD office to insure the best possible transition plan that will allow the program he has built to conitnue as strong as possible. At the latest he would be retired on June 30, 2014.

Gene will be allowed to complete his current contract term if that is his desire (absent any major moral or ethical failures). I'm confident this would be the case even if Jim Schaus was still the AD. However, I don't think Jim Schaus would give any consideration to extending Gene's contract beyond June 30, 2014. I'm not totally confident Eric Sexton is of that same mindset but I certainly hope he would not consider extending Gene's tenure at this point. It simply is time for Gene to wind it down IMHO.

[mattdalt]

A quick question: Is everyone confident that someone else would do better? We all seem to think, or more likely, want to think, that Gene is all of a sudden incompetent.

Since several on the board are confident that Gene is the problem, I would like the answer. Not just, "we need a plan." that would be true regardless. I would like specifics on who could do better. And not some wishful pipe dreams either.

I am not saying Gene should stay or go, because as I was always taught, anyone can bring problems, you need to bring solutions. I would like to read about some of this solutions, with specifics.

[1972Shocker]

I'm confident that just about anyone else we would hire would be able to do as well at a lower cost to the Athletic Department and at least would be a person who believes he can win at a high level at WSU. Gene is on record as stating he no longer believes that he can win big at WSU. Between that and the renewed enthusiasm among the fan base I'm confident we would be better off financially. Furthermore, right now Gene is a lame duck recruiting wise with only two years remaining on his contract. So it is time to paint or get off the ladder.

The program has become stale, their is really little doubt about that. We need a renewal and I just don't see that happening without a change at the top.

I really don't know all the qualified candidates but I think Mark Standiford and Kevin Hooper are quality young guys that would bring a lot of energy to the program. Not sure if Hooper qualifies though if he, in fact, does not have his degree, although I am how sure how big of a deal that would be to remedy. Not sure what he needs to get that degree.

I know some believe we should bring an a highly experienced head coach. Maybe so. But look at what Dan Heefner is doing at Dallas Baptist with no previous head coaching experience. Basically taking a D-II program and turning it into a very solid D-1 program as an independent.

BTW, DBU is building a new ball park. http://dbupatriots.com/news/2012/5/2...?path=baseball

I will be the first to admit I do not have all the answers. OTOH, you posted that "anyone can bring problems, you need to bring solutions" although you don't offer any solutions yourself. My conclusion is that you don't believe there is a problem and you are satisfied with the status quo. Which is fine. Everyone is entitled to their opinion.

That fact that I or other posters don't have all the answers does not preclude a disdussion of the perceived problems or whether there are problems. And I think the discussion has been pretty good. The general consensus seems to be that it is time for Gene to step down. That is a proposed solution. We replace him with the best option available to us which would have to be determined through a proper and thorough search. Admittedly the general consensus is not always right. However, there must be some misgivings about Gene in the Athletic Department or Gene would probably have another 2-year extension by now. Either Gene doesn't want another extension or the AD doesn't want to give him another extension at least under terms they can agree to.

One thing I would like to see in any future contract beyond June 2014, whether that is Gene or a new coach and I hope it is a new coach, would be a heavy reliance on performance bonuses in lieu of a high level of base pay. Also, if Gene's contract is extended, which I suppose is still a possibility, it needs to contain a very reasonable buyout provision (say a $100,000).

[Ta town]

Two more years, just let it run out and move on.