Fire Gene Stephenson

[SB Shock]

Yeah what caused him to change his mind

He didn't really want to leave in the first place - Kemnitz talked/pressured him into taking the call (once Kemnitz found out he had no chance of ever holding a head coaching job, especially with OU). But Gene went down there and said some pretty damaging things about WSU. He was dead to me after that.

[mjbaker84]

Nice

[1972Shocker]

why did he change his mind from that thinking and return to wichita then?

The stated reason was that when he looked into the details he found OU had way over-recruited and they would have to cut bunch of guys loose. It's apparently not an uncommon practice by the Big Boys but one Gene himself has neve done much of. There may have been some reference to APR issues also but I don't recall for sure. Not sure if this was the real reason or just a convenient excuse for a Coach remorseful with his decision.

Kemnitz has admitted publicly that he pushed Gene hard to take the OU job. I think there is a question about where Gene's heart really lies. Brent is an OU boy through and through. JT is just along for the ride.

But Gene really burnt some bridges with many Shocker fans when he trashed his own program and there is little doubt that opposing coaches have used that as ammunition in the recruiting battles. As @SB Shock: posted it seemed to become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

[ShockTalk]

I'm not totally in disagreement with those who say it's his program to do with as he wishes or to go out on his terms, but I'll be dam*ed if he gets to do it for $550,000 bones a year while the program sinks farther into the abyss. If he'd accept a lower (much lower) base salary but loaded with quality paying performance bonuses, I would definitely reconsider my position on making a coaching change. He has always professed to be a "performance counts" kind of guy, so why should he not accept that type of deal?

[DPruett2333]

"Wichita State baseball coach Gene Stephenson is considering how to end his 36-season tenure, according to several sources.

Stephenson met with athletic director Eric Sexton and university counsel Ted Ayres on Monday afternoon at Eck Stadium. Soon, Stephenson will no longer coach the Shockers, either because he chose to resign or the university chose to fire him. Stephenson was given the opportunity to go out on those terms out of respect for his accomplishments at WSU, sources said."

From Kansas.com

[wsushox1]

http://www.kansas.com/2013/06/03/2830805/athletic-director-attorney-leave.html

[1972Shocker]

"Wichita State baseball coach Gene Stephenson is considering how to end his 36-season tenure, according to several sources.

Stephenson met with athletic director Eric Sexton and university counsel Ted Ayres on Monday afternoon at Eck Stadium. Soon, Stephenson will no longer coach the Shockers, either because he chose to resign or the university chose to fire him. Stephenson was given the opportunity to go out on those terms out of respect for his accomplishments at WSU, sources said."

From Kansas.com

I wonder if he gets paid the final year of his contract either way? Just don't see Gene as resigning, unless he thinks it over and decides he has had enough and is ready to call it quits. If that's the case and he does retire then I hope they pay him the final year of his contract as a severance package.

[mjbaker84]

Meet him in the middle $275k and he is gone

[SHOCKvalue]

It's a sad day for WSU baseball, no matter your opinion of Mean Gene. I'm excited for new blood, but I will always wonder "what if" concerning JT as he relates to GS's inability to replace a friend for the greater good of his career and the program.

[WuDrWu]

I don't see a scenario where Gene doesn't get paid every dollar of his contract.

[The Coach]

"Wichita State baseball coach Gene Stephenson is considering how to end his 36-season tenure, according to several sources.

Stephenson met with athletic director Eric Sexton and university counsel Ted Ayres on Monday afternoon at Eck Stadium. Soon, Stephenson will no longer coach the Shockers, either because he chose to resign or the university chose to fire him. Stephenson was given the opportunity to go out on those terms out of respect for his accomplishments at WSU, sources said."

From Kansas.com

I went to look, and there was no sign of that story. Then I looked again, and there it was. And I looked again, and it was gone.

WTH, Kansas.com?

[tru2thaduce]

As much as I want new blood and I think Gene is well compensated,I think he should get paid in full for his last year of his contract.He did after all build this thing from scratch.Without him we don't have anything to ***** about.

[ABC]

He will get paid the last year - at least. WSU cannot not pay his last year.

[Ricardo del Rio]

Meet him in the middle $275k and he is gone

I imagine that Coach Stephenson will receive the full salary for the remaining year on his contract, even if he resigns. There would be few, who would object. I surely would not object.

If he resigns, there will be terms in an resignation agreement, which we will learn about later.

[mjbaker84]

I imagine that Coach Stephenson will receive the full salary for the remaining year on his contract, even if he resigns. There would be few, who would object. I surely would not object.

If he resigns, there will be terms in an resignation agreement, which we will learn about later.

I see!