Stephenson article

[rrshock]

The attendance drop from the past two seasons is cause for this alone. Throw in the onfield performance and it has the makings of a disaster. I saw that they had a skybox open up this year. That means someone has at least stopped donating the big money.

[ABC]

I see nothing odd about the timing of the article. The whole things is newsworthy: a coach of Stephenson's success and stature, the lack of recent success, and a contract that expires in a little over a year, and it's current impact on recruiting.

[WuDrWu]

I see nothing odd about the timing of the article. The whole things is newsworthy: a coach of Stephenson's success and stature, the lack of recent success, and a contract that expires in a little over a year, and it's current impact on recruiting.

Exactly, and to be truthful, this has been bubbling under the surface for quite some time. I'll add some more later, but now it's off to enjoy a full night with a spectacular basketball program that I feel privileged to be able to support. There are only 3 more home games, and I am going to enjoy every moment.

[_kai_]

I see nothing odd about the timing of the article. The whole things is newsworthy: a coach of Stephenson's success and stature, the lack of recent success, and a contract that expires in a little over a year, and it's current impact on recruiting.

My point was that there was no "news" being reported here. He hasn't had a contract extension since his last one (duh), it's not like that is news to anyone. The article could have been written any period of time prior to this, but it wasn't. I understand baseball season is starting up, but it seems to me it's just an empty article trying to get readership up, by playing on the emotions of those invested in Shocker baseball and would like to see a change of managers.

[SB Shock]

My point was that there was no "news" being reported here. He hasn't had a contract extension since his last one (duh), it's not like that is news to anyone. The article could have been written any period of time prior to this, but it wasn't. I understand baseball season is starting up, but it seems to me it's just an empty article trying to get readership up, by playing on the emotions of those invested in Shocker baseball and would like to see a change of managers.

I'm pretty sure this story came about from media day and interview with Gene and his complaining that no contract extension was hurting his recruiting for 2015 and beyond (just based on information that was being parsed out that day). My guess is Gene is/was hoping this would invigorate his supporters to pressure Sexton to get a deal done. But I think Gene is finding out his support is pretty shallow, especially with the new President who is probably looking at his contract and really asking "are we really paying this guy this type money to finish 2nd or 3rd in the MVC every year".

Contract extension means they continue to pay Gene this $$, I would rather take $300,000 of his salary and invest it into mens/womens basketball and volleyball.

[_kai_]

I'm pretty sure this story came about from media day and interview with Gene and his complaining that no contract extension was hurting his recruiting for 2015 and beyond (just based on information that was being parsed out that day). My guess is Gene is/was hoping this would invigorate his supporters to pressure Sexton to get a deal done. But I think Gene is finding out his support is pretty shallow, especially with the new President who is probably looking at his contract and really asking "are we really paying this guy this type money to finish 2nd or 3rd in the MVC every year".

Contract extension means they continue to pay Gene this $$, I would rather take $300,000 of his salary and invest it into mens/womens basketball and volleyball.

With that background on the story it makes much more sense. Never would have thought that. Thanks SB.

[Aargh]

So, Gene complains to the media that he's being hampered by his contract situation. Then the media goes to Sexton and asks what's up with Stephenson's contract. This probably does not thrill Mr. Sexton. Irritating your boss during contract negotiations is not considered to be good bargaining strategy.

So, Sexton goes public with his position, which is fairly hard line stance.

It's not for no reason that he's called Krusty.

[SHOCKvalue]

I'm pretty torn about this whole situation, as I imagine a lot of the Shox fans are.

On one hand we have a guy who's made some pretty terrible decisions - from both a PR and a personal life perspective - for a person who has a relatively high-profile career position (relative to the region as well as amongst the college baseball fan subset). This makes us want to wash our hands of him, and start anew.

On the other hand we have the sentimental emotions that go along with the guy who literally created the program from nothing in a Genesis-like manner, and who still to this day carries significant cache in the college baseball realm. From this perspective, the idea of putting this guy out on his rear feels sort of like firing your own father. Can you picture GS wearing the gear of another school in a permanent fashion? (Save the OU pics.)

Personally, I obviously want the program to get back to a reasonable level. In the modern world of NCAA baseball, to me this means a level sort of like we had there for a few years in the mid-2000's. Regionals should be made every year, period. Hosting a regional is certainly nice, and getting to at least the SR stage every few years is a highly-reasonable goal. Basically, every year we should be no less than a far-reaching dark horse candidate for the CWS. It's what we are. Screw playing politics with the rest of the MVC pedestrian lemmings, I don't care about MVC finishes.

I know it's a bit like beating a dead horse, but if GS would just throw JT under the bus and get new life for offense/fielding coaching, we could be looking at getting back to that level no problem. GS and BK are constants throughout the modern history of our program, JT is not. Unfortunately, it appears GS is ready to take the whole lot of them down just so he doesn't have to fire a friend.

If we liquidate GS and the staff, where do we go from there? I think it's pretty common knowledge BK would not want to transition to HC, so that's out. As is BK as a permanent "dynasty" pitching coach, presumably. We have facilities that while not as elite as they once were, are still absolutely in the 90-95th percentile. Budget issues I think are moot - GS plays that card as a compensating boo-hoo I think. The thorn in our side in picking up a new coaching stud are - like everything else related to our athletic situation - limited by the melancholy MVC. Conference re-alignment could be ugly for our basketball program, but it could be terminal to keeping up a solid baseball program.

This is all a bit of a captain obvious post, but it feels good to get it out. Feel free to have your own take, this is just my own.

[boyshocker]

Nice job Ricky B, I agree with your thoughts. I think this could have been avoided if GS would have sent JT to the golf course permantely.
Not good when you have players having to go out on their own to get hitting help which has been happening. I have heard Price's name thrown around some but I hope they aren't right. I really like a Standiford / Hooper combo myself. Loren Hibbs was once thought of as a replacement but that might of passed by now. Gotta believe it will take some winning to right this ship, and that might not be enough.