So this begs the question....

[ABC]

ABC,
We have been over this before. Sexton hasn't hired crap, as '72 already stated. Everything that is doing well is coming off of previous regime hires, not Eric Sexton.

If Eric took a public speaking class, I'm sure I could get a better "feel" of him. As it stands now, I just don't see the vision, passion, and fire power that has bestowed previous regimes. His philosophy seems to be.. "to remain at status quo".

Remain the status quo - frequent NCAA appearances by almost all of the sports; retaining the top coaches; adding facilities. That's terrible.

Assume you mean Schaus when referring to the previous regime(s) and not Belknap, Shupe or Gary Hunter.

[Veritas]

ABC,
We have been over this before. Sexton hasn't hired crap, as '72 already stated. Everything that is doing well is coming off of previous regime hires, not Eric Sexton.

If Eric took a public speaking class, I'm sure I could get a better "feel" of him. As it stands now, I just don't see the vision, passion, and fire power that has bestowed previous regimes. His philosophy seems to be.. "to remain at status quo".

+1

A lot of the posters have misconstrued my posts regarding the retention of HCGS. I NEVER meant to convey that ADES "is" sabotaging the program. My intent was that an AD "COULD" easily sabotage any program through various means with which we would not be initially aware. I pointed out some of those possible examples.
If baseball is important to ADES, then he should be all over the challenges in fixing the problem. I don't see it. I haven't seen it.
The challenges to the program is like the pink elephant in the room no one wants to discuss. That includes the media, HCGS, ADES, and some well connected Shockernetters.
It's simply puzzling to me how the heck a coach with 30+ years of kicking some tail could all the sudden be struggling unless there is something going on with which we don't know.
This issue is on the current AD's watch and except for possible conference affiliation, will be the most important task with which he has faced.

[ABC]

What is so odd about the Stephenson situation?

Have you ever heard of Denny Crum, Bobby Bowden, Joe Paterno, Eldon Miller, Ted Owens,

Then there is the Christensen thing and stalking.

Oh, and the struggle isn't "suddenly" - unless you count the last five years.

[Spaulding]

We complain a lot on this board about attendance (and it is down from WSU's peak attendance years of 2007 and 2008) but it is still excellent compared to other northern schools and other non-BCS schools.

The NCBWA compiles average baseball attendance (actually done by WSU's Tami Cutler) and as of Monday, WSU has the #1 total attendance in 2013 of any northern school and #2 in average attendance of any northern school. The only northern school with a better average attendance is Cu, and their number gets scewed upward by a couple of games a year with UNL in Ameritrade, otherwise they don't draw squat. WSU is #25 in total attendance and #24 in average attendance in the nation for all schools.

http://www.sportswriters.net/ncbwa/n...ance130506.pdf

That's a testimony to shocker fans ability to support the team despite krustys insistence on trashing it.

[1972Shocker]

Even the truly legendary John Wooden stepped aside at age 64 after winning his 10th NCAA Championship in 12 years. Talk about going out on top. Perhaps Coach Wooden instinctively knew that he had established a standard that even he would be unable to live up to. BTW, the highest annual salary made by Coach Wooden at UCLA was $35,000.

Coach Wooden lived for another 35 years.

What would Gene do if he isn't coaching baseball. He could still participate in Shocker baseball camps and receive a stipend for doing so. I would think Gene would be a decent motivational speaker. Also, Gene should consider writing an autobiography or at least a book covering his college coaching career and coaching philosophy. In any case, Gene will be fine and for the most part his Shocker legacy is still mostly intact.

There is no reason to feel sorry for him. He has done a lot for Wichita State but Wichita State and its fans have reciprocated. The books are balanced.

[1972Shocker]

If I were AD I would proprose the following to Gene:

Gene agrees to retire at the end of the current 2013 season.

In consideration thereof and for Gene's many contributions and year of service, Wichita State agrees to the following:

1. A severance payment in full satisfaction of Gene's contract in the amount of $500,000, payable in annual installments of $100,000 over 5 years shall be made to Gene. In the event of Gene's untimely death the unpaid balance would be paid to his estate in a lump sum. Spreading these payments over 5 years probably would save Gene about $50,000 in income taxes unless he makes a boatload of money from other sources.

2. Gene shall receive the honorary title of Wichita State Head Basebal Coach Emeritus subject to the standard codes of conduct and behaviour.

3. The baseball facilities including Eck Stadium, Tyler Field, Bomardier IPF, and the parking facilities immediately adjacent to Eck Stadium will be dedicated as the Gene Stephenson Baseball Complex with appropriate monument signage to be installed.

4. The road running from 21st street just east of Eck Stadium and then south and west to Perimeter Road will be renamed Gene Stephenson Drive.

5. The waiting period for induction into the Shocker Hall of Fame will be waived and Gene will be immediately inducted into the Shocker HOF next year.

6. Gene will be provided an office within the baseball complex for his personal use for as long as he wishes but Gene agrees not to interfere in any way or manner with the successor coaching staff unless specifically asked to do something by his successor(s). Gene, of course, is free to decline any such requests.

7. Gene will be provided appropriate accomodations to view games either in the press box or the private suite area for as long as he desires again subject to a standard code of conduct and behaviour. I'm not sure what's available so I'll leave that somewhat vague. Gene will also be admitted to any Shocker home athletic event free of charge during the remainder of his life. Appropriate seating will be reserved for Gene as needed.

8. A Shocker Alumni Baseball game to honor Gene will be held on a Saturday next fall as part of the Shocker Fall World Series. Perhaps with a post-game autograph session. Admission will be charged (say $5 a head GA; $10 for reserved seating) with proceeds going to Shocker Baseball. Gene could be inducted into the Shocker Hall of Fame at that time.

There may be a few other perks and conditions (like parking and such) but those can be negotiated and added as agreed upon.

I'm not sure how you could retire with much more class and dignity than that.

[ShockTalk]

If I were AD I would proprose the following to Gene:

Gene agrees to retire at the end of the current 2013 season.

In consideration thereof and for Gene's many contributions and year of service, Wichita State agrees to the following:

1. A severance payment in full satisfaction of Gene's contract in the amount of $500,000, payable in annual installments of $100,000 over 5 years shall be made to Gene. In the event of Gene's untimely death the unpaid balance would be paid to his estate in a lump sum. Spreading these payments over 5 years probably would save Gene about $50,000 in income taxes unless he makes a boatload of money from other sources.

2. Gene shall receive the honorary title of Wichita State Head Basebal Coach Emeritus subject to the standard codes of conduct and behaviour.

3. The baseball facilities including Eck Stadium, Tyler Field, Bomardier IPF, and the parking facilities immediately adjacent to Eck Stadium will be dedicated as the Gene Stephenson Baseball Complex with appropriate monument signage to be installed.

4. The road running from 21st street just east of Eck Stadium and then south to Perimeter Road will be renamed Gene Stephenson Drive.

5. The waiting period for induction into the Shocker Hall of Fame will be waived and Gene will be immediately inducted into the Shocker HOF next year.

6. Gene will be provided an office within the baseball complex for his personal use for as long as he wishes but Gene agrees not to interfere in any way or manner with the successor coaching staff unless specifically asked to do something by his successor(s). Gene, of course, is free to decline any such requests.

7. Gene will be provided appropriate accomodations to view games either in the press box or the private suite area for as long as he desires again subject to a standard code of conduct and behaviour. I'm not sure what's available so I'll leave that somewhat vague. Gene will also be admitted to any Shocker home athletic event free of charge during the remainder of his life. Appropriate seating will be reserved for Gene as needed.

8. A Shocker Alumni Baseball game to honor Gene will be held on a Saturday next fall as part of the Shocker Fall World Series. Perhaps with a post-game autograph session. Admission will be charged (say $5 a head GA; $10 for reserved seating) with proceeds going to Shocker Baseball. Gene could be inducted into the Shocker Hall of Fame at that time.

There may be a few other perks and conditions (like parking and such) but those can be negotiated and added as agreed upon.

I'm not sure how you could retire with much more class and dignity than that.

I liked what you said and have said many of those same items in other posts myself.

It seems such an obvious approach for ADES that I can't imagine he hasn't tried to approach Gene with many of the same ideas. Since we're all throwing darts pretty wildly as to what has or hasn't happened or what will or won't, I have to think there is nothing that you've said @1972Shocker: that ADES wouldn't go for in a heart beat. Therefore, my "dart" hit says Gene didn't/wouldn't go for it for one reason or another that ADES couldn't go along with. Just IMO.

[1972Shocker]

I liked what you said and have said many of those same items in other posts myself.

It seems such an obvious approach for ADES that I can't imagine he hasn't tried to approach Gene with many of the same ideas. Since we're all throwing darts pretty wildly as to what has or hasn't happened or what will or won't, I have to think there is nothing that you've said @1972Shocker that ADES wouldn't go for in a heart beat. Therefore, my "dart" hit says Gene didn't/wouldn't go for it for one reason or another that ADES couldn't go along with. Just IMO.

I had those same thoughts myself -- that perhaps something like this was proposed to Gene and he told them to shove it, which obviously wouldn't do great things for the communication between the parties. But as you say, we really don't know what has transpired between the parties.

I suppose, more optimistically, it's also possible they have agreed to something along these lines and are just waiting until the season is over to make an announcment.

[kcshocker11]

I think Gene would like Augie Garrido to retire first. He could then catch him in all time wins. Just guessing here

[WSUwatcher]

I think Gene would like Augie Garrido to retire first. He could then catch him in all time wins. Just guessing here

Bingo, KC.

No doubt in my mind that Mr. Competitive would like to go out at the top of the all-time list, and if he does leave WSU it will be interesting to see if he takes another job somewhere else (UNT?) for that purpose alone. Plus, he's much younger than Garrido, so he's probably wondering what the heck Augie is doing sticking around at such an advanced age. Actually, Texas fans may start wondering what Augie is up to also, if this goes on much longer. Despite WSU's struggles, Gene has actually gained six wins on the old Zenmaster so far this year, and if the season ended with no change in standings, Texas would actually miss the Big 12 tournament -- not an easy feat when eight of nine teams qualify -- which would give Gene a chance to pick up a few more.

[ShockTalk]

I think Gene would like Augie Garrido to retire first. He could then catch him in all time wins. Just guessing here

Bingo, KC.

No doubt in my mind that Mr. Competitive would like to go out at the top of the all-time list, and if he does leave WSU it will be interesting to see if he takes another job somewhere else (UNT?) for that purpose alone. Plus, he's much younger than Garrido, so he's probably wondering what the heck Augie is doing sticking around at such an advanced age. Actually, Texas fans may start wondering what Augie is up to also, if this goes on much longer. Despite WSU's struggles, Gene has actually gained six wins on the old Zenmaster so far this year, and if the season ended with no change in standings, Texas would actually miss the Big 12 tournament -- not an easy feat when eight of nine teams qualify -- which would give Gene a chance to pick up a few more.

Someone had posted elsewhere that Soggy had signed a 3 year deal recently. So, by the time Soggy retires, Martin at Florida St will probably have passed Gene.

[1972Shocker]

Someone had posted elsewhere that Soggy had signed a 3 year deal recently. So, by the time Soggy retires, Martin at Florida St will probably have passed Gene.

Soggy is currently 43 wins clear of Gene and Gene is 65 ahead of Mike.

It would be interesting to see what the win totals look like if you counted only D-1 wins.

[ShockerFever]

Remain the status quo - frequent NCAA appearances by almost all of the sports; retaining the top coaches; adding facilities. That's terrible.

Assume you mean Schaus when referring to the previous regime(s) and not Belknap, Shupe or Gary Hunter.

And AGAIN, that was all made possible by previous regime hires.

And I mean ANY regime other than Sexton. You can play your game all you want.

What's Eric Sexton's vision for WSU athletics? Or does he even have one?

[ShockerFever]

I will say this. Eric was on Sports Daily a week or so back and I must say he was very articulate and well-spoken on that particular appearance. IIRC he was discussing the admission of Loyola to the Valley and conference realignment.

Maybe the radio is more easier to deal with than being on tv in front of hundreds or thousands of people. Who knows?

[jdmee]

And AGAIN, that was all made possible by previous regime hires.

And I mean ANY regime other than Sexton. You can play your game all you want.

What's Eric Sexton's vision for WSU athletics? Or does he even have one?

What would you have had him do differently? Fire Stephenson earlier? When 1 year after making a super regional? 2? 3?
What other changes would you have made that Sexton hasn't?

During Sexton's short time as Director of Athletics at WSU, the Shocker Athletic Department completed fundraising and construction of the Bombardier Learjet Baseball Practice Facility and the Hartman Golf Practice Facility. In addition, the largest amount ever raised for WSU's Shocker Athletic Scholarship Organization was achieved this fiscal year at $3.1 million.

So under his tenure he has oversaw the construction of the Baseball Practice Facility, the Golf Practice Facility and SASO has had its biggest year ever.
But all that is due the work of those under him. He deserves no credit right?