Did we really just fire Gene Stephenson?

[Veritas]

The majority on this board suffered from extreme groupthink and wanted Gene fired.
The same majority want Todd fired and want to argue that based on Todd's Christian faith, he should resign.
They believe better to fire than have him resign.

Groupthink and mob mentality is a strange thing.

[ShockTalk]

The majority on this board suffered from extreme groupthink and wanted Gene fired.
The same majority want Todd fired and want to argue that based on Todd's Christian faith, he should resign.
They believe better to fire than have him resign.

Groupthink and mob mentality is a strange thing.

Wow! Sometimes I am absolutely amazed how well certain people can look into everyone else's mind and know exactly how they got from point A to point B (or whether they can actually think on their own).

And, of course, if a majority does not agree with such a person's view as "gospel", then it's groupthink and mob mentality....the only possible reason. Strange thing indeed.

[DUShock]

The majority on this board suffered from extreme groupthink and wanted Gene fired.
The same majority want Todd fired and want to argue that based on Todd's Christian faith, he should resign.
They believe better to fire than have him resign.

Groupthink and mob mentality is a strange thing.

Post hoc ergo propter hoc. Wanting a change from Stephenson does not in anyway impact or influence wanting to make a change from Butler. One can come to the same conclusion from a separate set of facts.

Just as I did with Stephenson, I hope Butler pulls a spectacular turnaround, but based on his actions the last couple of seasons and after his dismissal, HCGS seems refused to practice any manner of self-reflection to change to his ever changing environment. It is nice to see his video, this is a much needed step for HCGS and the program. I tip my hat for this action.

Go Shox!

[1972Shocker]

https://www.facebook.com/74146548833/videos/10155192236558834/

I am somewhat surprised that there has not been more discussion of Gene's video message from this weekend's Legend celebration.

Certainly seems like a thawing of the GS-WSU relationship and an extension of an olive branch by Gene. Hard to say what the behind the scenes discussions between Gene and WSU were that led up to this but seems like a positive thing to me. Or am I ready too much into it?

Will the next Legends celebration involve something more substantive in honoring Gene's legacy?

[Shockers5150]

I noticed he almost started laughing when he mentioned this years team. :)

[1972Shocker]

I noticed he almost started laughing when he mentioned this years team. :)

So are you saying you don't believe Gene was being sincere?

[shocker22]

Gene is WSU baseball and should always have a place. I think many forget what he started with this program. We didn't have our own field to practice or play on. He built everything we have from nothing. Did he have some flaws...most definitely. But we shouldn't forget what he accomplished as a coach and as one of the best of all time!

[shockmonster]

Gene is WSU baseball and should always have a place. I think many forget what he started with this program. We didn't have our own field to practice or play on. He built everything we have from nothing. Did he have some flaws...most definitely. But we shouldn't forget what he accomplished as a coach and as one of the best of all time!

I can't see that most people who are over 40-45 would forget that and some younger also know. Your information isn't new. We most often were not good in the Valley before Gene's dismissal (at the end) and it has gone downhill afterward.

[shockfan89_]

We most often were not good in the Valley before Gene's dismissal (at the end) and it has gone downhill afterward.

I don't think it's accurate to say we "most often were not good" in the MVC before Gene's dismissal, even at the end. Now you can make an argument the MVC wasn't very good some of those years but the MVC results were still pretty good. Now, if "at the end" means the last three seasons, I think it would be very fair to say we were not performing to WSU expectations.

2007 - 1st
2008 - 1st
2009 - 3rd - Won the tournament
2010 - 1st
2011 - 2nd (1 game out of 1st) - Lost in tournament championship game
2012 - 3rd (2 games out of 1st)
2013 - 2nd (1 game out of 1st) - Won the tournament
Gene's dismissal
2014 - 4th
2015 - 4th
2016 - 6th

[1972Shocker]

When this thread was started the answer to the question posed in the thread title was Yes. However, today they answer is No. It has been 4 years.

Gene won't be coming back has the head coach. Before this weekend I was of the opinion that he may never be back in any way, shape or form period. The GS-WSU relationship just seemed very chilly.

I was actually quite suprised with Gene's video message to the fans and players this weekend. The question I have at this point is does this indicate a thawing in the GS-WSU relationship or was it never as bad as I imagined? Or did Gene just deliver the message out of respect for his former players in attendance and nothing more will come of it?

If it does indicate a thawing of the relationship what might this lead to? Perhaps the naming of the Baseball Complex in Genes' honor at some future Legends Event? If it truly is a thawing in that relationship does ADDB deserve credit for that? If so, it's just another sign that ADDB is on the right track in his leadership of WSU athletics.

Thought there would have been more discussion of this. Doesn't seemed to have caused much interest though as we continue to hash and rehash the past. Admittedly, the present is not all that pleasant to discuss.

[shockfan89_]

I saw some interesting posts on Facebook this weekend about a fallout over the Legend's weekend. From what I gather ADDB wanted FHCGS to attend, but FHCGS had already committed to attend the Missouri Alumni Weekend (which was planned almost 11 months ago compared to the Legend's Weekend planning that started in March).

It appears to me the video this weekend was for the players. Sounded like there is still plenty of ground to cover on mending the relationship. It is interesting that the Legend's Weekend was this past weekend. I can see trying to avoid next weekend since it is the last home series of the year, and Mother's Day, but does anyone know if there was anything magical about this weekend or doing it this year?

[1972Shocker]

I saw some interesting posts on Facebook this weekend about a fallout over the Legend's weekend. From what I gather ADDB wanted FHCGS to attend, but FHCGS had already committed to attend the Missouri Alumni Weekend (which was planned almost 11 months ago compared to the Legend's Weekend planning that started in March).

It appears to me the video this weekend was for the players. Sounded like there is still plenty of ground to cover on mending the relationship. It is interesting that the Legend's Weekend was this past weekend. I can see trying to avoid next weekend since it is the last home series of the year, and Mother's Day, but does anyone know if there was anything magical about this weekend or doing it this year?

Interesting. It would not have taken much effort for WSU to coordinate the Legends weekend with Gene in terms of scheduling. It did not have to be held this weekend or even this year. They could have put it off for a year or two. Could not have gone much worse for them this year in terms of Gene not being available and the weather, which of course is an uncontrollable.

They had a decent tournout of former players but you wonder what kind of tournout they could get if the players knew Gene would be in attendance.

[Shockers5150]

So are you saying you don't believe Gene was being sincere?

I think he takes a bit of pleasure in watching Sexton's experiment implode for all to see.

[shockmonster]

I don't think it's accurate to say we most often were not good in the MVC before Gene's dismissal, even at the end. Now you can make an argument the MVC wasn't very good some of those years but the MVC results were still pretty good. Now if "at the end" means the last three seasons I think it would be very fair to say we were not performing to WSU expectations.

2007 - 1st
2008 - 1st
2009 - 3rd - Won the tournament
2010 - 1st
2011 - 2nd (1 game out of 1st) - Lost in tournament championship game
2012 - 3rd (2 games out of 1st)
2013 - 2nd (1 game out of 1st) - Won the tournament
Gene's dismissal
2014 - 4th
2015 - 4th
2016 - 6th

To consider 3rd twice and 2nd twice good during Gene's last five years without Dallas Baptist even in the league shows far we've fallen. After Gene's OU debacle, the Shox fell quickly. Fans back then didn't consider losing to the MSU Bears good at all and that isn't third. I never liked the Butler hire so don't compare him to anything.

[1972Shocker]

I think he takes a bit of pleasure in watching Sexton's experiment implode for all to see.

Most of us probably would if we were in the same position.