Did we really just fire Gene Stephenson?

[tru2thaduce]

Where were all of the Gene supporters when we were losing to Texas Pan American when it was 20 degrees outside?I know where they were not and that was at Eck Stadium with me and the people that are ready for change.Sexton may have not handled this perfectly but with this move he saved my season tickets.Ive missed 5 games in 10 years and know there are alot of regulars at the Eck that were not there this season.I wonder why?And dont tell me it was the weather because when it warmed up the stands were still bare.

[NCAABound]

Gene made his bed. He is just too damn loyal to his assistants. I believe if he would have replaced JT a year or two ago, he would have bought himself some time. He had to show some action on correcting this downward spiral. He chose to do nothing.

[SHOCKvalue]

As much as I respect GS, and was pained by yesterday's developments, the messy way this ended was not going to change regardless of precursory variables. No matter how WSU handled the front end of this, the back end was going to replicate Groundhog Day the movie no matter what WSU administration did. Unless Gene was allowed to end his career at WSU literally 100% on his terms, what went down yesterday was going to happen regardless.

This reality makes me feel just a little bit better about how everything went down.

[1972Shocker]

I'm glad more people are happy. That's fine and dandy.

Will they be happy 3 years from now is the question?

That's a good question. But would they be happy 3 years from now if ADES had retained Gene is part of the same question. ADES was at a point where he either had to give Gene an extension or make a change. He chose to make a change. Hopefully, it works out but there are no guarantees nor would there had been if he had retained Gene. The only difference would be the tone of complaining about the decision that was made.

[pogo]

As much as I respect GS, and was pained by yesterday's developments, the messy way this ended was not going to change regardless of precursory variables. No matter how WSU handled the front end of this, the back end was going to replicate Groundhog Day the movie no matter what WSU administration did. Unless Gene was allowed to end his career at WSU literally 100% on his terms, what went down yesterday was going to happen regardless.

This reality makes me feel just a little bit better about how everything went down.

I like your groundhog day movie reference.

[WuShock16]

It is amazing that for the most part, most have agreed that this needed to happen for awhile. However, once we get to this point, the Gene backers have come out of the woodwork, almost deifying the guy. Some have said that "even if he lost his last 100 games, you don't fire Gene." How should this have been handled? Apparently, some people think that a lifetime contract with a seven-figure salary would have been a start, results be damned.

Did anyone notice the story from Westurban (I think) last night on KWCH? They interviewed 2 or 3 teenage baseball players who all said that this needed to happen. Those were recruit-aged opinions. Aren't those most telling? I don't know their talent level, but none of those kids were considering Wichita State to play college ball.

I find it funny that even some players (past and present) are so adamant that a bad decision was made. My in-laws are acquainted with the family of a current player, and his dad talked in disgust about the comings and goings of Shocker Baseball, that Gene was so negative in everything, that guys played with little baseball IQ, and that it was a tough situation. This dad is a baseball guy through and through, so it wasn't blind criticism. He knows the game well enough to be competent in his thoughts. I heard of another former player basically saying that the players were sick of Gene a decade ago. Let's hold off on this revisionist history that Gene was such a great figure and mentor to young men.

[shockmonster]

But we don't know the inside story. Was Gene given the choice Monday? Retire and go out with all the fan fair of a Legend that you deserve or we will have to let you go, your choice. Did Gene then come back and tell ES to fire him and take all the fan fair and stick it where the sun don't shine? We on this board don't know.

First Question: My understanding is that he was given the option to resign or retire (whatever you want to call it), and a title to assist the A.D. for next year. Along with that he would have the fanfare of a legend that he deserves, or be let go. He chose not to play along with the team and go out a hero next year.

Second Question: Yes

The option that a lot of people here and elsewhere seem to support(as a way to handle this better) is to allow Gene the opportunity to complete the last year of his contract as a farewell tour. C'mon, everyone here knows Gene. This would have been an unmitigated disaster. This would announce a bad and indecisive leader and Gene would have run with it to ridicule Sexton and the university.

The only other option would have been to extend Gene's contract which would also have been a bad leadership decision.

Sexton made the best decision.

[pinstripers]

Gene was quoted as saying he had no choice. In his mind, that might be right. Sexton was quoted as saying Gene had choices.

[shockmonster]

Well I'm not sure how much Gene heard. It was reported that loud voices could be heard outside the office during the meeting.

[MadaboutWu]

The only real option was a multi-year extension--probably minimum of three, definitely of two--or what happened. I've always been a fan of Stephenson and hated to see it go down like this, but I believe it was best for the program. I guess that is where my loyalty ultimately lies.

[shockmonster]

To Gene, he probably didn't consider it a choice. The only way he would be behind this situation would have been to complete his contract. He talked to Pelphrey on Monday who said that this is the way it should end for Gene.

[Ricardo del Rio]

Ungrateful.

That's all I can keep thinking of when I think about the idiots, and yes you are idiots, who called for and now have Gene's head on a platter. Gene was a victim of his own success. You win too consistently and then you don't do it for a few years and you've "lost it." You're all armchair qb's who are clueless. How many games have you managed? Hindsight jerks. How many players have you recruited? 35/36 years we watched our teams win at LEAST 35 games. Mike Pelfrey summed it up best in his comments to Jeff Lutz. "Pelfrey: 90 percent of schools in America would take WSU's level of success. It's unfortunate how spoiled fans have been because of Gene."

And spare me the same tired arguments you've been throwing around on here for years. I've been an avid reader, but now I'm a poster. Gene owed you nothing, he did immeasurable things for the school, the community, the city, and mostly for many many young men. The day you know more about baseball than Gene is the day you will be called to coach at WSU... News flash: NEVER HAPPENING. Cowards.

Well now you have what you want spoiled brats, just remember that when you walk into that beautiful stadium you and your band of hooligans overthrew the king of that castle.

Oh my.

[Awesome Sauce Malone]

To Gene, he probably didn't consider it a choice. The only way he would be behind this situation would have been to complete his contract. He talked to Pelphrey on Monday who said that this is the way it should end for Gene.

I would say the first part is probably 100% correct. Im sure Gene looked at it as "Im not quitting, you're going to have to fire me"

[Ricardo del Rio]

Whose idea was this, I have read posts of people bitching and moaning on here, but never in a million years can I imagine an athletic director doing this. Seriously where in
hell would a dumbass idea like this eminate from. You don't fire Bill Snyder, you don't fire Bill Self, and you most certainly don't fire Gene. Where would ades ever get the
balls to pull this? Am I to believe there was legitimate fan support for this move? This is tragic, what kind of message does this send to coaching prospects from all sports about us?
Come to Wichita, turn chickenpoop into chickensalad, work miracles, go to postseason and get fired? Better yet, Who in the hell do we think we are? IF you think BK won't dump us
as soon as Gene gets his new gig, you got another thing comin' I seriously want to know how ades thinks this move will be popular, maybe I'm wrong, maybe there was support for
this here, I don't post or read here much anymore, surely not.

Yes, there is almost over whelming support for the change. Maybe not the method, however. Nevertheless, a substantial majority are glad Coach Stephenson has been fired. I am not sure there was a more agreeable way to end the relationship. It takes both parties to make the ending more pleasant and palpable.

Check the polls for verification.

[DUShock]

Well I'm not sure how much Gene heard. It was reported that loud voices could be heard outside the office during the meeting.

Several on this board know Gene hears what Gene wants to hear.