Did we really just fire Gene Stephenson?

[Veritas]

Nope. I have stated many times over the years (yes, prior to Gene dismissal) that I strongly favored a CiW. However, Gene was not going to let Thomas go for a replacement assistant or a CiW that would have had a fire in their belly instead of a rocking chair for their butt.

Let's not lay it all on one AD either. Schaus and Gene did not get alone either. So, ES basically walk into an already made situation. It is also well know that Gene wanted to be left alone and the less contact with the athletic department the better.

As for the bad back, that means JT and BK needed to up their recruiting game. All were paid very, very well. Same goes for his style of loyalty (a loyalty that still cost JT his job). If you're not going to over recruit, cut players, and allow for the risk of players going pro, you best find other ways to counter that "problem". It appears Gene may not have had a good read on his most talented recruits and it's well known that other coaches did not see our coaches on the recruiting trail near as much as they used to.

As for the immediate dismissal, this is kind of like the talk about Butler not knowing his situation. Neither of us know what discussions or attempted discussions went on in prior years or in the year of dismissal. Gene saying he was blindsided by the dismissal is, IMHO, BS. He knew at half a mill salary things could get dicey without results. He may have called their bluff.

And just how were we to have a CiW for 2-4 years if he was not getting rid of anybody? Remember the loyalty you talked about.

There were risks involved firing or keeping Gene. His downward spiral made the job here look tougher and tougher to outsiders. Staying on here without reasonable improvement would only add to the problem. Is the program better off or worse? I'd say worse, but more so because of a hire that hasn't come close to working out. I do think keeping BK on staff for the new hire limited our choices and may have been why the DBU backed out. Don't know.

Too bad Gene and crew didn't stay at OU. Everybody may had been better off without all the drama that followed.

Your posts get longer the more you try to defend and spin Sexton's position.
So many of you that jumped on the "Fire Gene" bandwagon are now getting exactly what many of us predicted.
It was a mistake and all Shocker fans and the entire program now suffers. One thing is for damn sure... The Butler had an easier launch in taking over the WSU baseball program than the next coach will have.
I suppose it's easier to pull a HilClinton and say "what difference does it now make" rather than to admit your logic then and now is flawed.
What a damn shame.

[Awesome Sauce Malone]

you ever think the more you think you know the more you really dont know anything?

Just let it go

[Veritas]

you ever think the more you think you know the more you really dont know anything?

Just let it go

Sounds like you have a lot of experience with that to be pontificating.

[Awesome Sauce Malone]

I know you are but what am I

[SB Shock]

Eric Sexton may be long gone but he still makes my blood boil.

Worst AD in WSU history.

There was Lew Perkins - he killed football, hired Fogler which enabled Cohen and then became the KU AD. He is at least giving Sexton a run for the money.

[shockrah]

Shocker baseball is dead to me. Died 3 years ago. This is my first visit to the Wichita State Baseball section of the forum since that time, just wanted to see what was being said.
It is sad that we handled the situation with Gene so poorly. Say what you will, he brought the University its only NCAA National Championship. He deserved better, we would be many times better than we currently are if he were still around.

-Shockrah
WSU Class of '89

[Veritas]

Shocker baseball is dead to me. Died 3 years ago. This is my first visit to the Wichita State Baseball section of the forum since that time, just wanted to see what was being said.
It is sad that we handled the situation with Gene so poorly. Say what you will, he brought the University its only NCAA National Championship. He deserved better, we would be many times better than we currently are if he were still around.

-Shockrah
WSU Class of '89

Besides me, the following agree with you
1,837 wins
Never a losing season in his 36 years at WSU
MVC regular season champs 26 times, MVC tournament champs 18 times
National champions
National coach of the year 3 times
NCAA participants 26 times
55 All-Americans
34 Major League Players
27 Academic All-Americans


Sometimes, you don't know what you have until it's gone. For those fans, I introduce you to the Butler.

Note: above stats Provided by

http://www.kshof.org/inductees/2-kansas-sports-hall-of-fame/inductees/339-gene-stephenson.html

[Play Angry]

Dead horses gasped their last breath in terror knowing Veritas would beat the **** out of them for eternity.

[Veritas]

Dead horses gasped their last breath in terror knowing Veritas would beat the **** out of them for eternity.

Admit, that made me laugh!

[ShockTalk]

Your posts get longer the more you try to defend and spin Sexton's position.
So many of you that jumped on the "Fire Gene" bandwagon are now getting exactly what many of us predicted.
It was a mistake and all Shocker fans and the entire program now suffers. One thing is for damn sure... The Butler had an easier launch in taking over the WSU baseball program than the next coach will have.
I suppose it's easier to pull a HilClinton and say "what difference does it now make" rather than to admit your logic then and now is flawed.
What a damn shame.

Besides me, the following agree with you
1,837 wins
Never a losing season in his 36 years at WSU
MVC regular season champs 26 times, MVC tournament champs 18 times
National champions
National coach of the year 3 times
NCAA participants 26 times
55 All-Americans
34 Major League Players
27 Academic All-Americans


Sometimes, you don't know what you have until it's gone. For those fans, I introduce you to the Butler.

Note: above stats Provided by
http://www.kshof.org/inductees/2-kan...tephenson.html

Well, it didn't do any good not replying to your last post to me (as much as I wanted to) hoping that this would just end. Silly me.

I do, however, greatly appreciate you and all those who care (or cared, in some cases) so much about Shocker baseball regardless of your stance on this old, not going to change anything subject.

:poster_shocks:

[KC Shox]

Mean Gene sighting. Seats behind home plate attending the KU and Nebraska game at Kaufman Stadium on channel 22 right now. It certainly appears to be him with that WSU hat and grey hair

[shockfan89_]

Mean Gene sighting. Seats behind home plate attending the KU and Nebraska game at Kaufman Stadium on channel 22 right now. It certainly appears to be him with that WSU hat and grey hair

You are correct.

[ShockerFever]

Mean Gene sighting. Seats behind home plate attending the KU and Nebraska game at Kaufman Stadium on channel 22 right now. It certainly appears to be him with that WSU hat and grey hair

Watching a KU baseball game...?

[shockfan89_]

Yes, KU / Nebraska at Kaufman Stadium. And wearing a WSU hat.

[bleed yellow]

Yes, KU / Nebraska at Kaufman Stadium. And wearing a WSU hat.

Just never know in the world of sports.. Does Gene reside in the KC area these days? If not, he might be looking for a way to rattle Sexton's cage by asking KU for a gig after this season is over.

Anything is possible.