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Open letter to Mr. Glass (with apologies to sirbri for stealing his title)
Tweet Topic Started: Oct 31 2009, 11:35 PM (501 Views)
brumdog44 Oct 31 2009, 11:35 PM Post #1
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The post as promised.


To Mr. Glass:

Recently you commented on the Bill Lynch coaching situation, stating that he would be fulfill the terms of his contract, which runs through 2012. You don't know me, Mr. Glass, but I have probably been one of Bill Lynch's harshest critics. You see, Mr. Glass, I was certainly not content getting what I felt was another coaching retread (an unsuccessful on at that) for our football program.

I'll get back to that point later. Before I do, I want to think back to 1992.

In spring of 1992, everything appeared to be good in the IU sports world. In fact, it may have been the best five years in terms of football and basketball that we'd ever had. The basketball team had secured their third title under coach Knight on a last second Keith Smart shot in 1987 and had returned to the final four in 1992; 1993 looked like IU might see coach Knight's fourth title. The football team had defeated Baylor 24-0 in the Copper Bowl, marking the fourth bowl in five years (two of which we won in blowouts, two of which were competitive losses). The football team had not only had a winning record in that period...they had posted a 12 over .500 record of 40-28-1 and even had a winning conference mark of 25-22-1.

But things didn't transpire the way we wanted them to after that. In fact, we followed it up with a period that we hadn't seen in quite some time. The football team would go .500 in '93 and return to a bowl in '94, but that was followed with two subpar years and the firing of Bill Mallory. Indiana would win the Big Ten title in 1993, but Knight would never achieve the success that he had again. Basically our football team sunk to what was then Northwestern levels of incompetence while our basketball team was counted on for consistent third or fourth place finishes and exits in the first weekend of the tourney.

So you say that contracts need to mean something again at IU. I say that Bill Lynch is not a good coach and that I really don't expect that he'll succeed.

I really think I'm right on that point, but here's the kicker: I now realize that you are correct as well.

You see, we always loved coach Knight. We loved that he preached to his players to be tough. We loved that he held them accountable to go to class. We loved that behind the scenes he gave so much back to the university. We loved that he wouldn't accept excuses and we loved his no-apology approach. We loved that he probably knew as much about basketball as any man before and after him.

But we never truly held him accountable to be the person that he wanted his players to be.

I was guilty of that. When he threw the chair across the court, I was among those who said that it was justified because the “refs were screwing us.” When he pulled his players off the court against the Russians, it was okay because the “refs went against international rules.” You see, we were guilty of giving an answer that might be true....but didn't make the action justifiable.

When the Neil Reed incident came up, we wrote it off as one more disgruntled player's sour grapes because, you, know, if a player left it had to be that they had some kind of “character flaw.” When the tape came out, many others saw it as just another disgruntled former employee's way to get back at Knight. Nearly all IU fans didn't look at the fact that Reed had been more correct than Knight in assessment of the situation...some to this day will still say that “Knight didn't choke Reed,” which isn't the point. It doesn't matter what you call it, pushing him in the neck, whatever, fans still didn't even try to wonder why Knight would be so mad about the tape's release if he was telling the truth. Again, we were making excuses for the coach would never accept them from anyone else.

Coaching decisions he made were beyond reproach as well. To this day there are still fans who would fight you to the death for implicating that keeping All-American Calbert Cheaney on the bench while Jamal Meeks three point shot at the buzzer clanked off the rim with the Hoosiers down three against Duke in the 1992 final four was a good thing because, as Knight said, “those players had led the comeback.” We never questioned why he would actually not put in a player who was most responsible for the Hoosiers actually getting TO that game and our best three point shooter sat out in the most important play of the year.

And when Knight was fired, the fan base turned on itself. You had to either be a Bob Knight fan or an IU fan, it seemed. A good quantity of our fans didn't even enjoy the 2002 run because of their fear of Mike Davis coaching longer. Imagine not enjoying a championship game run when you couldn't even sniff the sweet sixteen for a decade because of a fear that it would somehow make you less of a Bob Knight fan.

Was Mike Davis the right man to succeed Knight? Not really, but that wasn't the point. There were people that thought that winning a championship under him would somehow cheapen Knight's titles. We even continued with the excuses saying that if Davis had won it was 'with Knight's players,' despite the fact Knight himself had really stopped his level of winning ways with his own players a long time ago.

This was followed up with the hiring of Kelvin Sampson.....which even further split the fan base, if that were possible. I will admit I was fooled when he said that the phone calls at Oklahoma was a mistake and that he would never do that at IU...maybe I was just getting used to accepting the excuses that for so long had become acceptable. In bringing in Sampson, I guess the message was going to be that winning was more important that having quality student-athletes. We turned the thing that Knight was best at...trying to win the right way...into just trying to win in any way possible. As it turned out, the Mike Davis era that so many of us loathed turned out infinitely better than the short Sampson period.

So we are now at a crossroads. We have hired a new basketball coach whom sees to be doing things the right way and has even tried to unite the fan base (despite the fact that a couple people think he basically should have just forfeited the first year and not given out scholarships). Our football program seems to be in a rut.

But, Mr. Glass, you have accepted ownership of the situation. The easy thing would be to fire Lynch at the end of the year – saying he wasn't the guy you hired -- and have the excuse over the next couple of years with the new guy 'still getting his system in place.' You supported the Knight induction into the Hall of Fame, another measure to unite the fan base. And while there are still some fans trying to make excuses for why coach Knight turned it down, I think many others are now starting to see that it's a done deal and even if Bobby hasn't moved on, we are all done with it. Ten years is too long to wait for something that has now lost relevance.

There are no apologies forthcoming to the man who never gave any of his own. The people involved are either long gone or, some in cases, not in this world any more.

By making the statement that 'it's time that contracts started meaning something again at IU,' you have indicated that your department is ready to take full ownership of problems that are created by them. It's time the fan base stopped longing for days of old and started supporting what we have in place. Even if we are not the best situation, it is the only situation that we are in so we have to work with what we have going forward rather than trying to rewind. By saying that contracts need to mean something, you are committing the program to making well thought out, proper choices when the hiring/firing of a coach whose contract has run its course comes up. If we had done this in the past, we would most likely not have went through what we have the past 17 years.

Sincerely,

Brumdog44
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BTown11 Oct 31 2009, 11:58 PM Post #2
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so true. IU had some of the best coaches in the history of college athletics from men's basketball, to soccer, swimming, and tennis our school possess the all-time leader in wins for their respective sports. we need to usher in a new age of great coaches at IU, and that includes giving bill lynch a chance. hell, our football team has nowhere to go but up, so we might as well let him play out his two years. the fact is that if we had made responsible decisions in the athletic department the last 7 years (i'll get to that later), our current state would be in a much better situation. i think fred glass is the guy to help us get back. going back to seven years ago, i think it's time to realize how RIGHT myles brand was. he was a man of integrity, he knew that academics and athletics should go hand and hand, but he also believed that coaches and players should represent the school with dignity. ever since 2002 when he left, the athletic department has gone wayside. I think McRobbie and Glass are going to return Indiana to it's pre-2002 values, and hopefully we'll get a good return product on the floor, court, and field.
Death to Signatures.
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Evilempire Nov 1 2009, 10:31 AM Post #3
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Why do people continue to say that Knight 'pulled his players off the floor' against the Russians. Knight received a 3rd technical foul for not leaving the floor in a timely fashion which ended the game. The refs told him the game was over, so he and his team left.

The firing of Mallory was the first of many dumb decisions by the IU administration.
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Unbiased Nov 2 2009, 09:11 AM Post #4
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bill lynch has had 3 years now and he has completely convinced anyone with any sports knowledge he sucks as a coach. don't believe me? go ask any ball state alum.

Glass is a pussy.
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boilergrad01 Nov 2 2009, 09:20 AM Post #5
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Why do people continue to say that Knight 'pulled his players off the floor' against the Russians. Knight received a 3rd technical foul for not leaving the floor in a timely fashion which ended the game. The refs told him the game was over, so he and his team left.

The firing of Mallory was the first of many dumb decisions by the IU administration.
Evil how old where you when that game happened. Glad to see are you still a Knight apologist.


I remember watching that game and Knight pulled IU off the court and said as much during his show.
Nothing beats an Astronaut
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Evilempire Nov 3 2009, 11:58 AM Post #6
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boilergrad01
Nov 2 2009, 09:20 AM
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Nov 1 2009, 10:31 AM
Why do people continue to say that Knight 'pulled his players off the floor' against the Russians. Knight received a 3rd technical foul for not leaving the floor in a timely fashion which ended the game. The refs told him the game was over, so he and his team left.

The firing of Mallory was the first of many dumb decisions by the IU administration.
Evil how old where you when that game happened. Glad to see are you still a Knight apologist.


I remember watching that game and Knight pulled IU off the court and said as much during his show.
Read his book My Story. I'm a Knight realist, the farthest thing from apologist. Knight took his team off the floor because the refs closed the books and said the game was over. Purdue fans should be careful when telling IU fans what happened during an IU game.......so you were an avid watcher of the Bob Knight show?.......I never had the urge to watch the Gene Keady show.......there may be hope for you yet.
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Unbiased Nov 3 2009, 12:02 PM Post #7
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Gene Keady had a show? I thought that was some infomercial for Propecia.
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BoilerUpAT Nov 3 2009, 12:17 PM Post #8
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Its so ironic........all of you ALWAYS profess how you don't give a shit about IU football (especially you UB) but here you are professing your love to Glass and your disdain for the shape of the FB program.

Posers-seriously........
Close by the Wabash, In famed Hoosier land, Stands old Purdue, Serene and Grand, Cherished in Memory, By all her sons and daughters true, Fair Alma Mater, All Hail Purdue
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Unbiased Nov 3 2009, 12:19 PM Post #9
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Nov 3 2009, 12:17 PM
Its so ironic........all of you ALWAYS profess how you don't give a shit about IU football (especially you UB) but here you are professing your love to Glass and your disdain for the shape of the FB program.

Posers-seriously........
I don't give a shit about bad football and complete lack of regard for the program. once they make a SERIOUS committment to the program and get a REAL coach, then I will care.
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boilergrad01 Nov 3 2009, 12:26 PM Post #10
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Nov 3 2009, 11:58 AM
boilergrad01
Nov 2 2009, 09:20 AM
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Nov 1 2009, 10:31 AM
Why do people continue to say that Knight 'pulled his players off the floor' against the Russians. Knight received a 3rd technical foul for not leaving the floor in a timely fashion which ended the game. The refs told him the game was over, so he and his team left.

The firing of Mallory was the first of many dumb decisions by the IU administration.
Evil how old where you when that game happened. Glad to see are you still a Knight apologist.


I remember watching that game and Knight pulled IU off the court and said as much during his show.
Read his book My Story. I'm a Knight realist, the farthest thing from apologist. Knight took his team off the floor because the refs closed the books and said the game was over. Purdue fans should be careful when telling IU fans what happened during an IU game.......so you were an avid watcher of the Bob Knight show?.......I never had the urge to watch the Gene Keady show.......there may be hope for you yet.
The following November, Knight had another temper tantrum. After being ejected for arguing with a referee, he pulled his team off the court during the second half against the Soviet National team. The Soviets, who were leading, won on a forfeit. In 1988, during an NBC interview with Connie Chung, he was asked how he handled stress. "I think that if rape is inevitable, relax and enjoy it," he replied.

http://espn.go.com/classic/biography/s/Knight_Bob.html



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BoilerUpAT Nov 3 2009, 12:29 PM Post #11
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Nov 3 2009, 12:19 PM
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Nov 3 2009, 12:17 PM
Its so ironic........all of you ALWAYS profess how you don't give a shit about IU football (especially you UB) but here you are professing your love to Glass and your disdain for the shape of the FB program.

Posers-seriously........
I don't give a shit about bad football and complete lack of regard for the program. once they make a SERIOUS committment to the program and get a REAL coach, then I will care.
=fair weather fan, the definition
Close by the Wabash, In famed Hoosier land, Stands old Purdue, Serene and Grand, Cherished in Memory, By all her sons and daughters true, Fair Alma Mater, All Hail Purdue
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tkeena33 Nov 3 2009, 12:31 PM Post #12
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Nov 3 2009, 12:29 PM
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Nov 3 2009, 12:19 PM
BoilerUpAT
Nov 3 2009, 12:17 PM
Its so ironic........all of you ALWAYS profess how you don't give a shit about IU football (especially you UB) but here you are professing your love to Glass and your disdain for the shape of the FB program.

Posers-seriously........
I don't give a shit about bad football and complete lack of regard for the program. once they make a SERIOUS committment to the program and get a REAL coach, then I will care.
=fair weather fan, the definition
That's actually not the definition. Good try though.
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Unbiased Nov 3 2009, 12:34 PM Post #13
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BoilerUpAT
Nov 3 2009, 12:29 PM
Unbiased
Nov 3 2009, 12:19 PM
BoilerUpAT
Nov 3 2009, 12:17 PM
Its so ironic........all of you ALWAYS profess how you don't give a shit about IU football (especially you UB) but here you are professing your love to Glass and your disdain for the shape of the FB program.

Posers-seriously........
I don't give a shit about bad football and complete lack of regard for the program. once they make a SERIOUS committment to the program and get a REAL coach, then I will care.
=fair weather fan, the definition
no - a fair weathered fan is determined by wins/losses. I support IU basketball completely and that's after a horrible decade and a 6-25 seasson.


until the morons that determine policy make some good decisions regarding football, I will continue to withhold my support.
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BoilerUpAT Nov 3 2009, 12:40 PM Post #14
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Nov 3 2009, 12:34 PM
BoilerUpAT
Nov 3 2009, 12:29 PM
Unbiased
Nov 3 2009, 12:19 PM
BoilerUpAT
Nov 3 2009, 12:17 PM
Its so ironic........all of you ALWAYS profess how you don't give a shit about IU football (especially you UB) but here you are professing your love to Glass and your disdain for the shape of the FB program.

Posers-seriously........
I don't give a shit about bad football and complete lack of regard for the program. once they make a SERIOUS committment to the program and get a REAL coach, then I will care.
=fair weather fan, the definition
no - a fair weathered fan is determined by wins/losses. I support IU basketball completely and that's after a horrible decade and a 6-25 seasson.


until the morons that determine policy make some good decisions regarding football, I will continue to withhold my support.
fair enough
Close by the Wabash, In famed Hoosier land, Stands old Purdue, Serene and Grand, Cherished in Memory, By all her sons and daughters true, Fair Alma Mater, All Hail Purdue
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troubleatiu Nov 3 2009, 01:02 PM Post #15
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lol.

how in the hell do you expect to get anybody to come to IU if you cant honor lynch's contract? how can you expect to take a perenial cellar-dweller, sell it to a prospective coach, sign HIM to a 5-year deal, and have him looking over his shoulder after 2 bad years?
we have to bite the bullet until his contract is up and go that route. firing him sets the FB program back another 10 years.
i think you guys are too jumpy and snippy on this issue.
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