Wow! do I have block you again? Some people can’t handle different opinions. I’m being a realist. He has no connection to the program nor did he seek out the job. We think Cael will be at PSU for a lot longer but how long did he last in freestyle? I’ll answer that for you, 2 years on the senior level. Everyone thought and was hoping he would be the future of our senior program. I will voice my concerns until our coach is hired, then I’ll jump on board w/ whoever we choose.
NOT A ARGUMENT.. just adding to your thoughts
From one point of view, anytime a program has gone on a run of domination in the past 30 years in wrestling, the entire run goes off the rails at the point where the coaches, assistant coaches and graduates that helped usher in the success leave the program to start there own program.. both Iowa and Ok State have massive and far reaching "coaching tree's" that have produced success at places other than Iowa or Ok State. Do you know who doesnt have a "coaching tree" to speak of? Penn State. Virtually everyone has either stayed there or left the sport. They have kept their staff intacted and have not only kept their best people who have interested in international success, they have pulled in almost everyone from outside the program to join. As of today, no one is breaking confidence on how exactly Penn State runs things and thats a problem because at this point the race is to see who will get 2nd. Getting David Taylor to break away and come here would be HUGE and likely the 1st real step towards prying the gold trophy away from Penn State. It WOULD be huge to have David Taylor come here as a coach.. Is it the right thing though considering what has happened at this point? Coleman seems to have left his program to come here and take over for Coach Smith. I have a hard time thinking anyone would leave a solid position for "the opportunity" .. Nothing against Ok State, Im really speaking more to the fact that there is a difference between the decisions you make as a single man vs. the decisions you make as a husband and father. He was established at North Carolina and seems to have been doing things the right way. If he was given assurances that the job was his once Coach Smith retired, That should be honored. While I understand the desire to win, to be the one to unseat Penn State and position Ok State as the premiere program in college wrestling, is there a limit to what SHOULD be done? Is there such thing as a bridge too far? While I dont claim to know everything or to be a expert on all things related to coaching wrestling and running a program, I have seen a few things along the way.. one of which is that almost every time Ive seen someone make a morally questionable decision in order have the chance to get a few points at the end, it hasnt worked out.. When you have someone who has been with the program for years and paid the price but is marginal for a post season placement on paper, "well, theres this kid who is on campus that one state 2 years ago, lets recruit him with a month to go and potentially upset the chemistry of the entire team just before regionals"... OR.. The starter is tough but is morally compromised. He wins but at the same time sets a horrible example to everyone else.. OR... at the regional tournament, the night before weigh ins, the coaching staff catches two starters smoking weed in the hotel room AND LETS THEM STAY ON THE TRIP AND WRESTLE... OR.. you find out the blue chip recruits you were so happy to get steal from the gas stations during road trip bathroom breaks and you pretend like you dont notice.. All situations where the person in charge of making the decision was so desperate to get things back on track they were willing to do the wrong thing.. and these situations never worked out for that coach.. This situation seems more of the same.. If you were not sure that Coleman was your choice, your shouldnt have uprooted him from his situation.. You made your choice, stand by it.. just my opinion..