RE: Time To Say Me Peace

[Dan Marshall]

Harry...
 
I don't think Huggins asked for an exetnsion, I think he asked that they
confirm that he actually had 3 years on his contract not 2, so working out
his contract should be 3 years not 2.   That was the main contention... did
he do this for a reason, OF COURSE< he was going to have a national
championship recruiting class... the NCH kids.
 
Again, the sad thing is, in the end... UC admitted he had a 3rd year, (they
paid him for it, hence 3 Million not 2 Million)... had they just said "OK"
you're right you have 3 years, huggs would still be here.  instead, they
said NO, no you either quit or we buy you out.... and he said, my contract
says 3 years, they say OK we'll pay you the 3 years to leave... or we'll
fire you.... what would you do?

  _____  

From: Harry P [mailto:address@hidden 
Sent: Thursday, December 01, 2005 8:35 AM
To: address@hidden
Subject: Re: [UC Basketball] Time To Say Me Peace


Wow, sorry I can' reply on the spot but I will try to summarize my responses
from the last few days:

Mick Bergman wrote:
 
I agree with many of your ascertains, Harry, but I think anybody
calling a man classless for securing his next job (by having great
players) is wrong. If I knew I was about to let go from my job I would
be talking to people, networking, etc., to secure my next position. I 
would also do what it took to make me most attractive, whether getting
extra training, or in Huggins case making sure I have a good group of
kids lined up to go to whomever hires me (which rumors are flying
about Marshall, from what I hear).  In all of this, I have to say that 
Coach Huggins has been MUCH classier than the University
 
Dan Marshell wrote:
 
also... Huggs can talk to anyone he wants... if a recruit calls him he would
be classless NOT to take their call.  he's not out on the recruiting trail
etc... I don't see anything he's done in this area as wrong... even with the
ones that he said, wait till the next signing period... that could very
easily be read as "hang in there and see what UC has to offer... don't cross
them off your list etc..." 
 
.
 
Your post and others questioned the word "classless".  That may have been
strong, but I still believe that during the time frame of the buyout until
November 30th, Huggs was still an employee of UC.  He was being paid 100
some thousand dollars/month to consult with the UC Athletic department, part
of which was discussing potential recruits.  You can make a point that this
is all window dressing and pointless, but it was a part of the buyout.
Adrian Graves (sorry if I spelled his name wrong) said that he had talked to
Bob directly a couple of times.  Bob said he never talked to him directly. I
don't know, is Bob or Graves lying.  
 
Now on the other posts about timing.  Again please understand my beliefs on
this.  I do not agree with the decision.  I do not like the way it was
handled, I think Bob was backed into a corner.  I think Bob felt that if he
would continue to coach as a lame duck he would not be successful and it may
threaten his future possibilities for another coaching job.  Understanding
all of that, Bob's camp went back to demand an extension, the timing of the
firing and or buyout was brought upon by his camp.  That was my only point.
The whole situation was handled improperly by this administration, but if
that demand, or as Keith so properly stated, "playing his trump card" would
not have happened, he would still be coaching right now for UC.  How
effective he could have been would be a whole other discussion. 

Harry