Re: Beating a deadhorse - a few comments

[John]

I just wanted to state a couple things:

First, I have been following this forum since its beginning - early 
90s.  In the past, I had trouble for some reason getting configured to 
join again and other priorities in life diminished my drive to solve it 
- although that is somewhat a lame excuse since I spent time following 
all the threads over the years. :-)    Anyway, it feels great to be back 
and I will try to only post relevant information in the future.  Now 
enough of that.  What I wanted to state - and for Keith and others I 
will not post regarding this topic again but Dan's note prompted me to 
respond - I as well as others struggled with my emotions the last 1 1/2 
- 2 Years.  I too was very angry in regard to what transpired with Bob 
Huggins.  I am a Huggins fan but primarily love the Bearcats. I thought 
I could never forgive this administration - not sure if I do now - but I 
am willing to give the benefit of the doubt.  Why? I am not going to 
regurgitate the many rumors - outside of any school officials - I heard 
(and honestly even though they came from what I consider credible people 
they are rumors).  I am not really defending Nancy but if some of what I 
heard were true she may have not had a better way of doing it.  I give 
the benefit of the doubt because the entire board supported her.  Why 
would they do that?  Just for the dislike of Bob?  I don't think so.  It 
just does not make sense.  I believe there were things behind the scenes 
that took place and it would not serve anyone to become public.  I too 
looked at the first excuses Nancy gave and thought that is bull.  Well, 
after awhile my common sense over took anger and logically I feel and 
felt there is more to that story.  I don't know the facts behind it - 
the "real facts" - but I doubt it was for just some petty reasons.  I am 
not drinking the "kool aid" per se but it just does not make any sense 
in any fashion for Nancy and the board to basically restart a successful 
- at least on the court - program for no reason. I really had and have a 
passion for Huggins - although some things could have been better - and 
give him all the credit for putting the basketball program among other 
things back on the map.  We would be kidding ourselves if we think 
otherwise.  I hope one day he can  be a player in the Cincinnati 
community when he finally calls it quits.

Now for the current coach.  I was thrilled when Mick was hired.  I 
believe he is one of a few coaches out there that can build the program 
back again (e.g. recruiting, local ties, former players, etc).  He also 
can coach and I think some people are going to be surprised.  I predict 
in two to three years this program will be coming back strong if not 
already there.  Look at what he did with a far inferior team 
(athletically) in the tournament - took NC to the wire. He also had the 
best minds in basketball (Huggins\Pitino and was raised in coaching). I 
am not worried about will the program survive - it will in a short time 
be back on top.  Again, yes we do have Bob to thank for that.  If 
anything, that is his legacy here.  That far outweighs focusing on the 
few negatives he had while here.

Nancy and the board are not going anywhere.  Now of course one can 
choose to remain angry.  It is your right.  I even still feel "wishy 
washy" in some regard but I am moving on.  I won't let what happened out 
of my control impact me enjoying the school or program.  Again, it may 
have been the only way to an ugly divorce. In some ways I will still 
miss Huggs but I know he got compensated well and landed on his feet.  
Mick is here and he has my support and confidence - Dantonio as well.  
This school has been around for a long time and will be after all of us 
are gone.  Enjoy it and enjoy life.