Re: Beating a deadhorse - a few comments

[Mike Denman]

Amen! I could not have stated my feelign any more accurately than this John...

-----Original Message-----
From: address@hidden
[mailto:address@hidden Behalf Of John
Sent: Monday, November 06, 2006 5:47 PM
To: address@hidden
Subject: Re: [UC Basketball] Beating a deadhorse - a few comments


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.