Pre-selection?????????

[jd of de]

EZ knows full well his UD legacy and future career here or any place else is tied to this hire. He knows this is the one hire he can't get wrong. And I have no reason to not believe he conducted 12 interviews and that he hired the person he felt most comfortable with. To believe this cronyism stuff you have to also believe EZ is insulated from firing if the football program does not turn around.

The hire is made and Coach Brock is leading my Blues Hens now. I for one refuse to prejudge what he will do here based on one year in his career or discount his previous work because he had a future NFL QB (apply that litmus test to KC and see what you get). He is the Blue Hens coach and I for one will review the work he does here and here only now.

And I will judge EZ largely on this hire. He is a smart man and he knows I and other fans will do just that. To think he did not hire the person he felt most comfortable with doing the job here and instead just hired an old buddy doesn't past the smell test.


edit: And John Garrett; at $250k-$300k a year he would not have been here long enough to buy a house.

[Oldhen]

EZ knows full well his UD legacy and future career here or any place else is tied to this hire. He knows this is the one hire he can't get wrong. And I have no reason to not believe he conducted 12 interviews and that he hired the person he felt most comfortable with. To believe this cronyism stuff you have to also believe EZ is insulated from firing if the football program does not turn around.

The hire is made and Coach Brock is leading my Blues Hens now. I for one refuse to prejudge what he will do here based on one year in his career or discount his previous work because he had a future NFL QB (apply that litmus test to KC and see what you get). He is the Blue Hens coach and I for one will review the work he does here and here only now.

And I trust EZ now and judge him largely on this hire. He is a smart man and he knows I and other fans will do just that; judge him on this hire. To think he did not hire the person he felt most comfortable with doing the job here and instead just hired an old buddy doesn't past the smell test.


edit: And John Garrett; at $250k-$300k a year he would not have been here long enough to buy a house.

Agree completely, but this will not convince the bitter and biased. I think there is an element of UD fans that supported Keeler, feel he was treated unfairly, see a conspiracy (no matter how whack), and will NEVER let it go. They simply can't concieve that UD's on-the-field shortcomings paired with his managerial style and the erosion of the fanbase could possibly justify his firing. I fully believe Keeler was as good as his QB, but never built a football program. Despite his achievements, it was time to re-build a program. Unfortunately, this whole episode has the potential to polarize UD FB fans in perpetuity. I can easily see Keeler supporters becoming chronic naysayers for whom no subsequent coach/team will ever measure up.

And THAT will be Keeler's legacy...sad to say.

[Section J]

And I trust EZ now and judge him largely on this hire. He is a smart man and he knows I and other fans will do just that; judge him on this hire. To think he did not hire the person he felt most comfortable with doing the job here and instead just hired an old buddy doesn't past the smell test.

Don't consider myself either bitter or biased, just curious.

I don't trust EZ, he hasn't given me any reason to trust him. In fact, he has behaved erratically at best.

Let's review,

Guy that ends up with the job visits in November. What was the express purpose of the visit? Is it typical for an assitant FCS coach to visit his prior employer at his new job as an AD? Was Brock just passing through town or are they closer friends that what EZ portrayed at the news conferance?

What do you think the conversation was between the two of them during the visit? (Sure wish KT would ask him that question)

Wonder if they at all broached the subject of Dave Brock maybe becoming a HC at UD?

Brock was EZ's first call, wonder why that was? Is it typical for AD's to pursue applicants? and not just any applicants but ones he spent 20 months working with in a prior job?

All seem fair questions.

For me, the process doesn't pass any smell test.

Nobody could ever convince me that this wasn't preordained, certaintly no NATIONAL search.

[UD77]

And I trust EZ now and judge him largely on this hire. He is a smart man and he knows I and other fans will do just that; judge him on this hire. To think he did not hire the person he felt most comfortable with doing the job here and instead just hired an old buddy doesn't past the smell test.

Don't consider myself either bitter or biased, just curious.

I don't trust EZ, he hasn't given me any reason to trust him. In fact, he has behaved erratically at best.

Let's review,

Guy that ends up with the job visits in November. What was the express purpose of the visit? Is it typical for an assitant FCS coach to visit his prior employer at his new job as an AD? Was Brock just passing through town or are they closer friends that what EZ portrayed at the news conferance?

What do you think the conversation was between the two of them during the visit? (Sure wish KT would ask him that question)

Wonder if they at all broached the subject of Dave Brock maybe becoming a HC at UD?

Brock was EZ's first call, wonder why that was? Is it typical for AD's to pursue applicants? and not just any applicants but ones he spent 20 months working with in a prior job?

All seem fair questions.

For me, the process doesn't pass any smell test.

Nobody could ever convince me that this wasn't preordained, certaintly no NATIONAL search.

Smells bad to me too. BUT I don't think it would be unusual for EZ to call Brock to see if he had an interest. Most likely only to confirm when he would be available and whether he was just joking when EZ offered him the job in November

[77HEN]

Is it too late to unhire Brock and conduct a legitimate interview process?

[Caribbean Hen]

it would be really stupid of him not to start putting some feelers out, of course he called him and probably told him not to buy any houses as we have a coach down here on a short leash.... who knows what kind of earful Zdaddy got on arrival from Harker

[Oldhen]

it would be really stupid of him not to start putting some feelers out, of course he called him and probably told him not to buy any houses as we have a coach down here on a short leash.... who knows what kind of earful Zdaddy got on arrival from Harker

I think that is what actually happened. I think KC was on thin ice before the new AD came on board, probably for multiple reasons, and Zdad was empowered to be ready to replace him. I think the Hofher episode was simply the last straw, and pulled the trigger on something that was locked and loaded before Muir left.

I made dozens and dozens of hires thru the years, and it was pretty rare if I didn't have a mental list of good candidates for every position I supervised...open or not. When a position opened (or was likely to open) I tried to make sure folks on my mental list knew and applied. Sometimes it was awkward when they were not hired, but it was pretty rare when we didn't have a quality replacement in the wings. Kept everybody sharp, too.

[BigJ]

And I trust EZ now and judge him largely on this hire. He is a smart man and he knows I and other fans will do just that; judge him on this hire. To think he did not hire the person he felt most comfortable with doing the job here and instead just hired an old buddy doesn't past the smell test.

Don't consider myself either bitter or biased, just curious.

I don't trust EZ, he hasn't given me any reason to trust him. In fact, he has behaved erratically at best.

Let's review,

Guy that ends up with the job visits in November. What was the express purpose of the visit? Is it typical for an assitant FCS coach to visit his prior employer at his new job as an AD? Was Brock just passing through town or are they closer friends that what EZ portrayed at the news conferance?

What do you think the conversation was between the two of them during the visit? (Sure wish KT would ask him that question)

Wonder if they at all broached the subject of Dave Brock maybe becoming a HC at UD?

Brock was EZ's first call, wonder why that was? Is it typical for AD's to pursue applicants? and not just any applicants but ones he spent 20 months working with in a prior job?

All seem fair questions.

For me, the process doesn't pass any smell test.

Nobody could ever convince me that this wasn't preordained, certaintly no NATIONAL search.

This, exactly. You can pretend skeptics fit in a nice little box of KC lovers who don't think, and wont support Brock, but you're wrong. I never liked KC Keeler. I was happy when he was fired in fact. The problem is the most qualified was not hired, this guys buddy was. Of course the AD hired the guy he was most comfortable with, those aren't separate ideas. Brock could very well be successful, I really hope so, but a non standout assistant from mediocre programs who knowsour new AD is not inspiring. Regardless, it's a new start, I hope he's a great fcs head coach and brings in an excellent staff. I really hope the admin supports him too.

[Oldhen]

You can pretend skeptics fit in a nice little box of KC lovers who don't think, and wont support Brock, but you're wrong.

[# of KC supporters who are skeptics] > [# of Non-KC supporters who are skeptics]

[cougarpines1]

You can pretend skeptics fit in a nice little box of KC lovers who don't think, and wont support Brock, but you're wrong.

[# of KC supporters who are skeptics] > [# of Non-KC supporters who are skeptics]

Bringing KC into this discussion is as unproductive as bringing Tubby into the KC discussion. Both are ancient history. This hire need to stand on it's own merits. Some just feel that that the UD job was/is a premier postion that would command a premier candidate with a soild resume.

[Caribbean Hen]

You can pretend skeptics fit in a nice little box of KC lovers who don't think, and wont support Brock, but you're wrong.

[# of KC supporters who are skeptics] > [# of Non-KC supporters who are skeptics]

Bringing KC into this discussion is as unproductive as bringing Tubby into the KC discussion. Both are ancient history. This hire need to stand on it's own merits. Some just feel that that the UD job was/is a premier postion that would command a premier candidate with a soild resume.

no harm in bringing up storied Bluehen history Cougar, I mean that's all we have

[hens4life]

If Z-Daddy doesn't fire Ross at seasons end, he is a FRAUD!

[Cluck U]

I can easily see Keeler supporters becoming chronic naysayers for whom no subsequent coach/team will ever measure up.

And THAT will be Keeler's legacy...sad to say.

Sure...and Tubby's legacy was similar.

I hear they both are responsible for people hating kittens and children, too.

[Cluck U]

[# of KC supporters who are skeptics] > [# of Non-KC supporters who are skeptics][/quote]

[# of KC haters who are so glad to be rid of KC that they remain satisfied with an AD who lied about doing an actual national search for the best candidate for the Blue Hens coaching position] < [Anyone with an once of common sense].

But hey, let's support an administration that continues to lie to the Blue Hen faithful.

I'm surprised Harker and Z-daddy didn't get an artist to draw up pictures of what a potential coach looks like.

[mlaxlurker]

This, exactly. You can pretend skeptics fit in a nice little box of KC lovers who don't think, and wont support Brock, but you're wrong. I never liked KC Keeler. I was happy when he was fired in fact. The problem is the most qualified was not hired, this guys buddy was. Of course the AD hired the guy he was most comfortable with, those aren't separate ideas. Brock could very well be successful, I really hope so, but a non standout assistant from mediocre programs who knowsour new AD is not inspiring. Regardless, it's a new start, I hope he's a great fcs head coach and brings in an excellent staff. I really hope the admin supports him too.

Agree completely.
The AD hired the best coach for HIM. The AD did not hire the best coach for the UNIVERSITY.
This smells a little like an NFL mindset, where a new GM comes in, fires the old coach and hires "his guy"...perhaps an entire athletics career spent in Boston precipitated his notion that this is acceptable.
Regardless, this isn't a private enterprise like the NFL, and it shows very poorly and should be very troublesome to consider the VP at an institution of higher education appointed someone not on merit, achievement, or accolade, but rather on familiarity.