Hindsight: The September Press Conference

[Velo Vol]

Assuming the basic outline in this thread is correct, Mike Hamilton (among others) really intended to ride out the storm with Pearl when he learned of the coach's transgressions.

Due to subsequent developments, we'll never know for sure whether this belief was justified or not. But it does raise the age-old "what if" question: What if things had been handled differently? Could Pearl's job have been saved?

I think the answer hinges decisions which culminated in that fateful September press conference.

--Should Hamilton have held the September press conference at all?

--Why did the administration grant Pearl the two-week recruiting window (which apparently contributed to his downfall)? Why did they not immediately halt it?

--Should the administration have levied a much stronger disciplinary measure (e.g., an immediate one-season suspension)? Would this have staved off the NCAA hound dogs?

--What else should the athletic department have done differently?

Discuss.

[zjcvols]

1) Yes. Easy call. Got to tell the fanbase what's going on.

2) IDK. Terrible decision it seems.

3) IDK. It might seem smart now, but Tony Jones coaching a full season is terrifying.

4) Other than not allowing the two week window, I thought the AD handled it about as well as you could.

[tripper]

Originally Posted by zjcvols

1) Yes. Easy call. Got to tell the fanbase what's going on.

2) IDK. Terrible decision it seems.

3) IDK. It might seem smart now, but Tony Jones coaching a full season is terrifying.

4) Other than not allowing the two week window, I thought the AD handled it about as well as you could.

Concerning 4), I guarantee you that the staff lobbied hard for that two week window.

[LawVol13]

I think if they were serious about keeping Pearl, he should have been immediately suspended for the year.

[vol66]

Originally Posted by Velo Vol

Assuming the basic outline in this thread is correct, Mike Hamilton (among others) really intended to ride out the storm with Pearl when he learned of the coach's transgressions.

Due to subsequent developments, we'll never know for sure whether this belief was justified or not. But it does raise the age-old "what if" question: What if things had been handled differently? Could Pearl's job have been saved?

I think the answer hinges decisions which culminated in that fateful September press conference.

--Should Hamilton have held the September press conference at all?

--Why did the administration grant Pearl the two-week recruiting window (which apparently contributed to his downfall)? Why did they not immediately halt it?

--Should the administration have levied a much stronger disciplinary measure (e.g., an immediate one-season suspension)? Would this have staved off the NCAA hound dogs?

--What else should the athletic department have done differently?

Discuss.

It's easy to look back now, but....Hamilton should have simply made a statement, no press conference. He should have immediately suspended Pearl and halted all recruiting, until the investigation was complete.

I agree the staff probably lobbied for the window.

[Weezer]

1) Yes, full disclosure.

2) My guess, Pearl negotiated this with MH so recruiting wasn't totally tanked.

3) Knowing what they did, probably, but can you imagine what the fanbase response would have been if he had been suspended a full year without the NCAA loa? Even with the loa now public, you have some fans suggesting he has been punished enough. It's laughable.

4) In hindsight, they should have assigned someone to Pearl like they did to Kiffin. I guess he needed a babysitter.

[Shaun1985]

I agree. They asked for that window because they knew how bad this class and the next one would be so they were trying to make anything possible happen.

[Manvol]

Never ever have press conference to announce any violations. Let the press know wait a day or so and then determen wether one is needed, nothing good ever comes from it. Your answers and statements can and usually are twisted against you..
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[g8terh8ter_eric]

You guys still realize that the assistants have to ruled upon too, right?? There is nothing that states, or at least that I have seen, that any of them wouldn't be levied suspensions as well, and that includes Tony Jones.

[vol66]

Sure...but the Head Coach having served a year long suspension would have been a serious self imposed sanction, and on this very day, his future MIGHT look a little different. Plus, the assistants being taken off the road at least through the reception of the LOA would have been serious too. Might have made a difference, might not, we'll never know.