The more information that I hear

[gdogg]

regarding the pressure Byrne was under to go with Raffo to please Polk and others speaks louder and louder to Byrne's leadership abilities. He told me and others that this was his hire, no committee, it was all on him. Looking back, he new the firestorm was coming and he put it squarely on his shoulders. Then, stayed in the kitchen and above the fray.
Great job.

 

[Shmuley]

nm

 

[Porkchop.sixpack]

Well, that would be the only time I have heard that anyone besides Ron Polk, Raffo, and Raffo's family wanted us to hire Raffo. You might be right about some pressure, but I have to tell you that I have not heard the first thing about any pressure to hire Raffo.

Now, pressure to hire Cohen: Yes, I have heard this.

 

[gdogg]

being that you know the "legend" on campus is going to blow like Mt St Helens when you announce your intentions and believe it or not, when a sports arena has your name on it, you carry a big stick on campus. The more you reflect on it, the more you realize that it was a hell of a situation that any brand new AD would shy away from. I like the way he handled it in every facit.

 

[Porkchop.sixpack]

The fan base was already pissed at Polk prior to the hire because of the damned warnings he issued to everybody about taking his name off the stadium, packing up and moving to AZ, etc. All that crap really took the pressure off. Now, I liked the way he handled it, too. I am not taking exception to what you are saying there. I just don't think there was any real pressure to hire Raffo -- at all. I think the fan base and the large donors were interested in hiring Cohen from the start. If the fans and the donors are behind a hire, the only real pressure is to make THAT hire.

The guy really made a great hire, and didn't lash out at Polk personally - at least he didn't publicly. And Polk DID personally lash out at Byrne. Of all the crazy *** stuff that Polk said, the worst was probably the personal attack on Byrne's ability to do a job.

 

[Todd4State]

never underestimate Polk when he gets emotional. Also, never underestimate Polk when it comes to under the table agreements.

Not having a committee was crucial to hiring Cohen.

 

[HammerOfTheDogs]

Sensible in a "Guy who really thinks he's Napoleon in the nuthouse" sorta way. His hissy fits just shines a light on his "I asked the players if they wanted me to quit, and they all wanted me back" and "If Tommy 'Look At Strike Three-style Hitting Coach Raffo isn't hired, I'm holding my breath until I turn purple" quotes.

It also shows that Larry Templeton was letting the athletic department run on cruise control, that he was letting the inmates run the asylum. That's why Jackie Sherrill stayed around 2 seasons longer than he should've, why Ron Polk came back, why Rick Stansbury has always had to fight for funds.

With Greg Byrne, we have the first competent Athletic Director since Carl Maddox.