New Coach at Oregon

by **Dan Wishengrad** on Thu Apr 24, 2008 3:24 pm

Here's an important press release regarding Oregon Lacrosse:

http://www.collegelax.us/news/2008/04/2 ... ead-coach/

**Sponsor**

by **Hi-Line Lax** on Thu Apr 24, 2008 3:29 pm

I just wanted to say that I think Jeff Brunelle and the rest of the guys at Oregon were very professional about this, which shows a lot about their character and their team.

Good luck to the Ducks this weekend against BYU and we'll see you next week in Missoula.

by **slowbreak** on Thu Apr 24, 2008 3:31 pm

New coach makes his debut against defending mcla champs! Reminds me of Dan Hawkins in his first game as D-1 head coach at Boise State facing Lou Holtz. Good luck Ducks, represent the PNCLL well this Saturday!

by **Dr. Jason Stockton** on Fri Apr 25, 2008 12:36 am

For those of you who are interested in more information regarding the coaching change and the University of Oregon, let me just say that the PNCLL Executive Board supports the decision made by the Oregon Lacrosse team.

This was not a knee-jerk reaction, but a realization that their choice of a replacement for the departed Coach Kerwin was not the right decision, and in the best interest of the University and the Lacrosse program, a change needed to be made immediately.

This was not purely a student-driven decision as we've seen with some other coaching changes around the country in the MCLA in recent years. This was a difficult decision that was made by the program in conjunction with campus administrators, parents and alumni of the program.

As president of the conference I fully support the decision made this week by the University of Oregon Lacrosse program. Best of luck to Coach Clough as he leads this team into the playoffs in Missoula next weekend.

by **TheBearcatHimself** on Fri Apr 25, 2008 12:14 pm

There is some serious linguistic tap-dancing going on around this change.

Curiosity killing my cat here, any chance the general public gets a more detailed word on what happened here?

by **IndianaJones** on Fri Apr 25, 2008 12:19 pm

TheBearcatHimself wrote:There is some serious linguistic tap-dancing going on around this change.

Curiosity killing my cat here, any chance the general public gets a more detailed word on what happened here?

Tiller got fired and replaced by a different guy. What else do you want/need to know?

by **Timbalaned** on Fri Apr 25, 2008 2:34 pm

I, along with a lot of other guys, support this move wholeheartedly. I am never a fan of changing coaches mid season, but what had to be done was done. I am happy with Clough there for the rest of the season and I think he will do a great job. Also I have heard that he will be bringing in Jon Wright (Oregon '05) for the D Coordinator which I think is a great move. Good luck to the team and the coaches the rest of the season. GO DUCKS!

by **Highheat** on Fri Apr 25, 2008 2:36 pm

IndianaJones wrote:
TheBearcatHimself wrote:There is some serious linguistic tap-dancing going on around this change.

Curiosity killing my cat here, any chance the general public gets a more detailed word on what happened here?

Tiller got fired and replaced by a different guy. What else do you want/need to know?

The more than obvious WHY?

by **AndyP** on Fri Apr 25, 2008 4:29 pm

Highheat wrote:
IndianaJones wrote:
TheBearcatHimself wrote:There is some serious linguistic tap-dancing going on around this change.

Curiosity killing my cat here, any chance the general public gets a more detailed word on what happened here?

Tiller got fired and replaced by a different guy. What else do you want/need to know?

The more than obvious WHY?

This info would interest me, as well. However, I realize I probably am not going to get it.

by **Jana** on Fri Apr 25, 2008 4:31 pm

can't you just say "it wasn't a good fit" and leave it at that? I doubt anyone directly involved wants to be discussed on the boards in this manner.

by **teslax14** on Fri Apr 25, 2008 10:23 pm

I'm sorry people but you are not going to get all the answers you are looking for. This was a decision the team had to make as Brauck said and the alumni that I have talked to fully support their move. The coaches taking over will do a great job. Good luck Ducks.

by **TheBearcatHimself** on Sat Apr 26, 2008 3:16 am

IndianaJones wrote:
TheBearcatHimself wrote:There is some serious linguistic tap-dancing going on around this change.

Curiosity killing my cat here, any chance the general public gets a more detailed word on what happened here?

Tiller got fired and replaced by a different guy. What else do you want/need to know?

I wasn't trying to be rude about it. This is quite a big story and people seemed to be preemptively attempting to shuffle it aside, which screams rather loudly that there is more to it.

As someone above me said, I wish I knew more specifics, but am resigned to the fact that I won't get them. I am a fan of the Oregon program and wish them well, I was not trying to insult anyone by asking a simple question.

by **MountaineerLax** on Sat Apr 26, 2008 6:53 pm

Before anyone goes off thinking it was something scandalous, I assure you it was not.

Ben Tiller was on old teammate of mine while he was a captain and co-founder of Western State College lacrosse (RMLC-2). He's a stand-up guy, intense, and a bit unique at times, but still a good person and a good coach.

This entire situation was over how an issue was handled with a senior player who wasn't following Tiller's coaching philosophy and how the consequences were handled. A starter was benched for his actions during a game, and did not start for 2 games thereafter. Today's game against BYU would be this senior's last home game.

I would also like to add that I don't think it's appropriate for the "PNCLL executive board to fully support this decision" (or however it was stated) - this is a team-related issue, not involved with the PNCLL at all, and comments left by the executives only display a contempt for Ben Tiller that runs deeper than this one incident. Which isn't really necessary. There may be disagreements and different perspectives, but there should always be respect between the operating individuals of a league. Basically sending out an "as an executive board, we're glad he was fired"-type message is not professional. Not on the boards or anywhere.

What I can't understand is why they couldn't wait one more regular season game and let it go in an appropriate way. Letting a guy finish out the season with some dignity. That's doing it with class. Not making it seem like he got caught in his car with a 14-year old boy after a local hockey game, or something, and this had to be done right away.

Furthermore....

This should be a warning sign to all coaches.

Bottom-line, the members control the club. The coach is an employee of the student-athletes and can be fired at any time - due to any decision. And there's nothing to stop them from even giving an explanation for it. "Coach, we've decided to let you go" is all it takes sometimes. And if it's a team captain/student-executive of the team - you might even be steamrolled by the entire team.

by **Rob McQuade** on Sat Apr 26, 2008 7:10 pm

The PNCLL's statement in support of Oregon's decision I don't think was inappropriate. Although I'm not on the board, my guess is that it was intended to show that the situation was handled in an objective and professional manner. It is admirable to show support for your friends, but keep in mind if an "institution" thinks their employee doesn't represent their best interest, both in the present and the future, it is their right and their duty to replace them with someone who will.

by **Shawn Carman** on Sat Apr 26, 2008 10:17 pm

Exactly what Rob Said! I think the board is supporting how the team handled the situation, not necessarily the coaching situation itself.