FSU Coaching Situation/Changes in Tallahassee

[Sonny]

Please stay on topic folks. Take the scouting discussion to an alternate thread.

[zizuhyte]

If the players on a team feel that there is a problem, or even just a suggestion that the coaches should hear, they should have that right to at least bring it up. They said that they tried to meet with the coach himself and it didn't work. So they wrote this letter. Its not illegal, the rules of lacrosse dont state that in no way should you ever question or try to improve the coaching of a team. I also believe that this letter was in no way intended to discredit any coach, but they are also human, they may not see everything, the players may find some great idea that the coach has never seen before and its both the job of the players and the coaches to talk it over to see if its a good idea to implement. When we played FSU in Atlanta, I didn't get to see much of their coach but i did notice that they have a very sstrong morale on the team, and they are going to make suggestions if it is going to improve their overall game. You simply can not blame these students unless you can prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that the letter was written with the intent of driving Coach Harkins out of the program.

[Grant Neeley]

For the majority of the league, coaches are coaches because the team allows them to be. We are not employees of the university, we have little or no power over the administration of the program/team. If a coach loses the confidence or respect of his team, the relationship is over.

The position is synonymous with an elected official, we serve at the discretion of our constituents. In most cases, the only constituent is the team.

[Kevin OBrien]

By that same token though, the coach is there at his own will. Most of the coaches in the USL MDIA aren't paid anything, so as a volunteer, they don't feel the need to, or have to, put up with much from the team, and are there at their own discrecion.

That's just from my personal experiences, and I don't know much about the situation in Florida State, only what was posted in this thread. Teams need to recognize that the coach is a volunteer, not an employee. To me, that entitles the coach to leave if he is not satisfied with the team.

The most successful programs are those with dominant coaches, and obedient teams. The coach is often one of the few things in college athletics that doesn't change from year to year, as new players come in and old players graduate. That stability they provide is essential to the success of the program.

[CATLAX MAN]

Nobody has seen this "letter" so it is very difficult to address who's right & who's wrong, if there is such a thing here. There are a few conclusions that can be made:

1. Clearly, the tone or content of the letter must have been very insulting to Coach Harkins, whether intended or not, or resignation would not have been an option for him.

2. If what "concerned" says is true that the other 35 players on the roster were not aware of and/or supported this letter's content prior to its delivery, then that calls into question the judgement of the leaders of this team.

3. Given the fact that Coach Harkins has done more for this team than any coach could have by reaching into is own pocket to the tune of $350,000, it is difficult to believe the statement by Evan that "We are very grateful for what Coach Harkins did for our program." To me, this is not a display of being grateful, but far from it.

[AlumniLax]

i say we end the bickering and publish both letters. both the original letter and the response. "the truth shall set you free."

[Catlax]

How is this anyone's business except for those directly involved with the FSU program? It was inappropriate for the FSU player to address this in open format. It was equally inappropriate for the parent to call some of the players out. The whole program needs to lock itself in a room and get things straightened out.

[onpoint]

How is this anyone's business except for those directly involved with the FSU program? It was inappropriate for the FSU player to address this in open format. It was equally inappropriate for the parent to call some of the players out. The whole program needs to lock itself in a room and get things straightened out.

You said it Catlax. It became everyone's business once the problem was aired on a PUBLIC forum. I would say we should wait until the team issues a formal statement or press release, which would be the next logical PR move, but I doubt that will come. FSU has not proven that they have the ability to air the bad news as well as the good (one look at their website press releases and articles prove that). We'll see if there is anything formal coming from the team, but I'm not holding my breath.

[Sonny]

First of all, I hope that the FSU team can rebound from this and go on to have a great season because it would be a shame to see all that talent go to waste if they cant get things turned around. Secondly, I think that money should not have anything to do with this situation. People are making seem like the players are ungrateful for everything that Coach Harkins has done. Yes he donated a lot of money to the program to help them become a stronger one than they are today but he should still be open to opinions and criticism from the players. The question is whether or not the players voiced their opinions in a respectful and it a way that was constructive in nature or not. I can see how each side feels like they are in the right but the end result is one that neither side is now happy.

EZ 27

[AlumniLax]

where is mills lane when you need him? "let's get it on!"

[slider]

I think this whole situation is very unfortunate from all sides. It also reveals a lot about the precarious situation of MDIA teams and coaches. Without the involvement of the school, there is so much responsibility on both the players and the coach. Far too often we hear about the breakdown in these relationships and how that leads to programs in dire circumstances in terms of leadership and direction. Continuity and program stability (along with other factors) go a long way towards determining success in the MDIA (see BYU, CSU, Michigan). It would make sense for every program (especially the ones with less school support) to formalize the hiring of coaches through contracts or some other method of guaranteed accountability for the team and the coach. Sure some nightmare situations will still happen, but at least there would be an understanding of the expectations from both sides and a formal process if the expectations aren't met. What else can MDIA teams do to protect themselves from these kind of meltdowns? The inmates can't run the asylum, so to speak, and the coach has his share of accountability, too. It's a very delicate balance.

[bbandlax]

I think this whole situation is very unfortunate from all sides. It also reveals a lot about the precarious situation of MDIA teams and coaches. Without the involvement of the school, there is so much responsibility on both the players and the coach. Far too often we hear about the breakdown in these relationships and how that leads to programs in dire circumstances in terms of leadership and direction. Continuity and program stability (along with other factors) go a long way towards determining success in the MDIA (see BYU, CSU, Michigan). It would make sense for every program (especially the ones with less school support) to formalize the hiring of coaches through contracts or some other method of guaranteed accountability for the team and the coach. Sure some nightmare situations will still happen, but at least there would be an understanding of the expectations from both sides and a formal process if the expectations aren't met. What else can MDIA teams do to protect themselves from these kind of meltdowns? The inmates can't run the asylum, so to speak, and the coach has his share of accountability, too. It's a very delicate balance.

In the words of Judge Chamberlain Haller from My Cousin Vinny "That is a lucid, intelligent, well-thought out objection"

[Catlax]

In the words of Judge Chamberlain Haller from My Cousin Vinny "That is a lucid, intelligent, well-thought out objection"

"Overruled" !

[AlumniLax]

some pretty funny stuff over on laxpower.com about this topic.....

http://www.laxpower.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=3923

[fsuhead22]

I played for Harkins and Waesche last year, and I'd have to say that they were great for the program. Harkins went to FSU with the intention of running the program in D1 fashion. He set goals for the National Championship and the players believed in his madness. I just want to say that I was truly shocked when I heard about this news the other day. Stuff happens from time to time...but this wasn't the way things should have ended for FSU and our coaches. I just hope that this situation can be resolved and things can be mended back to the way they were. FSU is a rising program...lets hope it stays that way.