Exactly. they can prove things like running sprints and carrying equipment. These are OK by me. But then they "suggest," things like naked snaps and the upper class persons blocked the shower. Hell, maybe the upper class got to shower first and the rookies had to wait until they were done. Is that bad? Do teams not shower together anymore?
Sandusky used the Second Mile to identify, groom and abuse children. One could argue the culture of that organization was child sexual abuse. he used PSU resources as props and opportunities to further his grooming and abusing activities. Paterno did not establish a culture of child sexual abuse on the part of his players or coaches. Certainly there could be a legitimate argument around what did he and others see and try not to see with Sandusky, But that is a different sort of accountability than the coach who manages the players on his team and sets the cultural values of the team. The NW players were doing this, and seems pretty out in the open. Somehow they got the message that this was sanctioned, allowable, maybe even encouraged behavior on that team. And if Fitz really did not know he had very poor management structure in place that assistant coaches and grad assistants and team "leaders" and the "leadership council" had to know and did not communicate it back to Fitz. So people who reported to Fitz had to know about this.
don't forget, coaches can't be present at "voluntary" practices due to practice limitations.
After a six month investigation put in place after the first whistleblower reported it, the university's investigator found no evidence of Fitz being told.
This is all about NWs reputation. The school prez made the decision. One of the "elite institutions of higher learning" can't have its name thrown through the mud. I think Fitz is more guilty than most on this board but these days it takes very little to get canned when dealing with issues like this. He could have looked at a guy the wrong way, said guy reports it as racism and there you have it. Not saying it was just that in this case just making a point about it does not take much.
Also known as "CYA".
Yeah there is some of that. I think there was a ton of that with Joe. The A hole media getting their jollies by seeing him go down.
Yep. Now the faculty is involved. This will come down to the president for us his fitz. If Fitz retains his reputation, the president will be fired. If the president can prove something then fitz will never coach again.
There's a difference between (1) the investigation didn't find evidence that Fitz was aware vs. (2) the investigation showed that Fitz had nothing to do with it. The investigation summary showed the former, they didn't know if Fitz was aware of it but they couldn't prove he was. Regardless, as the head coach while this was happening his firing was inevitable. As we know, it's nearly impossible to prove point #2 because it would entail proving a negative. But there are multiple player reports of this, allegations of Fitz clapping next to players to indicate possible hazing targets, and the alleged whiteboard photo in the facilities would seemingly be clear evidence that this was happening in plain sight of many. Even the president's early statement walking back the 2 week suspension said he focused too much what what Fitz did know, and should have placed more emphasis on what Fitz "should have known." If the supposed whiteboard photo is legit and this has been going on for many years it's a pretty easy sell to say Fitz or someone on the coaching staff should have known this was going on.
Not true. DJ Durkin is making millions coaching at Texas A&M today. Fitz can retire very comfortably but if he wants to coach he'll be able to get back on the train in about 12 months. Memories are short.
Yes I agree, the swiftness of the NU president's about face on this from 2 weeks suspension to firing suggests they know some things that are pretty ugly that the rest of us don't know and they don't want us to know.
Or. The media caught wind, decided to make it something and he’s covering his ass
Methinks a couple former players or coaches came forward after the news broke.
Fitz said there was nothing new outside of the six months investigation that caused punishment to change from two weeks to termination.
Yeah, I think people were opining whether Fitz should be canned based on the details known to the public. Of course if there are other details that the school is privy, that could change hearts and minds. No, they don't have to run it by me whether they fire him or not....neither does your company fortunately.
Exactly. That is why this sort of thing needs to come down to concrete evidence of him knowing (the whole "innocent until proven guilty" idea) otherwise a person's reputation and livelihood takes a hit even if they have done nothing wrong. I realize that private organizations are not beholden to "innocent until proven guilty" but it is the right standard to apply with serious allegations like this.
Doubtful as a head guy although maybe he crawls back at tim buk tu state and eventually all the way back to a Power 5 program. I don't think he is a good enough coach sans any of this to make it back to a Power 5 job.
Lack of control in the program. He had no idea and totally unaware? Then he is guilty of clueless leadership, head in the sand while bad things are going on in your program. He knew? Well, we all know that is worse. Either way, he looks God awful in all of this unless it comes out that all the accusers are lying and nothing happened except making freshman carry the equipment or something like that.
Also, this is not like a CEO of a multi billion dollar company and sexual harassment was found in the manufacturing site 1,000 miles from HQ so blame and fire the CEO. These football programs are tight knit, the coach oversees the football program and all that goes on with it. These coaches get paid way too much and deserve the blame when things like this go down. Hold him accountable unless all of it is proven false. I highly doubt that is a remote possibility as they already canned him, they are not that dumb, they have him on some things for sure.
Any head coach should have regular, annual team meetings about how harmful hazing is and how it won’t be tolerated. And then enforce such rules.
