Stanford reverses decision .... Wrestling +10 others return!
- Thread starter Eastern HWT
- Start date
Former Head Coach (and current American HC) Jason Borrelli’s Statement:
Here's the link to the Ann Killion story. She's put out some detailed reports throughout this saga. 36 Sports Strong should be grateful for her reporting.
https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/...(Premium)&utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=referral
https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/...(Premium)&utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=referral
Fantastic news for college wrestling as a whole!!! Another biased administrator who in the end had to admit through his silence (i e. Cowardice) that his position was untennable if not outright indefensible.
With several of the kids taking crazy class loads to get their degrees before next fall, I wonder if a few just might move on anyway? My bet is yes for at least one, and no, I do not think this means we have a realistic chance at Griffith
With several of the kids taking crazy class loads to get their degrees before next fall, I wonder if a few just might move on anyway? My bet is yes for at least one, and no, I do not think this means we have a realistic chance at Griffith
The NY Times article about the decision also features a photo of Shane Griffith winning his title:
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/18/sports/stanford-sports-reinstated.html?action=click&module=In Other News&pgtype=Homepage
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/18/sports/stanford-sports-reinstated.html?action=click&module=In Other News&pgtype=Homepage
His coach is gone. Why would he stay? I’m sure this has been the hardest he has ever been recruited before. So many schools interested in him now, everyone, who wasn’t before. I’d love to see him still leave. Real woods as well. Honestly I thought I read somewhere before this came out that they both were leaving no matter what.
Sucks for the HC.
Sucks for the HC.
Great news! Similar to the Cleveland State and ASU decisions to keep wrestling after initially cutting the sport. Congratulations to the Stanford alumni and supporters who pressured the University.
How can he leave, hes the face of the program and the movement.
If he bails, I dont think it's a good look for what was just monumentally accomplished.
He should get all nookie and free drinks palo alto can give.
#4life
If he bails, I dont think it's a good look for what was just monumentally accomplished.
He should get all nookie and free drinks palo alto can give.
#4life
Why would he stay? He was the face of a year long movement and fight to keep his program that they just won. I understand the HC is leaving but I believe the assistants are sticking around for the time being. I absolutely hope Woods, Griffith, Abas and all others stay. A good strong team is best for their long term health as a program. Would hate to see the program tank after all that effort just to make it easier to cut down the road.
It wouldn't be a good look for Griffith to leave now obviously but if what Corby said below is true, he deserves to continue with his normal plan after everything he's done for the program the past year (no I'm not saying this just because we'd be a finalist for his services)
He has done his due diligence. His coach left and if he graduates in August I think he should be given a free pass here. I don't see how he owes anything to the University or wrestling program. I say explore your options young man, you have certainly earned it.
The kid honored his obligations to the University. He also stood up to a lot of adversity, excelled, and handled himself with complete class along the way.
He is free to go wherever he wants. I didn't see the election where the wrestling world pre-determined his future just because of this fight, or laid this cause on him personally.
Stanford cutting 11 programs while sitting on top of a mountain of cash (via their endowments) that they will never exhaust, is a much bigger issue than one athlete or a group of athletes. However; this issue is not bigger than one president or one athletic director.
I think Griffith leaving is indeed a good look, but one AD leaving is an even better one.
He is free to go wherever he wants. I didn't see the election where the wrestling world pre-determined his future just because of this fight, or laid this cause on him personally.
Stanford cutting 11 programs while sitting on top of a mountain of cash (via their endowments) that they will never exhaust, is a much bigger issue than one athlete or a group of athletes. However; this issue is not bigger than one president or one athletic director.
I think Griffith leaving is indeed a good look, but one AD leaving is an even better one.
Ray Blake was on FRL and mentioned there's just so many question marks right now even with the program saved. He obviously did some parallel planning about his future but it was obviously a focus on the wrestlers during the season then focusing on saving the program the last 2 months. The AD who handled Wrestling has also moved on but him and Tirapelle have a meeting with the administrators about next steps at noon (Pacific Time)
He said if he's retained, his guard will still be up and he has to trust the administration that this won't happen again in 3 years. It's just a ton to clean up right now especially since they don't have a recruiting class.
Was asked about his team, he said maybe about "half the team" is in the portal (they really had no choice) and a lot of guys took a "wait and see" approach. Team was obviously so hyped to hear the decision and all of them have expressed a desire to stay (AKA nobody has definitively said they're out) He says he has to rerecruit the team more or less. He also said he'll sit down with Shane and Real (aka their 2 biggest fishes) about what is best for them and it might not be at Stanford anymore. Basically, hinting he doesn't want to pressure them to stay if it's not in the cards for them and used the words "whatever hits we take, we'll get through it" He also mentioned academics will be a factor since Shane and Real went out of their way to graduate and they have 3 years of eligibility left. They have to get into a grad school and stretch the program to 3 years.
Biggest takeaway, Stanford would be idiots not to promote this man to Head Coach. He's given 14 years of excellent service to the school and is an absolute class act and so well spoken. If he's the Head Coach, I fully expect all Stanford wrestlers to stay and go to war for that man.
He said if he's retained, his guard will still be up and he has to trust the administration that this won't happen again in 3 years. It's just a ton to clean up right now especially since they don't have a recruiting class.
Was asked about his team, he said maybe about "half the team" is in the portal (they really had no choice) and a lot of guys took a "wait and see" approach. Team was obviously so hyped to hear the decision and all of them have expressed a desire to stay (AKA nobody has definitively said they're out) He says he has to rerecruit the team more or less. He also said he'll sit down with Shane and Real (aka their 2 biggest fishes) about what is best for them and it might not be at Stanford anymore. Basically, hinting he doesn't want to pressure them to stay if it's not in the cards for them and used the words "whatever hits we take, we'll get through it" He also mentioned academics will be a factor since Shane and Real went out of their way to graduate and they have 3 years of eligibility left. They have to get into a grad school and stretch the program to 3 years.
Biggest takeaway, Stanford would be idiots not to promote this man to Head Coach. He's given 14 years of excellent service to the school and is an absolute class act and so well spoken. If he's the Head Coach, I fully expect all Stanford wrestlers to stay and go to war for that man.
What do you mean, "would be"? That was settled months ago.
Before getting to the question about promoting Blake.
It all depends on what Stanford’s goals are for their wrestling team. Promoting Blake would be the easy choice if the goal is for the Athletic Department to exert the least energy.
As far as minimal exertion goes, would that be easier than re-hiring the former head coach who's already on staff as a volunteer assistant?
The fact that Stanford was pressured into not cutting wrestling doesn't take away the horrific experience they put the wrestlers and coaches through this past year. I won't blame him at all if Shane G gives them the finger and moves on. He has earned the right to do that as far as I'm concerned.
Exactly. Shane can say, “I stopped you from firing me, you d*cks; now I quit you on my own terms.”
Basch's guest on his podcast today is Shane Griffith!
Obviously don't expect Justin or Cenzo to press him for anything about his personal decision but definitely think this one will be exciting to listen to. Bet we get a depth of a lot of stuff that went on behind the scenes and how difficult their situation really was.
Obviously don't expect Justin or Cenzo to press him for anything about his personal decision but definitely think this one will be exciting to listen to. Bet we get a depth of a lot of stuff that went on behind the scenes and how difficult their situation really was.
If they are going to look outside of the program, it's pretty hard to argue Koll is not an excellent top candidate.
Very bitter sweet, for the staff and us fans, considering the admirable fight to save the program.
The AD has egg all over his face (watch varsity blues for a second helping). His fragile ego alone probably burned any remaining bridges he has to the current staff.
As for Coach Koll, he just upped the ante with Cornell to keep him. I see a raise in his future regardless.
PS - $400k sounds nice but it would have to come with free university supplied housing to be competitive. That part of the bay area is "well" over $1000/sqft. $400k is not enough.... and commuting to anywhere near affordable is not tenable for a head coach. Cali state income tax is 13% to boot.
Very bitter sweet, for the staff and us fans, considering the admirable fight to save the program.
The AD has egg all over his face (watch varsity blues for a second helping). His fragile ego alone probably burned any remaining bridges he has to the current staff.
As for Coach Koll, he just upped the ante with Cornell to keep him. I see a raise in his future regardless.
PS - $400k sounds nice but it would have to come with free university supplied housing to be competitive. That part of the bay area is "well" over $1000/sqft. $400k is not enough.... and commuting to anywhere near affordable is not tenable for a head coach. Cali state income tax is 13% to boot.
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From the article: “Koll's hiring is contingent on a pending background check.”
Uh oh! What if they discover the truth that he’s a sneaky weasel?
Stanford already has an AD.
Mike McMullan wrote an interesting piece comparing the recruiting situations at Cornell and Stanford....
mmcmullan.substack.com
Short Report: Stanford Wrestling HC Hire
The Bear Case for Why the Koll System Will Face Challenges at Stanford
mmcmullan.substack.com
Mike McMullan wrote an interesting piece comparing the recruiting situations at Cornell and Stanford....
Short Report: Stanford Wrestling HC Hire
The Bear Case for Why the Koll System Will Face Challenges at Stanford
I agree with McMullan, and that's a big part of why I'm surprised Koll took the Stanford job.
Very interesting read. I know Cowbell has mentioned before there have been wrestlers at Cornell who never could have gotten into Penn State admissions-wise.Mike McMullan wrote an interesting piece comparing the recruiting situations at Cornell and Stanford....
Short Report: Stanford Wrestling HC Hire
The Bear Case for Why the Koll System Will Face Challenges at Stanford
McMullan's analysis is both fantastic and lacking.
Which is to say: he did a great job of analyzing the differences between Cornell and Stanford, and IMO his conclusions (including timeline) make a lot of sense.
I'd love to see a follow-on article analyzing Stanford vs. McMullan's alma mater Northwestern. On the surface, those are two comparable situations: elite, mega-expensive schools with stringent admissions; that also offer athletic scholarships.
A few obvious differences (scholarship funding, roster size caps, alumni/donor engagement, etc.), but worth seeing a detailed comparison.
Which is to say: he did a great job of analyzing the differences between Cornell and Stanford, and IMO his conclusions (including timeline) make a lot of sense.
I'd love to see a follow-on article analyzing Stanford vs. McMullan's alma mater Northwestern. On the surface, those are two comparable situations: elite, mega-expensive schools with stringent admissions; that also offer athletic scholarships.
A few obvious differences (scholarship funding, roster size caps, alumni/donor engagement, etc.), but worth seeing a detailed comparison.
