I grew up in Indiana and was at Indiana University while Bob Knight was coaching during the Steve Alford, Uwe Blab days. Knight's behavior wasn't an issue then or until much later because he was a winning coach. I was amazed during those winning years what he was able to get away with, with only a couple of technical fouls or an administrative slap on the wrist as a consequence. Knight's feet were held to the fire only after his teams starting losing and his image was suddenly a liability to the university.
If Kenney had prior transgressions, I would bet they were swept under the table because he turns out the fine swimmers he does. I'm interested in seeing what Stanford does not that this is out in the open.
Past behavior is a predictor of future behavior.
I'm very sorry (but not surprised) to learn that Skip
expunged other records. I feel for those swimmers.
That was not the point I was trying to make. My point is that if the guy made a mistake, and he admits to it, punishment is appropriate. However, "expunging" him from the sport doesn't make any more sense than what he did to the records. (In fact it sounds kinda similar.)
He still has some great qualities as a coach and mentor, or all these former swimmers and collegues wouldn't be stepping up in his defense.
I fail to see any similarity at all actually. The way I see it, the coach being fired would be fair and just punishment for what he did. Do you actually think that what the coach did to these swimmers was fair and just? The coach does not, he openly admits that it was wrong. Did they, the swimmers, somehow deserve to have their records expunged? Unless they were found to be cheating then I don't see any fairness in it at all. As a matter of fact, I think Michael McLean did the right thing by selecting the internship over the summer training. Remember, college is about preparing yourself for life and I think a summer internship is bound to do him more good in the future than swim training in the off season. No?
As far as people stepping up to defend him, that means nothing to me whatsoever. Shoot, you can still find people to this day who will tell you that Hitler, Stalin, Saddam Hussein, Timothy McVeigh, etc...had quality attributes that should not be forgotten. The facts are the facts regardless of what these alumni have stated. I am not saying that this guy is a bad man but I am saying that he has acted in such a way as to lose his privilege to coach outstading young athletes at an outstading school.
Almost forgot, I am not saying that he should be expunged from swimming (I am not sure how Stanford could really achieve that without a felonious act anyhow). After he is fired from Stanford there should be no limit on where he can go. Any team willing to hire him should feel free to do so.
My thoughts on suspension without pay were derived because he said he did a wrong thing; if it had not been admitted, then I would not have mentioned pay suspension. But since he already said so, I am still for pay suspension during the investigation.
I sure wish this hadn't happened.
donna
Wow, this is something to sink the teeth into isn't it?
Thanks for posting those letters, Brian. I'll bring that printout to the pool, from KCBS for you too :) I didn't realize this was still in the news.
I too think that there is more to this than just this one incident. I think Kenney pushed the wrong buttons on the wrong person and thought maybe his reputation would protect him (or weather this storm). I know that my husband revered his college coach Bruce Hutchinson at Southern Conn., and was devastated by his death a couple of years ago. There is definitely a special bond in college swimming. It seems to me you either have that special bond, or you don't, and then you are screwed.
I feel really badly for the swimmers not having their coach at NCAA's, however if he's really the wonderful coach everyone says he is, they'll do just fine. After all, isn't part of his job to help prepare his student athletes for life and all of its surprises?
Surprise!
To hrietz
I suggest you get your facts correct, or you will need to hire that TN attorney
McLean has NEVER spoken to Chas about Skip or anything else
Funny thing though he did get "The Gloves" as a Stanford Swimmer
In addition Skip Kenney sent me a handwritten signed note on his personal stationary, which stated "Dear Diane,......your son is a joy to coach".
To hrietz
I suggest you get your facts correct, or you will need to hire that TN attorney
Why should Heather need an attorney? Are you really suggesting that there were damages resulting from her post? Don't be ridiculous.
Punish Kenney for his poor judgment and move on. I think it would be unfortunate if this ruined a long and successful career in coaching. I don't condone what he did, but it's not like he threw a chair at somebody or slapped a swimmer. It certainly would not be the first time that a coach was caught pursuing his own agenda; apparently his was trying to place team over individual. He just seems to have lost perspective.
Why should Heather need an attorney? Are you really suggesting that there were damages resulting from her post? Don't be ridiculous.
Punish Kenney for his poor judgment and move on. I think it would be unfortunate if this ruined a long and successful career in coaching. I don't condone what he did, but it's not like he threw a chair at somebody or slapped a swimmer. It certainly would not be the first time that a coach was caught pursuing his own agenda; apparently his was trying to place team over individual. He just seems to have lost perspective.
Hey Gull,
How does removing proven records help the team?
(I'm being serious and not sarcastic - I'd really like to know).
I must be missing the obvious. . .
Hey Gull,
How does removing proven records help the team?
(I'm being serious and not sarcastic - I'd really like to know).
I must be missing the obvious. . .
I have no idea. You'd have to ask Kenney. I think he was trying to prove a point (or perhaps he was just being vindictive).
