The Fall of Auburn

A step down in what context? Compensation? Prestige? Challenge? It seems to me that he has gone from training swimmers to compete on a national stage to training them to compete on a worldwide stage. In that respect, he has taken a step up. IMHO of course.

I kind of have to agree with Paul and Stillhere......all Paul was doing and is still doing was raising a query....a poser...a question as to why he left Auburn so suddenly.......is that criminal.....not! What I consider to be criminal on this thread was the way Amy attacked Paul without giving any proof to her argument as to why he did leave Auburn. You say he should have facts to back up his statements....when in fact they weren't statements but questions. Where are your facts backing up your assumptions that everything was all perfect when he did leave so fast. If you have facts to back up your assumptions should you not take your own advice and post them here? I'm sorry, but in this context the idea of "proving one's innocence" is just plain silly. First of all, it is impossible to do. What would constitute such proof? A statement of character by the President? The ability to recite the Lord's Prayer without bursting into flames? It has never even been clearly stated what Marsh is "accused" of doing other than changing jobs, so what exactly is he supposed to prove, that he left voluntarily? Why on Earth should he -- or Amy -- have to do so? Reading the stories posted by Amy early did not raise any red flags. The parting seemed amicable to me from my distant and neutral perspective. Maybe others' antennae are more sensitive and reliable than mine. To the extent that there were aspersions cast on Marsh's character, the burden of proof should lie on the person doing the casting. If Paul's question was as innocent as "Why did Marsh leave?" then no harm done if that's as far as it goes. Whether Paul was trying to imply something more sinister, or whether Amy over-reacted, I honestly have no idea. Let them just :hug: and hopefully we can all be friends. So......anyone else happy that the baseball season has started again? Summer is just around the corner...might have to check out a game in the Nationals' new digs, especially with the R-Braves leaving town, sigh...

I understand what you are saying and I can see how an NCAA Div 1 gig is the "dream job" of many swim coaches. Having said that, we can't speak for what Mr. Marsh finds important at this stage in his life. Without any facts to base our opinions upon, it just seems irresponsible to be making suggestions that something might have been awry with his departure from Auburn. Quite honestly, it makes little difference to me anyhow. He could take up coaching squash at some JC in New York state for all I care.

Pretty mean-spirited to bring up very vague, speculative second or third-hand rumblings about a respected coach. Not sure it's fair to gossip about Marsh when you aren't willing to be specific or name your sources. But, whatever floats your boat, I guess... I heard quite a few things about a couple of well-known male coaches' activities with certain female swimmers back when I was swimming that I wouldn't ever bring up here. They may well have been absolutely false rumors. It would be reckless of me to post otherwise. Edited to add: I hope you and David had a good lunch together the other day discussing all this information since I'm sure you wouldn't just backstab him on this message board. Putting aside your personal feelings/relationship...if ANY coach walks away from a chance to make history in thrie sport it begs some further scrutiny. If Eddie walked away from coaching the US Olympic team to coach Geeks kids at a club team you wouldn't bat an eye? But you get pissed off because I feel its important to bring up questions? I said I have met Dave, I don't have a relationship with him, I also said I was asking questions because they were brought up publicly and in private about the programs practices, go ask Nort to share some of the things he's witnessed recruiting against Dave and get back to me OK? Does any of these meam Dave's guilty? Of course not...and I have said how much I respect what he and his staff has achieved...especially Brett. But when he walks away, Quick comes in (don't even get me started with his reputation, just go to some of the Bay area newspapers and search for his name) and a history in the making team falls to 6th place..I think thats good chat material on a swimming forum.

I think we need to really get the story right on what he's doing here in Charlotte. Yes, MAC is a massive program. I looked up the numbers yesterday and it is 2500 swimmers in 4 pools. I totally got that number wrong, pools and swimmers. It has a fantastic staff, tremendous coaches, a great USMS team and, most importantly for any program, huge parental support and involvement. But, it is also an Olympic prep program with both active and aspiring Olympians constantly training and on-deck. They have a tutor program where kids can take 1-1 lessons with Olympians. It's not cheap but just having that option 3 minutes away is pretty remarkable. Let's not just call it some age grouper club. It is also not a University job, and that has both benefits and detractors. I'm sure Marsh could have gone to any University or Club team he wanted (with some exceptions) but he chose MAC. He also has children in the program so maybe he was also thinking of his family. There isn't one single bad thing to be said for the positive impact it is having on thousands of kids here, no matter what rumors are flying about previous stuff. There is really no point in gossipping as it serves no purpose other than harming someone. From where I sit (and swim) things are great. Whatever whisper campaigns are out there did not make it here and, to be honest, I'm glad they didn't. The kids are happy, the program is on fire (excpet our recent loss to NOVA, as Chris stated) and it is a source of pride for sleepy little Charlotte. For all the gloom and doom on this forum, we should really speak of the programs setting the standard for swimming - Dynamo, Nova, MAC here in the South/SE.

Let's not just call it some age grouper club. It is also not a University job, and that has both benefits and detractors. I'm sure Marsh could have gone to any University or Club team he wanted (with some exceptions) but he chose MAC. He also has children in the program so maybe he was also thinking of his family. To second what Geek says: MAC is a great program. And I believe Marsh is being well (and deservedly) compensated. I like the college environment but it isn't for everyone and there are many times when I wonder, somewhat wistfully, what it would be like to teach younger kids. Perhaps Marsh felt the same way and took a good opportunity to make a significant impact across a broad range of age levels. Geoff Brown is the head coach of NOVA and coaches the fastest group. He ALSO coaches a very young group of kids (7-9 years old) and when you watch him do it, you can tell he absolutely loves it. And he is VERY good with the kids; my son loves him. I'm sure he gets great satisfaction in turning on these young boys and girls to swimming and teaching them sound stroke mechanics. So I can see the attraction. Whatever the reasons, it is best to think of this as a lateral move. On the other hand, now he has to deal with PARENTS...poor guy...!

Geek, Amy, I kind of have to agree with Paul and Stillhere......all Paul was doing and is still doing was raising a query....a poser...a question as to why he left Auburn so suddenly.......is that criminal.....not! What I consider to be criminal on this thread was the way Amy attacked Paul without giving any proof to her argument as to why he did leave Auburn. You say he should have facts to back up his statements....when in fact they weren't statements but questions. Where are your facts backing up your assumptions that everything was all perfect when he did leave so fast. If you have facts to back up your assumptions should you not take your own advice and post them here? And I agree with Paul on one thing for sure......that IS a dream coaching job! Why walk away at the top of the game? If it was for family....I applaud his decision.....and would support that decision in every way possible. Just my :2cents: again.

I think some of these comments are pretty interesting....blasting people for saying or thinking things about others out there.....yet these blastings are coming from anonymous people....kind of hypocritical if you ask me. Just my :2cents: of course..........

I agree.....but you're talking about the exception not the norm.....and I do remember a whole lot of people questioning why they stepped down as well. I believe they had press conferences to explain why they did if memory serves me correctly.....

Personally I think Marsh was hurt to the core by the people here criticizing the number of foreign swimmers at Auburn and went to MAC so he could work with Americans. :bolt: An alternate theory can be found in the "Hiring of David Marsh FAQ": www.justswimmac.org/index.php