As I promised, here's what I know from the last couple of weeks.
1. Two weeks or so ago I was told by someone in the administration that Willard would be 95% coming back. That lined up with info from most of my sources. Names that you would all know in an instant if identified.
2. The local media until about 10 days ago all thought despite info elsewhere that he was coming back as well. And we shared that info with each other.
3. Now, for those saying that the Maryland site scooped all of us, you are correct. But my take on that is that they were getting info from their school and we in the media here were getting info elsewhere. Trust me no one who covers the Hall is happy how things went down.
4. Last week when I knew he was gone I started to get timelines. The one that came up the most, especially since two of those sources are top notch is that Willard agreed in principle to take the Maryland job last Monday. Yet many at SHU were still saying it's nowhere near a done deal. The later statement I no longer believe.
5. I understand the reason for the secrecy as the Hall's season was still in play. But if the info is true, and I strongly believe it was, then I am very disappointed in how our last game played out. Maybe even those in the Big East Tournament as well. KW committing to leave when he did is not the issue. Happens all the time in situations like this. But I wonder if that affected his preparation for our last couple of games? It's certainly a question that at least should be asked.
6. Bottom line. It was time for Kevin Willard to leave, so I say thank you for what you did and welcome to Sha when that becomes official.
Please keep this on the Trove.
1. Two weeks or so ago I was told by someone in the administration that Willard would be 95% coming back. That lined up with info from most of my sources. Names that you would all know in an instant if identified.
2. The local media until about 10 days ago all thought despite info elsewhere that he was coming back as well. And we shared that info with each other.
3. Now, for those saying that the Maryland site scooped all of us, you are correct. But my take on that is that they were getting info from their school and we in the media here were getting info elsewhere. Trust me no one who covers the Hall is happy how things went down.
4. Last week when I knew he was gone I started to get timelines. The one that came up the most, especially since two of those sources are top notch is that Willard agreed in principle to take the Maryland job last Monday. Yet many at SHU were still saying it's nowhere near a done deal. The later statement I no longer believe.
5. I understand the reason for the secrecy as the Hall's season was still in play. But if the info is true, and I strongly believe it was, then I am very disappointed in how our last game played out. Maybe even those in the Big East Tournament as well. KW committing to leave when he did is not the issue. Happens all the time in situations like this. But I wonder if that affected his preparation for our last couple of games? It's certainly a question that at least should be asked.
6. Bottom line. It was time for Kevin Willard to leave, so I say thank you for what you did and welcome to Sha when that becomes official.
Please keep this on the Trove.
