When things aren’t going well with a team and the owner or general manager of the team issues a statement that includes the words, “Coach so-and-so has my full support”, what does that mean?
It means they haven’t found a replacement yet.
So when an institution offers a weakly worded statement of support for one of its adherents, what does that mean? It means that the adherent can see the handwriting on the wall. “No support here”, it says. And that’s the end of it.
To all: I am not going to post any comments discussing any particular situation. For those who know, or think they know what I am talking about, there is no need to discuss it here. Just my observations on a sad situation.
Maranatha!
Don Johnson
Jer 33.3
Well I automatically jumped to the conclusion that you were discussing the firing of poor Mike Sherman by Texas A&M…did I miss your point?
Man, and I said I wouldn’t post anything specific…
But, no, that wasn’t it. Really, though, the specifics aren’t what I am after. Maybe I don’t know what I am after. I’m pretty disappointed though.
Maranatha!
Don Johnson
Jer 33.3
So if a coach resigns after the owner and general manager have already given a statement of their support, in what way does that make you disappointed with team management? Would you have wanted them to issue a statement saying they wouldn’t accept the resignation? Would you have preferred the team fire the coach instead? Or is the team management the actual target of your disappointment?
If a coach resigns for the good of the team, why should the team endeavor to retain him if he no longer desires to continue coaching? Wouldn’t the resignation be an indication that his heart is no longer in it if he stays in the position, or that it really is in the team’s best interest for him to go?
Good questions. Let’s see…
There are different ways to express support. Usually when it is public, and especially when it is weak, there isn’t much room to maneuver. You’re already half way out the door. Rather than refuse to accept a resignation, I think it would be better to say nothing publicly or be much stronger. Team management is partly the target of my disappointment, but there’s lots of other disappointments to go around. I am more disappointed in those who ought to be team players who are joining the ranks of the opposing team.
In your second paragraph, ‘deserves’ is a matter of opinion. Not sure what I think about your last question.
Maranatha!
Don Johnson
Jer 33.3
Actually, I said “desires” not “deserves.” If team management has posted a statement of support (no matter how weak), they obviously don’t think he no longer “deserves” the position. I was speaking more of the coach’s desire to continue coaching. My last question came from that. Obviously some fans may think the coach no longer deserves the position, but team management has to make the final determination, unless the coach makes it for them by resigning.
And as regards “those who ought to be team players,” do you believe blind loyalty to the team is a good thing? Or maybe you believe “benefit of the doubt” should be absolute?
Oops, misread you there. Sorry about that.
If the coach no longer desires to continue, you can’t force him to continue, obviously. But the whole scene is disappointing.
Well, I’m not thinking of ‘fans’ who have opinions, but people who are, or ought to be members of the same team.(Maybe the coach analogy breaks down here.) The coach, in our analogy, hasn’t done anything worthy of the rebellion, but the team members have turned on him unjustifiably. They’ve painted him as something he is not. And they don’t have much use for the management either. Yet they claim to serve the same owner.
…
Maybe our analogy is getting a little unwieldy.
Maranatha!
Don Johnson
Jer 33.3
“Maybe our analogy is getting a little unwieldy.”
Yeah, it is. But I’ve looked into the matter, and while I think your blogging hasn’t been perfect, I still support you and you’ll remain on my reading list.
Until you resign from the blogosphere next week.
The problem may be that you think in terms of teams.
@ d4 Dave
Well, the analogy is breaking down, I think, but basically I think there is only One Team.
Maranatha!
Don Johnson
Jer 33.3
I agree one team. And a specifically dictated heirarchy within the team. I wouldn’t get too worked up about a “team management” that isn’t even recognized in the rulebook.
We are blind to some things the way fish do not know they are wet.
1. Now we’re getting fishy in our analogies!
2. How do you know fish don’t know they’re wet?
Maranatha!
Don Johnson
Jer 33.3
Memory from recapitulation.
I’m going to email you.
Your original post talked about support statements (getting back on target here). I like the term of support that goes like this: ” I do not respect you as a person, but I respect your office.” That one really speaks of no support at all. Might as well go home.
I finally figured out what this post was really about. You got turned down as the coach of the new BJU hockey team :)
found out at last!
Maranatha!
Don Johnson
Jer 33.3