QuoteClemson athletic director Dr. Terry Don Phillips said during a news conference he was shocked by Purnell's decision to leave. He said he learned of the move during a phone call from the coach at about 1:30 a.m. Tuesday.
"I'm not sure I know what to say," Phillips said. "I'm in a little bit of shock. ... I'm as surprised as anyone."
Phillips said Purnell left South Carolina without addressing his players, many learning via text message and on Twitter before interim coach Ron Bradley officially notified them at a 7:30 a.m. breakfast meeting.
At least his players didn't hear about it on ESPN but.....lack of class...I'm really disappointed in Purnell I though he was better than that.
http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/news/story?id=5059657
Now the Clemson fans can empathize with us!
BOO Purnell...and doubly BOO now that you're the HC with DePaul!
Quote from: 77ncaachamps on April 07, 2010, 12:12:03 PM
Now the Clemson fans can empathize with us!
Hope they aren't as obsessed as some of us are and will let it go two years later.
I agree we should "let it go"..., but when someone kicks you in the crotch, you never forget it.
That depends on whether said fans found Purnell to be a fraud during his time at Clemson as some of us did with Crean long before he bolted.
Quote from: 4everwarriors on April 07, 2010, 12:35:59 PM
That depends on whether said fans found Purnell to be a fraud during his time at Clemson as some of us did with Crean long before he bolted.
Your man-love for TC is showing again... :o
Quote from: 4everwarriors on April 07, 2010, 12:35:59 PM
That depends on whether said fans found Purnell to be a fraud during his time at Clemson as some of us did with Crean long before he bolted.
I don't know why that makes a difference.
Quote from: augoman on April 07, 2010, 12:35:09 PM
I agree we should "let it go"..., but when someone kicks you in the crotch, you never forget it.
Yeah, but I don't talk about it for two years after it happens.
I would be surprised if any coach ever left "gracefully" anymore.
With the modern day media, it's hard to interview for a job, accept the position, and then find time to talk to all of your players in person before they find out. The information is going to leak very quickly.
Back in 1950, it was probably pretty easy to "be a man" and meet with your players. In 2010, it's just getting tougher and tougher.
Depaul is paying well above his current $1.6M salary? Wow.
Quote from: 2002MUalum on April 07, 2010, 12:59:16 PM
I would be surprised if any coach ever left "gracefully" anymore.
With the modern day media, it's hard to interview for a job, accept the position, and then find time to talk to all of your players in person before they find out. The information is going to leak very quickly.
Back in 1950, it was probably pretty easy to "be a man" and meet with your players. In 2010, it's just getting tougher and tougher.
Doesn't meet you can't call a meeting with your players. I understand TC leaving for IU. I don't understand the manner in which TC left for IU.
Quote from: PE8983 on April 07, 2010, 01:14:57 PM
Depaul is paying well above his current $1.6M salary? Wow.
$15 million over 7 years.
Quote from: avid1010 on April 07, 2010, 01:16:05 PM
Doesn't meet you can't call a meeting with your players. I understand TC leaving for IU. I don't understand the manner in which TC left for IU.
I'm not referring to TC at all.
I'm just talking in generalities.
The media moves quick enough that a coach might not have an opportunity to accept the position, fly home, call a meeting and get all of his guys there to tell them.
I hope the new school will give that coach an opportunity before it is leaked, but I don't think that always happens.
I feel bad for the players, but it's hard for me to be super pissed at the coach because he doesn't always have control over everything.
Quote from: texaswarrior74 on April 07, 2010, 12:07:13 PM
At least his players didn't hear about it on ESPN but.....lack of class...I'm really disappointed in Purnell I though he was better than that.
http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/news/story?id=5059657
If you want to be honest about it, you wouldn't call it a Crean move....it's been done long long long before Crean ever did it.
Does it make it right? Of course not, but that's the way these things are done many times, unfortunately.
The list of football and basketball coaches that have done this goes back many years if not decades.
Who cares how Crean left? People just use that as an excuse so they don't have to admit they never liked the a-hole.
Quote from: 4everwarriors on April 07, 2010, 12:35:59 PM
That depends on whether said fans found Purnell to be a fraud during his time at Clemson as some of us did with Crean long before he bolted.
Crean a fraud??
Man, if only our current fraud could get a Final Four, conference championship, and multiple NBA talents to campus we'll be set for the near future. :)
Quote from: PuertoRicanNightmare on April 07, 2010, 01:29:16 PM
Who cares how Crean left? People just use that as an excuse so they don't have to admit they never liked the a-hole.
I disagree. The manner in which Tanned Tommy snuck out was gutless, spineless, and classless and it therefore epitomized who he is and what he is. Having said which, Tanned Tommy was known to be a fraudulent feather merchant long before the ESPN scroll informed his team that he had deserted them.
Regardless of how Crean left, we need to be glad the guy did leave..and before he did leave, he hired Buzz Williams. I hope Buzz can match the success Crean had in terms of leading us to a Final Four, but I have NO doubt that Buzz will get us more consistent Sweet 16 appearances than TC did, due to being a better recruiter. The talent Buzz has assembled in this year's recruiting class, and last years -the fact that he is basically putting together a roster of 11-13 high-major players, is something that hasn't ever happened at MU. Obviously, we need to see if the recruits live up to their hype, but at this point there can be no doubting that the talent level at MU will have never been as deep as its been this upcoming season (and the following.)
Quote from: DawsonCreekFillanderer on April 07, 2010, 01:46:47 PM
I disagree. The manner in which Tanned Tommy snuck out was gutless, spineless, and classless and it therefore epitomized who he is and what he is. Having said which, Tanned Tommy was known to be a fraudulent feather merchant long before the ESPN scroll informed his team that he had deserted them.
What does it say about Purnell then?
While I may think Crean is an ahole (and did long before he left), I am now thankful he hired Buzz and then left - worked out great! (unless your a current II,II fan)....
Quote from: 2002MUalum on April 07, 2010, 02:03:55 PM
What does it say about Purnell then?
I could care less. Purnell did nothing to me, none of my friends worked with him, nor did he slap the face of my beloved alma mater and its community. Tanned Tommy, on the other hand, was routinely savagely rude to good people in many venues trying to do their best. He shat on his employer and his team but lacked the both the balls and character to handle his disengagement with dignity and honor. Have you ever seen someone screaming at the top of their lungs at someone in public or witnessed a customer belittling a clerk in a store. Weren't you embarassed to witness such behavior? That was how Crean treated people everyday. He is a puke.
Quote from: DawsonCreekFillanderer on April 07, 2010, 02:16:47 PM
I could care less. Purnell did nothing to me, none of my friends worked with him, nor did he slap the face of my beloved alma mater and its community. Tanned Tommy, on the other hand, was routinely savagely rude to good people in many venues trying to do their best. He shat on his employer and his team but lacked the both the balls and character to handle his disengagement with dignity and honor. Have you ever seen someone screaming at the top of their lungs at someone in public or witnessed a customer belittling a clerk in a store. Weren't you embarassed to witness such behavior? That was how Crean treated people everyday. He is a puke.
That's fine. I didn't find the guy so bad, so we'll just have to agree to disagree.
My only point was this:
Quote from: DawsonCreekFillanderer on April 07, 2010, 01:46:47 PM
I disagree. The manner in which Tanned Tommy snuck out was gutless, spineless, and classless and it therefore epitomized who he is and what he is. Having said which, Tanned Tommy was known to be a fraudulent feather merchant long before the ESPN scroll informed his team that he had deserted them.
You specifically point out that the manner in which Crean left "epitomized who he is". Purnell left in a similar manner, so by your logic, does that "epitomize who he is"?
I bring up Purnell because it's an opportunity for people to see if they hate the act (leaving the players suddenly) or the guy.
Obviously you hate the guy, regardless.
Quote from: DawsonCreekFillanderer on April 07, 2010, 02:16:47 PM
I could care less. Purnell did nothing to me, none of my friends worked with him, nor did he slap the face of my beloved alma mater and its community. Tanned Tommy, on the other hand, was routinely savagely rude to good people in many venues trying to do their best. He shat on his employer and his team but lacked the both the balls and character to handle his disengagement with dignity and honor. Have you ever seen someone screaming at the top of their lungs at someone in public or witnessed a customer belittling a clerk in a store. Weren't you embarassed to witness such behavior? That was how Crean treated people everyday. He is a puke.
You must be a huge Kevin O'Neill fan then.
QuoteRegardless of how Crean left, we need to be glad the guy did leave..and before he did leave, he hired Buzz Williams.
+1
Therefore do we need to hear the same opinions on Tom Crean in every thread. People have different opinions in which they are entitled to, but who are you trying to convince that he was an ahole? By this point it is evident on who hates Tom Crean because it is beaten to a pulp. Why don't you start a board specifically so you guys can all have a hate session together. Enough!!
Buzz Williams is our coach
Quote from: The Sultan of South Wayne on April 07, 2010, 12:21:38 PM
Hope they aren't as obsessed as some of us are and will let it go two years later.
Sultan see what you did. You got round 93 of Crean was a jerk started.
Quote from: 2002MUalum on April 07, 2010, 12:59:16 PM
I would be surprised if any coach ever left "gracefully" anymore.
With the modern day media, it's hard to interview for a job, accept the position, and then find time to talk to all of your players in person before they find out. The information is going to leak very quickly.
Back in 1950, it was probably pretty easy to "be a man" and meet with your players. In 2010, it's just getting tougher and tougher.
How soon we forget.
Tod Kowalczyk to Toledo. He talked to his team
before he left. And rather than giving them some B.S. about having to explore all his options, he flat out told them that if he were offered the position, he would probably take it.
Quote from: LittleMurs on April 07, 2010, 03:39:47 PM
How soon we forget. Tod Kowalczyk to Toledo. He talked to his team before he left. And rather than giving them some B.S. about having to explore all his options, he flat out told them that if he were offered the position, he would probably take it.
At the lower level moves, much more likely to happen. At the higher majors, where deals are struck very quickly, you have a greater chance of the situation happening where kids \ team \ etc find out in a manner that no one wants.
Deal is struck, new school wants immediate news conference, etc, etc. Doesn't always happen that way, we can all find examples where it was handled "well" and we can find examples where it wasn't (Crean to IU, Howland to UCLA, Purnell to DePaul, etc, etc, etc)
Quote from: LittleMurs on April 07, 2010, 03:39:47 PM
How soon we forget. Tod Kowalczyk to Toledo. He talked to his team before he left. And rather than giving them some B.S. about having to explore all his options, he flat out told them that if he were offered the position, he would probably take it.
I stand corrected.
I wonder if that will/can happen with the higher profile jobs, but nevertheless, your example is valid.
Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on April 07, 2010, 03:52:39 PM
At the lower level moves, much more likely to happen. At the higher majors, where deals are struck very quickly, you have a greater chance of the situation happening where kids \ team \ etc find out in a manner that no one wants.
Deal is struck, new school wants immediate news conference, etc, etc. Doesn't always happen that way, we can all find examples where it was handled "well" and we can find examples where it wasn't (Crean to IU, Howland to UCLA, Purnell to DePaul, etc, etc, etc)
And somehow it never occurs to the hiring school to wonder if such a lack of integrity (too strong a word? okay consideration) being shown by their new coach to be is a good thing. Maybe it does, and the school wants a barracuda, I don't know.
Interestingly enough, when I checked into Crean's firing of one of his assistant coachs before the Big Ten tournament, I found that Crean said little, but one of his big code phrases about what happened was that
loyalty to the program had to be an assistant's first priority. Scuttlebutt was that Roshown McLeod had put out feelers to other schools about assistant jobs for next year.
Quote from: LittleMurs on April 07, 2010, 04:05:04 PM
Crean said little, but one of his big code phrases about what happened was that loyalty to the program had to be an assistant's first priority.
This is akin to a whore preaching chasteness. The subtitles at the bottom of the screen for Tanned Tommy's speech read, "I DEMAND each of you to pledge unyielding loyalty to me, The Tom Crean, now and forever more.."
A lot like the pledge SS men made tro Adolf Hitler and not the German state.
Comcast Sports Chicago/Tribune Live just had a tease before break that Chicago H.S. coaches are not happy at all with the hiring of Purnell......anybody have any insight?
Quote from: DawsonCreekFillanderer on April 07, 2010, 05:33:25 PM
This is akin to a whore preaching chasteness. The subtitles at the bottom of the screen for Tanned Tommy's speech read, "I DEMAND each of you to pledge unyielding loyalty to me, The Tom Crean, now and forever more.."
A lot like the pledge SS men made tro Adolf Hitler and not the German state.
Seriously dude? Crean is now compared to Hitler? REALLY? I mean, c'mon.
2002 must be an engineering major or biz adder as his logic is flawed. The comparison was to personal loyalty pleadges vice pledges to an institution. And trust me - Tommy Crean demands personal loyalty at all costs.
Whitney Young's coach....Simeon's coach....both said they wanted a coach with Illinois ties. Purnell reached out to them and they are open to it.....also said that when Bias died Lefty called up Purnell (asst.) to clean out Bias's room of all the coke and Purnell refused and said let the facts be the facts. Best De Paul could do.
Purnell didn't lie about the circumstances leading up to his departure.
Quote from: DawsonCreekFillanderer on April 07, 2010, 05:33:25 PM
This is akin to a whore preaching chasteness. The subtitles at the bottom of the screen for Tanned Tommy's speech read, "I DEMAND each of you to pledge unyielding loyalty to me, The Tom Crean, now and forever more.."
A lot like the pledge SS men made tro Adolf Hitler and not the German state.
You injected Hitler into an internet arguement.
This instantly makes you wrong.
Oh. My. God. Let it go. It is over and done. Let it go. This is really getting ridiculous.
For your information, Oliver Purnell went back to Clemson on Wednesday to meet with his players. Class move by a classy guy.
Quote from: dpu70 on April 09, 2010, 12:33:28 AM
For your information, Oliver Purnell went back to Clemson on Wednesday to meet with his players. Class move by a classy guy.
But is THIS classy?"Phillips said Purnell left South Carolina without addressing his players, many learning via text message and on Twitter before interim coach Ron Bradley officially notified them at a 7:30 a.m. breakfast meeting."or THIS?"Clemson athletic director Dr. Terry Don Phillips said during a news conference he was shocked by Purnell's decision to leave. He said he learned of the move during a phone call from the coach at about 1:30 a.m. Tuesday."http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/news/story?id=5059657
I hope you were being sarcastic.
Quote from: LittleMurs on April 07, 2010, 04:05:04 PM
And somehow it never occurs to the hiring school to wonder if such a lack of integrity (too strong a word? okay consideration) being shown by their new coach to be is a good thing. Maybe it does, and the school wants a barracuda, I don't know.
Interestingly enough, when I checked into Crean's firing of one of his assistant coachs before the Big Ten tournament, I found that Crean said little, but one of his big code phrases about what happened was that loyalty to the program had to be an assistant's first priority. Scuttlebutt was that Roshown McLeod had put out feelers to other schools about assistant jobs for next year.
It goes much beyond that in terms of McLeod.
Quote from: DawsonCreekFillanderer on April 07, 2010, 06:01:19 PM
2002 must be an engineering major or biz adder as his logic is flawed. The comparison was to personal loyalty pleadges vice pledges to an institution. And trust me - Tommy Crean demands personal loyalty at all costs.
What makes me laugh is you guys are talking to this guy as if you don't know who he was as a "former" poster not long ago (in fact, not long at all ago).
Quote from: LittleMurs on April 07, 2010, 04:05:04 PM
Interestingly enough, when I checked into Crean's firing of one of his assistant coachs before the Big Ten tournament, I found that Crean said little, but one of his big code phrases about what happened was that loyalty to the program had to be an assistant's first priority. Scuttlebutt was that Roshown McLeod had put out feelers to other schools about assistant jobs for next year.
I think SI did a story on the Asst coach from Baylor that blew the whistle at Baylor. At the time of the story, he was working 2 jobs to make ends meet. He'd tried for the last few years to get back into coaching but hadn't been able to find an offer because for the fact that he had betrayed his Head Coach (who was covering up a MURDER).
Coaching is a twisted world, but it seems that loyalty is more regarded then integrity/honesty.
Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on April 07, 2010, 02:55:11 PM
You must be a huge Kevin O'Neill fan then.
Chicos refr reminds me of a question for all here...
A couple coaches retired, most were fired, ..., but apart from Crean, O'Neill is the only other MU coach to leave for another job (Tennesee), ....
did he handle departure better?
was he (in your judgment), a better/worse person than Crean?
does anyone here also nurture long term ill will toward him?
did you burn your video copy of Hoop Dreams?
MU's misfortune was this was Kevin's first head coaching job. Was he crude? Definitely. Truth be told, he was one heck of a defensive coach and recruiter. Likely to have our best overall coach in the span between Al and Buzz.
As for Crean, is it possible to be lower than a snake's belly?
4ever
wasnt it Creans first head coaching gig too (Oniell was asst at AZ for Lute Olson; TC was asst for Izzo at Mich State)----
--so exactly how do you see them differently, or are they both down with snake bellies?
By Kevin's own admission, he would have behaved differently had he been more seasoned or more mature. The same can be said for Majerus. It was MU's misfortune or miscalculation that both were our unseasoned head coaches.
Crean, on the other hand, given another 50 years of experience, will never change. He believes his way is the only way. He's hopeless.
I actually liked both O'Neil and Majerus, though at the time surprisingly, Majerus was ill-prepared to be a head coach on this level.
Quote from: houwarrior on April 09, 2010, 01:57:13 PM
Chicos refr reminds me of a question for all here...
A couple coaches retired, most were fired, ..., but apart from Crean, O'Neill is the only other MU coach to leave for another job (Tennesee), ....
did he handle departure better?
was he (in your judgment), a better/worse person than Crean?
does anyone here also nurture long term ill will toward him?
did you burn your video copy of Hoop Dreams?
Yes. Better. Some, not many. No.
Kevin certainly had his demons. He was impatient and brusque. He was often crude. His problems with alcohol had consequences (anger and infideldity among them). He was also charasmatic and straightforward. In short, a big man with big flaws - think Othello.
TC was a small, petty sort who got his jollies demeaning those he considered his inferiors - secretaries, waitresses, basically anyone he couldn't use to improve his own lot in life. A phony with no real friends who only cultivated relationships with those who could further his career (Dick Strong, Tony La Russa, etc.). In short, a devious, scheming poser - think Iago.
Eloquent man, poetry in motion, simply solid.
Quote from: 4everwarriors on April 09, 2010, 03:16:00 PM
Eloquent man, poetry in motion, simply solid.
Your man-love for TC is ever expanding. Your heart is bursting. ::)
figures DePaul would sign a guy like that
Quote from: Lennys Tap on April 09, 2010, 03:12:14 PM
Yes. Better. Some, not many. No.
Kevin certainly had his demons. He was impatient and brusque. He was often crude. His problems with alcohol had consequences (anger and infideldity among them). He was also charasmatic and straightforward. In short, a big man with big flaws - think Othello.
TC was a small, petty sort who got his jollies demeaning those he considered his inferiors - secretaries, waitresses, basically anyone he couldn't use to improve his own lot in life. A phony with no real friends who only cultivated relationships with those who could further his career (Dick Strong, Tony La Russa, etc.). In short, a devious, scheming poser - think Iago.
wow (although any posting group may have variants, and differring takes among it ) your analysis/take is very very well done--- tyvm. the single post covers it all.
I have to ask ---can you assess him and ascribe a Shakespearean character to Buzz, ...maybe Petruchio from The Taming of the Shrew--lol.
Quote from: houwarrior on April 09, 2010, 05:35:55 PM
wow (although any posting group may have variants, and differring takes among it ) your analysis/take is very very well done--- tyvm. the single post covers it all.
I have to ask ---can you assess him and ascribe a Shakespearean character to Buzz, ...maybe Petruchio from The Taming of the Shrew--lol.
Buzz is the anti-Crean. Genuine, humble and thoughtful. A basketball savant who comes across a little bumpkin. But underestimate him at your own peril - he's wise beyond his years. His story is the embodiment of the American dream - Horatio Alger in the 21st century.
His flaws (sweet tea, a bad diet and a modest case of OCD) aren't the stuff of Shakespearean tragedy. For that we can be thankful.