There has been so much controversy involving the Gophers’ basketball program during the last 18 months or so that even developments last week aren’t all that surprising. The last several days have been a trying time for coach Richard Pitino’s image—with media headlines last week involving the arrest of Gophers center Reggie Lynch, an Athletic Department audit revealing Pitino spent $175,000 beyond his allocated amount for private jet travel, and public remarks by University president Eric Kaler regarding how “profoundly disappointed” he is in the program.
Pitino, 33, was hired in the spring of 2013 by Norwood Teague, the now departed and infamous Gophers athletic director. Pitino was likely far down the list of preferred candidates because of his youth and inexperience as a head coach. He came to Minnesota after only one season as head coach for Florida International.
In Pitino’s first season of 2013-2014 the Gophers had a respectable 8-10 regular season Big Ten record. Minnesota didn’t qualify for the NCAA Tournament but did impress by winning five times in the National Invitational Tournament including the championship game in New York. That Gophers team appeared well coached and motivated, and with four returning starters teased fans’ expectations for the 2014-2015 season.
The Gophers flopped, finishing 6-12 in the Big Ten while losing many close games that reflected on players and coaches. More troubling, sophomore guard Daquein McNeil was kicked off the team after allegations of assaulting his girl friend.
McNeil is one of many players who have left Pitino’s program for various reasons. Character issues and questions have been raised about multiple Gophers, including departed players and those still on the roster. Lynch was arrested for suspicion of sexual assault last week and later released from jail, but an investigation is ongoing. This winter three players, including Kevin Dorsey who has now left the program, were suspended for an alleged off-court incident for which no charges were filed.
Observers are left to wonder what kind of individuals Pitino and his staff are recruiting? What kind of judgments are players and coaches making?
Pitino’s team last season had a 2-16 Big Ten record, the worst in school history. Certainly Gophers fans are entitled to expect better results from someone who is paid $1.6 million annually. He is also a coach who leveraged a $400,000 raise after the disappointing 2014-2015 season. That raise happened under Teague’s watch who also put in place a $7.1 million buyout in Pitino’s contract last summer. The buyout amount decreases over time and is currently at $5.7 million.
The University is accountable for such foolish contract maneuverings. But public expectations of school leaders have been minimal in the face of actions that include the hiring of Teague, careless spending in the basketball program including an overseas trip publicized in Sports Illustrated, and double-booking TCF Bank Stadium for a football camp and Drum Corps International event on the same day. Expectations, though, were raised by last week’s hiring of Mark Coyle as the new Gophers athletic director. Coyle has extensive and accomplished work in college athletics including with the Gophers years ago.
Last week I emailed about 20 passionate Gophers basketball fans to gauge their concerns. I asked the following two questions:
What is your assessment of the men’s basketball program?
What, if anything, should the Athletic Department and the President’s office do right now about the program?
The first response came from someone who decades ago provided corporate support to the program. Still a follower of the program, his frustration was obvious in his brief response: “A ‘basketball program’ does not exist. President and AD should renegotiate Pitino buyout, (and) then do it.”
Another email responder also described his emotions. “I’m embarrassed by the basketball program and ashamed to discuss it with friends from other states. I never thought this could happen to the University of Minnesota. Even when the football team had several terrible seasons we weren’t embarrassed by the behavior of the team members.
“The basketball team has the lowest GPA of any Gopher sport and way too many scandals. …Obviously, Kaler should never have approved a $7 million buyout that was negotiated by a failure of an athletic director. This is a disgrace and I’m ashamed of my beloved University.”
Brad Ernst has been a season ticket holder since 1978 and he, too, wants Pitino gone now. “(The) team seems clueless about how to play and act. Staff seems clueless about what to teach and whom to recruit. …I would like someone from the Athletic Department to call me, and try and convince me why I should entertain renewing my season tickets.”
Ernst’s friend John Wagenaar read the comments above and responded this way: “I don’t for one minute think Pitino can clean up his huge mess, and (he) will only contribute to it as time goes on. Cut your losses and blame it all on that…(former) AD you hired. I think the players have very little respect, affection or loyalty for their coach.”
Gophers fan Tom Klas recognizes the realities of the current program but took a supportive position on the coach. “Richard Pitino appears to be a good person, and he may know the mechanics of basketball very well, but he hasn’t established himself as being someone who can find those individuals who are capable of being standout basketball players who can behave well and face the rigor of university level academics.
“He is in that…position of having to find individuals who are mature and who can play basketball at the top level of Division I competition, while simultaneously making the basketball program competitive again. Should he be allowed to continue to coach? Absolutely.”
Former Gophers basketball player Larry Overskei, who believes the program is in a state of “shambles,” was a season ticket holder for almost 40 years. He gave up his tickets awhile back because of frustrations with the loyalty (donor) program and seat locations. “We have better coaches at the high school level in Minnesota than Richard Pitino. …In all fairness…he is in over his head. Our Athletic Department performed a huge disservice to our loyal fans and the fans of the state of Minnesota. We are told to be patient. Patience when we cannot even beat South Dakota and the likes.”
Another former Gopher player asked that his name not be used but he too wrote a critical response. He believes Pitino’s communications need improvement. “His pure coaching skills may be adequate but the way he interacts with people leaves much to be desired. First, he doesn’t seem to have empathy for his players. If you watch a Michigan State game you see a mutual admiration, and respect between players and coach (Tom Izzo). We do not have that.
“Next, all successful big time coaches have an excellent rapport with their alumni and booster clubs. Richard couldn’t find 15 minutes to greet our past players at last year’s alumni lunch, and hasn’t been to any similar events I have attended. The Golden Dunkers (booster) group, which is made up of businessmen and past players, has supported and interacted with every coach I know of since for sure 1970. Richard has not been to one meeting, nor sent an ambassador from the team as far as I know.”
There were other email responses, too, including one that suggested the failures of the basketball program are symptomatic of the University’s wish to de-emphasize athletics. I am not sure about that, but I do know there is a crisis in public confidence about basketball in Dinkytown. My in-box supports that view.