Friday Morning: Lee Fowler on 850 The Buzz Friday; Audio Link Now Up

AD & Department Fans NCS Basketball NCS Football87

Thanks to all of you who have posted 30 updates and comments regarding Fowler’s “interview” this morning. We’ll continue to have more commentary as time goes by.

11:15 Update

Here’s a link to the audio of the interview:

Lee Fowler Takes Your Calls (850 The Buzz’s Blog)

My apologies if I wasn’t the smoothest reader on the air, but I had an office visitor come in past a closed door and distract me while I was reading Sw0rdf1sh’s quote.

–RAWFS

9:50am UPDATE:
Before today’s relative waste of time on 850 we all had questions that we would like to see Fowler REALLY answer and not side-stepp. Since he just opened the door to more questions/follow-up, we thought that it would be a good time to ask you to log whatever questions you would ask in the comments section of this entry. Since LF gives so many “Q&As” to the press then you know that isn’t finished talking. Who knows…the next interviewer may read SFN and pick up on some questions?

It is really fascinating, but you should go check this entry from March of 2005 when we did a very similar exercise. Even though some of those questions were Herb Sendek related, a lot of them would continue to ring true today.

Here are a few to get the ball rolling:

(1) In your interview with GoPack that was published on April 13th you indicated that in no uncertain terms that there would be changes coming within NC State’s Basketball staff.

In this off-season, there will be some changes made within the basketball office. Sidney is going back to square one, looking at what each member of the staff does to make certain it is the most efficient and effective way of getting things done. He is reviewing all facets of the basketball operation.

In Sidney Lowe’s subsequent interview with the News & Observer that was published on April 29th, Coach Lowe leaves no ambiguity around the issue and 100% contradicts you when answering a similar question:

N&O: Will the staff stay intact?

Lowe: Yes.

N&O: Will the support staff stay intact?

Lowe: Yes.

Since you consistently discuss Coach Lowe’s control of the team last year in public and share your thoughts on what happened during our collapse – Which one of you is right? You say there will be staff changes. He says there will not be. Is he defying you by not making changes?

…alright gang….your turn!

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87 Responses to Friday Morning: Lee Fowler on 850 The Buzz Friday; Audio Link Now Up

  1. happypackdad 05/16/2008 at 1:03 PM #

    some schools can recruit no matter how much negativety is on blogs, but others hurt themselves if a recruit gets a bad vibe or feels a coach won’t be at a school very long. NCSU, especially with new coachs, can’t afford to lose even one potential star recruit.

    04, Lee wasn’t on the committee that made the 5 hour rule, it was the Chancelor’s decision. Also, he didn’t mention it, but if one drinks for 5 hours vs 8-10 hours, that increases the chances of an issue arising. Probably just playing the odds.

  2. wufpup76 05/16/2008 at 1:05 PM #

    Some very nice questions formed above from James, Wolftown, and chop …

    This question in particular gets to me … “* What can be done to improve Wolfpack Sports Marketing?”

    We all can plainly see how our athletics teams are performing (or not performing), and these criticisms / questions go directly to the AD’s office … That said, if you’re going to have terrible to mediocre on-the-field performance, shouldn’t you at least excel in your marketing / publicity campaigns in order to somewhat compensate for bad athletics performances?

    Wolfpack marketing is terrible … I hate being critical, but it is what it is … Is there a worse combination of high major (BCS) athletics performances AND public relations / marketing?

    Hell, I WANT the people in the leadership positions to succeed – primarily b/c they’re at NC State … I don’t necessarily like all of them, but that has little to do w/ actual results … I don’t care if the people in the leadership positions turn it around all of a sudden – like them or not I’d quicky get on board … Go team go … We all know this is extremely unlikely to happen which is what frustrates all of us …

    No, we shouldn’t make it personal w/ Jed & co., but he opens himself and the University up to questioning and criticism (not from his beloved set of reporters / journalists of course) … More than this though, give us some ACTUAL RESULTS for the time and money we are giving you and tell your people to be PLEASANT and COURTEOUS to customers and potential customers and we want be so quick to loathe you … Horrible, horrible customer relations at NC State

    Sorry, I’m rambling now … anyway, go pack … good luck to the baseball team

  3. happypackdad 05/16/2008 at 1:05 PM #

    “You either except reality and learn to deal with it or else. To constantly complain about it is useless.”

    interesting point.

  4. 66pack 05/16/2008 at 1:08 PM #

    other schools manage through by having a decent atheletic dept and teams , so not as much to criticize.

  5. RAWFS 05/16/2008 at 1:23 PM #

    Wulfpup, it is interesting to note that Wolfpack Sports Marketing is actually owned by Capitol Broadcasting and is a contractee of the university.

    Cardiff Giant once told me that their contract was given to them in a no-bid scenario. Now, I am no lawyer by any means (not smart enough) but as I understand the procurement process for the state of North Carolina, that may not have been entirely legal. Again, I do not know this for sure. But I bet that Cardiff Giant could explain this a little better.

    Bottom line is that WSM is a vendor, nothing more, nothing less.

    Annabelle Myers, on the other hand, is an employee of the state, and she handles the media and relationships with it, but NOT the marketing aspect, that WSM.

    Her web page on GoPack also says that she “and her staff coordinate all of the media relations for the Wolfpack athletic program. Her office writes and edits all athletic publications, including game programs and media guides, and coordinates all press conference and interviews with Wolfpack student-athletes, coaches and staff.”

    Her staff includes Tim Peeler, who I think does one helluva job.

  6. b 05/16/2008 at 1:27 PM #

    “….. so fans need to ask themselves if they’re helping or hurting their school with their comments”

    So its the old, grin and bear it line, ehh? I think you are putting the cart before the horse.

    No thanks, I’ve seen bad management up close, in a setting where commenting on it publicly would land me and mine on the UE line. So as a customer, watching an absolute snake oil salesman in action and keeping mums isn’t something I plan to do.

    LF never takes responsibility, he loves to shift it to others. Particularly if they are external forces and he can complain without having to show spine. Those faceless bloggers are a pretty easy target, huh Lee?

    So what do you think recruits see when they are AT a football game and the concession stands RUNS OUT OF WATER? Damn blogs, this must be their fault.

    What does a prospect’s parents think when they see a news report about kids being denied re-entry to a football game so they are letting nature run its course down the stadium stairs rather than miss the fourth quarter of a great game? Stupid internet.

    What do recruits think when they see our arch-rival hang a 40 point whipping on us on national TV. Boy, I’d love to be a part of that, but the bloggers on Statefansnation turn me off.

  7. wufpup76 05/16/2008 at 1:36 PM #

    “Her staff includes Tim Peeler, who I think does one helluva job.”

    Agreed, I don’t mean to lump Tim Peeler in there – whom I really like as well …

    Also, in my rambling post I meant to moreso call out our PR folks (such as Annabelle) and the ticket office people who are almost always quite curt when I deal w/ them (regardless of whether I have a big smile on my face, a pleasant tone / demeanor, and some money to spend on ol’ NCSU) …

    Thanks for clarifying between the two … Frustrating, frustrating, frustrating

  8. statered 05/16/2008 at 1:53 PM #

    happy the point is that a forward thinking AD with a plan could at least in part use the power of the internet to help the department reach some goals if he had any. Also I would posit that customers complaining about the product the AD puts out will have an impact on that department far sooner than LF will ever be able to stop negative comments on the internet. Many ADs have been replaced due to fan discontent, no one has stopped internet commentary on anything.

  9. choppack1 05/16/2008 at 1:55 PM #

    hpd – There’s a fine line. However, I think it’s a stretch to think that a great athlete won’t come to NC State because of the criticism labeled at Lee Fowler. IMHO, this is just an excuse. Part of Fowler’s biggest problems is that he rarely acknowledges that customers who complain have legit gripes.

    To put it in the most basic sense, if Lee managed a restaurant, and you complained about a steak, he’d say that the problem is you, not the steak because it is cooked to Lee’s standards. Do you want eat at that restaurant?

    Lee’s chosen the perfect profession, he works in a field where he doesn’t have to please the majority of the customers (because these customers are intensely loyal), he can even insult them, and he can gradually bring in diminishing returns and blame that confounded internet on his problems. The only other profession this would work is print journalism and politics.

  10. happypackdad 05/16/2008 at 2:11 PM #

    Fans have a right to gripe about lack of performance, I agree 100%. Blogs & message boards are part of the landscapr these days, I understand that. My opinion is that when a fan base is constantly negative towards a coach, AD, program, whatever, that negativity might sway a potential recruit that’s on the fence away from NCSU. Kids want to be a part of a fun, positive envroment where their potential coach will be around for their entire career. If all he hears/reads is complaints from those who currently attend or graduated from an institution, he might start to question why he’d want to join a school with a terrible AD & a coach who can’t get it done. If I’m a potential customer entering a restaraunt & hear the people leaving & sitting at tables bad mouth the chef, I’m moving on.

  11. Rick 05/16/2008 at 2:22 PM #

    “Cardiff Giant once told me that their contract was given to them in a no-bid scenario. Now, I am no lawyer by any means (not smart enough) but as I understand the procurement process for the state of North Carolina, that may not have been entirely legal. Again, I do not know this for sure. But I bet that Cardiff Giant could explain this a little better.”

    I cannot speak to state rules but US government rules are that any purchase (be it service or good) above $5K has to be bid unless there is a specific reason (i.e. no competitor, it does not make financial sense) to do so.

  12. Rick 05/16/2008 at 2:24 PM #

    “I understand that. My opinion is that when a fan base is constantly negative towards a coach, AD, program”

    That “negativity” is because of a consistent and long term lack of success. any school would have these problems give our dismal athletic results.

  13. RAWFS 05/16/2008 at 2:31 PM #

    ^ Packdad,

    I see exactly where you are coming from — you always want to put your best face forward to the public.

    The thing is, you can go to any major school’s associated forums or blogs and see criticism and negativity — especially after a loss. It just goes with the territory.

    Look no further than UNC losing to Kansas in the Final Four and then immediately after “Sticker-Gate.” UNC fans had steam coming out of their vents over both. More for the sticker than the loss, but there were some actually questioning Roy Williams ability to coach on that Saturday night!

    In other words, it is not just us, it is everyone. It’s just the color of the landscape now.

    And to his credit, Lee Fowler put himself in front of some potential haymakers this morning. Not many AD’s will do that. But if he is going to step into the ring with the fans, he needs to do a little bit more than tell them they might be lying or don’t know what they are talking about. There’s a point where you say, “I don’t know about that situation. I will look into it.” That’s a vague and dissatisfying answer, but it is better than others.

  14. packbackr04 05/16/2008 at 2:34 PM #

    “Kids want to be a part of a fun, positive envroment” HPD^^ its kind of hard to do those things when you only win 4 acc games in a yr. Kids wanna be a part of a WINNING team, thats what makes it fun… win more games, and the recruiting will take care of itself. dont worry about negative comments on a blog if your lee, worry about winning some more god damn games.

    as for the tailgating. so lee wasnt in on the initial decision. he addressed it today in his radio intvw. agreed drinking for 8-10 hrs is trouble, but the whole thing was started over that shooting a few yrs ago. and once again, NCSU goes and punishes the masses (who behave properly) for the actions of a few(who were going to cause trouble no matter when they got to the stadium that day).

    “If I’m a potential customer entering a restaraunt & hear the people leaving & sitting at tables bad mouth the chef, I’m moving on.”

    ^^ exactly, and if you are the owner of said restaraunt, what do you do? thats right, FIRE THE HEAD CHEF. good bye LEE.

  15. happypackdad 05/16/2008 at 2:51 PM #

    “That “negativity” is because of a consistent and long term lack of success. ”

    It hasn’t been that long since Chuck won the most games in a season in NCSU history & the bball team went to the sweet16 & was finishing in the top half of the conference often.

    “you can go to any major school’s associated forums or blogs and see criticism and negativity — especially after a loss. It just goes with the territory.”

    Agreed. It just seems there is something negative about a NCSU coach, AD, whoever constantly on the blogs or radio shows. Hate to say it, but we’re not unc when it comes to recruiting, esp in basketball. We need every edge we can get.

    04 – easy with the language if you don’t mind.

  16. choppack1 05/16/2008 at 3:12 PM #

    hpd – Do you know why us Pack fans are po’d – that season you mention – where we went to the Sweet 16 and went 5-3 in the ACC in football was the high point of NC State athletics for those sports(what was then actually the 2002-2003 football season and the 2004-2005 basketball season) since the Sweet 16 of 1989 (that’s right) and the 89 football season where we went and won the Peach.

    So, hey that’s great – but in the same year we went to the Sweet 16, UNC won a national championship if b’ball. Wake Friggin’ Forest has won a football championship, Duke has won several ACC championships during that period, Georgia Tech has been to a FF, UMd won a national championship in 2002, BC played in a football championship, VaTech has played in BCS championship games, as has FSU, Clemson finally went to the NCAAs after a long drought, but they haven’t missed a bowl game since Tammy (aka the football version of HWSBN), UVA tied for the regular season championship in b’ball, and has been to several bowl games during this span….So you see where I’m heading – we have very little success to show for in Lee’s years. This baseball team is probably the best major sport team that Lee has had any arguable impact on. Hopefully, they’ll give us some kind of title.

  17. Rick 05/16/2008 at 3:15 PM #

    “It hasn’t been that long since Chuck won the most games in a season in NCSU history & the bball team went to the sweet16 & was finishing in the top half of the conference often.”

    So we are supposed to be thrilled with one good footbal season and a bunch of medioce basketball ones? And yes it was a while since we had a good year. UNC fired Doh two years after he won national coach of the year. Yet we are supposed to sit here while nearly every sports program we have is wallowing in misery while LF plays his fiddle. On top of that we are the only ACC team to lose s scholarship for academic reaosns. IMO we are far too patient as we keep pumping money into Lee “the half wit” Fowler’s coffers.

  18. RAWFS 05/16/2008 at 3:31 PM #

    Chop,

    With all due respect to the baseball team (as well as the non-revenue sports) the only two sports most State fans focus on are men’s basketball and football.

    I think we are in very good hands with football. I expect a bowl by the end of next season and if we can stay healthy and grow in certain positions this year, we might see that sooner. O’Brien is the right coach for the right team at the right time. I just wish we’d gotten him in 1999. Then I could be squirreling my extra money away for a big New Year’s bowl trip.

    Basketball is the real thorn right now. The coin has flipped from the good feelings we had this time last year. We were certain we would be back in the NCAA. We were sure we would be in the top four of the ACC. Noah may have been the only one who said “whoa, not so fast.” Now, it is getting harder to find a person that believes that next year State turns the boat in the right direction.

    I personally think Lee’s tenure here will be determined by Lowe’s performance over the next two years. Lee cannot afford to have the infinite patience he has shown in the past, the natives are already putting the pot over the fire. But if Lowe gets his team into the NCAA tournament, Lee’s as safe as a choirgirl in the church pews.

  19. PackerInRussia 05/16/2008 at 4:01 PM #

    Rick, thanks for doing the play-by-play earlier. BTW, you should stop hiding behind a pseudonym if you want to be taken seriously.

    This is not an original idea or comment, but as much as I agree that the on-field results have been disappointing, I have a hard time blaming Lee Fowler (at least in terms of the extent of it; meaning that it has come this far). We can question him about the failures, but what is he supposed to say, “Yeah, you’re right; I have no idea why I still have a job either!” Thus we get generalities and such because it’s not his fault he still has a job. If you can get by with just saying, “Facilities…We have money…Bloggers are bad…New coaches; need more time” then why would you change your tune? The problem is that he’s (probably) hearing one thing from his bosses and big $$ people and a completely different thing from “average fans” which must lead him to think that “average fan” doesn’t know what he is talking about since his (LF’s) plan has kept him in the AD spot so far. All he can say is, “Look at what we’re doing with facilities” and “Give coaches some more time” etc. (didn’t necessarily say that today, but it’s heard a lot) because that’s the situation he’s put himself in and he has nothing else he can say (other than, “Fire me” and who in their right mind would say that). This is in no way to excuse him (again it goes back to blame being put on him for starting the downward spiral, but not for the extent that it has continued).

  20. highstick 05/16/2008 at 4:50 PM #

    Maybe I’m wrong and I think I posted the same feeling yesterday, but I don’t think any of us blame Lee for all of the problems and I’ll be the first to point the finger up the line to WPC, Chancellor, Alumni Association, myself and all the fans for ever letting the state of NC State athletics decline to such a level. However, we do look to Lee to take the “lead in changing” what’s there, not just rolling over, dying, and pointing the finger elsewhere. If it’s the “higher ups” that are to blame, I wish they would also acknowledge it and start moving forward. 30 years of this mess is way too long!

  21. Old School Wolf 05/16/2008 at 6:51 PM #

    Questions Lee may answer- How many employees report directly to you? How much time do you spend daily in “supervising”/mentoring these employees? What criteria, in order of importance to you , do you use to evaluate the job performance of our coaches ?. How many times a year do you give job performance reviews/ratings to the employees that report directly to you? Same question but instead of empolyees substitute coaches. Finally, in hind sight, Do you think it was wise to state in such a public forum this morning that SL “lost” the team last year? Question Lee would be better off dodging – What did you mean by the SL/parents remark this morning? Questions I hope Lee knows the answers to even though he can not answer publically – What in your opinion did SL/coaching staff wrongly do that caused them to lose the team? Has the team/SL/coaching staff completely resolved the reasons/causes which led to your “lost the team comments ” ? Did you participate directly in verifying that the team/coach differences have been resolved or is your information from SL only ? Do you have a list of must hire coaches for each of our sports should we have to have a replacement on a moments notice? (Hope O and the BOT know the answers to all of above as well.?

  22. redfred2 05/16/2008 at 9:28 PM #

    After listening to the link/interview I had an outrageously looooooong post typed up, but I hit the delete button. What the hell anyway.

    Lee may well get his wish afterall. I know I’m just about sick of typing about NC State altogether.

  23. RAWFS 05/16/2008 at 9:34 PM #

    RedFred,

    I for one would like to hear your opinion. You almost always have very good takes.

    Remember what V said about never giving up.

  24. choppack1 05/16/2008 at 9:55 PM #

    RAWFS – what were your 2 questions to Lee?

  25. choppack1 05/16/2008 at 10:26 PM #

    RAWFS – Just listened to your interview. Funny, it was a lot better than Gold’s in just 2 questions.

    One thing I haven’t seen commented on here is very telling, Gold mentions 2 folks when talking about A. Meyers – are those the Duke and UNC SIDs? If so, he just said that she was the KC Royals, and they were the NY Yankees. I don’t know if he meant to, but he actually made your point…

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