This article from the ACC Sports Journal was one of the more interesting and accurate takes on the relationship between NC State fans, former basketball coach Herb Sendek, and current AD Lee Fowler. This also was the only article written by the ACC media on the rumors of Lee Fowler’s departure that spread on various NC State message boards a few weeks ago.
(UPDATE: Joe Ovies of 850 The Buzz reminds us that he penned this article on April 12th: The Curious Case of Lee Fowler, so there were actually two stories.)
The Sendek supporters, though, will not admit that Sendek failed to win anything of significance or at a high level. While he did lead State to five consecutive NCAA Tournaments, the Wolfpack was seeded higher than No. 7 only once. In seven trips to the Big Dance as a head coach, Sendek has made it to the Sweet 16 just once. He also is now 0-4 in ACC or Pac-10 title games.
Now there is a new dividing figure in Raleigh, and that’s athletic director Lee Fowler. On April 2, one day after April Fool’s Day, posts were popping up on message boards that members of N.C. State’s Board of Trustees were meeting regarding Fowler’s future and that the AD was on the way out.
Sure enough, Fowler was in his office the next day, but the rumors had been so strong that WRAL was granted an interview with Fowler to settle them.
“I’m still here,†he said. “I’ve got a contract through October of 2013.â€
