Fowler Comments On Rumors About Lowe & His Own Job Status

The rumor mill heated up fast and red-hot this morning with whispers that NC State head coach Sidney Lowe would be relieved of his duties sometime today.  It looks as though those rumors are false.

According to NC State Athletic Director Lee Fowler, in an article by ESPN’s Andy Katz:

“It started in the coaching circles.  I’ve had to tell [signee] Ryan Harrow’s mother three times this year that there is nothing to worry about.”

Negative Recruiting?

Katz posits that the rumors are part of negative recruiting, which indeed may be the case, considering that prized prospect, former NC State commitment and still undecided CJ Leslie has stated that he plans to make his college decision known in a little more than a week.  Or, perhaps, this may be a coach or coaches trying to poison the well for Sidney Lowe when it comes to a potential member of 2011 recruits, with the timing coming at the beginning of the off-season AAU circuits not far down the road.

Fear, uncertainty and doubt – or FUD, for short – is a tried-and-true disinformation tactic that has worked all too well in the past in industries ranging from computer software to college basketball, not to mention everything else in between.  That said, Katz may well be correct that today’s rumor was the result of negative recruiting by someone.  And while Katz doesn’t name names, it is interesting to note that CJ Leslie was visited here in Raleigh yesterday by Kentucky head coach John Calipari – a man well known for his hard-nosed recruiting style that is right on the edge of NCAA rules and some say common decency.

Or Hard Nose Negotiating?

Another theory is that perhaps Wake Forest is making a move on Texas Head Coach Rick Barnes, and that someone in Barnes camp is attempting to gain contract leverage for the NC native in any negotiations with the Demon Deacons.  If Barnes was being sought by two Big Four ACC schools, he would clearly have the upper hand in negotiations with either school, and the bidding would almost certainly run very high for his signature on a coaching contract.  Almost as good is the perception that there would be two Big Four schools interested in him…with an unsaid idea cast in Wake’s direction being “you better get him while you can, because NC State will be coming into play soon.”

Take your pick, or take none of the above but the bottom line is that either way, it looks like today’s rumor concerning Sidney Lowe was much ado about nothing.

Lowe Feels Upbeat

Lowe, for his part, had this to say to Andy Katz:

Lowe and top assistant Monte Towe said they’ve been deflecting the rumors for days.

“I’m feeling good and feeling as well as I’ve felt in a while and to hear this stuff is just disappointing,” Lowe said. “Credible coaches are saying it’s out there. We’re returning a lot, have won 20 games for the second time here and finished strong. We’re looking pretty good.’’

The timing for NC State is good too with the situations at Wake Forest, Clemson and Boston College in flux after all three had coaching changes.

“We feel like we have a chance to move up,” Lowe said. “We’re feeling really good about our situation.”

Lowe sounds as if he is speaking from a comfortable position, and he probably is comfortable, knowing that his job is secure for next season.

But Lee Fowler Just HAS To Talk About….Lee Fowler

Another interesting aspect of Katz’ article is that Lee Fowler used Katz’ conversation with him as a launching point to address his house being on the market:

“They’ve had me fired about seven times, too,” Fowler said. “I put my house on the market because our house is 4200 square feet and our kids are out of the house. That created a firestorm and yet we have a new chancellor here on Monday and there’s been no discussion about me.”

That I have a hard time believing, given the constant and consistent swell of rumors surrounding Lee Fowler.  A flash-fire rumor is one thing, and those can take on the nature of the children’s game of “telephone” where things are twisted out of control quickly.  A slow stream of rumors from people who ask not to be quoted directly and that anything they say be taken as background information is another, and those are the sorts of rumors that have been surrounding Fowler for months.  In that case, indeed, there are discussions — perhaps not official ones, but discussions nonetheless — about the state of athletics leadership at NC State and the consistently declining standing overall of State’s athletics program.

In any case, a man who has had ten years to build an athletics program that has resulted in a current ranking of 99th in the Directors Cup standings – 65th ranking out of 66 BCS schools – should never feel secure in his job, ever.  If Lee Fowler is secure in his leadership role, that probably speaks more about the university than it does him.  It’s difficult to believe that an institution that requires and demands excellence from its students and faculty to not require it in any form from the leader of its athletics programs.

AD & Department Athletics Directors NCS Basketball

64 Responses to Fowler Comments On Rumors About Lowe & His Own Job Status

  1. Alpha Wolf 04/10/2010 at 8:18 AM #

    ^ If you compare program to program, you are absolutely right.

    However, in the case of one local recruit (from Holly Springs) it becomes a horse of a different color.

  2. ThomYorkepack 04/10/2010 at 9:30 AM #

    If there WAS anything to this, it is entirely possible that Jed knows nothing about what is happening. I’d say likely that Jed knows nothing about it. As BJD said, I do not see any possibility that Jed stays and Sid goes.

    I’ll guess we’ll see in the next couple of days…

    That being said, I expect Jed to be here until his Texas Tea dries up, and Sid to be here until his red blazer fades to pink.

  3. triadwolf 04/10/2010 at 9:45 AM #

    IF there was any basis to this rumor, the fact that nothing happened yesterday isn’t really relevant. The only way we would fire Sid (assuming NCSU would apply logic to the situation) is if we have a star already lined up. If a deal wasn’t hashed out by the EOB of Friday then there would be no press conf. Also, since Lowe is still employed you’d think that the whole thing would be very much behind the scenes (which definitely eliminates Fowler from being involved) and hush-hush.

    I don’t think there’s anything to it, but you can’t rule it out just because nothing happened yesterday. You also can’t put much credibility into Fowler’s & Lowe’s comments as they would be completely in the dark under the above scenerio. It could be that they just need the weekend to get details hashed out with our new coach. But if nothing happens by EOB Monday, then I think you can assume it was all just a rumor.

    Finally, IF it does happen, then I think it is safe to assume that Fowler is soon (if not immediately) to follow Sid out the door. At the very least, the timing of the rumor is really interesting considering the Wake situtation on one side and recruiting implications on the other.

  4. wolfmanmat 04/10/2010 at 10:30 AM #

    Fowler is a dummy. I am convinced that no coach will win while he’s at the helm. Let’s dump him and then see if Sid and TOB can win.

  5. bradleyb123 04/10/2010 at 10:57 AM #

    Anyone, and I mean ANYONE (not just us bloggers), that thinks Sidney is being fired NOW, is just being silly. If he was going to be fired, it would most likely already be done (why would we wait so long to do it?)

    With Sid’s incoming recruits, there’s no way he’d be let go. This is just dirty, whoever is playing these games.

  6. graywolf 04/10/2010 at 11:09 AM #

    There will be no firing at NC State until the money dries up and with LTR the money keeps flowing. What a sad state we have placed ourselves in with Fowler at the helm. We are the Titanic of D1 athletics and our beloved ship has sunk.

    Want to change then stop sending your money and it changes quite fast because Fowler and the BOT love your money.

  7. Tampa-Pack 04/10/2010 at 11:13 AM #

    Let me preface this by saying I don’t believe this is happening (because well we aren’t that lucky), but I can completely see the situation developing where Wake has contacted someone who he have interest in, or have contacted before (like Barnes, or Sean Miller) and they contacted us somehow for a chance before Wake signs them. Especially Barnes seems to have the ability to “work around” Folwer. With the timing of the Wake firing, and Wellman’s abilities, I was sure they would sign someone by Friday, them not doing makes me somewhat be able to see the above scenario…. maybe I’m just dreaming though…..

  8. bradleyb123 04/10/2010 at 12:04 PM #

    If Calipari DID start this rumor, as some seem to believe, could that be an indication that maybe his visit with one CJ Leslie did not go all that well?

    I also read that the Kentucky fans don’t seem very relaxed and confident about them getting CJ Leslie.

    This Sid rumor could be an indicator of a good sign for State. Just something fun to think about.

  9. highstick 04/10/2010 at 6:00 PM #

    If I was Woodson, I think I’d take Fowler’s comments as a challenge. Like, “I’m bullet proof, no one can fire me cause I’m the AD of fucilities”!

    Don’t fire him, make him the janitor!

  10. fmack 04/10/2010 at 7:39 PM #

    @rky – Are you even a Wolfpack fan to begin with? I read your posts and I get the sense that you may be an imposter. Since when did CJL tell you that he’s going to Ky and how can you possibly bring yourself to compare RH to JG? Who are you? Why not get on the WF bandwagon now save yourself some time? Some of us were around for the glory days and know that it’s all cyclical, we’re here for the I told you so moment. I just pray it comes soon.
    Some of the posts I read from some of you guys makes me think some of you are menopausal – you tend to swing from one end to the other – hot and cold, hot and cold and almost with each post.
    One minute you’re saying the bball team did well by finishing the season with good wins and then the next you’re giving credit to a rumor that Sid may be fired and that he’s losing a good recruit in CJL just because of what a rumor? WOW! What gives?

  11. rky 04/10/2010 at 11:59 PM #

    well, a neighborly ‘hello’ to you, too, fmack. Please let me set your mind at ease, my friend. I am indeed a Wolfpack fan. My Dad graduated in ’68 and I made it through in ’93. I was a wee lad in ’74 and have cherished memories of ’83. You need not doubt my loyalties. In fact, it is my deep rooted passion for everything NCSU that places me in such a state of dispair. It is true I currently have more faith in Wake inproving thier basketball program. That has nothing to do with disliking the Wolfpack. It has everything to do with having no faith in Lee Fowler. It is true I do not think CJ will be coming to State. There are too many facts to the contrary to make most State fans believe otherwise. Those facts have been well documented on this board and, since you are such a devoted and loyal reader, you would have already seen that information. And for the record, I have never once compared RH to JG. I ask you to show me where I did. You can’t because it never happened. Check who posted those comments and go question their loyalties if you’d like to kill a little more time. No need to questions mine, ok?

  12. mk4dpak 04/11/2010 at 12:42 AM #

    If NC State ever wants to have a reputable athletic program, it is clear Lee Fowlup, must go. He has destroyed any pride we once could boast in our athletics. Especially the major ones. He only works for a paycheck, and doesn’t give a d___ about successful athletics. He must get another check from UNC.

  13. whope90 04/12/2010 at 10:40 AM #

    It is scary when an Athletic Director deflects attention to himself by stating that “his kids have moved out and our house is too big and that is why we have our house on the market?” His and El Sids contract maybe thru 2013, but that does not quarantte anything. If Dino G and BC”s coach can be fired and Dino had an extention,despite taking a tema to the ncaa’s, then no one is safe.

    But the AD comment merely shows his immaturity of doing his job. If anything he should just ignore these reports instead of responding to them. If this is part of the recruiting game, then they would know that right??
    Instead of cowing down to make a statement. Why not a mere “no comment” and no comment at all?? I thought AD’s spoke when they did something or actually had something important to say ? Basketball should not be his main concern but the peformances of all his sport teams!! When is the last time that the school won a conference championship in anything?

    Jed, i would put my house up for sell too!! It is really smart to sell when the Mortgage market is bad, but then so has been just about every decision you have made:terrible!!!

  14. bradleyb123 04/13/2010 at 9:07 AM #

    The rumor mill heated up fast and red-hot this morning with whispers that NC State head coach Sidney Lowe would be relieved of his duties sometime today. It looks as though those rumors are false.

    Thank goodness. I’d hate to see our progress derailed because we let our coach go just as he was about to make the turn.

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