Technician: If Sendek Loses He Should Be Fired

In a poorly written editorial Technician says that Sendek should resign or be fired.

When will people understand that this isn’t about one game? It isn’t about the losses to Wake Forest or the win against UConn last year. Herb isn’t a better/worse coach because he beat GW or lost twice to Wake.

The big picture is simple and is all that needs to be discussed — Sendek has been given 10 years of opportunity to succeed and has generated a record of success unarguably below any coach in NC State history not named Les Robinson and inarguably worse than 14 of the 17 coaches in ACC History whom have been given the opportunity to coach for a decade or more.

Self-selecting single games and constantly moving the subjective-based criteria of how to judge the program is how we got into this mess to begin with – one year it is ACC record, one year it is “improvement”, one year it is “recruiting”, one year it is winning a single game in the NCAA Tournament.

For the record, Technician has run multiple polls through the years on Sendek that have all produced with very bad results. In 2001 and in 2005, Technician’s polls indicated that approximately 85% of students favored the removal of Coach Sendek. Since this year’s Technician editorial is so poorly constructed, allow us to turn your attention to last year’s editorial that we linked on Februray 24, 2005

Nine seasons have yielded no regular-season ACC titles, no ACC Tournament titles, three NCAA Tournament bids and no Sweet 16s. That isn’t really impressive for a coach at a school known for its basketball history.

But for State Athletics Director Lee Fowler, those three (if a miracle happens, maybe four) NCAA Tournament bids are good enough for him. If that was the case for athletic directors throughout the ACC then Dave Odom would have gotten a lifetime contract for taking Wake Forest to the Elite 8 in 1996, and Matt Doherty would still be coaching at North Carolina, because he took the Heels to the second round of the NCAA Tournament his first season.

But both coaches are gone now. Under fire, Odom left Wake Forest for South Carolina, and everyone knows how the guillotine was brought down on Doherty. Wake Forest and North Carolina currently have top-10 programs and will both get, at worst, No. 2 seeds in the NCAA Tournament. Think those athletics directors are second-guessing themselves now? I seriously doubt it.

And then there’s the Pack – that other team from North Carolina that has played above expectations for one season in the last decade. The gap between State and the other three Tobacco Road schools keeps increasing. Something has to change.â€?

What year is it?

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24 Responses to Technician: If Sendek Loses He Should Be Fired

  1. class of '85 03/17/2006 at 1:18 PM #

    Right, regardless of tonight’s outcome. He should go!

  2. TampaPack 03/17/2006 at 1:34 PM #

    Wow, first the fans, then the media, now officially the student body (although I agree the article was poorly written). I don’t see how the man could return no matter how the tournament goes. Hopefully he resigns while it is as good as it is going to get for him. Next year could be a train wreck and he could be lucky to find another decent job.

  3. site admin 03/17/2006 at 1:50 PM #

    ^ It’s no different than many of the other years. He had no problem coming back and cashing his checks.

  4. James 03/17/2006 at 1:55 PM #

    How bad is it that the student author thinks we should cut the nets down if we win a first round game?

  5. Clarksa 03/17/2006 at 2:07 PM #

    I think the Technician also called for a new coach in 2001…didn’t work out so well then either.

  6. class of '85 03/17/2006 at 2:22 PM #

    Fowler should have listened and we may not be in this situation today!

  7. BJD95 03/17/2006 at 2:56 PM #

    I think this is the first time the media has been so unified is support (or at least understanding) of our position.

    FWIW, the Iowa State job opened up today. That could be a very good fit. Get that resume over, stat!

  8. Jon Smith 03/17/2006 at 3:17 PM #

    WRAL TV is claiming they have an update on Sendek’s status for the news at 6 tonight. Could be a vote of confidence from someone at NCSU.

  9. Mr O 03/17/2006 at 3:23 PM #

    I just want to watch the game tonight.

  10. GAWolf 03/17/2006 at 4:09 PM #

    People at State still have confidence before watching a Pack bball game?

  11. zeke 03/17/2006 at 4:30 PM #

    MrO — where have you been?

  12. Joe 03/17/2006 at 5:42 PM #

    The WRAL news is the faculty athletics council fully backs Sendek. And a prominent booster says it would be cruel to fire Sendek.

  13. zeke 03/17/2006 at 5:56 PM #

    Laugh out loud! What is cruel is the $9 million he has taken from us.

    Perhaps Herb would be interested in a job offered by the faculty senate or by the booster?

  14. BJD95 03/17/2006 at 6:48 PM #

    A faculty vote of confidence is just a confirmation that Sendek is in real trouble. I would be shocked if Les Robinson and Mike O’Cain didn’t receive similar “shows of support.”

    O, I’ll be live-blogging the game, which has sadly been an afterthought all week.

  15. PACDADDY 03/17/2006 at 11:19 PM #

    You guys don’t get it. While I completely enjoy reading your perspective Jeff, and understand where you’re coming from…it is about one game.

    One ACC tourney championship Herb lost to Duke(remember guys…K has won 7 of last 8 so Herb isn’t the only coach not winning Championships)

    One collapse against Vandy that kept him from Sweet 16.

    One foul called against us and no call on other end on UConn on three point shot in last second to keep him from another Sweet 16.

    One meltdown and mystery technical to keep him from his 4th ACC tourney Championship game in 8 seasons.

    Any ONE of those games make a big difference.

    This board has been fairly negative(at least posters against Herb) even when we were 15th in Nation and 2nd in conference. You guys come out like crazy folks when we lose a few games at end against good oppenents…yes WF sucks but they played up to their potential against us and we simply haven’t shot the ball well of late…a few kids banged up and Ced under the weather didn’t help.

    You see…one game here and one game there, and this board would have a completely different attitude or be laughed off the internet.

    I could go on an on, but I quite honestly am tired of defending Herb to people that just don’t get it. Read carefully…most of those losses were because of untimely techs, poor decisions by players at bad times, fouls and poor shooting….their 20 year old kids! While the coach bares responsiblity, he also deserves some credit for putting the team into those positions.

    I’m not saying Herb is the best coach in the world, but I’d put him and his 43 years of age against anyone. 5 years from now he’ll be better than he was 5 years ago…mark it down…whether he’s here or somewhere else, YOU’ll here from him in the NCAA’s…and if we run him of for some other no name coach, we’ll get our just desert.

    But to get back to the article…it was stupid and Jeff is right…it should be about more than just one game…I can think of 6-7 games that could have easily gone in Herbs favor in different seasons and it would have drastically changed the view of him over the years and made his job alot easier than it is now.

    Right now…I’m not 100% behind Herb(80-20). 10 years is plenty of time to produce something special…most coaches haven’t produce championship seasons in the ACC(GW did after 13 years and Roy did with a team he inherited)). It’s not like Herb is the only coach out there not winning BIG every. Has Roy even made the ACC final?

    Look…I keep saying this and it goes ignored…Roy had 8 straight years where his nationally ranked, winningest program could only make Elite 8 one time. That’s a long time fella’s, especially for the “greatest coach in college BB”, and especially when you’re a 1/2 seed half the time. DOes Roy suck because he wasn’t successful in the NCAA…no! I’m sure he had plenty of games where his kids couldn’t get in done…it’s College BB!

  16. class of '74 03/18/2006 at 7:37 AM #

    It’s quite simple, if you believe Herb can and will get us to multiple ACCT’s and multiple sweet sixteens or better he’s your guy. If you believe like I do that we seen what he can do and he’s maxed out then it’s time to go! We’ve all seen enough to know the answer.

  17. Jeff 03/18/2006 at 10:21 AM #

    Jeff, and understand where you’re coming from…it is about one game.

    One ACC tourney championship Herb lost to Duke(remember guys…K has won 7 of last 8 so Herb isn’t the only coach not winning Championships)

    One collapse against Vandy that kept him from Sweet 16.

    One foul called against us and no call on other end on UConn on three point shot in last second to keep him from another Sweet 16.

    One meltdown and mystery technical to keep him from his 4th ACC tourney Championship game in 8 seasons.

    Any ONE of those games make a big difference.

    I count a helluva lot more than one game in that post.

    I politely submit that every one of those “one games” that you shared were much more important than a first round NCAA Tournament game. That is the difference. SOME “one games” are much more important others. Had Herb won an ACC Title that he lost (or similar) then it would have had a disproportionate positive impact.

    But, a first round NCAA Tournament game is not in the same world as these examples that you cite.

  18. Jeff 03/18/2006 at 10:25 AM #

    Roy had 8 straight years where his nationally ranked, winningest program could only make Elite 8 one time.

    You see…if NC State could have ONE YEAR where we were as nationally ranked as any of those teams, then we would have a comparison. That string of losses also followed a Final Four appearance. You can’t (although you do) just choose arbitrary, self-selected “examples” of stuff and ignore everything else about the situation.

  19. class of '74 03/18/2006 at 12:37 PM #

    ^One thing is for certain, Pacdaddy is consistent. He’s like Clemson’s record in Chapel Hill, 0 for life.

    His rants are the most insane pieces I think I’ve ever read. To his way of thinking Herb is the teflon coach, nothing critical sticks. Well go on Pacdaddy and love your Herbie until he finally sees the light and leaves or critical mass builds and pushes him out the door.

  20. PACDADDY 03/18/2006 at 11:57 PM #

    ’74…You have got to be the dumbest person I’ve ever had a pleasure to meet on the internet.

    My points are quite easy for anyone with half a brain…give it up bud!

    Jeff…We don’t disagree…I only tried to point out that on several occations(usually against all odds), Herb has put this team into positions to have success after success. One game here or there or mistake(by player or ref) and this debate WOULDN’T EXCIST.

    Redfred…again…I obviously can’t go over the past to point out exactly what happened in many of those games, but coaching wasn’t the problem…example: Gilchrest going off on us, while our best perimeter defender out with injury…Vandy kid going crazy at end while our guy(Melvin) is throwing the ball away then commiting(questionable) intentional foul. Herb can’t control a situation when a friggin ref calls a tech on a towell boy on a player makes ONE MENTAL MISTAKE…on and on.

    ONE GAME HERE OR THERE AND GUYS LIKE ’74 WOULDN’T EXCIST…HE WOULDN’T BE AROUND HERE TAKING ABOUT POSITIVE THINGS…IT’S NOT HIS WAY!

    JEFF…my reference to Roy was in regards to how EVEN top seeds and great coaches have stretches of unfortunate things during tourney time. Roy’s highly ranked teams were mostly padded from WEAK schedules…this is why he lost to more lower seeds in NCAA than anyone during that 8 season stretch and had a terrible record verse ACC(if you remove his record verse Les).

    I guess the bold part of my post was to make a point…I’m not sure what it was less you had a problem understanding my last statement…All I meant was Herb put these teams into the position to win the games, but more often than not it requires the KIDS to finish(if any of you ever played any sports, you’d understand exactly what I mean)

  21. PACDADDY 03/19/2006 at 12:46 AM #

    “You see…if NC State could have ONE YEAR where we were as nationally ranked as any of those teams, then we would have a comparison. That string of losses also followed a Final Four appearance. You can’t (although you do) just choose arbitrary, self-selected “examplesâ€? of stuff and ignore everything else about the situation.”

    Jeff..pot kettle my friend. What national rankings are you refering to? “polls”?…you’ve ignored the real “polls” as long as I can remember…kind of “self-selected stuff” you chose to “ignore”.

    I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again. I’m not satisfied with the way this season ended…I’m not happy with Herb at this moment. I’m not letting him “slide” with the injuries any more…I only mention them because it’s part of the reasons for failures the last few games, but he gets no more free passes from me unless he can do something extraordinary in this tourney. It doesn’t mean I’ll be here like ’74 and others posting the same lame stuff over and over. I sure as heck won’t be here defending him.

    I’m passionate(like you) about NCSU. I want (like you) to see results that we can all be proud. I just have very little patience with constant ranting about a coach that had the program in the top 20/2nd place for most of the season. That has changed and I’m waiting to what happens from here.

  22. class of '74 03/19/2006 at 9:03 AM #

    ^These two posts just add more proof to my point. The man has passion but makes no sense. Blind loyalty is just that BLIND!

  23. class of '74 03/19/2006 at 10:06 AM #

    ^^^Blind and misinformed. Roy’s strength of schedule all of those years beat the heck out of our cupcake laden schedule. You sir are a laughing stock of misinformation.

    Also I have praised Herb and this team this season on several occasions but that doesn’t fit your preconceived template of ridiculous ranting. I swear you are Ned in the Fed Ex ad. You are never right and no we don’t get French benefits!

  24. Jeremy 03/19/2006 at 11:04 AM #

    Sendek has earned some respect from all ncsu fans. Not at the end of this year. But think back to his first ACC tournament. He went 3-1 losing to (you guessed it) UNC. Playing with three guards and two forwards. The only reason he lost the title game was that the legs of the team were gone after three consecutive days of play. The result was FG percentage of like 27 percent. He brought his style of play and worked at first. But now the rest of the ACC is accustomed to it. I truely believe his time is almost up without a very good run in this tournament. I know the best person to replace him with! State needs someone who knows the ACC, ourplayers, and most of all knows UNC and Duke. Who ever could it be? Johnnie Dawkins of course is the only coach in my mind that could make an immediate improvement to the program , but also could carry this team far into the future. They did it with Amato from FSU why not Dawkins? Offer him a heafty salary and long contract and I don’t think he could refuse. First thought about that change would a Duke alum even take the job? Would the Duke University allow it? Could he turn down a instant head coaching job in the ACC? Yes, maybe not, no. In the end coach K would get him all the support he needed to accept the position. It would be simply the best possible change imaginable. With that being said Herb still deserves some respect. I mean who in the hell liked Les Robinson coaching! He came to the program and showed us a light at the end of the tunnel. In all fairness Herb didn’t shoot the basketball in the four losses. All though Simmons is the key to this team winning. What Sendek’s coahing stresses is defense first and foremost. His offense is more like that of Sacramento Kings than a college team. It takes great players to work. And lets face it we only have one and a possible two( Simmons and Benerman ). Not even hodge will be a great (couldn’t even make the cut in the NBA) player. The problems that exist with Herb’s style aren’t going anywhere. Rebounding is one of the keys to any win! It is non-existant here and doesn’t look to be showing up any time soon with our coach. Remember we can make suggestions with our numbers, but the failing Fowler must make the choice. Someone beat some sense into him please.

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