Coach Wiedie

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Snowflake

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I realize the subject of Coach Jim Wiedie’s termination is an “old topic” but it’s one I have wanted to respond to for some time. It’s only now, since it has been made clear that due to legal constraints, Coach Wiedie is not permitted to address the issue, that I have decided to comment.

Coach Wiedie has been my friend for 28yrs; I know him to be honorable, determined, professional, outspoken and loyal. His love for the game of basketball and coaching is evident in every aspect of his life.

Coach Wiedie’s suspension was not the result of sexual harassment, a sexually inappropriate relationship, substance abuse, erroneous reporting and he did not violate any NCAA/ISU rules. Without going into detail it basically boils down to a conflict of personalities. This includes but also extends beyond that of ISU personnel. Coach Wiedie is not a “yes” man and he will not just go along with the flow because he is told to do so. Is that a character flaw? Perhaps, but up till now it has served not only his players, but his staff and his program.

Coach Wiedie served ISU well; however, in my opinion ISU has done a great disservice to Coach Wiedie. Legal constraints prohibit Coach Wiedie from discussing the events leading up to his suspension and ultimate termination. He would like nothing more than to speak out; not with the intent to sling mud, but to clear up the misconceptions that go along with these situations. Both his personal and professional reputations have been tarnished due to the inuendos, rumors and assumptions that accompanied the events of last February.

He wishes nothing but success for the ISU program and the players. I only hope other programs will look beyond the rumors and assumptions and see him for the dedicated, talented coach he proved himself to be while at ISU.

And for those of you who assumed the worst; I hope you are never put in the position where defending your honor, integrity and character has to be done on a message board by a friend instead of in person in front of cameras or in newspaper print.
 

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Rest assured that there are MANY out there that are with you 100% in those statements. I also feel there are plenty of people that have dug in enough to find out that what you are saying here is also true. Clearly there were some lines drawn and if you want to call it a personality conflict, I would say it at the very least, it was close to that. I have respected and admired Coach from day one when I first met him and was stunned when all this surfaced. I took the time to make sure that as you say, no sexual harassment. no inappropriate behavior or anything serious like that was involved in the matter and felt very relieved to hear that was the case.

I have no idea why this whole "silence" edict was added to the situation but it was and it was agreed to by both parties. I do feel that this board NEVER has jumped into his situation unfairly or incorrectly or that he has ever been accused of things of a sexual matter or related to any substance abuse on this forum. There is enough respect for Coach on here that I felt it was handled very fairly. My fellow alums that I have discussed this matter with, are very respectful towards Coach and are generally aware of the "personality clash" that existed here.

I consider myself to be a strong supporter of Jim's but deep down I can understand why this got to where it got to and do feel it could have been avoided. I will miss sipping a beer or two with Jim in the future and I wish him only the best. Don't sell our fans short. I honestly feel that most Sycamores will give him the benefit of the doubt and will take the high road in the case of Coach Wiedie.

This was a low-point for ISU sports last year and one that will take some time to heal. The one positive thing to come out of it, is that his replacement was a perfect choice. As I said earlier, don't sell our fans short. I think the true fans know the story and still respect and admire Jim. I know I do and I can't wait to run into him and tell him that personally.
 
Well said and thanks for your post... I think most people in here have moved past the Wiedie incident and wouldn't think negatively of him if they saw him out to eat or in the community. At least I wouldn't - Coach was in a business just like any of us might be and those things happen. Something else that happens when people get let go is speculation - right or wrong, fair or unfair - it happens.

He helped bring Indiana State Womens Basketball to a new level of success and pretty much built the program to what it is today and I think most people will always remember him for that. He had a heck of a run. I understand that you feel the need to speak out now (that you finally can) and you have every right to do so.

But my guess is that most people have moved on from that incident at this point. I mean what's done is done - it's over with as far as I am concerned. If others are still holding on to feelings about that or are still curious as to "why" he got let go then they should really find something better to do.

But thanks for your post - it was well received.
 
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What is surprising, or maybe not, is that it got very little ink in the Indy Star. Wish they would investigate and report.
 
There is a reporter currently looking into the situation. However, it is unclear whether he will be able to obtain the documents needed under the Freedom of Information Act.

As his friend, this has been my bone of contention with the entire situation. His inability to speak with anyone in order to get the story out there. It is possible, after hearing the truth, some may say he deserved to be terminated. However, the questions regarding his integrity, morals and dedication to his players and their welfare would not longer exist.

At issue is not the perception of those who knew him personally or even professionally. At issue are those perspective employers who ask about his separation from ISU and he is not permitted to divulge details. In my opinion the AD very well could have stated that while he felt the termination of Coach Wiedie was warranted it was not due to the violation of any NCAA/ISU rules nor was his integrity in question.

Jim has sold his home in Terre Haute and has moved in search of a coaching position. I am confident there is a program out there that will benefit from his years of experience, his knowledge of the game and his drive to succeed.
 
I would think that a phone call or letter from an athletic director to Ron Prettyman

could and probably would clear up any misconceptions about Jim's termination. Perhaps not, depending on what the legal agreement between both parties were. But I would think that Ron could tell a potential employer that no laws or NCAA rules were violated and just leave it at that without going into further details.
 

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TJames said:
could and probably would clear up any misconceptions about Jim's termination. Perhaps not, depending on what the legal agreement between both parties were. But I would think that Ron could tell a potential employer that no laws or NCAA rules were violated and just leave it at that without going into further details.
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That is EXACTLY what I was told. Not a resounding recommendation but not terminal either. I just wish it never got to that point.
 
Snowflake said:
There is a reporter currently looking into the situation. However, it is unclear whether he will be able to obtain the documents needed under the Freedom of Information Act.
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I have already been down that road....they dont have to release the information...
 
All Ron has to say is that Jim was terminated for cause....

but that no NCAA rules were broken...no laws were broken.....it was a mutual "parting of the ways"....without going into any detail....I mean if John Calipari can find a job....lol.....after all the NCAA investigations that he's been involved with.....look at the former USC men's basketball coach Tim Floyd....he got hired at UTEP despite all that went on at his former school.....if an athletic director wants to hire somebody bad enough, they'll do it.....just as long as they know the basic information on why the prospective candidate was fired from his/her previous school....

All Ron has to say is....no NCAA rules were broached....no problems from a sexual harassment or sexual affair issues.....no academic problems.....we just made the move due to our own internal issues......and leave it at that.....
 
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bent20 said:
Why can't he talk about? He's gone and his contract has expired, hasn't it?
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Bent, that is a very valid question. I have no idea why this silence thing came up with this. As far as I see, neither party is hiding anything. No laws were broken. I never understood why all of this had to happen in the first place. Let things settle and I truly think Coach will find a new home. It sure a lot of fricking drama for what I have seen and heard.
 

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There was a settlement agreement that precludes Coach Wiedie from speaking about the details.
 
Snowflake said:
There was a settlement agreement that precludes Coach Wiedie from speaking about the details.
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Both sides agreed to not talk about it. Obviously nothing illegal or immoral happened or it would have been handled differently. Most likely the best thing to do is drop the discussion of the subject. I see continued discussion doing little good for anyone involved. Just my opinion--that plus a dollar will get you a cup of coffee in a few places.:)
 
just my two cents...but in a lot of cases like this that i've seen....

these type of agreements.....are put in...to keep the person being fired...from saying negative things about the employer....and the employer....from saying anything negative....about the person who was fired....

it's the "cone of silence" for both sides......primarily because once one side starts to talk....then the other side has to get its two-cents in...and then we have a back-and-forth that doesn't do either side any good....accusations and recriminations flying in from either camp.....

this way.....isu can't talk...and jim can't talk......
 
Both Sycamore Proud & TJames are correct except for one not-so-tiny issue. It is not ISU or the AD who are being hurt.

Let's be clear here; I by no means pretend to know a lot about the coaching community. I wanted to assume that the coaches & AD's at other schools were intelligent enough to know if Coach Wiedie had broken rules or behaved in an immoral manner it would have been out in the open by now and some sort of investigation would be underway.

However, after having several conversations with Jim this is not the case. There are questions out there; they do arise during interviews and phone conversations and he is stuck between a rock & hard place. That is if he is even being contacted in response to submitting a resume'. In many cases he is not getting past the submitting a resume' stage. I am not speaking of Big Ten Schools; I am talking about Div 2 and/or Div 3 schools. Again, I am no expert but I would have to say he is MORE than qualified for a head coach or assn't coaching position at one of these schools.

My intention when I began this thread was to get a conversation started. I am not bound by any agreements or settlements and maybe, just maybe by getting this out there someone will start asking some questions and if nothing else it will come out that Coach Wiedie's was not terminated due to any illegal or immoral activity.
 
Snowflake said:
Both Sycamore Proud & TJames are correct except for one not-so-tiny issue. It is not ISU or the AD who are being hurt.

Let's be clear here; I by no means pretend to know a lot about the coaching community. I wanted to assume that the coaches & AD's at other schools were intelligent enough to know if Coach Wiedie had broken rules or behaved in an immoral manner it would have been out in the open by now and some sort of investigation would be underway.

However, after having several conversations with Jim this is not the case. There are questions out there; they do arise during interviews and phone conversations and he is stuck between a rock & hard place. That is if he is even being contacted in response to submitting a resume'. In many cases he is not getting past the submitting a resume' stage. I am not speaking of Big Ten Schools; I am talking about Div 2 and/or Div 3 schools. Again, I am no expert but I would have to say he is MORE than qualified for a head coach or assn't coaching position at one of these schools.

My intention when I began this thread was to get a conversation started. I am not bound by any agreements or settlements and maybe, just maybe by getting this out there someone will start asking some questions and if nothing else it will come out that Coach Wiedie's was not terminated due to any illegal or immoral activity.
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From what I have read here it sounds as though it has been resolved that he was not released for anything illegal or immoral. I do not know the Coach personally but from all the good that has been said about the Coach during this whole thing both on this site and other media outlets it is most likely something that needs to die. Also I can't imagine the Coach agreeing to this arrangement if it were not in his best interest to do so. That said it may be best that continuied conversation would not be in his best interest.
 

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Do me a favor....go to the Tribune Star Website and read the article written by Todd Golden in today's edition regarding Coach Wiedie's termination.
 
Snowflake said:
Do me a favor....go to the Tribune Star Website and read the article written by Todd Golden in today's edition regarding Coach Wiedie's termination.
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Snowflake, with all due respect, all of that is same ol', same ol'. Nothing new there. I think the majority here have a great deal of respect and sympathy for Coach but it is time to move on. Hopefully, all of this is behind him and he lands on his own two feet.
 
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