UCLA coach gives extension back for bad season

[pressvirginia]

A new approach to underperforming & reworking contracts:

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-bas...eve-alford-says-given-back-one-year-extension

"At the end of the day, year three was clearly not up to UCLA standards. My coaching staff and I fell short not only of our own expectations, but the expectations of [athletic director] Dan [Guerrero], the Chancellor and you, our fans," Alford said in the letter. "As a coaching staff, we intend to earn that extension back."

"I earned an extension in our work year one, [but] didn't earn things in this season," Alford said to ESPN. "The right thing to do is give the extension back."

Talk about class and unselfishness. Trying to do what's right for your program and what's earned. Never seen anything like this from a high-major coach.

 

[coalcountry52]

Just trying to buy some seasons of good will because extensions mean dick unless you're a tinfoil Mountaineer.

 

[3xWVUenginEER]

Bobby Knight once gave back the season salary while at TX Tech. I guess if you got enough $$$$$ and all your house(s), wife(s), ex-wife(s), kid(s), and girlfriend(s) are paid for, why not if it makes you feel better?

 

[Darth_VadEER]

A new approach to underperforming & reworking contracts:

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-bas...eve-alford-says-given-back-one-year-extension

"At the end of the day, year three was clearly not up to UCLA standards. My coaching staff and I fell short not only of our own expectations, but the expectations of [athletic director] Dan [Guerrero], the Chancellor and you, our fans," Alford said in the letter. "As a coaching staff, we intend to earn that extension back."

"I earned an extension in our work year one, [but] didn't earn things in this season," Alford said to ESPN. "The right thing to do is give the extension back."

Talk about class and unselfishness. Trying to do what's right for your program and what's earned. Never seen anything like this from a high-major coach.

This is silly. I don't see any class or unselfishness here, just a guy trying stay in the good graces of a mostly unreasonable fanbase (all fanbase are unresaonable, mostly).

IMO, I think it's sad a guy feels compelled to give up something he's worked for, simply to appease folks who won't remember, or care anyways.

Next year, maybe Alford should display himself at UCLA's quad in a wooden stock so fans can throw rotten vegetables at him....I mean, those poor fans and to endure ONE losing season in decades.

JMO, I think coach-shaming is out of control.

 

[pressvirginia]

The only thing silly is being paid millions of dollars while underperforming one's job. Giving back an extension is a loss that I'd say can be measured beyond staying in good graces.

Coaching profession doesn't play by the rules of the rest of society. JMO thought it was a respectable gesture as opposed to how others posture for more money when they've not earned it. Earn was the keyword there.

 

[GetYaNumbersUp]

It's a PR move, nothing more.

Just like the time Chip Kelly refunded an Oregon fan after his team lost to Boise.

 

[pressvirginia]

An extension would obviously mean more guaranteed time in the job which of course guarantees a coaches' always increasing salary. Giving it back gives up the right to both coach and get paid.

 

[Darth_VadEER]

The only thing silly is being paid millions of dollars while underperforming one's job. Giving back an extension is a loss that I'd say can be measured beyond staying in good graces.

Coaching profession doesn't play by the rules of the rest of society. JMO thought it was a respectable gesture as opposed to how others posture for more money when they've not earned it. Earn was the keyword there.

It's not silly if that's the deal you were given. If he's underperforming, fire him. I think it's rediculous that a major university, with deep pockets would even let him do this - just looks poor on their part.

Whether not he's won enough games, doesn't matter. If you think that's the only way a coach should EARN a paycheck, then we should move to a system where coaches only get paid per win.

Even in bad seasons, coaches earn their money. To suggest otherwise is silly.

Edit: Is it a nice gesture? I guess, but to who I don't know. The only party benefited is UCLA, as it makes it easier and less costly to fire Alford. Considering the universities have spent decades raking in the cash while exploiting the student athletes, and claim to care about MORE than just winning, letting a coach grovel and return what could be a good deal of cash (that they agreed to), for simply not winning seems poor.

 

[Darth_VadEER]

An extension would obviously mean more guaranteed time in the job which of course guarantees a coaches' always increasing salary. Giving it back gives up the right to both coach and get paid.

If universities don't have the stomach to weather a bad season, don't give coaches long term deals, or extensions.

We're seeing it played out right here at WVU. We gave a man a deal, and now we are complaining about having to honor it....because we aren't winning enough.

 

[Darth_VadEER]

It's a PR move, nothing more.

Just like the time Chip Kelly refunded an Oregon fan after his team lost to Boise.

Yep, and fans lap it up.

 

[GetYaNumbersUp]

Yep, and fans lap it up.

There was another guy on here a couple weeks ago saying that Dana should forfeit all of his guaranteed money, in order to take an "extension" that guaranteed him nothing and gave him no more job security than he has.

I'll never understand the mindset that "you should give up the money your employer has agreed to pay you because you didn't win as many games as I wanted"

Huh?

 

[Darth_VadEER]

There was another guy on here a couple weeks ago saying that Dana should forfeit all of his guaranteed money, in order to take an "extension" that guaranteed him nothing and gave him no more job security than he has.

I'll never understand the mindset that "you should give up the money your employer has agreed to pay you because you didn't win as many games as I wanted"

Huh?

Yep, we want winners....but you need to do it "the right way", don't cheat (at least don't get caught), be likeable and charming, graduate your players (who have no business being in college), be tough...but nice, try to be folksy, recruit better than the last guy did, but don't take trouble players, and most of all...dont have any mistakes in your personal life.

But if you don't win enough, we'll publicly shame you and demand you return the money. LOL.

 

[mounty99]

Yep, we want winners....but you need to do it "the right way", don't cheat (at least don't get caught), be likeable and charming, graduate your players (who have no business being in college), be tough...but nice, try to be folksy, recruit better than the last guy did, but don't take trouble players, and most of all...dont have any mistakes in your personal life.

But if you don't win enough, we'll publicly shame you and demand you return the money. LOL.

Some people can't grasp that this is just a job for these guys....a high profile well paying job but a job just the same...not some calling or eternal devotion to the fans of "x" university. All they owe the university and it's fans is to fulfill the terms of the contract both parties agreed on. If they don't....the school can fire them. If they get a better offer, they can move on to it. Not sure why so many have this need to have a coach they can at the minimum relate to and for some worship. Most coaches know this and pander to this segment to build loyalty (rich rod for one).

 

[GetYaNumbersUp]

Some people can't grasp that this is just a job for these guys....a high profile well paying job but a job just the same...not some calling or eternal devotion to the fans of "x" university. All they owe the university and it's fans is to fulfill the terms of the contract both parties agreed on. If they don't....the school can fire them. If they get a better offer, they can move on to it. Not sure why so many have this need to have a coach they can at the minimum relate to and for some worship. Most coaches know this and pander to this segment to build loyalty (rich rod for one).

You summed it up much better than I could.