Stanford Coach Weir

Not with men he doesn't.

I didn't realize Evans coached the men. My mistake.

I created the website and just noticed that this site is linking to it. My name is Charbel Semaan, and I'm a former thrower of Robert's from Stanford.

The Athletic Dept. and University are keeping a tight lid on things as expected, but it appears that certain powers in the track program don't want a talented and respected coach like Robert getting in their way. Coaching positions on the team like discus coach, hammer coach, etc., are being filled by "volunteer" coaches...meaning recent grad or current team members so the team staff can be completely controlled. One of my former teammates was asked to come coach the throws events and he respectfully declined out of respect for Robert.

Robert is currently on "administrative leave" until the Athletic Dept. and University make some sort of final decision. The ridiculous part is that Robert has had little to no opportunity to fairly present his argument and perspective. He's being forced out and it will be a terrible shame to lose a coach, friend, and mentor like Robert. Stanford Track & Field will lose an icon. Robert is the kind of person that reaches out to every member of the team. He cares about everyone. Look how many *runners* have posted comments about Robert on

www.supportcoachweir.com

-- One can't easily say that about other coaches on the team. It was too bad Dena was driven out too. She is also a great person and I have great memories of her asking how I was doing and actually caring about me: a walk-on discus/hammer thrower.

The University needs to hear more support from the community and the current athletes can help in a tremendous way if they speak up as well.

Sincerely,

Charbel Semaan

Charbel,

Do you have an e-mail address where I could contact you?

contact_at_supportcoachweir_dot_com

Dena was forced out? I thought she voluntarily left after she had her baby... Guess the PR machine worked on me!

starmiler wrote:

I know that when David Vidal was hired, or brought in, or whatever his situation was, there were some absolutely top-flight candidates for that position who never even got the courtesy of a reply to their applications. My suspicion is that they had to advertise the job (some sort of NCAA requirement, perhaps), but that they had no real money to pay anyone. Vidal's job -- and I'm only making an educated guess -- is probably paid at the graduate assistant level. Because otherwise I don't know why the Stanford Athletic Department, usually a class act, couldn't even respond to applications for a job they listed.

I'm sure that Vidal isn't paid much by Silicon Valley standards, but I doubt it's slave wages either. But more importantly, I don't think Floreal had any intention of hiring a real men's coach. Once Ashley Couper left, he probably wanted another novice coach who wouldn't make waves, experience be damned.

Nothing against Vidal, who is certainly recruiting hard, but the men haven't exactly been lighting the world on fire. I think it's safe to say that if Gerard had stuck around, the Cardinal would still be in the hunt for a team trophy every year.

If Vin has gotten the Olympic training center then things would be different. Home Depot was awarded the 'Official U.S. Olympic Training Site', and drew away the IAAF Adidas GP III meet from Gresham/Portland, bypassing Stanford. The Nike Oregon project and the loss of the Payton Jordan IAAF GP II meet added insullt to injury. Now we see the Run For The Dream awarded USATF status, long deserved by Coach Bob, Ramona, etc. I don't know what's going on at Stanford, but I really like Robert and if the new Stanford AD hasn't factored Robert into their plans to re-vitalize the program, then God Speed to Robert. I know I will see Robert again, in Madrid, Indy, Osaka, and other places.

Thank you for clarifying what is going on, that was the response I was looking for. I have no opinion about any of it, but it seemed weird so it is nice to know what is going on. Unless someone wants to go to Stanford for the pure academics, it would not be wise as a thrower to go there. Or any track athlete for that matter. If they mistreat a loyal coach, it will come back around and hurt the program in the long run.

Yes it is. An incredibly decent and noble human being; an exceptional man in all ways...

I have also heard that he has been treated unfairly and has been asked to leave.

Does anyone else know why? Why can't the coaches just work out their differences?

I didn't know Dena was pushed out either. I thought she left so she could spend more time with her young kids.

Nothing like reading other people's dirty laundry in public. Keep it coming guys!

Coach Weir was instramental in the hiring of Edrick Floreal during Coach Lananna's tenure. He seems to have made a mistake in thinking that they were friends. They can't work out their differences because Coach Floreal does not want to.

Coach Weir was instrumental in the hiring of Edrick Floreal during Coach Lananna's tenure. He seems to have made a mistake in thinking that they were friends. They can't work out their differences because Coach Floreal does not want to.

[quote]starmiler wrote:

... but does Floreal really make all the hiring and firing decisions? I find that hard to believe. I'm sure he has influence, but he's not calling the shots.

He certainly is the one wielding the power in this case and those above him are accepting his choice without even listening to what Robert Weir has to say. Interesting, isn't it?

Inglewood wrote:

Nothing like reading other people's dirty laundry in public. Keep it coming guys!

Actually this laundry needs to be aired because it stinks to high heaven. Why does Coach Weir merit this kind of treatment? Why have there been no definitive answers or reasons given for terminating his position? Is it because EF has a personal problem with him? Admin should come clean.

Reading this is unbelievably strange to me... as someone who had a ton of interaction with everyone being mentioned in this thread (Dena, Floreal, Weir) I never ever suspected that there was any kind of animosity or bad feelings between any of the players involved.

I guess that speaks to their professionalism and conduct while at work, but what the hell is going on here? I was also under the impression that it was Garrard's decision to leave the program... this was not the case?

I think this is bigger than Coach Weir after reading the entire thread. Looks like the new AD has come in and cleaned house. I can't help but to wonder what his agenda is.

the previous poster is dead on: this is a much bigger issue than just coach Weir.

For clarification, Gerard was definitely pushed out by members of the athletic department, though he had good reason to return to the east coast in the end anyway.

Bowlsby, the AD may be involved in this however another possibility is that he simply is less active. Ted Leland took careful interest in the track/cross teams success and perhaps Bowlsby pays less attention, allowing Floreal and Tegen to run wild with their power. They will ruin the program within two more years. The youngsters best get out while they can.