yukon19 wrote:
Big props to her if she is the head coach moving forward. That’s a hard spot to be in, let alone being the wife of the guilty adult. Gotta be super awkward and just a weird situation.
It can't be true that they are hiring the wife as the next head coach. That would be an amazingly bizarre decision and seems very bad for all involved.
First, why would she want/take it? Her husband is going to jail. He wrecked the program. She's going to take over his mess? And she is going to benefit in a strange way from his crimes? And if they stay married, then he technically will have access to the program in the future.
Second, while it is remotely possible she didn't know or have any idea of what was going on, that seems highly unlikely. If others knew he was giving "massages" in private, at his home or in dark rooms late at night at the university, she most likely heard about it or sensed something was wrong. Even if he hadn't done anything wrong, everyone knows you don't have private meetings with athletes, much less private massage sessions, much less private massage sessions in your own home and in the dark. If there were actually athletes living with them too, she is liable for that for sure. But I defer to my first statement, everyone knows you don't meet with any athlete in private, out of sight, for any reason. She most likely knew this was happening at the very least. Even if she didn't actually know, the odds are so slim that I cannot see how an administration would continue associating with her either.
Third, how would the athletes and future recruits respond to the wife of the coach that committed crimes as coach, now being the coach? It just seems like a great way to have transfers get out and new recruits avoid coming in. It seems like an incredibly challenging relationship at the very least.
Fourth, it would certainly send a very questionable message about the Administration. It sounds like there are already some serious questions that need to be asked about their lack of action previously and possibly of the head Track coach. Hiring his wife as his replacement puts the entire reputation of the university at stake and could include liability.
Fifth, they need a coach now. If they hire her now, what happens when other current and former athletes and recruits step forward with accusations? What happens if more is revealed in the future about her knowledge or even involvement? I presume his trial will not be for quite a while. What comes out in the trial or between now and a trial? Not saying those things will happen, but they are all very real possibilities, which would further damage the program and the school, and even more so if she is immediately hired as the new coach.
Lastly, how could this be good for her psychologically? I don't see how this is a good idea for her personally. She is going through some of the most severe mental trauma right now. If she wants to coach, then get through this and get out of town. Getting out of town makes a lot of sense no matter what. Find a coaching job somewhere else. Rebuild your life. Put some distance between this. I don't know how she could even coach these athletes at her best given the situation, even if she wanted to.
If he gets convicted, and they get a divorce, and she gets coaching experience somewhere else, and this position comes open 3-5 years down the line, then maybe that is ok. But hiring her to replace her criminal husband now doesn't sound like a good idea at so many levels.
Again, the idea that she is going to be hired might just be a lie or a rumor. It will be interesting to see what happens and what the ultimate fall outs are. Such a sad and stupid situation.