Williams Coach Ralph White?

I heard a few years ago that when he took the job, it was only going to be on a temporary basis. The school was trying to find a female, but there wasn't one qualified enough to take the position.

That seems like a poor reason not to renew someone's contract.

That would be ashame if true. Ralph White is a fantastic track coach, and Clemson lost out when they made the mistake of letting him get away.

Coach White is a truly superior coach. He and I had our differences, in fact, I wouldn't even say we got along, but I still recognize what a great coach he is. I can't imagine that Sheehy and the administration would be so stupid as to let him go. He is one of the most dedicated, intense, knowledgeable coaches in the sport, which is saying quite a lot for a division III coach.

Clemson let him go because of dealings with compliance issues and the total # indoor/outdoor track meets ran. They used this excuse to get rid of him and bring in a female coach. The Asst. AD wanted to bring in a woman before they hired White.

from an email sent to former members of Williams cross-country and track teams this afternoon:

Dear Friends of Williams Track and Field,

As some of you know, Ralph White has informed his team that the College has decided not to renew his contract when it ends June 30.

(Several paragraphs about some of you have asked... and to conclude)

Williams Track and Field is a wonderful entity-full of remarkably able and dedicated students, coaches, parents, and alumni. The expressions of concern that some of you have communicated result, we know, from the passion that helps make this program great. Williams Track and Field has been exceptional for decades and it will continue to be that in the future. We understand the contributions Coach White has made to the program, to the College, and to many of you. May that continue through the rest of this season. But then, the College is utterly convinced, it is time to move on.

Regards,

Morty Schapiro

President of the College

Y'know, I have to think there's more here than meets the eye...

loosetree wrote:

But then, the College is utterly convinced, it is time to move on.

Regards,

Morty Schapiro

President of the College

Ouch.

It really takes talent to get fired (or 'not renewed') at D3. He either did some bad things, or just really didn't get along with his bosses.

well, he also makes a significant amount of money. Maybe Williams doesn't want to pay him anymore. He coaches the women too, who just won the indoor national title. I know if I was the AD, I sure wouldn't want a coach like THAT in my department. And, loosetree, what the hell are you talking about? It takes talent to not get renewed at DIII? I didn't realize there were different standards for the coaches at that level.

midwesta wrote:

I didn't realize there were different standards for the coaches at that level.

Yes. D3 generally emphasizes academics and participation. If you carry a decent roster size and your athletes generally pass their classes, then you generally have a pretty decent chance of not being fired.

he has been "contract not renewed" every where he coached.

Here's a snippet from an e-mail sent out to Williams t+f alumni from someone at "friendsofwilliamstrackandfield.org":

"Now, however, the College intends to fire Coach White. We have learned that the College’s decision is based upon the Coach’s academic credentials and his decision to hire an African refugee last year. While we do not yet have all of the details, what we do know is that all of Coach White’s actions in question were approved by the Athletic Director, Harry Sheehy. It is unclear how these issues have now become grounds for Coach White’s termination."

If anyone has more details about "hiring an African refugee" I'd love to hear them. Based on what I've heard about White (i.e. "contract not renewed" wherever he's been) I realize that the official reasons for termination are probably just a smokescreen, and the real story has to do with the same kinds of no-nos that got him the boot at Clemson--one doesn't teach an old dog new tricks. Nevertheless, the refugee angle got my interest.

An athlete I coached in HS got a very sketchy contingency admission offer from White when he was choosing between schools in '02. I don't pretend to know enough about recruiting and admissions rules to be certain, but a friend who has volunteered at a d3 school claims it wasn't kosher.

Coach White knows the sport, but he doesn't fit very well into the Williams culture. Others in the athletics department and administration think he is a little too aggressive come budget and admissions time and if you can't get along with your bosses and peers you aren't going to last long even if you are successful. His improprieties with having a more or less fake masters and the situation with the African family, certainly don't help the situation, but I think those are more excuses than the real political reasons behind the decision.

So, who might apply for this job?

It sounds like Ralph White is definitely done there.

Is White not white enough for Williams?

Okay, he *won* the indoor Nationals and doesn't get his contract renewed?

I don't know the details, don't know what happened at his previous schools, don't understand what's up, but he did *something* wrong--at least in the eyes of Williams College. Williams is about as athletics-oriented as any DIII school, so he wasn't being "too successful" for the school--I have to think he was completely out of line somehow. Are we looking at NCAA sanctions? Indictment? What?

Seriously: the guy is obviously a successful coach. People are making references to stuff at other schools, stuff that I've heard nothing about (given that I didn't follow the sport for about 10 years). Instead of rumors and speculation, does anyone (presumably Eph-related) have *knowledge* of why White was let go?

Actually, I suppose I was overlooking the obvious--namely, that *White* told *Williams* he was going to leave--but from other people's posts, that seems unlikely.

I saw that White's team did well at the NESCAC meet. Women won and the men tied for 1st. Any news swirling around about his departure at the meet?

The only news I've heard is that yes, it is indeed true...and yes, they would indeed like to hire a woman in his place.