FSU News - FSU Track Assistant Ken Harnden Reportedly Let Go

It's no surprise, yet not official. Braman and he have been at each other for quite some time for many reasons. The new cross country hire, for more money than what Harvey was making, for more than Harnden was making, was promised the head coach in waiting position and was hired based on Braman and not the committee's recommendation. Why should anybody of Harnden's caliber put up with that. Braman's ego is dismantling this team. Harnden is a tireless recruiter and immensely talented coach. He will land in a better place and be appreciated, with most of his staff and world junior talent to boot and FSU will crumble away while Braman megaphones it in for the next few years before retirement. It's all pointless, as everybody in that athletic department knows who is responsible for that team's success.

I would run for Braman any day over Harnden, as would most of my peers.

Leirbag wrote:

I would run for Braman any day over Harnden, as would most of my peers.

Agreed.

I'd gut myself for Braman, but wouldn't give the time of day to Ken.

I was recruited pretty aggressively by Braman and all I can say is good things about him. He clearly is very passionate about his job at FSU, and made it clear that he's been offered the same position at some of the distance powerhouse schools when McDonnell retired and Schumacher left for Nike. The team all loved him, and they clearly had a great thing going.

No doubt. And I'm certain we can count on two hands the total of points you and your peers ever contributed to the track teams reaching nationals. Maybe you and your peers should have gutted yourselves at cross nationals rather than at Notre Dame or PreNationals, year after year, except for one. And perhaps your contingent should speak louder at exit interviews to counter the consensus discontent with Braman, not Harnden.

Reportedly, Harnden has been at Florida State since 1995.

And reportedly the title of this thread has been duped

I hope he comes back to his alma mater and brings with him Trentavis Friday .

Assistant Coach is getting let go after outdoor ends. First Harvey and now this.

I am hearing that ken athletes are all leaving the university and going other places after the season as well.

Unfortunately, in collegiate Track & Field winning isn't everything. An Athletic Director wants to see a program that has a staff that gets along, is supportive to each other and their student-athletes, and provides the student-athletes a positive experience. I'm not saying that it is Braman's or Ken's fault, but this hasn't been the experience at Florida State over the past few years. The staff doesn't communicate, is dysfunctional, and it has all started to pour over and negatively effect the student-athletes.

On top of that - the team hasn't been winning lately .... The men were 39th or so indoors this year, and weren't in the top 20 last year. Let's not act like they are breaking up a dynasty ... ACC Championships are great and all but they haven't been in the conversation for a team title since 2011.

Not saying it's a great move - how do you really make sense of firing the guy who brought in the #1 recruiting class 2 of the past 3 years ... but some kind of change was necessary. FSU should be a powerhouse year in and year out, and that hasn't quite been the case lately. Hopefully this will lead to them getting back on track ... and hopefully it will lead to Ken getting a chance at landing a head coaching gig and building a successful program on his own.

bloviating wrote:

It's no surprise, yet not official. Braman and he have been at each other for quite some time for many reasons. The new cross country hire, for more money than what Harvey was making, for more than Harnden was making, was promised the head coach in waiting position and was hired based on Braman and not the committee's recommendation. Why should anybody of Harnden's caliber put up with that. Braman's ego is dismantling this team. Harnden is a tireless recruiter and immensely talented coach. He will land in a better place and be appreciated, with most of his staff and world junior talent to boot and FSU will crumble away while Braman megaphones it in for the next few years before retirement. It's all pointless, as everybody in that athletic department knows who is responsible for that team's success.

Who is the new distance hire?

Let's see, I have two team national championship rings in my possession, a few All-ACC plaques. Listen, Ken is a nice guy and good coach and the distance guys repsect him. But, Braman is special. Oh, and my peers? Only a handful of OlympianS still busting tail every day.

Budget cuts to help pay for footballer's stipends:

https://floridastate.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1744745