Per twitter.

Not too surprising, since it was the last year of his deal. Wonder if he will be the only MAC casualty.

Very overdue.

Dear Friends,
Many on the Western board want Saddi Washington as their new coach. It will be interesting to see if they go with an alum, like they did with Lester for football.

(03-11-2020 03:49 PM)Ken Barna Wrote:  Dear Friends,
Many on the Western board want Saddi Washington as their new coach. It will be interesting to see if they go with an alum, like they did with Lester for football.

Washington would be a good hire for them if he's head coaching material.

I am actually a little surprised. I realize he is trending downwards, but has had a lot of success at WMU over those 17 years. 2 NCAA and 1 NIT appearance over that period is respectable for a mid major program. Most recent MAC championship was 2013-14, which isn’t that long ago. I guess 3 losing MAC seasons over the most recent 5 with last year being a real doozy at 2-16 must have did him in.

(03-11-2020 10:13 PM)RamyEMU Wrote:  I guess 3 losing MAC seasons over the most recent 5 with last year being a real doozy at 2-16 must have did him in.

Indeed there was a .500 season in that span (9-9), but we were picked to win the MAC that year. And then finishing last in the MAC West back-to-back years.

It's tough to see a loyal Bronco get let go. He's been a staple of the community for so long, and difficult to watch the guy lose his job especially in the midst of everything going on in the world right now.

Still, it felt like the right time to turn the page. Program felt like it was getting stale and I questioned whether Hawkins was getting too 'comfortable' and losing the fire in his belly. Unless you're an Izzo or Coach K type of legend, 20 years at one institution is a really long tenure (he was an assistant for 3 years before being HC for 17 years).

My understanding is that his contract expired at the end of this season and therefore no payout was due him, correct?

(03-11-2020 03:49 PM)Ken Barna Wrote:  Dear Friends,
Many on the Western board want Saddi Washington as their new coach. It will be interesting to see if they go with an alum, like they did with Lester for football.

Always best to go with alumni whenever possible.

(03-12-2020 12:28 PM)Bob Wickersham Wrote:  

(03-11-2020 03:49 PM)Ken Barna Wrote:  Dear Friends,
Many on the Western board want Saddi Washington as their new coach. It will be interesting to see if they go with an alum, like they did with Lester for football.

Always best to go with alumni whenever possible.

Are you available and willing?

Alexander was the bright shiny object when UD
hired him

(03-11-2020 10:30 PM)Motown Bronco Wrote:  

(03-11-2020 10:13 PM)RamyEMU Wrote:  I guess 3 losing MAC seasons over the most recent 5 with last year being a real doozy at 2-16 must have did him in.

Indeed there was a .500 season in that span (9-9), but we were picked to win the MAC that year. And then finishing last in the MAC West back-to-back years.

It's tough to see a loyal Bronco get let go. He's been a staple of the community for so long, and difficult to watch the guy lose his job especially in the midst of everything going on in the world right now.

Still, it felt like the right time to turn the page. Program felt like it was getting stale and I questioned whether Hawkins was getting too 'comfortable' and losing the fire in his belly. Unless you're an Izzo or Coach K type of legend, 20 years at one institution is a really long tenure (he was an assistant for 3 years before being HC for 17 years).

This one tears at the heartstrings, Motown. Class guy with a positive MAC record. He tried to win the old way by recruiting four year players while Murph and Keno scoured the transfer ranks. At the end of the day, the guy had a .541 MAC record, much better than the current coaches at EMU or CMU. He apparently ran a clean program as well, I wish him well in his future endeavors.