Hindsight is a wonderful thing. You are never going to please everyone.
Some of the complaints about WS we have seen here in retrospect:
We shouldn't have added football.
That was on Dr Jarratt, not WS. I happen to think that football was the right move.
We shouldn't have moved to FBS.
At the time it was almost a no brainer given the unique opportunity to move up, a hefty media payout, more national visibility, and a close-by ECU. VCU and GMU were already headed "out of town", leaving the CAA a wasteland for MBB. Despite delusional claims to the contrary, there is zero evidence that we had any shot at the the A10 along with them. The ECU move to the ACC came after the fact, as did the subsequent media monies drop off, and the Cox amendment, which hurt us tremendously. Additionally, this was not an exclusive decision made by the AD. Given the available information at the time, I think it was the correct decision.
We should have fired BW when we moved up. In retrospect, yes. However the PR and effect on donations at the time would have been devastating given his almost deified status. Other opportunities with far less PR kickback were right after the UNC game, after the 2017 season, and the Liberty loss. To hold on to BW as long as he did, was IMO NOT the correct decision, but the pressures of donors who still believed he was God certainly weighed in to the very end.
Hiring Rhane so far looks like a good decision. We will see what "retrospect" says in the future.
Karen Barefoot. 'nuff said. Many here initially questioned the hire and it was an abject disaster.
Subsequent hires look like good decisions. We will see what "retrospect" says later on.
Jeff Jones. Many here questioned that hire at the time, including myself. JJ brought name recognition but also some personal baggage. He also brought a mediocre performance resume from American. I thought it was the wrong hire at the time. I think "retrospect" has already spoken on this one, however we on this board are not necessarily representative of all fans, donors, and the ODU admin. Until last season He had not had a losing record, won the conference, and has had four post season appearances. While not good enough for many posters on this board, that is arguably good enough for many fans, and donors.
Decision to cancel Fall 2020 sports. That was certainly not all on WS, and he did not even have the final say. It may be some time before "retrospect" gives us the proper answer to this one.
Dropping sports, including wrestling. That was hardly on WS or even the athletic department as a whole, and was seen all over the country, even at the highest level of the P5. It was not unique. It was a matter of finances.
Stadium location controversy I have some insight on that as at the time I still had my BOV contacts. What I will say is that the decision to vacate Powhatan was made in November, but was not made public until the following January or February.
That was not all on WS. The President's office knew, as well as ODAF. That is all I can say. The final authority here was with the BOV.
So, WS has had some successes and some failures. As for FB and WBB he seems to have made good choices subsequent to some not so good choices.
Many choices have been made due to financial constraints.
The effect of the Cox legislation cannot be overstated.
NO AD is perfect, and there will be perceived failings no matter who an AD is at most Div 1 programs.
Looking at the above body of work, extenuating circumstances, and Selig's actual authority, I conclude that WS has done a decent job.
The AD is not an island. and is subject to influence, constraints, and actual authority from he office of the President, Financial Office (Controller) and the BOV. Further, ODAF has more influence than some of you understand, even to dictating or restricting decisions made by the AD.
As with high profile leadership positions everywhere, he will likely get more credit than is actually due for successes, and more blame than is warranted when things go wrong. That is the way of the world.
Having said all that, I think Wood's immediate task should be to address MBB. JJ does not have the "mythical creature" shield that adorned BW for so many years.
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AAC expansion and ODU
