(03-27-2017 04:12 PM)FrankAnderson Wrote: Christian Spears officially named Interim AD as of today.
http://bit.ly/2nZmgOy
I think we'll see a much different, in a good sense, athletic department.
There have been rumblings, if that is the word, that Heather wanted her hires there coaching. This became somewhat (or more than somewhat) obvious when she made the change in volleyball. The fmr. coach was quite vocal in how she perceived Heather's handling of the department and coaches.
There have been rumblings going back what at least a year that Heather and Murphy were not on the same page. They have been posted her. I have also heard some comments privately.
I strongly suspect that Murphy and Spears will have a better relationship. I've already heard whispers to that effect.
At times I was surprised that she seemingly treated CC as a brother. I've never seen an AD so enthusiastic about a HC who won 3 football games in two years. I don't deny that CC is dynamic, very hard working, etc. etc. but still with a 3 - 21 record an AD doesn't treat the coach like he has been to two bowl games.
As I've suggested, I do NOT know exactly how Heather and Spears divided up the men's sports. I do know just from listening to the broadcasts that Spears occasionally makes road game trips with MBB. I take this to mean that he was more involved day-to-day with MBB.
I have good reason to believe that the working relationship between Spears and Murphy will be much better than Lyke and Murphy.
I suspect that Heather had a role in the dismissal of Brown or White or both. This is a story probably only insiders really know. I have no direct knowledge but the timing of their dismissal coincided almost exactly with her getting the Pitt job. Kind of like her last personnel action on the way out.
I want a 2 : 1 with Pitt in football.