All "Gripes" with Greg McDermott

[khaal53]

Re: McDermott's Magic Extension: Last Time, I Promise

I actually dont think that makes sense, in that it doesn't comport with the purpose of the clause, which was to not unfarily judge McDermott for missing the tourney in years he was short on scholarships. If he's not short on scholarships in a given year, then it's not unfairly judging him to hold him accountable for the end result of that season.

Understood. I agree that the scenario that is laid out in the contract and the scenario that played out are different. I think that it could be considered logical to still trigger the clause because the scholarship losses would've been spread out over 2 years had they not been expedited. I don't know how that "logic" is upheld by the contract, unless an agreement was reached before expediting that the clause would still be triggered. I'm just guessing here with the understanding that the 3 year extension was granted.

 

[vmbplayer]

Re: McDermott's Magic Extension: Last Time, I Promise

I actually dont think that makes sense, in that it doesn't comport with the purpose of the clause, which was to not unfarily judge McDermott for missing the tourney in years he was short on scholarships. If he's not short on scholarships in a given year, then it's not unfairly judging him to hold him accountable for the end result of that season.

Exactly, especially since we elected to take them all at once because we didn't have anyone worth using the scholies on. If you can't recruit enough guys worth a scholarship the penalty of not having them doesn't really hurt your ability to get things going.

 

[khaal53]

Re: McDermott's Magic Extension: Last Time, I Promise

Exactly, especially since we elected to take them all at once because we didn't have anyone worth using the scholies on. If you can't recruit enough guys worth a scholarship the penalty of not having them doesn't really hurt your ability to get things going.

Agreed.

 

[deadeyededric]

Re: McDermott's Magic Extension: Last Time, I Promise

I think Pollard read III completely during the press conf.

 

[bluestarcyclone]

Re: McDermott's Magic Extension: Last Time, I Promise

Exactly, especially since we elected to take them all at once because we didn't have anyone worth using the scholies on. If you can't recruit enough guys worth a scholarship the penalty of not having them doesn't really hurt your ability to get things going.

Agreed.

Even so, even if we gave him 2 yr for a scholarship hit that was 'supposed to go over 2 years' that still doesnt explain why we'd give him the third year, since the loss from Jiri was going to be in that one year no matter what. That doesnt justify a 3rd year.

I'm a big fan of Jamie and what he's done, but giving this extension basically gives McDermott an extra $500,000 to 1Mil and 1-2 years that he really isnt entitled to by the original contract. Thats a good chunk of the buyout we'll probably end up paying.

 

[cy1010]

Re: McDermott's Magic Extension: Last Time, I Promise

The bigger issue for me is this: Even if by some stretch of the imagination ISU's interpretation is correct, I still feel JP is not doing his job if he's just giving this three year extension away when it's so obviously contrary to the plain language meaning of the agreement.

Do I have evidence that JP didn't fight like Hell to deny the three year extension? No. But given the relative leverage of the parties, I have a very, very hard time believing that this battle was going to be won, either in court or in the court of public opinion by a first year coach who had jsut gon 14-16.

In my opinion, Pollard and his counsel failed to serve the best interests of the Iowa State Ahletic Department, at the expense of donors and season ticket holders.

 

[deadeyededric]

Re: McDermott's Magic Extension: Last Time, I Promise

Send it to KXNO if you want this to really roll.

 

[BigBake]

Re: McDermott's Magic Extension: Last Time, I Promise

Or...tin foil hat time....Pollard knows this but is holding his cards until next year when he dumps Mac. At which time the contract, as interpreted by him and ISU shortens the time of which Mac's contract runs through. Thereby setting the stage for both sides to agree to a smaller buyout which allows ISU to spend way less showing Mac the door if need be.

A win for ISU...keep the coach thinking he's golden all the while holding the Ace and if you need to play it(ie he continues to fail and we need to change) you lay down that card.

 

[vmbplayer]

Re: McDermott's Magic Extension: Last Time, I Promise

The bigger issue for me is this: Even if by some stretch of the imagination ISU's interpretation is correct, I still feel JP is not doing his job if he's just giving this three year extension away when it's so obviously contrary to the plain language meaning of the agreement.

Do I have evidence that JP didn't fight like Hell to deny the three year extension? No. But given the relative leverage of the parties, I have a very, very hard time believing that this battle was going to be won, either in court or in the court of public opinion by a first year coach who had jsut gon 14-16.

In my opinion, Pollard and his counsel failed to serve the best interests of the Iowa State Ahletic Department, at the expense of donors and season ticket holders.

I'm with you, I really don't understand what the hell was going on with this one, and that's coming form a guy who is frequently called out as being a JP apologist.

Really other than the 3 year contract extension the contract wasn't as horrid as I was expecting it to be after all the complaints I've heard about it the last year or so. When you actually read the contract the initial term until 2012 makes since for a new hire. The compensation for potential violations was written okay in my opinion, but the interpretation of what it seems to clearly say is absolutely insane.

 

[cy1010]

Re: McDermott's Magic Extension: Last Time, I Promise

Or...tin foil hat time....Pollard knows this but is holding his cards until next year when he dumps Mac. At which time the contract, as interpreted by him and ISU shortens the time of which Mac's contract runs through. Thereby setting the stage for both sides to agree to a smaller buyout which allows ISU to spend way less showing Mac the door if need be.

A win for ISU...keep the coach thinking he's golden all the while holding the Ace and if you need to play it(ie he continues to fail and we need to change) you lay down that card.

He's already been extended. In other words, the contract length has been officially amended.

Even if it hasn't been officially amended for some reason, McDermott would have a really good chance to have the extension honored.

I'm assuming he'd have a pretty good equitable estoppel argument here (experts feel free to tell me how wrong I am).

 

[BigBake]

Re: McDermott's Magic Extension: Last Time, I Promise

The compensation for potential violations was written okay in my opinion, but the interpretation of what it seems to clearly say is absolutely insane.

And I'm guessing this was done on purpose. Any reason/cause for interpretation opens the door to negotiation.

 

[deadeyededric]

Re: McDermott's Magic Extension: Last Time, I Promise

And I'm guessing this was done on purpose. Any reason/cause for interpretation opens the door to negotiation.

Exactly what i was going to say.

 

[BigBake]

Re: McDermott's Magic Extension: Last Time, I Promise

He's already been extended. In other words, the contract length has been officially amended.

Even if it hasn't been officially amended for some reason, McDermott would have a really good chance to have the extension honored.

I'm assuming he'd have a pretty good equitable estoppel argument here (experts feel free to tell me how wrong I am).

Why? (and I'm no expert) because an assoc AD told Paul Clark that? What's said really doesn't mean jack. It's all about what's signed on paper and how willing each side is willing to have their interpretation upheld.

 

[bluestarcyclone]

Re: McDermott's Magic Extension: Last Time, I Promise

Why? (and I'm no expert) because an assoc AD told Paul Clark that? What's said really doesn't mean jack. It's all about what's signed on paper and how willing each side is willing to have their interpretation upheld.

They might have put the 3 year extension, based on a ridiculous interpretation, down on paper and signed off on it.

 

[deadeyededric]

Re: McDermott's Magic Extension: Last Time, I Promise

There are so many loopholes in that contract it's crazy.

 

[BigBake]

Re: McDermott's Magic Extension: Last Time, I Promise

They might have put the 3 year extension, based on a ridiculous interpretation, down on paper and signed off on it.

Nothing a good lawyer can't fix.

 

[BigBake]

Re: McDermott's Magic Extension: Last Time, I Promise

There are so many loopholes in that contract it's crazy.

So crazy it's genius?

 

[deadeyededric]

Re: McDermott's Magic Extension: Last Time, I Promise

Not even talking about the extension. The original contract is just a long list of what ISU's stadards of performance are for him. And then, hardly any of that is really specified.

 

[vmbplayer]

Re: McDermott's Magic Extension: Last Time, I Promise

There are so many loopholes in that contract it's crazy.

Like the responsibility to successfully compete at a major college program level?

I would not define what we have done as successfully competing. Unless you define that as just taking the court, therefore you are competing therefore it was a success. But not necessarily successfully in terms of winning.

 

[cy1010]

Re: McDermott's Magic Extension: Last Time, I Promise

Why? (and I'm no expert) because an assoc AD told Paul Clark that? What's said really doesn't mean jack. It's all about what's signed on paper and how willing each side is willing to have their interpretation upheld.

I have no idea what the AAD told Paul Clark. I'm just saying if someone offers you an extension you are going to have your lawyers write up the agreement and get it signed.

Even if there is no signed agreement, a verbal agreement is still an agreement. And yes, it does mean jack. McDermott could easily argue detrimental reliance and have the extension honored (again, resident experts feel free to jump in, but seems like textbook stuff here.)