Press Conference Today: Ron Prince To Resign

by TB on Nov 5, 2008 1:56 PM CST Comment 81 comments

The Wichita Eagle, as well as several other Kansas media sources, are reporting that K-State has called a press conference at 4 p.m., at which head coach Ron Prince will announce his resignation.

The fact that he is resigning intrigues me, because it leaves open the question what will become of the buyout. Perhaps they've negotiated a reduced buyout. It could be just about anything. We'll see.

While Prince's tenure in Manhattan has generally been an unsuccessful one, I implore all readers to remember that Prince is human like the rest of us, and this has to be frustrating and humiliating for him. Let's try to be civil.

EMAW

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Just saw that too.

Yeah I wonder about the buyout too. I thought the reason a buyout was in order in case the university let’s a coach go, not the other way around.

At least he’s being a man about it.

Man do I hate Longhorn fans, well except for the ones that actually went there.

by mystman995 on Nov 5, 2008 2:14 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

It's never a pretty situation

when a coach is let go, or basically forced to resign. I truly hold no ill-will towards the man and hope he lands on his feet somewhere. I’ve always said he was put in a tough situation, it’s never easy to follow a legend (imagine what Bielema is experiencing at Wisky), but you just have to admit when you’re not getting the job done. I wish Ron the best, but now we must focus on getting the absolute best person we can to rebuild our fragile program.

by EMAW on Nov 5, 2008 2:14 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I hope he has great success wherever he ends up

Just don’t think he was quite ready to run the ship at a Big 12 school.

We'll carry the banner high!
Bring On The Cats

by TB on Nov 5, 2008 2:19 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Presser

You should be able to listen to the presser on 1350 KMAN. I will do sort of a mini-live-blog of it here in the comments for those of you who are unable to tune in.

We'll carry the banner high!
Bring On The Cats

by TB on Nov 5, 2008 2:46 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Thanks

And if you could do a word for word script of the press conference that’d be terrific, ok?

Man do I hate Longhorn fans, well except for the ones that actually went there.

by mystman995 on Nov 5, 2008 2:56 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

So what about the early...um...thoughts from WHB

that Bill Snyder wants his old job back?

"Write a wise saying and your name will live forever." - Anonymous
Rock M Nation

by The Beef on Nov 5, 2008 3:40 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I had heard rumors about that

It’s going to take a little while to form an opinion on that.

It’s a good thing because..well.. it’s Bill Friggin’ Synder.

It’s not such a good thing because it’s not a long-term thing. If he did come back how long could he continue to coach? Remember he’s already retired once. Only Michaei Jordan was allowed to come back……

Man do I hate Longhorn fans, well except for the ones that actually went there.

by mystman995 on Nov 5, 2008 3:53 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

But then again

Bill is kind of like the Michael Jordan of football coaches….

Man do I hate Longhorn fans, well except for the ones that actually went there.

by mystman995 on Nov 5, 2008 3:53 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Oh sure...I had him as the best of all time too

But yes…I might worry about the duration of his tenure, consistency in the program and recruiting if that were the case.

"Write a wise saying and your name will live forever." - Anonymous
Rock M Nation

by The Beef on Nov 5, 2008 3:55 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

But then again who knows

He could pull a Joe-Pa and coach into his eighties (he’s only 69 now).

Man do I hate Longhorn fans, well except for the ones that actually went there.

by mystman995 on Nov 5, 2008 3:59 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

What were the true circumstances surrounding his initial resignation?

I thought it had more to do with the recruiting game and not wanting to play it as much…were there other reasons?

"Write a wise saying and your name will live forever." - Anonymous
Rock M Nation

by The Beef on Nov 5, 2008 4:04 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I'll reply a little more on that in a little bit...

We'll carry the banner high!
Bring On The Cats

by TB on Nov 5, 2008 4:06 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

More time with his family, etc.

You know, that getting old stuff.

Man do I hate Longhorn fans, well except for the ones that actually went there.

by mystman995 on Nov 5, 2008 4:07 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

yeah...getting old sucks

"Write a wise saying and your name will live forever." - Anonymous
Rock M Nation

by The Beef on Nov 5, 2008 4:16 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I think the plan would be...

…to have a head-coach designate were Snyder to return. Someone to train under him and take the reins after a few years.

We'll carry the banner high!
Bring On The Cats

by TB on Nov 5, 2008 4:04 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

sheesh...you guys would become the first program to hire

two head coaches in one search then :-)

"Write a wise saying and your name will live forever." - Anonymous
Rock M Nation

by The Beef on Nov 5, 2008 4:16 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

We like to...

…blaze our own trail like that.

We'll carry the banner high!
Bring On The Cats

by TB on Nov 5, 2008 4:18 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm a little late, not sure if the presser has started yet or not

It seems like my feed from KMAN is good, but there’s no sound yet. May be a little late starting here.

We'll carry the banner high!
Bring On The Cats

by TB on Nov 5, 2008 4:07 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Well, I have KMAN working now...

…but all I have is Matt Walters right now.

We'll carry the banner high!
Bring On The Cats

by TB on Nov 5, 2008 4:13 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Should be starting soon...

…hang tight.

We'll carry the banner high!
Bring On The Cats

by TB on Nov 5, 2008 4:14 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Damn it TB

make them start soon. I’m getting antsy.

Man do I hate Longhorn fans, well except for the ones that actually went there.

by mystman995 on Nov 5, 2008 4:20 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

This is getting...

…goddamn ridiculous. It’s almost 4:30 and it hasn’t started yet. I always expect press conferences to start late, but this is irritating.

We'll carry the banner high!
Bring On The Cats

by TB on Nov 5, 2008 4:25 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe it took a little longer

Talking with all the players before hand. Although I can’t imagine a guy like Prince ballin’ his eyes out….

Man do I hate Longhorn fans, well except for the ones that actually went there.

by mystman995 on Nov 5, 2008 4:27 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

OK, Here we go

We'll carry the banner high!
Bring On The Cats

by TB on Nov 5, 2008 4:34 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Krause just said we wouldn’t renew Prince’s contract after the season. That’s an odd statement.

We'll carry the banner high!
Bring On The Cats

by TB on Nov 5, 2008 4:35 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Huh?

That is an odd statement since his contract isn’t up.

Man do I hate Longhorn fans, well except for the ones that actually went there.

by mystman995 on Nov 5, 2008 4:36 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

My thoughts exactly

Actually, I think that was Kenny Lannou reading a statement, but I’m sure it was Krause’s statement.

We'll carry the banner high!
Bring On The Cats

by TB on Nov 5, 2008 4:38 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

“Today, we ran out of time to accomplish that.” (meaning winning championships)

We'll carry the banner high!
Bring On The Cats

by TB on Nov 5, 2008 4:36 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

“Confident that we will become bowl-eligible in 2008.”

Not too sure about that.

We'll carry the banner high!
Bring On The Cats

by TB on Nov 5, 2008 4:36 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

He just called Texas “the gold standard of college football.”

We'll carry the banner high!
Bring On The Cats

by TB on Nov 5, 2008 4:37 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Gold as in Assloads of money...

that’s probably not what he meant….

Man do I hate Longhorn fans, well except for the ones that actually went there.

by mystman995 on Nov 5, 2008 4:39 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Prince just concluded his statement, said he was proud of what they’d done (beating UT twice, good graduation rate, etc.), but just ran out of time to accomplish goals.

We'll carry the banner high!
Bring On The Cats

by TB on Nov 5, 2008 4:38 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Ran out of time?

We should set goals every year. Sure as hell didn’t accomplish any this season so far…

Man do I hate Longhorn fans, well except for the ones that actually went there.

by mystman995 on Nov 5, 2008 4:40 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

First question: does he feel he got a fair shake?

Prince said he believes he ran out of time, team will be copmetitive in 2009 and beyond.

We'll carry the banner high!
Bring On The Cats

by TB on Nov 5, 2008 4:39 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Second question: asked to resign of did he volunteer his resignation?

Also, asking Krause is he needs more than 2+ seasons to evaluate.
Krause: It’s a matter of degree. Is basically saying that we royally suck right now, and that’s not what we’re looking for.

Prince: Actually, Krause took this question and is answering it by not answering it.

We'll carry the banner high!
Bring On The Cats

by TB on Nov 5, 2008 4:41 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Dennis Dodd is now asking if we expect to get a quality candidate

What a fucking moron. No, Dennis, we don’t.

We'll carry the banner high!
Bring On The Cats

by TB on Nov 5, 2008 4:41 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Neil Jones in KC asking if Prince has any regrets

Prince: Wishes “we” would have executed better, in games and day-to-day decisions.

We'll carry the banner high!
Bring On The Cats

by TB on Nov 5, 2008 4:42 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Gee aint that Prince answer if I've ever heard one.

Man do I hate Longhorn fans, well except for the ones that actually went there.

by mystman995 on Nov 5, 2008 4:43 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

What was the message to the players?

Prince: Talking about long-term goals, build a team, get the kids an education, get bowl eligible, etc. He’s not the kind of guy to quit or resign (interesting statement…may indicate he was forced out)

We'll carry the banner high!
Bring On The Cats

by TB on Nov 5, 2008 4:43 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Ya think?

Man do I hate Longhorn fans, well except for the ones that actually went there.

by mystman995 on Nov 5, 2008 4:44 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

St. Louis guy: How specific were admins about why this happened, why he's staying til end of season

Prince: Will make most of the last three games, want to try and get bowl eligible. Wants players to keep focus on Mizzou.

We'll carry the banner high!
Bring On The Cats

by TB on Nov 5, 2008 4:44 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Why was decision made now?

Prince: Defers that question. Feels he’s been pretty clear.

We'll carry the banner high!
Bring On The Cats

by TB on Nov 5, 2008 4:45 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Some guy talked to former K-Stater who has been mildly critical of Prince for turning his back on K-State's history

Prince: He’s taking the high road here, saying he can’t change a guy’s opinion.

I have a feeling this reporter is talking about Terry Pierce.

We'll carry the banner high!
Bring On The Cats

by TB on Nov 5, 2008 4:46 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Guy From _____: What (insert specific question here) ?

Prince/Krause/etc: Well, (insert generic answer here).

Press conferences are stupid. Just say what you want to say dammit.

Man do I hate Longhorn fans, well except for the ones that actually went there.

by mystman995 on Nov 5, 2008 4:46 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Barfy from OWH: Signed contract extension and raise, what has changed between then and now

Krause: Execution of the plan (they’re really on message). Wins on field, progress over the long haul, etc. Basically saying we’re not making progress toward our goals. Extension was based on first

We'll carry the banner high!
Bring On The Cats

by TB on Nov 5, 2008 4:47 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Kevin Keitzman! Asking what we expect to get done moving forward in next 17 days that couldn't wait til after the season

Krause: Getting the search process started, get into position to get deals set up, do things you don’t do w/ a coach in place.

Follow-up: other coach’s won’t talk to you during the season?

Now he’s saying they either have a plan or they’re trying to appease the fans. I fucking hate Keitzman. He just asked if it’s a long list. Krause is refusing to give him an answer.

Krause: We hope to have a new coach hired before the end of the season. Keitzman just asked if Snyder is a candidate for the job…Krause said he hasn’t talked w/ him (I’m calling bullshit!). Will be consulted in the near future.

We'll carry the banner high!
Bring On The Cats

by TB on Nov 5, 2008 4:50 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Keitzman again: Asking Ron if he's ever seen anything quite like this

Prince: All coaches want to copmete and win championships. You can tell they hate KK too.

Gee, KK, no, I’ve never seen a coach resign before the end of the season. God he’s being a moron, fishing for some sort of “scandal” or something.

We'll carry the banner high!
Bring On The Cats

by TB on Nov 5, 2008 4:51 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Now being asked if the loss to KU was the reason for the decision

Prince: We wanted to win the North, if we do that, we’re not here today.

We'll carry the banner high!
Bring On The Cats

by TB on Nov 5, 2008 4:51 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Question about buyout

Krause: Buyout is $1.2M and $250K longevity budget and some sort of bonus (couldn’t hear it all).

We'll carry the banner high!
Bring On The Cats

by TB on Nov 5, 2008 4:52 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Now he's asked how difficult it was to replace Snyder

Prince: Never took the approach that he was “replacing” Snyder. Talking about Virginia, and coming in after whoever it was before Groh. Just weren’t able to win the North (their goal).

We'll carry the banner high!
Bring On The Cats

by TB on Nov 5, 2008 4:53 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Krause asked what he's looking for in a new coach

Top of the list is experience. We clearly want someone w/ head coaching experience (“that’s very important” per Krause). Experience, networks, recruiting lines, etc.

We'll carry the banner high!
Bring On The Cats

by TB on Nov 5, 2008 4:54 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Follow up, why wasn't experience important last time

Krause: You’ll have to ask Tim Weiser (just threw Weiser under the bus big time).

We'll carry the banner high!
Bring On The Cats

by TB on Nov 5, 2008 4:54 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Tim Griffin now: Asking about whether he resigned

Prince sounded like he didn’t resign.

Now asked how difficult it was to experience this in his first head-coaching job. Very disappointed, especially because this is the area where he grew up, but enjoyed the entire experience.

We'll carry the banner high!
Bring On The Cats

by TB on Nov 5, 2008 4:55 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Austin Meek: Asking how involved Wefald was

Krause: “It’s always a collaborative decision.”

We'll carry the banner high!
Bring On The Cats

by TB on Nov 5, 2008 4:56 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Asked if he would coach a bowl game

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

We'll carry the banner high!
Bring On The Cats

by TB on Nov 5, 2008 4:56 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Rob from GPC: When did he first get a sense that things had gone awry?

Prince: Clearly getting irritated. Said he’snot sure how to answer that. Said we haven’t met our criteria, ran out of time to achieve objectives. Doesn’t pay attention to that stuff.

We'll carry the banner high!
Bring On The Cats

by TB on Nov 5, 2008 4:57 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Krause asked when one-on-one talks started

Krause said they have such talks all the time. Pace picked up this week.

We'll carry the banner high!
Bring On The Cats

by TB on Nov 5, 2008 4:58 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

And to think...

I was worried about another year of futility.

by MadCat on Nov 5, 2008 4:59 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Lutz now from the Wichita Eagle, asking about the extension

Krause: No rear-view mirrors. Has no regrets, at the time of the extension he believed we were progressing, but now we’ve run out of time, and chance to achieve ultimate goal is very slim.

We'll carry the banner high!
Bring On The Cats

by TB on Nov 5, 2008 4:59 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Haskin from TCJ

Wants to know how much Krause wants Snyder involved in hiring process. Krause said a lot, but he needs to talk to him first.

We'll carry the banner high!
Bring On The Cats

by TB on Nov 5, 2008 4:59 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Next: will next coach be expected to win the North in 3 years?

Krause: No but we’ll expect to see progress.

We'll carry the banner high!
Bring On The Cats

by TB on Nov 5, 2008 5:00 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

First step, bowl game.

and if Freeman’s back next year there should be no reason we can’t make one.

So yes, in 3 years it should be a strong goal to win the north.

Man do I hate Longhorn fans, well except for the ones that actually went there.

by mystman995 on Nov 5, 2008 5:02 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Salina reporter: how big of a factor was the record against KU?

It was a factor.

We'll carry the banner high!
Bring On The Cats

by TB on Nov 5, 2008 5:00 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Did Krause tell PRince before the season we need to see "this" or else?

No.

We'll carry the banner high!
Bring On The Cats

by TB on Nov 5, 2008 5:01 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Prince asked if he feels he was given enough time

And that’s where the presser was cut off.

We'll carry the banner high!
Bring On The Cats

by TB on Nov 5, 2008 5:01 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

A couple thoughts

Kevin Keitzman is an ass. And no, I don’t care if that ends any possibility of me ever being on sports radio in KC.

Clearly Prince was forced out. Not like that wasn’t the clear inference anyway, but reading between the lines that seems pretty clear.

I’m very, very concerned about the plan going forward. I know that Krause wasn’t going to announce candidates today, but he clearly floundered around while Keitzman was peppering away at him. To be fair, Keitzman’s questions were mostly asinine, but I have to believe that we’re dreaming if we think we’re going to have a new coach in place before the end of the season, if in fact we are going after a coach, like Patterson, who has a big season to finish out.

Does that mean we’re bringing in Snyder as an interim coach? We could certainly name him coach before the season ended. Krause claims he hasn’t talked to Snyder at all yet, but if you believe that, go jump off a cliff (note: TB does not advocate suicidal activities).

This is going to be very, very interesting. Stay tuned.

We'll carry the banner high!
Bring On The Cats

by TB on Nov 5, 2008 5:04 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I've never heard of this Keitzman fellow.

Then again I don’t and have never lived in KC.

From what you typed, it sound like Prince was a little pissed off and being as generic as possible in his answers. Nothing new there.

Krause sounded nervous and didn’t think of the answers to the obvious questions people were going to ask.

Man do I hate Longhorn fans, well except for the ones that actually went there.

by mystman995 on Nov 5, 2008 5:08 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Krause sounded very unprepared.

Keitzman is a K-State grad who has the most listened to sports radio show in the afternoon (810 WHB). He tends to run hot and cold. Sometimes, I think he is absolutely spot-on in his assessments. Sometimes, I think he’s saying stuff most politicians wouldn’t believe just to stir the pot. And woe be unto he who disagrees with him.

Today, he was clearly digging for something, hoping Krause would make a mistake and say something he didn’t want to. From what I’ve been reading on the message boards, Keitzman and Jack Harry (another KC radio guy…big Mizzou homer) were lobbing all kinds of accusations at K-State this afternoon. I’ll try to get it all sorted out.

We'll carry the banner high!
Bring On The Cats

by TB on Nov 5, 2008 5:16 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Hey! What did I miss?

"He that never changes his opinions, never corrects his mistakes, will never be wiser on the morrow than he is today." -- Tryon Edwards

by Panjandrum on Nov 5, 2008 6:16 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Something about a goat getting loose

from the research lab…not sure what the big deal is back in Kansas.

Haha…doesn’t it suck when huge shit like this goes down and we’re stuck 1500 miles from home?

by EMAW on Nov 5, 2008 7:00 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I found out via an e-mail...

Then, when I wanted to get back to my hotel to listen to the presser, I had a two-hour meeting that lasted well after it was over.

(sigh) Life on the road.

"He that never changes his opinions, never corrects his mistakes, will never be wiser on the morrow than he is today." -- Tryon Edwards

by Panjandrum on Nov 5, 2008 7:04 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I got a text from my buddy...

and was able to get to a computer about 10 minutes later to confirm (I thought he was just repeating rumors from GPC). Being in a car 5-6 hours a day this far from home (and spotty cell coverage) is just plain horrible. Though, the scenery is nice and I’ve had some lovely crab cakes and hush puppies.

by EMAW on Nov 5, 2008 7:11 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I had a feeling we might see something like this...

http://www.fannation.com/si_blogs/the_sweep/posts/20741 (linked from SI’s home page)

Apparently, “the college football world took another step back toward the stone ages” today.

by JSchwarz on Nov 5, 2008 7:33 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I can't stand that shit.

Prince was fired because he didn’t produce. I believe that’s how everything works in the world.

Man do I hate Longhorn fans, well except for the ones that actually went there.

by mystman995 on Nov 5, 2008 7:55 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The writer was fair

He noted that Prince is 16-18 and his teams have regressed each season.

The number of black head coaches in FBS is shockingly low. Why that is, I’ll leave up to someone who is a lot smarter than I. But as the writer noted, Prince was not fired because he is black.

We'll carry the banner high!
Bring On The Cats

by TB on Nov 5, 2008 8:21 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I understand he was fair.

He explicitly said race had nothing to do with Prince’s departure. I just thought it was interesting and not surprised that an article like this came out so soon. And in the first paragraph, he implied some things to suggest otherwise.

by JSchwarz on Nov 5, 2008 8:35 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

He was unfair even to mention it.

Even though he said it was a non-issue. Well if it was a non-issue – why the F&@# would you bring it up? Stewart Mandel is the poor white man’s veriosn of Jessie Jackson.

Man do I hate Longhorn fans, well except for the ones that actually went there.

by mystman995 on Nov 5, 2008 9:36 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

So...

How do you feel about Kansas fans taking credit for this?

Pinkel for America '08
http://www.RockMNation.com

by RPT on Nov 5, 2008 9:42 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Let them think what they want. If we get Gary Patterson, I’ll be forever in their debt.

Also, rpt, it’s KU, not Kansas. That university does not represent Kansas. It represents Dallas, and Denver, and Chicago, and St. Louis. Not Kansas.

We'll carry the banner high!
Bring On The Cats

by TB on Nov 5, 2008 9:55 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

KU - The Midwest's Premier Backup School

Where average students go when they get rejected by their first and second choice schools…

"He that never changes his opinions, never corrects his mistakes, will never be wiser on the morrow than he is today." -- Tryon Edwards

by Panjandrum on Nov 5, 2008 11:02 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

It just goes to say

that it is unnacceptable to drop three straight against a school who has had a bunch of mediocre seasons (including this one – they still have yet to beat anyone, hey just like last season!) and one lucky scheduling season. We should never loose that many to a basketball school. Never. They just aren’t that good. Period. …..ku sucks….

Man do I hate Longhorn fans, well except for the ones that actually went there.

by mystman995 on Nov 6, 2008 8:31 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs