Another Oregon player transfers

panthadad2 said:

I'm not sure why everyone here is blaming the new coach. This is totally on White (and Oregon admin) and the first few players that bolted. That caused a waterfall of remaining veteran players that didn't want to play on a rebuilding program for their remaining careers.

BTW, in a Fastpitchnews podcast, the Oregon beat writer for the Ducks was talking about how White had a reputation for being hard on his players while the new coach Lombardi was more laid back. Some others here on this board are suggesting the opposite.

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There is a difference between being tough on the players and being a control freak telling them how to dress and what they could and could not do off of the field. At least that's the impression I'm getting from the things I've read.

Again, the most telling indicators are the players who've chosen to sit out rather than play for the new HC. THAT says a lot to me.

I think once the players who've left are done playing the reasons will come out for their departures.

pattar said:

She is the coach, they are players. She has to implement what she believes in. If this was the only thing that was going on then they are babies. She isn't saying they are not good enough just that this is the way she wants to run HER program. Now if she is constantly telling them they are not good enough and comparing them to OU that is a different story and I can see why they wouldn't want to be at a place where they don't seem to be wanted.

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It's pretty terrible management style to do this though. Even if you get a job as a boss, if you walk into a place that is successful and has a lot of established people there, you don't just tear it all down and remake it as you want on Day 1. That's going to upset a lot of people. You have to make those changes slowly, as you see fit.

Constant comparisons to OU are going to bother people. There's no need to do it that way. You can internally think "OK, we did this better at Oklahoma, so let me figure out how to get us there." Constantly saying the girls at OU are better? Eh.

I've also seen some stuff about how she's bringing her religious background to the team, which, again, absolutely do not do that (of course, that may not be the case, but it's out there).

CoachJD said:

It's pretty terrible management style to do this though. Even if you get a job as a boss, if you walk into a place that is successful and has a lot of established people there, you don't just tear it all down and remake it as you want on Day 1. That's going to upset a lot of people. You have to make those changes slowly, as you see fit. ).

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That’s exactly it. From the descriptions she’s come in with a ‘my way or the highway’ attitude. And that’s a TERRIBLE way to lead. Especially in a program that’s successful.

CoachJD said:

Constant comparisons to OU are going to bother people. There's no need to do it that way. You can internally think "OK, we did this better at Oklahoma, so let me figure out how to get us there." Constantly saying the girls at OU are better? Eh.

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Yeah, that is what I said.

I am sure it is all the coach's fault and none of these late teen/early 20's with undeveloped prefrontal cortex, are acting completely rational and are not to blame at all.

pattar said:

Yeah, that is what I said.

I am sure it is all the coach's fault and none of these late teen/early 20's with undeveloped prefrontal cortex, are acting completely rational and are not to blame at all.

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A lot of these girls stuck around for half a year before deciding to leave. I'm not sure we can accuse them of making an impulsive decision.

CoachJD said:

A lot of these girls stuck around for half a year before deciding to leave. I'm not sure we can accuse them of making an impulsive decision.

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Fair enough. All I am saying is that teens/early 20's (heck some adults) don't always know what is best for them. That said, something is certainly amiss up there.

The idea that nine (and counting) women would leave the program because people of that age ‘don’t make good decisions’ is a tad absurd.

MAYBE the women who left and went to Texas. But we’ve now got 4 women who would rather sit out this season than plplay for Oregon under Lombardi. That should speak volumes. These are women who could have gone to any Div I University tonplay softball. They have talent and drive. And they’d rather not play than play for her.

FWIW I thought it was just culture shock when women were leaving for different programs. My view has changed since we’ve had women rather not play than play for her. That’s a harsh indictment of how she’s started off.

Lozza said:

The idea that nine (and counting) women would leave the program because people of that age ‘don’t make good decisions’ is a tad absurd.

MAYBE the women who left and went to Texas. But we’ve now got 4 women who would rather sit out this season than plplay for Oregon under Lombardi. That should speak volumes. These are women who could have gone to any Div I University tonplay softball. They have talent and drive. And they’d rather not play than play for her.

FWIW I thought it was just culture shock when women were leaving for different programs. My view has changed since we’ve had women rather not play than play for her. That’s a harsh indictment of how she’s started off.

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You are right, forget I said something. By the way, there is a very useful quote option on this board. It makes it easier to see who you are arguing with...

pattar said:

Fair enough. All I am saying is that teens/early 20's (heck some adults) don't always know what is best for them. That said, something is certainly amiss up there.

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Oh, they may not be making the right decision. None of us can really say. And some may be making the decision for the wrong reasons.

I don't think we really disagree here. I think we both agree there's something going on (it may not actually be bad or scandalous), especially since so many of the players waited to transfer.

It's an interesting story, and the only thing I really hope/care about is that nothing bad (abuse of some kind, etc.) is going on. If everybody's just making the decision they think is best for them, great.

Lazy and not researching but I thought only 1 or 2 of the players were going to Texas.