From what I can tell, Hazell is an upstanding human being. I think he loves Purdue, and he's doing the best he can. There are many factors involved in this thing beyond his control. I honestly don't think Nick Saban could be successful in the poisonous environment that Purdue currently has across the board. It is VERY clear that Hazell should have been fired a long time ago, but the timing of MB retiring, the contract money, and the football facility being finished in the spring, all pointed to a lame duck year, an awkward year everyone knew wouldn't go well. This is not all Hazell's fault.
Hazell himself has to be very surprised that he was retained for this year. He probably wanted out, but who can blame him for fullfilling his contract and doing the best he can for the rest of his money? It's NOT his fault he is still around.
The question is, who let this happen?? Why is Hazell put in this position? Let's be angry at them. Many people are responsible for sinking this ship. Most are anonymous, thus shielded from criticism, and you can bet they'll be around when Hazell is gone. They won't be held accountable for anything. THIS IS THE PROBLEM. We have a president who publicly says he does not care about wining games or competing on a national level. The university is too conservative here. (I don't mean this in a political sense of the term.) It plays on its heel; its not being aggressive; it doesn't put up lights or improve the jumbotron; it signs stupid contracts; it's not joining the arms race; not getting the right people, etc., etc.
Having said all this, yes, we have a right to be angry, and something has to be done. I don't know all the politics, the X's and O's, but I do know something has to be done to show the fans that the university cares about football. As a matter of pride and accountability, we can expect at least a .500 team with a bowl appearance now and then, a team that is competitive; a team worth watching.
I want to be clear: We have a right to be angry. But I don't think it's fair to scapegoat one person. Yes, unfortunately coaches get the brunt of the criticism, and as everyone will remind me, he is making millions of dollars. I get that. That's just the way it is, and some criticism is fair. But also, let's remember who put Hazell in this shitty position. It is not right to scapegoat him this much. Often times the wrong people get blamed for things. Instead, we must indict the entire system.
I say we back off the witch hunting and name calling. Let's support our team and our coach one week at a time. Yes, that means supporting Hazell!! He will be gone soon enough. It's the other goons we have to worry about.
Hazell himself has to be very surprised that he was retained for this year. He probably wanted out, but who can blame him for fullfilling his contract and doing the best he can for the rest of his money? It's NOT his fault he is still around.
The question is, who let this happen?? Why is Hazell put in this position? Let's be angry at them. Many people are responsible for sinking this ship. Most are anonymous, thus shielded from criticism, and you can bet they'll be around when Hazell is gone. They won't be held accountable for anything. THIS IS THE PROBLEM. We have a president who publicly says he does not care about wining games or competing on a national level. The university is too conservative here. (I don't mean this in a political sense of the term.) It plays on its heel; its not being aggressive; it doesn't put up lights or improve the jumbotron; it signs stupid contracts; it's not joining the arms race; not getting the right people, etc., etc.
Having said all this, yes, we have a right to be angry, and something has to be done. I don't know all the politics, the X's and O's, but I do know something has to be done to show the fans that the university cares about football. As a matter of pride and accountability, we can expect at least a .500 team with a bowl appearance now and then, a team that is competitive; a team worth watching.
I want to be clear: We have a right to be angry. But I don't think it's fair to scapegoat one person. Yes, unfortunately coaches get the brunt of the criticism, and as everyone will remind me, he is making millions of dollars. I get that. That's just the way it is, and some criticism is fair. But also, let's remember who put Hazell in this shitty position. It is not right to scapegoat him this much. Often times the wrong people get blamed for things. Instead, we must indict the entire system.
I say we back off the witch hunting and name calling. Let's support our team and our coach one week at a time. Yes, that means supporting Hazell!! He will be gone soon enough. It's the other goons we have to worry about.
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