Sports Editor
After a private meeting with Athletic Director Robert Bunnell on April 17, former men's PUC coach Grayling Gordon was assured he wouldn't be coaching the Peregrines next season.
"I wanted to be back, but I wasn't in a situation where I was wanted back," Gordon said.
Gordon's resignation papers were turned in the following day after contemplating his decision.
"I was stunned, I didn't see this coming in any way. Totally shocked," Gordon added. "At this point it was in my best interest to resign, that's as much as I can say."
Gordon was hired last July to revive a PUC program forced into a season cancellation during the 2006-07 season due to academic ineligibilities.
"He just continued to stress that it was a difference in philosophy. I have been coaching 18 years, and I've been at the college level, so I really didn't understand," Gordon said. "He said it was a difference in philosophy and that was it."
When asked what the change in philosophies were, Gordon declined to answer.
He imagined it was a decision made from the business standpoint.
"It's something I'm not enthused about, but again I wanted to be with the team, I miss the guys, and was looking forward to the recruits we were bringing in," he said.
Bunnell said he appreciated Gordon's work on behalf of PUC and the men's basketball program, and wished him much success in his future endeavors.
A national search for new coach is in place and their hopes for a new coach will be identified by June 1, at the latest. Team members will be involved in the interview process, and will have an opportunity to meet with each of the finalists brought to campus.
Women's basketball coach, Tom Megyesi, will work with the men's team to coordinate their efforts in off-season training, and to monitor their academic progress.
The team is searching for answers as to why their coach left and what to make of a new season on the loom with their fourth coach in three years at the helm.
"It's hard for everybody really," freshman forward Justin Latimore said. "Him resigning will only set us back even more now, because we have to start all over."
The Peregrines finished 6-23 during the 2007-08 season, while having all of the players maintain their academic eligibility.
"I really thought we were on the right track, although our record might not have shown it," Latimore said. "You can ask any of the players and we all really felt we were on the right track, we were all looking forward to next year. Whatever happened, I guess we'll leave it at that. I don't know if it's really our place for us to be nosey and know the true details."
"Certain things I guess can't be discussed."
"I wanted to be back, but I wasn't in a situation where I was wanted back," Gordon said.
Gordon's resignation papers were turned in the following day after contemplating his decision.
"I was stunned, I didn't see this coming in any way. Totally shocked," Gordon added. "At this point it was in my best interest to resign, that's as much as I can say."
Gordon was hired last July to revive a PUC program forced into a season cancellation during the 2006-07 season due to academic ineligibilities.
"He just continued to stress that it was a difference in philosophy. I have been coaching 18 years, and I've been at the college level, so I really didn't understand," Gordon said. "He said it was a difference in philosophy and that was it."
When asked what the change in philosophies were, Gordon declined to answer.
He imagined it was a decision made from the business standpoint.
"It's something I'm not enthused about, but again I wanted to be with the team, I miss the guys, and was looking forward to the recruits we were bringing in," he said.
Bunnell said he appreciated Gordon's work on behalf of PUC and the men's basketball program, and wished him much success in his future endeavors.
A national search for new coach is in place and their hopes for a new coach will be identified by June 1, at the latest. Team members will be involved in the interview process, and will have an opportunity to meet with each of the finalists brought to campus.
Women's basketball coach, Tom Megyesi, will work with the men's team to coordinate their efforts in off-season training, and to monitor their academic progress.
The team is searching for answers as to why their coach left and what to make of a new season on the loom with their fourth coach in three years at the helm.
"It's hard for everybody really," freshman forward Justin Latimore said. "Him resigning will only set us back even more now, because we have to start all over."
The Peregrines finished 6-23 during the 2007-08 season, while having all of the players maintain their academic eligibility.
"I really thought we were on the right track, although our record might not have shown it," Latimore said. "You can ask any of the players and we all really felt we were on the right track, we were all looking forward to next year. Whatever happened, I guess we'll leave it at that. I don't know if it's really our place for us to be nosey and know the true details."
"Certain things I guess can't be discussed."
Published in the PUC Chronicle on April 28, 2008
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