patriot4x

Coach, YOU started this part of the thread on the premise that the school had NOT been honest with Mathews about the premise for his evaluation as a coach. "just be honest" you said. My main point is that it is patently absurd to continue to assert that ANY coach takes on a job believing that wins and losses don't matter. And those of us who also know Mathews and had children who played for him can safely say that if you asked Jay whether there was any question in HIS mind as to whether the competitiveness of his program would have any bearing on his retention he would laugh at you. So let's move on, shall we? At least we can agree that we wish he and his family well.

I would respectfully suggest that it is utterly preposterous to suggest that the school has EVER communicated that a "coach's continued employment will not be based on wins and losses." Balance and Perspective. How much weight the school assigns to wins and losses reflects their values and is worth discussion. But to claim that wins and losses will not influence a COACH's standing is, naive at best. It seems that you simply do not trust that the leadership of the school properly advised Mathews of his shortcomings and gave him a proper opportunity to correct them. I have no basis to say that they did or did not, nor, I suspect, do you. If you DO have such evidence and you stand to be affected by such future decisionmaking, you ought to be addressing it privately with your employer. If not, you are maligning the integrity of the leadership with no basis in fact.

Apparently our friend believes that to aspire to excellence "lacks character and integrity". The great cop-out. I've seen no posts critical of Coach Mathews' character. And no one on this message board knows the reasons for his dismissal nor the process undertaken by the schools' leadership to address his shortcomings. But the school as NEVER communicated that winning does not matter. They have been persistent in seeking to win with grace. To cultivate "winners" in every respect. From time to time, there have been coaches who have placed too much emphasis on winning AT THE EXPENSE of competing with character. And we've all experienced the "just have fun" coach. CPA is special BECAUSE it chooses to COMPETE--in all aspects--academics, the arts, athletics, and service, with an unapologetic Christian worldview. THAT is a unique mandate, not easily executed. You cannot compete with darkness if you don't train up winners. When all is said and done, I'm betting that there was no single factor that led to his dismissal. Rather, a judgment that CPA can and should do better as a program.

Have to agree with posts re head coaching decisions by CPA. Over two minutes to go in first half, GP has not stopped CPA all night, you get a couple of first downs to get out of your end of the field, and then take NO shots at the end zone and just run out the clock? Bizarre! Then he gets too clever with an onside kick that does not work and gives GP field position and chance to change momentum. Then is so concerned with punt returns that he keeps QB in as punter, averaging about 6 yards per punt. Then when GP makes a run, instead of staying on the ground or the short possession passes--which GP had not stopped all night--he starts throwing the low percentage long balls--panic. CPA defense is an overachieving group for their lack of size and speed. Just need some game management help on the offense.