UCLA gets its man...

[richxx87]

I had never heard of Mike Maynard until he was mentioned as a candidate a week ago. Do any of you know about him, beyond what it says in the press release? Is he an A-list type of recruiter? Is this a homerun hire? Should USC and Oregon and TexAM be afraid?

http://www.uclabruins.com/sports/m-trac ... 09aaa.html

[Marlow]

This can't be good

http://media.www.arbiteronline.com/medi ... 9748.shtml

[richxx87]

Well, sounds like a tough fellow, who understands how to deal with women. Then again, maybe not...

[bad hammy]

Well, sounds like a tough fellow, who understands how to deal with women.

Uh, say what?

[richxx87]

I don't know what to make of it actually. It just sounds like a bunch of petty office politics and backstabbing.... I mean jeeez in this day and age where recruits in some schools are allegedly getting under-the-table cash (take your pick), when big shoe companies are way tooooo close to a team (O), where academic records are being fudged (Fla St.), drugs, shootings (USC), etc... these incidents at BSU just seem incredibly trivial and that woman coach's statements come off as border-line hysterical -- like she's angling for a payday via the courts.

[bad hammy]

Well, sounds like a tough fellow, who understands how to deal with women.

. . .that woman coach's statements come off as border-line hysterical . . .

Keep digging. Since you really know nothing about this guy and have no idea what went on, your comments are, what's the word, oh yeah - sexist.

[HigherEd]

someone I know

I do know Mike Maynard very well and think he is a great coach and person. Is he perfect? Of course not. Mike is intense and passionate about doing things the right way. Strangely, I have seen other coaches screaming in his face about something and he has remained calm and walked away (something I'm not sure I could have done). He is not some loose cannon.

The situation with the female assistant actually started before Mike ever got to BSU. She thought she should have the head position, and when BSU hired Mike problems began. Probably in hindsight BSU should have parted ways with her and started with a new staff. Anytime an assistant on staff doesn't get the head job there are resentments. That is just natural. Mike is an excellent administrator of a program and categorically the most intelligent track and field coach I have been around (and I have been around many). I think UCLA did a good job in getting a top notch overall coach.

[richxx87]

Well, sounds like a tough fellow, who understands how to deal with women.

. . .that woman coach's statements come off as border-line hysterical . .

...your comments are, what's the word, oh yeah - sexist.

If you'd read the article linked by Marlow, which claimed Maynard nearly bit some jogger's head off and was roundly criticized with a thousand complaints from the female asst. coach (who is claiming gender discrimination), you'd have understood my feeble attempt at wry wit. (again, I guess I gotta learn to use these silly emoticons).... And how does hysterical equate to being sexist? If I were a woman and said a man was being hysterical, would that be sexist? No, it would just mean I thought he was being hysterical.

Back on topic, Higher Ed, that is good news. He sounds like the right hire for the Bruins, especially considering the budget constraints that precluded them from going after a 5-star type.

[balzonia]

In addition to his credentials listed on the front page press release, Maynard also has a good deal of experience, and a long history, of bringing in athletes from abroad. I suspect this proven recruiting style will have an immediate impact on the make up of future UCLA teams which have not traditionally had a powerful foreign presence.

Also seems possible that Trevor Kraychir (a SoCal native) might follow Maynard to UCLA and provide a capable hammer/weight athlete right out of the gate.

[Daisy]

So is this good or bad news for Theriot? Is he a shoe in for the middle distance assistant?

[richxx87]

So is this good or bad news for Theriot? Is he a shoe in for the middle distance assistant?

I don't know about Theriot, but it might be a good move for Chris Huffins (decathlete, former Berserkeley coach), if we are to believe a couple of LetsRun posters, who say he's going to be Maynard's asst. in Westwood.

[imaginative]

Looking at the statements from Amy Christoffersen (while realizing that they
are note given in complete context), I did not see anything that indicated
gender discrimination.

Further, while I (very obviously) cannot speak for the details about this case,
it is all to common that women construe every bad thing that happens to them
as gender discrimination, sexual harassment, or similar, when what goes on has
a different nature. In this case, richxx87's statements about office politics
may well hit the true nature. Dilbert should be made mandatory reading.

[westcoasttiger]

In regards to the former female assistant coach's accusations I recall the head coach prior to Maynard had a serious altercation with a female assistant coach that resulted in his dismissal. Would this perhaps be the same female assistant coach?

[Marlow]

it is all to common that women construe every bad thing that happens to them as gender discrimination, sexual harassment, or similar, when what goes on has a different nature.

Really?! That has not been my experience. Typically if there is a problem, and they do complain, it really is one of those things.

[wamego relays champ]

And how does hysterical equate to being sexist? If I were a woman and said a man was being hysterical, would that be sexist? No, it would just mean I thought he was being hysterical.

I'm no expert but I have heard before that the word "hysterical" may be derogatory towards women since the historic origins of the word applied only to women. The modern usage (as a synonym for frantic or frenzied) can be applied to either gender, but the etymological root may make it sexist when applied to a woman complaining of gender discrimination.


http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=hysterical


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