Is Pollard distancing himself from McCarney?

Here is an article from the Des Moines Register. I was surprised (and a little disappointed) to see Pollard distancing himself from McCarney and even entertaining discussion of assistant coaching.

The ominous clouds of change are rolling in and a storm is brewing....

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McCarney ignores jabs at job security
ISU coach knows some fans are speaking out, but his focus is on team.


varUsername = "rpeterson@dmreg.com";document.write("By RANDY PETERSON");By RANDY PETERSON
REGISTER STAFF WRITER


October 24, 2006




Ames, Ia. - Iowa State football coach Dan McCarney said Monday he lies awake at night thinking about ways to improve his struggling team, not about his job security.

"I know it's out there, fans talking about this and that, but I don't let it bother me," McCarney said Monday after his weekly news conference. "I go into the office every day trying to figure out how I can be a better head coach and a better leader for the program."

The Cyclones enter the final third of the season with records of 3-5 overall and 0-4 in the Big 12 Conference. They play Kansas State at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Snyder Family Stadium in Manhattan needing to win three of their final four games just to qualify for a sixth bowl game in the past seven years.

"I'm not sleeping much right now," said McCarney, who owns records of 55-82 overall and 24-57 in the Big 12.

Many fans left Jack Trice Stadium during the fourth quarter of last Saturday's 42-26 loss against Texas Tech unhappier than others.

"Our fans are passionate," McCarney said. "The success we've had in the past resulted in high expectations, and that's a good thing."

Assistant head coach Tony Alford found himself defending McCarney as he walked to the locker room after the game. Alford reacted verbally when he said an unidentified fan started to curse loudly.

"Some things were said," said Alford, who refused to repeat what the fan said. "I let my emotions get the best of me, but there never was anything physical with the fan or with me.

"We have great fans, emotions are high, and I'm passionate, too. I felt someone was taking a (verbal) shot at someone that I dearly care about and respect, and I stuck up for him.

"It wasn't the right opportunity or the right time. I apologize. It won't happen again on my part."

The media picked Iowa State second in the North Division. That now is unlikely.

"I share the same disappointment as the players, coaches and fans," athletic director Jamie Pollard said. "We didn't expect to be in this spot."

McCarney's contract is through the 2009 season. He earns $1.1 million annually, with a buyout of $225,000 for each of the remaining years on the contract - which expires on June 30, 2010.

"I judge everything at the end of the year," Pollard said. "There are still four games to be had. I want to see the team continue to improve."

Pollard fired men's basketball coach Wayne Morgan after last season. He is trying to raise $135 million to renovate Jack Trice Stadium and Hilton Coliseum.

"I don't worry about that," McCarney said of Pollard's firing of Morgan. "I want my team to have success. I want us to have some celebrations in the locker room."

Pollard previously was associate athletic director to Barry Alvarez at Wisconsin. McCarney is Alvarez's former defensive coordinator.

"Jamie and I meet monthly," McCarney said. "We're all measured and evaluated for our performance throughout a season, and Jamie made that very clear to me when he was hired."

Pollard has placed no demands on the program for the remainder of the season.

"I'm not going to get into any one game meaning any more or less," Pollard said. "I'm going to evaluate things at the end of the year."

Pollard will allow McCarney to make staff decisions.

"I would never want a president to tell me who my assistant athletic directors are," Pollard said, "and I will never be an athletic director to tell a coach who his staff will be.''

"Evaluation is at the end of the year. I assume Dan will evaluate the people who report to him."

If you can, read the CR Gazette story and take note of the quotes....

Quote:

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McCarney's contract is through the 2009 season. He earns $1.1 million annually, with a buyout of $225,000 for each of the remaining years on the contract - which expires on June 30, 2010.

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This is a lot less than I've been hearing (estimates I've seen were in the 450k per year range). This makes buying out Dan's contract only a million dollars spread over 4 years. That figure should not be a huge factor in keeping him here.

Pollard is saying exactly what he should say. While he is not opening or closing any doors for McCarney, he is also saying the right things to any potential replacement candidates.

McCarney ignores jabs at job security
ISU coach knows some fans are speaking out, but his focus is on team.

McCarney's contract is through the 2009 season. He earns $1.1 million annually, with a buyout of $225,000 for each of the remaining years on the contract - which expires on June 30, 2010.

"I judge everything at the end of the year," Pollard said. "There are still four games to be had. I want to see the team continue to improve."

Did I figure this right? $675,000 to buy him out? Year 2007,08, and 09? Man' that is alot less than what has been dribbled on this site. What a bargain!

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Originally Posted by SlyCy

Pollard said. "I'm going to evaluate things at the end of the year."

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Not exactly a statement in support of the coach. Earlier in the season I thought McCarney might get one more season, but now I doubt it.

I emailed Jamie Pollard this morning and left him with this one sobering thought.

Be careful what you wish for Jamie You might just get it!

Might just get what exactly?

Not following....

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Originally Posted by CyBobby

I emailed Jamie Pollard this morning and left him with this one sobering thought.

Be careful what you wish for Jamie You might just get it!

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A clean, consistent, winning program, that plays to it's potential, and keeps the stadium sold out every game?

I guess that's just my wish, but I'm trying to figure out what the downside would be if it came true.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CyBobby

I emailed Jamie Pollard this morning and left him with this one sobering thought.

Be careful what you wish for Jamie You might just get it!

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Please, don't pretend to know more or be wiser than our AD. It makes you look like a fool.

Hey it's a silly email to send, no doubt, but it does raise a valid point. Coaching changes in football are risky, and there's a very real possibility of being worse off even after the new staff has had time to implement their systems.

Pollard is sharp, so of course he's considered this, but he's also not all-knowing. It is not foolish to question his judgement from time to time.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kyle

This is a lot less than I've been hearing (estimates I've seen were in the 450k per year range). This makes buying out Dan's contract only a million dollars spread over 4 years. That figure should not be a huge factor in keeping him here.

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Really does sound like 07/08/09 for $675k plus cost for assistants. Less than a million.

We paid 1.2M for the WMster and ASSistants to take a bon voyage trip.

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Originally Posted by ISUFan22

Please, don't pretend to know more or be wiser than our AD. It makes you look like a fool.

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I don't know what you are talking about...it's easy to hire a Paterno, Bowden, etc. Duh. :rolleyes5cz:

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Originally Posted by CloneFan65

Not exactly a statement in support of the coach. Earlier in the season I thought McCarney might get one more season, but now I doubt it.

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You mean no one has extended McC contract beyond 2009. Hmmm. The recruits will notice that.

Any open ended statements at this point are going to be read as "ominous" by those who want change. I didn't see anything different there, but a complete collapse in the next few games might change things.