I think that’s part of why Fran needs to exit stage left, his product doesn’t make donors want to give anything to the program and i think it’s been noted he’s not good at going out and “fundraising”. I agree it’s not cool for the players getting smacked around on the court…but who’s fault is that? I can cheer all i want and watch every game, it’s not suddenly going to make them more athletic and better players or Fran a better coach, they’re still gna get slapped around!
So here’s a question, how exactly does a fan go about “supporting the program” without supporting Fran at the same time?
Yet in an above post you seem to claim that a worse product wouldn't hurt donations.
As for your question, unfortunately it seems we've gotten to a place in society where I actually have to give you credit for a thoughtful question.
At the same time, the question is absolutely infuriating. It's like, do you really have to ask? How did Cubs fans exist for 100 years before they won anything? You're either a fan or you're not.
You go to as many games as you can. When you are there, you cheer loudly and enthusiastically. Yes, a good crowd can and usually does help the team play better. You care about and believe in the players. You keep fighting for them and remain a positive voice in the community. If you have contact with the players, be encouraging. I would say, continue to donate money to the program, if not only for the sake of recruiting, or the next coach. But I'm not going to tell anyone what to do with their money.
Really, at this point, and in this day of me first message boarders, it's about damage control. Don't contribute to negativity in the community (including message boards). Don't root for the team to lose. Continue to attend games. Don't shit on the program to an extent where it's not an attractive place for the best players to stay and recruits to join. Don't shit on the program to an extent where donors are no longer willing to contribute.
Can some of these actions be interpreted as support for Fran? Sure. But in the end, that's irrelevant. Simply do what fans do, and support the team. AD's get paid a lot of money to make capable coaching hiring/firing decisions.
Granted he was an assistant, but Brian Ferentz got fired in the midst of great fan attendance and team success. Dr. Tom wasn't retained in the midst of great fan attendance. How many Cubs managers and Cowboys coaches have gotten canned in the midst of drawing packed houses? AD's are going to do what they do, regardless.
If the only thing an AD considers is fan feedback/attendance, he/she is very bad at the job. Of course fan feedback/attendance is part of the calculus. But things don't need to get any worse here for that "voice" to be heard. Again, at this point it's about damage control. Don't contribute to the negativity.
The whole be as negative as possible, "tear it down" mentality, is bullshit. Completely unnecessary, childish, and harmful. And almost entirely, nothing but an attempt by fans to justify their poor behavior
