December 1, 2003
Cincy fires head coach
After 10 years, Head Coach Rick Minter is out as the chief Bearcat and has been offered another position within the athletic department. In ten seasons, Minter was 53-63-1 with both the most wins and the most losses in Bearcats' history. He had three years remaining on his contract.
Minter ... had come under increasing criticism for failing to create a larger fan base and national profile. Big East officials mentioned that Louisville and South Florida -- two other Conference USA teams making the switch -- have developed a following. Minter took note then that Cincinnati was the only one of the three schools not mentioned.
I guess this is the "Gary Patterson effect". If little ol' TCU can get some national spotlight, you would think a public school two-three times larger could too, right? I think this is a dangerous precedent.
Replacing Minter is the right thing to do because the team needs fresh air on the field. Firing a coach because you're not developing a "national following" is another thing completely. Am I alone in thinking UC owes Minter a little more in return? Where was Bearcat football ten years ago?
Comments:
posted on December 5, 2003 2:13 AM — 216.190.249.169 — link — abuse?Josh McClain said:
this is laughable - Cincy football is at a minimum, the 6th or 7th rated sport in Cincinnati. Here's another AD trapped on a power trip with delusions of greatness so large that he ignores the good thing right in front of his nose.
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Kevin Donahue said:
posted on December 1, 2003 4:37 PM — link — abuse?Thinking about this in slightly more detail...how 'bout Frank Solich for Cincy? He's not doing anything right now and he looks pretty good in red.