South Carolina hiring Donati

[froginaustin]

IMO if he didn't fire Patterson he would not have been doing his job.

He had lost the team, it was a total mess, and we needed to move on asap so as not to be totally screwed for 2022. It worked out pretty well I think.

I am of the impression that the execution of the execution, so to speak, was botched. under the circumstances, I am not sure that a better or at least less painful transaction was possible.

 

[Wexahu]

I am of the impression that the execution of the execution, so to speak, was botched. under the circumstances, I am not sure that a better or at least less painful transaction was possible.

It's really hard to execute a clean break when one party isn't cooperating. It is my impression that GP was given some options that he turned down because he wanted to keep his job. There are some that insist that GP should have been able to go on his terms. Those terms go out the window when they are a detriment to the program.

 

[HornyWartyToad]

It's really hard to execute a clean break when one party isn't cooperating. It is my impression that GP was given some options that he turned down because he wanted to keep his job. There are some that insist that GP should have been able to go on his terms. Those terms go out the window when they are a detriment to the program.

I think the expiration date on coaches has gotten much shorter because of the power shift toward players in the last couple of decades. Especially those who stay at one school long-term. Gary had clearly outstayed his and had to go.
You couldn’t possibly ask for a better year-1 result from Sonny, although the jury’s still out on him long-term.
Saban knew it was time for him to go. Deboer has a great chance to win some titles there, and I think their timing was perfect. I doubt we’ll see another run like Nicky had for a long time, if ever. There’s just too many factors out of a coach’s control to allow for that kind of run to repeat.
For those who say Gary, “deserved to go out on his own terms,” that’s nonsense. He got extremely well-rewarded for his contributions here, but NOBODY, “deserves,” to be permitted to run a great program into the ground. Nobody.

 

[Wexahu]

I think the expiration date on coaches has gotten much shorter because of the power shift toward players in the last couple of decades. Especially those who stay at one school long-term. Gary had clearly outstayed his and had to go.
You couldn’t possibly ask for a better year-1 result from Sonny, although the jury’s still out on him long-term.
Saban knew it was time for him to go. Deboer has a great chance to win some titles there, and I think their timing was perfect. I doubt we’ll see another run like Nicky had for a long time, if ever. There’s just too many factors out of a coach’s control to allow for that kind of run to repeat.

I may be wrong, but I don't think Alabama has quite the firepower ($$$$) in this era to ever dominate like they did for the past decade. They have money and willing donors for sure, but I would think there are others that can easily outbid them if they need to (Texas) in order to get what they want.

 

[HornyWartyToad]

I may be wrong, but I don't think Alabama has quite the firepower ($$$$) in this era to ever dominate like they did for the past decade. They have money and willing donors for sure, but I would think there are others that can easily outbid them if they need to (Texas) in order to get what they want.

I think that’s absolutely right. I think they can still win big, but not like St Nick did. I don’t think ANY coach or program will be able to stack 4-5 star players like cordwood the way Bama did under Saban.

 

[froginaustin]

I think that’s absolutely right. I think they can still win big, but not like St Nick did. I don’t think ANY coach or program will be able to stack 4-5 star players like cordwood the way Bama did under Saban.

Historically, tOSU and UTx had the biggest athletic athletic department budgets in the country. It’s fair to assume those 2 can outspend everybody on NIL (or whatever payments to players are called when the next period of relative stability sets in) plus have solid gold Cadillac above-the-line budgets.

Bama and Georgia etc., can still be rich and very very good but NOT UTx/tOSU rich.

 

[Sangria Wine]

It's really hard to execute a clean break when one party isn't cooperating. It is my impression that GP was given some options that he turned down because he wanted to keep his job. There are some that insist that GP should have been able to go on his terms. Those terms go out the window when they are a detriment to the program.

I think that’s a pretty fair notion. My belief is that while JD was the boss, the message wasn’t going to be well received coming from him in typical moderately arrogant fashion. Not only because of that way of his but because JD was the whipper snapper who hadn’t really earned GMFP’s respect as AD. If the big cigars were actually on board and pushing for this change they should have been engaged in the messaging and communication of the plan going forward. A group meeting with JD, GMFP, and about 10 guys that GMFP respected and had a relationship with and not employed by TCU. Unorthodox situation I know but it’s not often a legend is shown the door by the program he built. It takes an ability to orchestrate it in a manner that makes it as painless and respectful as possible.

 

[froginaustin]

I think that’s a pretty fair notion. My belief is that while JD was the boss, the message wasn’t going to be well received coming from him in typical moderately arrogant fashion. Not only because of that way of his but because JD was the whipper snapper who hadn’t really earned GMFP’s respect as AD. If the big cigars were actually on board and pushing for this change they should have been engaged in the messaging and communication of the plan going forward. A group meeting with JD, GMFP, and about 10 guys that GMFP respected and had a relationship with and not employed by TCU. Unorthodox situation I know but it’s not often a legend is shown the door by the program he built. It takes an ability to orchestrate it in a manner that makes it as painless and respectful as possible.

an ability that is beyond Donati’s at least at this point in his career.

By the way, thoughtful post^^^

 

[FrogBall09]

I think that’s a pretty fair notion. My belief is that while JD was the boss, the message wasn’t going to be well received coming from him in typical moderately arrogant fashion. Not only because of that way of his but because JD was the whipper snapper who hadn’t really earned GMFP’s respect as AD. If the big cigars were actually on board and pushing for this change they should have been engaged in the messaging and communication of the plan going forward. A group meeting with JD, GMFP, and about 10 guys that GMFP respected and had a relationship with and not employed by TCU. Unorthodox situation I know but it’s not often a legend is shown the door by the program he built. It takes an ability to orchestrate it in a manner that makes it as painless and respectful as possible.

congrats on being the first to figure it out evidently

John, Martin and Malcolm expected to have a conversation with GP to deliver the message it was best for his legacy and TCU to begin the transition

No one realized JD would be concerned that made him look inept and jump the shark alone

Didn’t take a rocket scientist to know it would go poorly but it did take two adults to not be a disaster and we had none on the room at the time

 

[Sangria Wine]

congrats on being the first to figure it out evidently

John, Martin and Malcolm expected to have a conversation with GP to deliver the message it was best for his legacy and TCU to begin the transition

No one realized JD would be concerned that made him look inept and jump the shark alone

Didn’t take a rocket scientist to know it would go poorly but it did take two adults to not be a disaster and we had none on the room at the time

It’s what I’ve felt all along and knew it didn’t go that way. That’s why I’ve been consistently on the side of saying it didn’t have to go the way it did. Dealing with contentious situations takes a suave and empathetic approach. Frankly JD is neither of those…he’s an arrogant immature pee-rick.

 

[Frogs1983]

IMO if he didn't fire Patterson he would not have been doing his job.

He had lost the team, it was a total mess, and we needed to move on asap so as not to be totally screwed for 2022. It worked out pretty well I think.

Patterson definitely lost the team @ K.State in 2021. I was at that game and it was a bad scene! Love what Gary did for TCU, but it was time.Donati stopped up and did the dirty deed, even if he really didn't want to do so.He did his job.

 

[JetFlyingFrog]

congrats on being the first to figure it out evidently

John, Martin and Malcolm expected to have a conversation with GP to deliver the message it was best for his legacy and TCU to begin the transition

No one realized JD would be concerned that made him look inept and jump the shark alone

Didn’t take a rocket scientist to know it would go poorly but it did take two adults to not be a disaster and we had none on the room at the time

Malcolm and John etc. had a sound plan.

It also didn't help that ADJD and VBo had an attrny in the room, outside of ADJD's JD credentials. That was a bad look and minutes after Coach P. & Co. walked in, the damage was already done and the words exchanged by both sides could never be buried. It was a horrible situation all around and orchestrated, as you said, by ADJD.

I've never seen Malcolm (RIP friend) more pissed than he was telling me the story.

 

[Big Frog II]

What a mess. Well, that is now water under the bridge and we are looking for a new AD. I would like to get one that is as personable as CDC or Danny Morrison. One thing I like that CDC did was stay connected to all of the fans. He also had public meetings keeping everyone informed. I really thought that helped keep fans and alums engaged. Another factor is making the NIL a priority going forward. We cannot get behind in that area.

 

[BrewingFrog]

Well, the truth eventually comes out. Pity it ended in such a squalid and stupid way.

 

[Horned Frog Country]

It’s what I’ve felt all along and knew it didn’t go that way. That’s why I’ve been consistently on the side of saying it didn’t have to go the way it did. Dealing with contentious situations takes a suave and empathetic approach. Frankly JD is neither of those…he’s an arrogant immature pee-rick.

The fact that Donati would not honor the 2014 team along with CGP while the same year honoring other classes and Coach Fran earlier in the season is very telling of his character. I felt like he is a small minded vindictive immature person after snubbing them. Up until that point, I really did not have much of a negative opinion on Donati except that he ended the town hall meetings that CDC started.

 

[MadFrog]

What type of correspondence did JD send to the TCU community as a thanks for the years of support during his tenure? Letter, email, announcement call, etc.?

 

[froglash88]

Is he gone already?

 

[FroggleRock]

What a mess. Well, that is now water under the bridge and we are looking for a new AD. I would like to get one that is as personable as CDC or Danny Morrison. One thing I like that CDC did was stay connected to all of the fans. He also had public meetings keeping everyone informed. I really thought that helped keep fans and alums engaged. Another factor is making the NIL a priority going forward. We cannot get behind in that area.

I remember when CDC would walk around to people’s tailgates before games. He came to ours with a couple of CFP reps at the Iowa State game when we won the B12 in 2014. He’s a fun dude to have a conversation with. Donati never gave me the impression he was super into connecting with fans. Just hung out with his buddies in the box or sideline.

Donati by no means was a bad AD. He made some good hires and good job keeping staff from being poached. But it just always felt like there was something behind the scenes that was off with him. And some of that is coming out now that he’s gone (I.e. manner of firing GP, poor relations with donors, bad management of NIL, running the dept like a “frat house”, etc.).

 

[hometown frog]

I remember when CDC would walk around to people’s tailgates before games. He came to ours with a couple of CFP reps at the Iowa State game when we won the B12 in 2014. He’s a fun dude to have a conversation with. Donati never gave me the impression he was super into connecting with fans. Just hung out with his buddies in the box or sideline.

Donati by no means was a bad AD. He made some good hires and good job keeping staff from being poached. But it just always felt like there was something behind the scenes that was off with him. And some of that is coming out now that he’s gone (I.e. manner of firing GP, poor relations with donors, bad management of NIL, running the dept like a “frat house”, etc.).

It’s crazy how many of us plebes have similar stories of CDC stopping by our tailgates and making it seem like he was meant to be there. Chris was a unique talent in that regard and something that I thought fit perfectly with the family environment TCU athletics has traditionally focused on.
so I think it’s a bit unfair to compare JD to him there. But I do agree that it was a stark difference and was something that I think JDs personality did not handle well.

the biggest worry I had about JD was the “rumored” frat house antics blowing up in a public way and souring our school’s name as a result.

 

[BrewingFrog]

I remember when CDC would walk around to people’s tailgates before games. He came to ours with a couple of CFP reps at the Iowa State game when we won the B12 in 2014. He’s a fun dude to have a conversation with. Donati never gave me the impression he was super into connecting with fans. Just hung out with his buddies in the box or sideline.

Donati by no means was a bad AD. He made some good hires and good job keeping staff from being poached. But it just always felt like there was something behind the scenes that was off with him. And some of that is coming out now that he’s gone (I.e. manner of firing GP, poor relations with donors, bad management of NIL, running the dept like a “frat house”, etc.).

CDC was always the schmoozer, and he was good at it! Man could sell ice to eskimos...

When TCU hired him, he was at Rice and had done great things with fundraising there. I truly hope we look for someone as dynamic, personable, pleasant, and cunning as CDC.