Saul Smith Placed on Admin Leave UPDATED (10/26) Saul to return to team Nov. 13

Donate To GopherHole
Not sure what should happen here. Termination seems a little harsh. What is really troubling is the timing. Not sure if it is stupidity or arrogance but to get a DUI a day after your star player escapes jail time by the skin of his teeth for violating probation due to a DUI is pretty alarming. Sends a pretty bad message.
 

In a couple of weeks we'll hear a bout Saul entering a treatment program, shortly thereafter his discovery of Christianity. That's generally how these things roll for public consumption.
 

I've known for some time that Saul was a big partier so this doesn't surprise me. I've seen him on more than one occasion during the Big 10 Tournament in Indy out after 2:30am. Still, at least it's not as creepy as seeing Glen Mason out hitting on college girls at the bars though!
 

PeanutButterTubbyTime said:
I've known for some time that Saul was a big partier so this doesn't surprise me. I've seen him on more than one occasion during the Big 10 Tournament in Indy out after 2:30am. Still, at least it's not as creepy as seeing Glen Mason out hitting on college girls at the bars though!
Click to expand...

Mason? really? I had heard Brewster did this, but Mason surprises me.
 

EG#9 said:
Mason? really? I had heard Brewster did this, but Mason surprises me.
Click to expand...

Mason was an ass when he was drinking. A very good friend owns a well known restaurant down town Minneapolis. Mason was the only guy he has had to ask to leave his establishment, he was smoking a cigar after the smoking ban went into effect.
 


I agree with Scher and the good Doctor on Tubby removing himself. I don't want Tubby going easier on his son anymore than I want Saul getting an unfair punishment because Tubby doesn't want to look like he is going easy on his son. Having said that, I think fair punishment for Saul results in him being kicked to the curb (as I would have liked to have seen with Trevor). These two morons could have killed somebody. I don't want our team to cultivate an environment where you get to stick around if you engage in activity so reckless that it could result in killing someone, widowing or orphaning their family, putting children in wheelchairs for the rest of their lives, etc. This kind of behavior goes way beyond the underage drinking parties, marijuana use, or bar fights that normally embarrass big time college sports and could cause very real damage to real people. I hate seeing people with so little respect for human life wearing the maroon and gold.
 

On a positive note...perhaps, during a lull in the conversation...Saul and Trevor can go over game strategy at their AA meetings.

The combination of nepotism and continued drama in the basketball program should result in Saul being let go. He'll function as just another weight on this program by being kept around. Saul needs to put on his big boy clothes and go get a job on his own rather than cling to his daddy for his drinking money.

That being said, if this is Saul's first offense, he'll likely be reprimanded and provided with assistance to deal with his drinking problem. Unless his contract has a specific stipulation in it regarding drinking, Saul would likely win a court case against the University should he be outright fired for his actions. Tubby, however, definitely needs to distance himself from the disciplinary action since there is a clear conflict of interest involved.
 


tinyarch said:
Saul needs to put on his big boy clothes and go get a job on his own rather than cling to his daddy for his drinking money.
Click to expand...

Do you mean like when he was an assistant coach at Tennessee Tech for three years?
 



station19 said:
Drop Saul, add Trent T.
Click to expand...

I am just curious. Why do people think trent tucker would be such a great coach? No experience and i certainly wouldnt classify him as being charismatic. Does seem like good guy though.
 

Biglew33 said:
I am just curious. Why do people think trent tucker would be such a great coach? No experience and i certainly wouldnt classify him as being charismatic. Does seem like good guy though.
Click to expand...

Why does anyone think Saul is a good coach. Doesn't seem very charismatic. Does seem like a good partier though.
 


Significant issue that no one has mentioned here. Saul, as part of his job, routinely drives a car in the course and scope of his employment. The University of Minnesota, as his employer, is liable for his conduct when he’s driving on business. I don’t work at the U, nor have I reviewed their policies, but many employers will not allow people with a DUI conviction (which Saul doesn’t have at this point) to continue in a position where driving a vehicle is required. Certainly Saul could avoid driving on recruiting visits by taking a cab, hiring a car, etc., but there may be University policy issues here beyond what the Athletic Department would choose to do.
 




BarnBurner said:
Tubby should be front and center. That is what good leaders do.

Sometimes leaders need to make decisions that will be unpopular. This is an example of such a time for tubby.
Click to expand...

I can see that you're setting yourself up to rip Tubby no matter what he does. If he let's the AD be involved in the discipline,Tubby isn't a leader. If Tubby decides and the punishment is anything short of a firing,you'll be screaming that Tubby played favorites.
 

OSUfan said:
Lots of college coaches get severe penalties for something like a DUI. Coaches are supposed to set the example and be leaders. Players make mistakes sometimes, and they get the benefit of the doubt more often than not - there are almost no schools that would kick a player off the team solely for a DUI. But coaches are a different story.

Tim Welsh resigned at Hofstra a couple years ago just because of one DUI. Larry Eustachy didn't break any laws, but was drinking with co-eds at Big 12 rivals, and he was forced out for that. Mike Price didn't break any laws but was fired for drinking at bars around campus and (after being warned) going to a strip club and spending $1500 there and at a hotel. Bob Huggins got a DUI at Cincinnati, they suspended him and let him coach the season but told him after the season that they decided not to extend his contract. Most coaches aren't flat out fired for a DUI, but you get held to a higher standard when you're a coach and getting paid to be a leader at a university.
Click to expand...

Unless there is more to this than has surfaced so far (and that could be possible),comparing this to Larry Eustachy and Mike Price is a bit of a stretch.
 

Biglew33 said:
Not sure what should happen here. Termination seems a little harsh. What is really troubling is the timing. Not sure if it is stupidity or arrogance but to get a DUI a day after your star player escapes jail time by the skin of his teeth for violating probation due to a DUI is pretty alarming. Sends a pretty bad message.
Click to expand...

The real irony is that he was out celebrating TM's favorable court case.
 

The Curse of Ganglehoff never tires or gives a moments piece. At some point it becomes funny. This would seem a good opportunity to change up the coaching staff since many wanted a change anyway, but the timing sucks.
 

@AmeliaRayno: #Gophers AD Norwood Teague will be addressing the media at 1:30 CT to discuss assistant Saul Smith

Go Gophers!!
 

2nd Degree Gopher said:
Significant issue that no one has mentioned here. Saul, as part of his job, routinely drives a car in the course and scope of his employment. The University of Minnesota, as his employer, is liable for his conduct when he’s driving on business. I don’t work at the U, nor have I reviewed their policies, but many employers will not allow people with a DUI conviction (which Saul doesn’t have at this point) to continue in a position where driving a vehicle is required. Certainly Saul could avoid driving on recruiting visits by taking a cab, hiring a car, etc., but there may be University policy issues here beyond what the Athletic Department would choose to do.
Click to expand...

This is a very valid point. I was in medical device sales and was given a company car - it was made clear to us from day one that if we received a DUI, we would be fired. Also, we would never be able to get hired if we had one. Some companies were more lenient, but most wouldn't take on this extra risk. I remember when Coach Molinari was here, he echoed the same thing. He had a company car, and said his career would be over if he was drinking and driving, and he never took that risk.
 

station19 said:
Why does anyone think Saul is a good coach. Doesn't seem very charismatic. Does seem like a good partier though.
Click to expand...

I agree with not being charismatic point but a partier I am not sure. This couldn't have happened at a wosre time. I hope they keep him at least until the end of the season. I am not sure if this crushed his dreams of going to a law school??? What can we say. As a coach, you should set good examples. I bet people in KY are having a blast for this. Many people didn't like him for charisma issues. In my opinion, he was a great foor leader. There was not a lose ball that he didn't dive for. He was very intense and it seemed like it always motivated hie teamates. Lets hope for the best.

Go Gophers
 

2nd Degree Gopher said:
Significant issue that no one has mentioned here. Saul, as part of his job, routinely drives a car in the course and scope of his employment. The University of Minnesota, as his employer, is liable for his conduct when he’s driving on business. I don’t work at the U, nor have I reviewed their policies, but many employers will not allow people with a DUI conviction (which Saul doesn’t have at this point) to continue in a position where driving a vehicle is required. Certainly Saul could avoid driving on recruiting visits by taking a cab, hiring a car, etc., but there may be University policy issues here beyond what the Athletic Department would choose to do.
Click to expand...

This is a very significant issue indeed. I was a sales manager at 3 different companies and none would hire a sales person with a DUI on his/her driving record. And any DUI gotten by a sales person on staff (whether on duty or not) was cause for dismissal. It was pretty much all about the liability issues.
 

If a change were to be made at the lower end of the coaching staff, I'd love to see Quincy Lewis get a shot, if he's interested. He's showing some interest in coaching as he has been at De La Salle the last few years, he regularly attends Gophers practices, he's charismatic, he was a great student-athlete representative during his time at the U and has had some different roles at the U since his pro career ended.

Go Gophers!!
 

2nd Degree Gopher said:
Significant issue that no one has mentioned here. Saul, as part of his job, routinely drives a car in the course and scope of his employment. The University of Minnesota, as his employer, is liable for his conduct when he’s driving on business. I don’t work at the U, nor have I reviewed their policies, but many employers will not allow people with a DUI conviction (which Saul doesn’t have at this point) to continue in a position where driving a vehicle is required. Certainly Saul could avoid driving on recruiting visits by taking a cab, hiring a car, etc., but there may be University policy issues here beyond what the Athletic Department would choose to do.
Click to expand...

Absolutely true. I know people who work with people needing second chances in life, and the place they draw the line is the DUI if the job requires driving. They will work at finding something else for them, but no driving. This is aserious issue, and those making the decisions will know if this is a pattern or not. Could be a major risk to the U if he does hurt someone while on the job, and I suspect a college basketball coach is always on the job. I think there is no possible way he could do his job without driving.
 

The-Real-Truth said:
I agree with not being charismatic point but a partier I am not sure. This couldn't have happened at a wosre time. I hope they keep him at least until the end of the season. I am not sure if this crushed his dreams of going to a law school??? What can we say. As a coach, you should set good examples. I bet people in KY are having a blast for this. Many people didn't like him for charisma issues. In my opinion, he was a great foor leader. There was not a lose ball that he didn't dive for. He was very intense and it seemed like it always motivated hie teamates. Lets hope for the best.

Go Gophers
Click to expand...

This alone will not keep a person from being accrepted to law school as long the information is disclosed during the application process.
 

50 questions on a job app:

1. Have you ever had a DUI/DWI?

If question one is YES, omit questions 2-50 and turn in your application.
 

@NadineBabu: Teauge: Tubby and I talked a lot about this, but in the end, it's my call. I want to be respectful to he & Donna. #Gophers

Go Gophers!!
 

Here are the notes from Norwood Teague's press conference. I didn't catch every word - as I was typing live as he talked, but got as much as I could. Looks like no decision is made, and they will evaluate Saul's status as he goes.

Also, commented on how this is different from Trevor's situation:

• Saul is on unpaid administrative leave, we are evaluating it as we speak, we'll see where it lands
• My expectations for this athletic department are that coaches and student athletes are model citizens. Student athletes will always be accountable. With a coach doing this, it's disappointing. The timing is one thing, but this isn't what we want, we want a culture of being model citizens. We can't have behavior like that. IT's not good for anyone, it's embarrassing and I won't tolerate it.
• His court date is December 3rd. You have lawyers and courts that are involved, we're going to evaluate it as it goes.
• Tubby and I talked a lot about this, but in the end, it's my call. I want to be respectful to he and Donna and what they're going through. He's been good at deferring to me on this.
• We jointly agreed that we'll disperse responsibilities throughout the staff. Recruiting is not at the height right now, it's not July - we can disperse the coaching duties, he has a staff that's capable of handling that.
• I think Saul was in a bit of shock. I was very firm with him, this is not what we expect, and we never will. He was remorseful, and had a bit of shock.
• As an AD you fight to fundraise, you have so many other things going on. I've done that before, it's not something that was a surprise to me. You're going to have points, where things won't go your way. It's like Coach Kill said on Saturday, we've got to stay the course and keep working.
• When asked if there would be just cause to fire him - We're evaluating everything right now. Being unpaid on leave is pretty good penalty. There is nothing in his contract to my knowledge. I feel confident that the way we're dealing with it is the way to deal with it, I don't know of any contractual violations as of right now
• I've had some legal matters with coaches, they are all so different. They are different situations at different points. There's a lot of accountability that you have to establish with coaches. This place means a lot to a lot of people, and we're out in front more so than other areas, even if we weren't this is an expectation I have for our department.
• I don't look at is as a test for me with leadership, these are my values that will not change. You're tested all the time, but I feel like I'm grounded in my values that are not going to change.
• We're all concerned about the negative publicity. The Trevor issue was complicated from the start. This is not like that. I'm here to help Tubby. I'm here to give him direction on where the program goes. I'm looking forward to a great year.
• I've worked at 4 other schools, and they don't compare to what we do here for our student athletes, in educating them on alcohol abuse, substance abuse, etc. We're so involved - our sports medicine staff is really involved in these kids lives. We're not any more aware of these things now, we've been aware.
• Saul has not had any other offenses. I don't know the whole story about his past, or anything like that. We're going to be there for him and get him help that's needed.
• You could easily with the timing of this, say there's a greater problem - but these are 2 different issues, Trevor's was well back in the summer. I feel bad for our fans and the University, I don't want anything that embarrasses the whole university. We're involved with kids, coaches, management of programs. My philosophy will always to be involved in every program. We don't push sports medicine, strength and conditioning or academics to the side.
• We're evaluating, we didn't know about this until late Saturday when I got back from Wisconsin. There are a lot more logistics there. It's Monday, we're still evaluating this.
• With Trevor, there was some discrepancy over the breathalyzer, we had to wait over a month to get some of that information back. We've had a long time with the things that Trevor has been required to do with the program. I don't want to elaborate on those details, but they are significant. I have not spoken with Trevor since the trial. If he had not followed through with the level that he has, we would do more, but they have been significant.
• Trevor's requirements were a joint decision. We want to be transparent, honest and involved on both sides.
 


My expectations for this athletic department are that coaches and student athletes are model citizens. Student athletes will always be accountable. With a coach doing this, it's disappointing. The timing is one thing, but this isn't what we want, we want a culture of being model citizens. We can't have behavior like that. IT's not good for anyone, it's embarrassing and I won't tolerate it.

I guess this doesn't apply to star players with prior arrests that can rebound.

Oh well, it happens at every school.
 

You must log in or register to reply here.



Top Bottom