Did Fan Uproar Lead to Texas Tech DC's Resignation?

[MrMustang1965]

First, I know nothing about FaceBook or MySpace or any of those other websites/blogs, etc. that college age and high school age kids use these days. However, my eldest daughter tells me that on FaceBook there were over 10,000 posts demanding TT defensive coordinator Lyle Setencich's resignation/dismissal in the wake of yesterday's loss at Okie State. Now...who knows if this was the catalyst for his resignation or not but it sure is ironic.

Anyone know how to set up a FaceBook page to get Rusty Burns dismissed from the SMU offensive coordinator position?

Texas Tech defensive coordinator Lyle Setencich resigned under pressure Sunday, a day after the Red Raiders gave up four big-play touchdowns and three individual 100-yard rushers in a 49-45 loss at Oklahoma State.

Tech athletic director Gerald Myers said head coach Mike Leach moved to make the change.

“Mike told me early this morning that he was going to talk to Lyle today about this,’’ Myers said. “Mike did initiate it and felt he needed to talk to Lyle about it, and so that’s what transpired. … I think they just decided that a change needed to be made on defense.’’

Leach appointed assistant head coach Ruffin McNeill as interim defensive coordinator and will have McNeill take over the linebackers, which was Setencich’s position group. Charlie Sadler, who has coached defensive ends, was renamed defensive line coach and will take over the tackles, who had been McNeill’s.

“Sometimes change needs to be made,’’ Myers said. “There’s never a good time for a change as far as everybody is concerned. But I think they sat down and talked about it, and that was the result of it.’’

In a statement that Tech released, Leach said: “We appreciate Lyle and the work he did for our program. We wish him and his family the best.’’

He was a target of fan criticism for much of his tenure, which started in 2003 with a young defense that finished the season ranked No. 106 in the nation. The next year, they improved to 47th. This season, Tech recorded 10 sacks in the first three games, but is struggling again while giving a significant number of snaps on defense to 15 freshmen and sophomores.

In Saturday’s game at Stillwater, the Raiders gave up touchdowns on four consecutive series early in the game, just as they’d done two weeks before against Texas-El Paso. They also had a three-series sequence in the first half against Rice in which they gave up two touchdowns and a field goal.

Myers said he was unsure how to gauge fans’ approval rating of Setencich.

“If you get a half a dozen e-mails or phone calls, is that a lot?,’’ Myers said. “I don’t know. It wasn’t like I got hundreds or dozens or anything like that. I got some. Most fans are not going to call you or write you. Some are, so I don’t know how you gauge that. There was some. That’s not what caused this to happen. I think they (Leach and Setencich) just evaluated it and thought a change needed to be made.’’

http://www.redraiders.com/updates/postg ... ate2.shtml

[CalallenStang]

there is a facebook group entitled "SMU football is dead to me" which seems to have been started after last season's loss to UNT. Part of the "group description" is:

"We'll come back to SMU football if:
1. Phil Bennett fires Offensive Coordinator Rusty Burns.
2. SMU fires Phil Bennett.
3. We somehow, miraculously, make it to a conference championship or bowl game."

Currently the group has two members, the founder and one other member (it seems that it used to be larger, judging by the group's discussion board). The member who is not the founder is "Peruna the Pony," which is a Facebook profile maintained for...you guessed it...Peruna.

[expony18]

peruna can take a hike

[Peruna_Ate_My_Rolex]

I think it might have been part of it but the guy has also had a rough going in his personal life the last few years. I believe his wife suffered a brain hemorrhage that left her with stroke like complications and he's basically been working and taking care of her. I think the game, the criticism and his personal life finally just forced him to give in. After hearing that, I can't help but feel for the guy but it is a business of performance and if you're not performing your job then you will either have to quit or get fired.

[Peruna2001]

At the beginning of the season, Tech people were talking about hiring Phil as their DC for next year. Their were rumors of rumors on the message boards. I thought it was interesting. Some of the people on there seemed to really be open to the idea.

[perunapower]

Confirmed. It's in the DMN college blog.

Texas Tech defensive coordinator steps down

Texas Tech assistant coach Lyle Setencich has stepped down as defensive coordinator a day after head coach Mike Leach blasted his team and coaching staff following the Red Raiders’ 49-45 loss at Oklahoma State.

Tech allowed 610 yards (366 rushing) against OSU and couldn’t win despite totaling 718 yards of offense.

Leach has named assistant coach Ruffin McNeill as the interim defensive coordinator.

Setencich, in his fifth season at Tech, relinquished his defensive coordinator duties Sunday morning for personal reasons, according to a school statement. Setencich, 62, will be assigned other duties by Tech athletics director Gerald Myers.

In 2005, Setencich’s wife, Kathy, suffered a life-threatening hemorrhage – a “brain bleedâ€

[RGV Pony]

so the plot thickens. If PB has had enough of being the HC at SMU as suggested by MM65, I think TT would jump at having him be their DC next year. I also think it's a situation in which he would thrive. Given the cost of living in Lubbock vs. Highland Park, and Tech's BCS bankroll, it probably wouldn't be that much of a paycut either.

[MrMustang1965]

so the plot thickens. If PB has had enough of being the HC at SMU as suggested by MM65, I think TT would jump at having him be their DC next year. I also think it's a situation in which he would thrive. Given the cost of living in Lubbock vs. Highland Park, and Tech's BCS bankroll, it probably wouldn't be that much of a paycut either.

As I said in another thread, it would be more logical for PB to get a position somewhere near Bryan/College Station where his new wife and stepdaughters live.

[Bergermeister]

it would be more logical .

When one has made stops at Iowa State, Purdue, LSU, TCU, MacArthur High School, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Kansas State and SMU I doubt that "logical" figures into a decision (coaching-wise).

[SMUguy]

Hope Mrs. Setencich recovers fully and quickly.

[MrMustang1965]

it would be more logical .

When one has made stops at Iowa State, Purdue, LSU, TCU, MacArthur High School, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Kansas State and SMU I doubt that "logical" figures into a decision (coaching-wise).

PB's new wife has a prominent career in Bryan/College Station. Logic dictates that he would find a position to accomodate her instead of vice-versa.

[Bergermeister]

Logic dictates that he would find a position to accomodate her instead of vice-versa.

Hmmmmm, guess her husband making 450,000+ did not motivate her to find a position to accommodate him. Priorities. Guess it really doesn't matter, does it?

[EastStang]

The Aggies defense ain't lookin' too good either. UT, A&M, Rice, UH are all pretty close to College Station.

[that's great raplh]

leach is a class act - not