Almost a year to the day after he was let go by Boston College — leaving as the winningest coach in the history of the men’s basketball program — Al Skinner yesterday ended a year of self-imposed silence about what happened, still not quite sure why it happened the way it did. He also made it clear that he feels he has something left in his coaching career.“Other than the fact that they wanted a change to be made, I still don’t understand,’’ said Skinner in a phone interview.
“That’s part of the business. But I look at my résumé and the success I had at BC, and I look at the résumé of some coaches who are in the tournament now, and I look at my résumé and I think it compares favorably.
“I ran a good program, I graduated my kids. Everybody has problems, but we addressed them and handled them in a matter that satisfied every one.
“At the end of the day, this is a results-oriented business. I recognize that. But I put the program in a good place. I raised the program to the level where we were always in the hunt.’’
Skinner went 247-165 in 13 years at BC, taking the Eagles to seven NCAA Tournament appearances (in a stretch of nine years). His tenure ended last March, following a 15-16 season, in what the school described as a mutual decision but was largely perceived as a dismissal. Skinner had three years left on his contract.
-Boston.com
Here is what I think the scoop is. BC needed to pay Al one years salary as a settlement per his contract if he didn't get another job last year. One of the provisions in his contract also was that he needed not to make any comments. He took it easy for a year and did not work.
The year is up, and he is looking now for a job. So he comes in the papers to state his case after his contract expired. Al's a good coach and an even better guy, it all depends if he wants to work at it. He wasn't getting it done the last few years at BC, so he rightfully got fired. He can be credited for keeping the program respectable and making them a power NCAA team again, as well as transitioning them to the ACC. Al's team's did play with what he called an "edge," and that's what made them great. They played with that swagger that you need now of days to compete at a high level, and beat anyone anytime. Al, like I said, is a good man, and will end up with a good program and legacy.
The year is up, and he is looking now for a job. So he comes in the papers to state his case after his contract expired. Al's a good coach and an even better guy, it all depends if he wants to work at it. He wasn't getting it done the last few years at BC, so he rightfully got fired. He can be credited for keeping the program respectable and making them a power NCAA team again, as well as transitioning them to the ACC. Al's team's did play with what he called an "edge," and that's what made them great. They played with that swagger that you need now of days to compete at a high level, and beat anyone anytime. Al, like I said, is a good man, and will end up with a good program and legacy.
-thanks dad for the tip and some more insight
Posted by Mucc.
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