Ernie Kent Fired

[Elduderino]

A sad day in Oregon sports. Perhaps necessary, but definitely sad. Good luck Ernie.

[desertfan]

Sad to watch what is essentially a guy getting fired from his dream job, but I think its definitely a move that had to be made.

I'm glad to hear Ernie say that he will coach again during this speech because I will be pulling for him and I expect him to succeed at his next job.

[Greenblood]

Ow

[cordy02c]

a really classy farewell speech. I appreciate everything he did for the school and that his players graduated

[greenyellow]

a really classy farewell speech. I appreciate everything he did for the school and that his players graduated

Graduating his players is probably the best thing Kent brought to this program. He knew that basketball wasn't always going to be around so he made sure they could succeed in life without it.

[Greenblood]

I wonder if the UO could set aside a set of seats in honor of Ernie's role in making the new arena possible. The "Ernie Kent Circle" or something, where special Duck guests could sit. Guess I'm feeling kind of blubbery right now . . .

[greenyellow]

I wonder if the UO could set aside a set of seats in honor of Ernie's role in making the new arena possible. The "Ernie Kent Circle" or something, where special Duck guests could sit. Guess I'm feeling kind of blubbery right now . . .

I think they should at least honor Kent in the new arena for all that he has done for the program and the community. We wouldn't be talking about the new arena if it wasn't for Kent.

[brich75]

He will most likely come back and play Oregon in a few years. Then he we be the best coach in the nation and all of the the Oregon management will look stupid!

Or the next coach will be great and we will win the NC.

[greenyellow]

He will most likely come back and play Oregon in a few years. Then he we be the best coach in the nation and all of the the Oregon management will look stupid!

Or the next coach will be great and we will win the NC.

I doubt we win a NC. With our history, there's nothing there to suggest one is on the horizon. College basketball is basically ruled by only a select few schools that have a chance at winning. Look at who has won a title in the last 20 years and tell me which one has no previous sustained history.

[brich75]

He will most likely come back and play Oregon in a few years. Then he we be the best coach in the nation and all of the the Oregon management will look stupid!

Or the next coach will be great and we will win the NC.

I doubt we win a NC. With our history, there's nothing there to suggest one is on the horizon. College basketball is basically ruled by only a select few schools that have a chance at winning. Look at who has won a title in the last 20 years and tell me which one has no previous sustained history.

can we go back 100 or so years? That way Oregon can be in the discussion! I agree a ton would have to change for us to win a title. It is not impossible but defiantly unlikely!

[Boom]

He will most likely come back and play Oregon in a few years. Then he we be the best coach in the nation and all of the the Oregon management will look stupid!

Or the next coach will be great and we will win the NC.

I doubt we win a NC. With our history, there's nothing there to suggest one is on the horizon. College basketball is basically ruled by only a select few schools that have a chance at winning. Look at who has won a title in the last 20 years and tell me which one has no previous sustained history.

To have a title run everything has to fall into place perfectly and even then the odds are against you.

I think we came pretty close when we lost to Florida in the elite eight. We gave them their toughest game of the tournament and TP had a off night.

[uostudent]

What an incredibly depressing press conference. I felt bad for Ernie because you know that he wanted nothing more than to be very successful at his alma mater. This was his dream job. I wanted Ernie back this season. Firing him after one terrible season would not have been the right move. Ernie was given an opportunity for redemption, but unfortunately it didn't work out. I wish Coach Kent all the best in the future.

[GoDucks92]

http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindducksb ... s_tim.html

After watching this, I can seriously say I was on the verge of crying. I feel SOOO bad for Ernie.

Thanks for everything!

[duckgrad99]

The only part of the speech I didn't care for was when Ernie played the "what if" game. He said that if the team had won 20 games instead of 16, he might not be sitting there today. What if he had recruited better big men and coached them to their full potential? You can play the "what if" game all the time in sports. Ernie put Oregon basketball on the map, but like Belloti said, look at the past 6 seasons.

[dthomas=ddixon]

The only part of the speech I didn't care for was when Ernie played the "what if" game. He said that if the team had won 20 games instead of 16, he might not be sitting there today. What if he had recruited better big men and coached them to their full potential? You can play the "what if" game all the time in sports. Ernie put Oregon basketball on the map, but like Belloti said, look at the past 6 seasons.

This is what I don't get with so many fans. Classy guy giving a classy speech? Really? To me it sounded like the same ol' all about ernie crap. First thing out of his mouth is all about him showing "the kind of man he is!" Really? Thats the first thing you have to say?

Ernie wasn't a bad guy & obviously loved this university but he wasn't near the class act that everyone tried to make him out to be. He was the first one to throw his players under the bus when things were going bad & NEVER accepted resposibility for any of this.

I am very appreciative for all hes done & feel bad it had to end this way but good riddance, the guy dug his own grave. It was long past time to move on.