How Not to Do a Search for a Head Coach.

Cal Poly Pomona's athletic director, Brian Swanson, just showed the world, how not to do a search for a head coach.

First a timeline:

June 2, 2010: Head Coach Scott Davis Resigns

June 24, 2010. Cal Poly Pomona releases the names of the Two Finalists. There was another finalist but the third finalist turned down the chance to interview on campus.

July 13, 2010: Story about how Swanson tried to save face, after being turned down by the finalists. Swanson CYA

There were two huge errors made in this coaching search. Both errors fall on the shoulders of AD Brian Swanson.

First mistake: releasing the names of the finalists on Cal Poly Pomona's athletic website. At no time should an athletic director, release the names of finalists, on their school's athletics website, unless he is 100% one of the finalists will accept the job. If inside information is leaked to the press, that's fine. If the press is wrong, it's the press that looks bad. But when a school releases information on their website, they will look bad, if something goes wrong.

Also, Swanson put the finalists in a tough position by releasing their names. Why? How would you feel if you were looking for another job and that company said you were a finalist? Think your boss would be happy? While the two finalists were upfront with their current schools and players, about looking into the Cal Poly Pomona job, other coaches have not been as honest.

Every coach needs to look into any opportunity for advancement- whether it means better pay, better facility, better support, or personal reasons. I understand that is part of the coaching business. At the same time coaches need to be up front with their current schools and players. They need to tell their players and recruits they are looking. If they do move on, the coach needs to tell the players in person, at a team meeting. Not a text message or press release or TV announcement, as some weasel coaches have done. Also, don't be a weasel like Cheating Petey Carroll and run when the NCAA is about to lower the boom on USC.

Second mistake: Never try to save face. Just man up and admit you made a mistake. There have been plenty of times I've been wrong about a coach or player. I admit I was wrong. I thought Mary Hegarty would turn things around at Long Beach St. Instead she was terrible.

Swanson should have handled the situation this way: Tell the press: we are moving forward in our search for a new women's basketball head coach. Simple, PC, doesn't look like you're making excuses for screwing up. Instead Swanson looks like a damn fool. Nice job Mr. Swanson, and California taxpayers are paying your six figure salary?????

I know what happened during this search. Swanson made his decision and offered the job to one of the finalist. That finalist turned down the job. I know why that finalist turned down the job, but I'll keep that to myself for now. Swanson then offered the job, on an interim basis, to another coach and was turned down.

So here we are, July 19, 2010 and Cal Poly Pomona still doesn't have a head coach.

Who does this affect the most? The kids at Cal Poly who are coming back!!! They still don't know who their coach is going to be for the 2010-11 season. No kid should have to go through this. An adult who is making stupid decisions, trying to CYA (cover your __, you can figure out the last word) and hurting the college experience of their student-athletes.

If I had a kid playing at Cal Poly Pomona, I would tell my kid to walk into Mr. Swanson's office, and demand quick action on naming a new head coach. Hey, a kid in college, has to learn how to handle situations on their own. Mommy and Daddy can't fight their battles for them.

If I am the President of Cal Poly Pomona, I would tell Brian Swanson, he is on notice for his poor handling of this search. But really, Mr. Swanson should have been on notice, because in his six years as athletic director, Cal Poly Pomona will have their FIFTH head coach for women's basketball. Paul Thomas, Kevein Kiernan, Michelle, Fortier, Scott Davis, and whoever they hire for 2010-11 season. Only one coach, Paul Thomas, got a promotion. Thomas became head coach at Division 1, St. Mary's. Kevin Kiernan, at the time, a very successful high school coach at Troy High School, was hired but then resigned within two months. I wonder why?