Yeah, some of the posters on these boards seem a little...unsophisticated? Like I really LOL'd as you kids say a couple of seasons ago when one poster wanted to know why basketball games couldn't be scheduled a week or so in advance between two major teams because then you would know who's good. Apparently this individual believed that major stadiums sit idle with security personnel, vendors, parking, traffic plans, legal agreements, cleaners and supplies of food, ready to schedule any random comers. Similarly, everyone loved Elko to death, wanted to pay him millions, and then he left and they were all like the girl in the famous meme who sees her date staring at another girl. So a lot of them, I guess kind of vaguely aware that almost everyone takes a better job when offered, focused their hurt on "I don't like the way he left." LOL again, do they really think Elko had any control over that part of the process? Whatever he may have wanted to do at that point you can be sure that in the real world the Duke administration wasn't like "Please stay around a bit and recruit some of our players, hire away some more staff and be sure and download as much of the playbooks as you like." Nope. DUKE was the ones going GTFO and if you so much as like one of player's posts as the coach another team we'll report you to the NCAA.
ND /Texas A&M how many synonym phrases are there for poetic justice?
- Thread starter Dopeshop
- Start date
75Crazie
Member
Elko was being recruited; he absolutely had enough control to say "I cannot go with you tonight, I need enough time to close out my current job with tact and class." He did not have the stones to do that.
I have seen no reports of this, what am I missing?
AustinDevil
Member
This is total nonsense, sorry. Departing FBS coaches meet with the team they’re leaving. Elko and a UConn coach 15 or so years ago—who both got roasted by fans and the media—are the *only* known exceptions.
I get why Elko took the A&M job. As much as it pains me to write it, it is a better job than Duke. He will be better compensated and have more resources than he would ever had at Duke. That being written, A&M is more than likely a job where you are hired to be fired. He had a chance to create something special at Duke. The bar is so much more reasonable at Duke. How many here would be ecstatic with annual bowling and an occasional run at an ACC title? I know I would. I'd imagine the bar is set a tad differently at A&M.
As for Riley, it's the environment. It stinks and I wish he chose a less travelled path, but it is what it is.
As for Riley, it's the environment. It stinks and I wish he chose a less travelled path, but it is what it is.
Mtn.Devil.91.92.01.10.15
Member
This is the biggest roadblock for Duke football. A game at Duke (a handful of exceptions notwithstanding) feels more like a high school environment than a Big Time environment.
Clemson last year was amazing. But far far more games are on a Saturday in the sun and heat with lots of empty hot seats.
AustinDevil
Member
I don't think anyone here doesn't "get" why Elko took the Aggy job. The (wrong) point that we're wrestling with today is the resurrected notion that it was totally OK for him to flee into the night without meeting with his team.
sagegrouse
Member
I agree with Rocketeli. The AD at A&M was under a lot of heat. Elko had been hired, and this was his new boss. He said "Jump" and Mike asked, "How high?"
The military term is FYGMO. As in, to the current commander, but spoken sotto voce "Eff you, I've got my orders."
This fast departure is a big nothing.
AustinDevil
Member
No, it isn't. It is vanishingly rare, it is dishonorable, and it is rightly worthy of derision.
How anyone can think it is okay for a professional to skulk off in the middle of the night is beyond me. Elko set a flamethrower to much of the goodwill he built up with his exit.
sagegrouse
Member
No one said it's OK -- just no big deal.
AustinDevil
Member
To you. But you’re not the decider. Players and former players had other thoughts, at the time; although I’m glad they were civil in the dumb ESPN muckraking attempt earlier this week.
A lack of common courtesy to a group of young men and an institution that gave you your first opportunity is a big deal.
SkyBrickey
Member
I watched the whole game. This is a great write-up. It's a big win for Riley and ND in that environment. He has a chance to have a special season there. Great kid. I wish he were still in Durham but I'm happy for him.
I will defer to you, since you were clearly there during the negotiations, given assertive nature of your comment. As for me, having not been present for any of the negotiations, I prefer not to cast aspersions.
sagegrouse
Member
I wasn't there either, but who cares.... Some on this board think Mike Elko should burn in hell-- right next to the Heels collective -- not because he left for A&M, but because he failed to say goodbye properly nine months ago.
I mean, get a grip. Bosses leave; coaches leave. Circumstances differ, but life goes on. Except maybe here....
brevity
Member
There's a Heels collective? I thought they were NIL broke.
SkyBrickey
Member
I don't think anyone should lose any sleep over it, but the way Elko left without even meeting with his players does reflect negatively on his character IMO.
I definitely don't judge any Duke football fans who choose to call him Midnight Mike for the next 30 years.
RoseBowl1942
Member
He’s Midnight Mike forever. I try not to engage in too much morose delectation (stupid Catholic school education making me use that term), but watching him with his dumb glasses stare at the play sheet in complete astonishment as Riley beat A&M felt great
It hurts that Riley left. And if Elko didn’t go, maybe I’d be more bitter about it. But Elko leaving after using his kids education as a recruiting tactic (literally telling recruits he’s not leaving because he doesn’t want his kids to move again until end of high school) is just too slimey for me to ever feel anything but anger
Won’t comment on some of the other less savory rumors out there that appear to be hinted at in this thread as well, but they don’t sit well with me either
It hurts that Riley left. And if Elko didn’t go, maybe I’d be more bitter about it. But Elko leaving after using his kids education as a recruiting tactic (literally telling recruits he’s not leaving because he doesn’t want his kids to move again until end of high school) is just too slimey for me to ever feel anything but anger
Won’t comment on some of the other less savory rumors out there that appear to be hinted at in this thread as well, but they don’t sit well with me either
bluedevilwildcats
Member
I find your perspective dumbfounding.
RoseBowl1942
Member
For balance, I think it’s justified for people to think this is really bad decorum on the part of Mike (regardless of the circumstances) and cast aspersions given the actions may not live up to their own personal moral code. Some people might not care, others will
It’s not worth re-litigating, but personal view, he definitively could have told his new employer “I need to talk to my team” at a minimum. And if he did and A&M said no, my personal view is that he should have told them to pound sand. Thats not the type of person you should be doing business with. And money wise, Mike was getting paid well (he’s only getting $7mm at A&M, and while the details aren’t public, speculation is that we were close to $4-5mm), and other high profile opportunities would come if he wanted. Mike just demonstrated that he didn’t care enough about his players (or was too selfish) to do the right thing. Thats my personal view