2008 Woodie Awards
What happened to fighting the status quo?
By: Gregory Beaton
Issue date: 8/28/07 Section: Column
Last update: 8/28/07 at 8:55 AM EST
Last update: 8/28/07 at 8:55 AM EST
Later in the summer of 2006, Alleva and one of his sons were involved in a boating accident. At the time, police said alcohol was involved in the crash, and the details of the incident still seem murky at best.
Despite the progress the department had seen in eight years under Alleva, that incident seemed to be the icing on the cake-the perfect opportunity to change leadership. Students, student-athletes, administrators and others concerned with Duke Athletics whispered that it was time for Alleva to go.
Fast-forward a year: This summer, with only one year left on his second five-year contract, Alleva was up for review. Adding onto the list of problems that existed the year before was the very public departure of Gail Goestenkors (which was caused at least in part by comments Alleva made) and the continued problems with the football program (which has won exactly 12 games in eight years under the two coaches Alleva hired).
Once again, it looked like an opportunity to seek new leadership, and the whispers from the year before turned into expectations that Alleva would not be getting the chance to hire a third football coach-something that could happen as soon as this December. But when the committee reported back, Brodhead shocked almost everyone when he handed Alleva a five-year extension and lauded him for being "unwaveringly loyal" to Duke.
Why did this happen? One theory is that Coach K put his foot down, like some have suggested he did with Keohane to get Alleva the job in the first place. But given Krzyzewski's very public comments in defense of Pressler and his accusations directed at the administration's failure to support the lacrosse players during the whole ordeal, it would not seem to make sense that Coach K played a large role this time around.
What was it then? Was it the fact that Alleva's biggest donor, Harold Yoh, chaired the committee that reviewed the AD? Was it simply Brodhead's wish to keep the ship steady after two years of turmoil?
Despite the progress the department had seen in eight years under Alleva, that incident seemed to be the icing on the cake-the perfect opportunity to change leadership. Students, student-athletes, administrators and others concerned with Duke Athletics whispered that it was time for Alleva to go.
Fast-forward a year: This summer, with only one year left on his second five-year contract, Alleva was up for review. Adding onto the list of problems that existed the year before was the very public departure of Gail Goestenkors (which was caused at least in part by comments Alleva made) and the continued problems with the football program (which has won exactly 12 games in eight years under the two coaches Alleva hired).
Once again, it looked like an opportunity to seek new leadership, and the whispers from the year before turned into expectations that Alleva would not be getting the chance to hire a third football coach-something that could happen as soon as this December. But when the committee reported back, Brodhead shocked almost everyone when he handed Alleva a five-year extension and lauded him for being "unwaveringly loyal" to Duke.
Why did this happen? One theory is that Coach K put his foot down, like some have suggested he did with Keohane to get Alleva the job in the first place. But given Krzyzewski's very public comments in defense of Pressler and his accusations directed at the administration's failure to support the lacrosse players during the whole ordeal, it would not seem to make sense that Coach K played a large role this time around.
What was it then? Was it the fact that Alleva's biggest donor, Harold Yoh, chaired the committee that reviewed the AD? Was it simply Brodhead's wish to keep the ship steady after two years of turmoil?
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Larry Saunders
posted 8/28/07 @ 1:04 PM EST
The writer is slicing the wrong guy here. Alleva has done a fine job with the Duke athletic department. Brodhead is the embarassment to the school, and we should hope that the Trustees have the common snese and courage to terminate him soon. (Continued…)
Anonymous
posted 8/28/07 @ 1:33 PM EST
A very interesting and balanced article.
Brad Weathersby
posted 8/28/07 @ 4:53 PM EST
Never thought of it that way....a real original take....
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