The Wellman Interview: Part III
MTOW—So what has been the reaction from fans and alumni to the football season?
WELLMAN—Well everybody’s frustrated. And it ranges from `Doggone it, I wish we could have done better,’ to `What in the world is going on?’ Really there’s some anger and there’s just some slight frustration. And that’s what makes fans. They care. Being frustrated or disappointed or any other emotion is acceptable to me because that just demonstrates that they really care about what we’re doing. I just worry when there isn’t a reaction. That’s a real concern.
MTOW—I know it’s common for you, after every season, to meet with a coach and evaluate the program, where it is and where it’s going. Have you had the opportunity yet to meet with Coach Grobe?
WELLMAN—We have not. We’ll meet in the next couple of weeks.
MTOW—You mentioned after the 08-09 basketball season that you and Coach Gaudio sat down and looked for ways to improve the program. Obviously you lost an assistant coach in Pat Kelsey, and you and Gaudio both said there was a mutual agreement that additional coaching changes needed to be made. Will you have that kind of input with Grobe?
WELLMAN—We talk about everything. I have never mandated a coach do something with an assistant coach. I hire the head coach and the head coach hires the assistant coaches. The only time that I would ever intervene on an assistant coach is if there is an ethical or moral issue – or a compliance issue. Then I would intervene. But beyond that, Jim Grobe and Jeff Bzdelik and (baseball coach) Tom Walter, all of our head coaches, know a heck of a lot more about their sport, and the roles and the strengths and weaknesses of their assistant coaches, than I do.
MTOW—So you won’t break that precedent this time?
WELLMAN—No. Heavens no.