Goodbye and good riddance, Sampson

Friday had to be one of the worst days in the history of IU athletics. Or the best, depending on how you look at it. \nIf you’ve read our last two staff editorials about the Sampson fiasco, it should be no surprise that we think the decision was definitely the correct one: Kelvin Sampson lost his job as IU basketball coach. \nEven after the week Sampson had – winning huge games against Big Ten rivals Michigan State and Purdue – nothing should have changed concerning IU’s decision on whether to keep him. The general IU fan’s point of view that because Sampson won big games he deserved to stay is certainly understandable. But the thing is, the entire controversy with our ex-coach wasn’t because he was a bad coach; it was because he made dishonorable decisions.\nSampson was an excellent coach and had the ability to relate to today’s athlete better than most. But his wonderful record as a coach made his terrible, bonehead decisions off the court even worse. It doesn’t make sense why a man who has had so much success would risk it all for an illegal head start on recruiting.\nAnd again, Sampson’s discretions could have been much worse. As far as we know, he didn’t pay players or families – if you don’t count gifts – and he didn’t illegally watch pickup games in the summer. It’s arguable that the rules on phone calls set up by the NCAA are stupid. How are these coaches supposed to be the father figures that some ask of them and then be restricted to one phone call a week? \nHowever, Sampson knew the rules and he broke them. But a lot of coaches skirt around and break rules. Sampson killed his chances to keep one of the best jobs in college basketball by continually lying about his actions. It’s one thing to be a cheater; it’s another to compulsively lie about it. \nNow that Sampson’s finally gone, IU can begin the healing process and try to re-establish traditions of greatness done the right way. The recuperating will take a long time, especially if Director of Athletics Rick Greenspan continues to make atrocious decisions. \nGreenspan tried to make a big splash by hiring Sampson, even when he knew Sampson brought a lot of baggage with him. And now, Greenspan is in the hottest of hot seats. A lot of people are calling for his head, too, and if he doesn’t take his time and hire the best possible coaching candidate, no matter his or her name recognition, he’ll join Sampson in the unemployment line. And we can’t say we disagree with this prospect.\nFor now, however, IU fans should focus on the team’s run toward the Final Four. The players have unjustly gone through this ordeal, and they deserve our full-hearted support. It’s not their fault Sampson betrayed them and the University by trying to get ahead.\nSo, Coach Samspon ... (oops! we mean Sampson), good riddance. We hope you had fun.