The Coaching Graveyard Awaits

Appropriately on the heels of discussing loyalty to a program rather than a person, the first three victims carted to the Coaching Graveyard met their demise this week. I must say, I disagree with both cases, but no one consulted me before their abrupt axing. RIP:

1. Randy Shannon, immediately after his loss to USF. I hadn't realized he'd been there four years, so I can't argue it's exactly premature. Still, his ability to clean up Thug U makes me miss him all ready.

2. Robbie Caldwell, immediately before his loss to Wake Forest. The first reports made it sound like a backwoods turkey inseminator realized he wasn't a great fit for the Harvard of the South. Now it appears, it was an inexplicable force out. Face facts Vandy: until you commit to athletics by having facilities that rival your local high school's, you'll continue to be the SEC's whipping boy. It's a low move to fire a dedicated Commodore who beat a conference opponent despite having fewer than seven weeks to prepare for the opening game. 2-10 is quite respectable when you factor in what he had to work with. Just another reason to despise the Black and Gold.

3. Bill Lynch of Indiana. I don't care much about the Big Ten, but I had to stop reading when the players insisted it wasn't the coach's fault. Poor boys.