[SuperJon]

I'm not saying Jason is guilty and I seriously hope he's not, but unfortunately the school and you lost all credibility in the "let's wait til the facts come out before posting opinions" game after the Asa situation. You toed the university line the entire time and we saw where that went.

Here's my opinion: guilty or not, as a person who has financially supported the Flames Club, hiding the arrest of a coach at a Christian university doesn't sit well with me. This has happened way too much around here (generally with players). If we are going to have, "Win or lose, to God be the glory" as one of our catch phrases, we need to learn some accountability. I don't think they need to come out and give us a press release every time something happens, but once it's made public, don't try to hide it or attack the people who brought it public.

Edit: Let me add this - I really think most of this is a mistake. I think something likely happened where it was a bad luck situation and that Jason didn't do anything wrong. With that being said, the University's response yesterday made it really seem like they were hiding something. They added more fuel to it that didn't need to be there. If they would've responded in a different, less attacking way, people wouldn't have jumped to conclusions.

[Purple Haize]

Guys, let's avoid a big rush to judgement in regard to Coach Eaker and the university. This is not a simple matter and any comparisons to the Asa situation are unfair for a number of reasons. Hang in there.

Let the record show that as one of the biggest critics of the Asa debacle the only thing I have asked is whether or not he is on some type of administrative leave. No judgement just asking

[TCsquared]

Guys, let's avoid a big rush to judgement in regard to Coach Eaker and the university. This is not a simple matter and any comparisons to the Asa situation are unfair for a number of reasons. Hang in there.

Let the record show that as one of the biggest critics of the Asa debacle the only thing I have asked is whether or not he is on some type of administrative leave. No judgement just asking

Actually Sly there is a comparison...both were charged with felonies and allowed to still represent the university.

[Sly Fox]

Duly noted, Haize. That is a fair question to ask.

For the record, those that know me at all recognize that I was far from pleased with the Asa situation. What I stated at the time was that there were some things occurring at the time that might influence the perspective of some.

Perhaps my Old Hag status has me less hasty to rush to judgement. I don't have all of the details but admittedly I tend to lean toward the less sinister of possibilities when it comes to people I know.

[SuperJon]

I know Jason and that's why I believe he didn't do anything wrong.

With that being said, when the University attacks someone for bringing public record into the light, it makes me think they're hiding something. If they would've acknowledged it and said that they are going through the legal process and believe that Coach Eaker will be proven not guilty then I would've gotten behind them and trusted them. They did the exact opposite of that though. Given past actions, when they respond like this, they are generally hiding something.

As a Christian, I'm more than willing to give grace in a situation like this, especially given that Coach Eaker has a spotless record. You don't give me a chance to do that when you start attacking the dedicated fans of your school.

[Purple Haize]

Duly noted, Haize. That is a fair question to ask.

.

See despite the view of many, I can be reasonable. If this is a legal prescription matter there area lot more things that can factor into it then the Asa situation.

It is disappointing that the school hasn't learned from past experiences how to handle situations like this.

[TCsquared]

Duly noted, Haize. That is a fair question to ask.

.

See despite the view of many, I can be reasonable. If this is a legal prescription matter there area lot more things that can factor into it then the Asa situation.

It is disappointing that the school hasn't learned from past experiences how to handle situations like this.

With the election fresh....it will become more apparent who is a "walking tax" to our LU competitive growth economy.

[bballfan84]

If you dont know the situation then let it go. It is not the same as the Asa situation and trust our leadership to handle this in the appropriate manner.

[LUconn]

because they handled the other one so appropriately? I'm not one to fly off the handle here but trusting them to do the right thing is pretty much off the table. I trust that they'll do whatever they want and hopefully it's the right thing. I also trust that no matter what the situation, sinister or misunderstanding, they'll do a poor job of public relations. But having said all that, a lot of people seem to vouch for Eaker's character so I'll assume it's some sort of misunderstanding until it's resolved.

[Sly Fox]

For the record, I am not comfortable with the personal shots at Johnnie. If you want to question his specific actions, then it falls safely under the rules of the board. But some of the comments in this thread push beyond those boundaries into the personal nature. That is not acceptable. This site was not created to be used as a tool for personal attacks on anyone. Perhaps we have been a bit too lenient in stressing this lately. For that, I apologize.

[TCsquared]

I'm not saying Jason is guilty and I seriously hope he's not, but unfortunately the school and you lost all credibility in the "let's wait til the facts come out before posting opinions" game after the Asa situation. You toed the university line the entire time and we saw where that went.

Here's my opinion: guilty or not, as a person who has financially supported the Flames Club, hiding the arrest of a coach at a Christian university doesn't sit well with me. This has happened way too much around here (generally with players). If we are going to have, "Win or lose, to God be the glory" as one of our catch phrases, we need to learn some accountability. I don't think they need to come out and give us a press release every time something happens, but once it's made public, don't try to hide it or attack the people who brought it public.

Edit: Let me add this - I really think most of this is a mistake. I think something likely happened where it was a bad luck situation and that Jason didn't do anything wrong. With that being said, the University's response yesterday made it really seem like they were hiding something. They added more fuel to it that didn't need to be there. If they would've responded in a different, less attacking way, people wouldn't have jumped to conclusions.

Magistrates don't hand out a felony charge without believing there is evidence to merit the charge. We all need to pray for Jason. The question is why from the athletic administration is it so difficult to handle these issues in a professionally respected manner.

[bballfan84]

The situation has been handled..I vouch for Eaker. I will stress that nothing remotely resembles the Asa situation. There was a mistake made but lets not all assume the worst.

[BJWilliams]

Because people like you are never going to be happy ToC? As I said, just because the school didnt come out with a statement within 24 hours (or less) doesnt meant that there is some big conspiracy or cover up going on. Also bear in mind that by commenting on how the school handles things, you may be commenting on one of our founding members as well.

[Purple Haize]

So I guess no one is going to answer my question. Or are unable to answer my question.

[SumItUp]

So I guess no one is going to answer my question. Or are unable to answer my question.

I guess we will find out if he is courtside tonight.

[lynchburgwildcats]

I know Jason and that's why I believe he didn't do anything wrong.

With that being said, when the University attacks someone for bringing public record into the light, it makes me think they're hiding something. If they would've acknowledged it and said that they are going through the legal process and believe that Coach Eaker will be proven not guilty then I would've gotten behind them and trusted them. They did the exact opposite of that though. Given past actions, when they respond like this, they are generally hiding something.

As a Christian, I'm more than willing to give grace in a situation like this, especially given that Coach Eaker has a spotless record. You don't give me a chance to do that when you start attacking the dedicated fans of your school.

When you attack or stonewall the media, no matter how reputable or unreputable it is, you make the media the enemy. You NEVER want to make the media the enemy, they will go out of their way to make your life hell just to tick you off. Doing something like this cover up and attacking the media is exactly what you learn to not do in PR 101. This isn't the 1950s where you can cover up just about anything.

[TCsquared]

Because people like you are never going to be happy ToC? As I said, just because the school didnt come out with a statement within 24 hours (or less) doesnt meant that there is some big conspiracy or cover up going on. Also bear in mind that by commenting on how the school handles things, you may be commenting on one of our founding members as well.

BJ are you happy with football, men's basketball and the handling of the drug felony charges? Get past the Kool Aid stage and truly help LU athletics build on excellence not image on substance not bravado. You will get another great lesson tomorrow on a University committed to building winning athletics but your excuse making is likely to continue.

BTW no one is rejoice where Jason Eaker's decisions have led to for him and his family. He is in our prayers.

But as Haize has said where is the answer on an August felony arrest and we are in November with no suspension.

[BJWilliams]

Am I happy with football? Im frustrated, as are a large number of other people on this board, but with things working out as they did, you cant control certain aspects (like injuries), so I am willing to give some pause there. Am I happy with basketball? Again, Im frustrated with it as with anyone else because they have shown glimpses of how good they can be, but havent quite recaptured what they had in that championship season of 2004, but Im willing to give Coach Layer a chance this year (as should you). As for the drug charges, we dont know the backstory in this so I wont pass judgement other than to say that the public relations side could have been handled much better, but its not necessary to come out with an announcement within 24 hours (or some unrealistic time frame) just because something bad happened. Im guessing that most schools dont comment immediately because, as Im guessing, its a personnel matter, and those are handled off the record, as I would think they should be. How would you like it if you got into legal trouble and your boss handled it through the media or some other public forum instead of dealing with it privately first and foremost? As I said, it isnt always a sign that someone is hiding something when they dont immediately comment on a matter that is generally dealt with privately

[adam42381]

Am I happy with football? Im frustrated, as are a large number of other people on this board, but with things working out as they did, you cant control certain aspects (like injuries), so I am willing to give some pause there. Am I happy with basketball? Again, Im frustrated with it as with anyone else because they have shown glimpses of how good they can be, but havent quite recaptured what they had in that championship season of 2004, but Im willing to give Coach Layer a chance this year (as should you). As for the drug charges, we dont know the backstory in this so I wont pass judgement other than to say that the public relations side could have been handled much better, but its not necessary to come out with an announcement within 24 hours (or some unrealistic time frame) just because something bad happened. Im guessing that most schools dont comment immediately because, as Im guessing, its a personnel matter, and those are handled off the record, as I would think they should be. How would you like it if you got into legal trouble and your boss handled it through the media or some other public forum instead of dealing with it privately first and foremost? As I said, it isnt always a sign that someone is hiding something when they dont immediately comment on a matter that is generally dealt with privately

Is 2+ months a realistic time frame? The arrest apparently occurred in August.

[adam42381]

So I guess no one is going to answer my question. Or are unable to answer my question.

I guess we will find out if he is courtside tonight.

From reading his tweets, it looks like he's still coaching. I really hope this was some type of misunderstanding and not something much more sinister.

[BJWilliams]

Since this is a personnel matter (and personnel matters are not public record Im guessing), I think as much time as is necessary should be taken. 2 months certainly isnt unrealistic but I dont think because it wasnt announced immediately that it is something underhanded that is going on

[bballfan84]

so do you guys think there should be a press release everytime something happens..do we need to know everytime someone makes a mistake..the situation has been handled its none of your business..and frankly i think it was wrong for it to be recklessly posted to get notoriety on some measly fan site...it is not as serious as you guys are making it. In the end I think its important to remember what Satan has meant for harm God can turn to good..he will be courtside tonight

[LUconn]

it is not as serious as you guys are making it.

It's a felony charge! The school is under no obligation to tell us jack. I agree. But why be salty when we're upset over what little we do know and you won't explain the rest? And if it is some silly misunderstanding, I think it's great that the school wants to protect a stand up guy's reputation. But don't act indignant when a PUBLIC record is main known to everyone. Don't claim the messenger of that news is "not to be trusted". (What is Lang was still covering LU? He probably would have found out way sooner than that blog) Once it comes out, that is the time that maybe you should open your mouth to do a little damage control even though you are not obligated to. I keep hearing how much this is not like the Asa situation, but more and more it is turning into it. There are mystery facts that will magically absolve everything while in the mean time, the non-mystery facts look pretty bad (at least in terms of their legal seriousness). Finally, I have a piece of paper that I paid tens of thousands of dollars for that says it is my business to care who is representing the name on that paper.

[BJWilliams]

Any journalist, whether freelance writer, staff writer or blog writer, ought to know the simple fact that youre not going to get anything on the record when human resources (or personnel, whatever the department is) gets involved. Any disciplinary action or investigation will be done behind the scenes and away from the prying eyes of the media which is (IMO) exactly what any school, public or private, Christian or secular, should do in that situation.

[BJWilliams]

You need to be careful though. Zeal to get the story out first can come back to get you in the end if you dont have all your ducks in a row (just ask CBS News).