[flamesfilmguy]

I completely under$tand why McKay i$ making the tran$ition to Charlotte$ville. He $ays he prayed about the deci$ion, and it became clear that he needed $ome "change" in hi$ life.

It make$ perfect cent$ when you think about it.

Well played sir!

[belcherboy]

I completely under$tand why McKay i$ making the tran$ition to Charlotte$ville. He $ays he prayed about the deci$ion, and it became clear that he needed $ome "change" in hi$ life.

It make$ perfect cent$ when you think about it.

I don't think this has to do with money now, as much as it has to do with the potential of a big paycheck and coaching a big conference program down the road. Perhaps I'm reading this wrong, but he was going to take a step or two back next year. He had some good kids coming in, and no doubt would have turned it around, but if they turn UVA around, he will have some serious offers coming in. Especially having great success at Liberty, and leaving and having success at UVA. Personally, I think he has a HORRIBLY tough job in turning UVA around!

[momof3oftn]

I completely under$tand why McKay i$ making the tran$ition to Charlotte$ville. He $ays he prayed about the deci$ion, and it became clear that he needed $ome "change" in hi$ life.

It make$ perfect cent$ when you think about it.

[Maximus]

The thing is that he added the "faith" part with it. Made it sound that it wasn't just about money or winning or drugs, women, and booze. But it was about the spiritual aspect. For me thats been the toughest pill to swallow.

[jinxy]

I would have no problems if he just simply left and said it was time to move on and he enjoyed his stay. But don't publicly and privately say the things he has said to those like SJ and the printable quotes then completely change courses. He is not in a muslim nation on the mission field. He is coaching a basketball team, does his witness to the folks in this program not matter? I just have a huge problem with people that preach it preach it preach it, then cop it when a little bit better situation comes along.
-as far as not being for the money. I dont believe that for one second. Listened to Greg Roberts on the AM 960 this afternoon and his sources revealed to him that he was going to receive some serious coin in the deal. UVA just doled out 1.7 mil to Bennet which is the same amount Roy Williams makes. They paid Dave Leitao 2.1 million to pack his crap up and leave. I'm pretty sure there was some sweetner left to get Ritchie to go up 29. As I said before my problem is with him playing the Liberty card all day long and preaching it to all those under the umbrella. Then, it doesnt apply suddenly two days later. Noyone faults him for leaving, it's the way that it was done. As I said before, how can he rightfully ask for 100% from players, fans, staff when he was not 100% sold on it. Sure LIberty has the reputation for those involved of paying bottom dollar for a lot of jobs including profs, staff etc. But the men that made a true impact on my life at LU were not in it for the money or glory. Most of them made A LOT more moeny before they decided to come to LU, but they made a choice to invest in kids lives. They believed in the vision that Doc had. So all I ask is that if your not sold out to something, dont act like you are.

[Fumblerooskies]

I completely under$tand why McKay i$ making the tran$ition to Charlotte$ville. He $ays he prayed about the deci$ion, and it became clear that he needed $ome "change" in hi$ life.

It make$ perfect cent$ when you think about it.

OK...I had to laugh at that one. Well-played, Ed.

[ToTheLeft]

If we can keep Jesse and David and Jeremy and Carter and Kyle, and bring in the recruits we have now, or different ones for that matter, we will still be playing basketball next year at about the same level. We have talented athletes here guys, very talented. Sure losing the coach sucks, and if a handful of players leave then, yeah, we're in trouble. But with the nucleus we have with Kyle/Jesse/David/Jeremy/Carter, we have good players who will help this team win in 09-10, regardless of who is sitting in a suit, or a sweater vest, on the bench. It might not be a great day to be a Flame, but I think regardless of who we bring in, that things will be just fine next year. I know this sounds like Kool-Aid, but it's not. We might not win the Big South, we might not advance to the Semis even, but we have a good team with good players, and things will be alright.

[olldflame]

I'm sure Coach McKay said things to you... but like I said, paths can be changed in an instant.

Pro Tip: If you know paths can be changed in an instant, don't say things to people as if they can't.

Thank you. If you fully believe that God can change your calling in an instant, don't go around claiming that God has called you to be here and you feel you'll be here forever. When you say things like that, we, as Christians, believe you.

It's real easy to say "God called me to LU and now he's calling me to UVA." So, do you think God wasn't paying attention in between? Do you think He didn't hear the promises that you made to people here and know the hearts of the people they were made to? Does God call people to break their word?

["R" i "]

I doubt it was about the money.
Someone please do the math as to how much an ACC assitant makes, and how much Mckay was making. It wasnt that much different.

[bigsmooth]

turning UVA around is not that tough. All UVA fans including myself just want to go to the NCAA tournament on a consistent basis like the maryland's and wake's of the world and be in the middle or upper half of the ACC. It is not realistic to think that UVA can be at the top of the league with duke and carolina every year, but at least challenge like they used to. heck they tied the heels for the ACC regular season title just a few years ago. the facilities are second to none and the institution speaks for itself. my question with the staff is how their faith is shown and how UVA handles that. im just not sure RMK knows what he will be getting himself into.

[SuperJon]

I'm having a tough time relating with you as well. Perhaps it is because I grew up near a big city, and because I have been away from Liberty for nearly 10 years now. The thing is that I expected this from the minute they hired him. No matter what he said, he was too big for our program IMO. He played the game the way all coaches play it. MANY coaches betray their fans all the time due to better opportunities, more money, better programs, etc. It just seems to be a part of the game to me, at ALL levels. I don't think just because we are a Christian program that we are immune to this. I feel for you, but I personally think A LOT of Liberty students just got a shot of reality in terms of the business of basketball. If we want to get to the big time, this isn't going to be the last time this happens to us IMO.

I expected McKay to leave eventually. I figured next year would be the first year it would happen. I figured we might actually, you know, win something before he bolted. I loved the way the program was going. I loved the energy he brought to it. I loved the way he related to the students. I loved the way he could buy into the Christian nature of the school. All that's gone now. The fact that he left Liberty is not what is bothering most of it. It's the timing of when and the nature of how he left that is bothering us the most.

Don't tell me for a second that you believe if Seth Curry was still here that Ritchie McKay would've left.

[bigsmooth]

agreed SJ..seth stays RMK stays.

[dompennix]

agreed SJ..seth stays RMK stays.

third

[olldflame]

turning UVA around is not that tough. All UVA fans including myself just want to go to the NCAA tournament on a consistent basis like the maryland's and wake's of the world and be in the middle or upper half of the ACC. It is not realistic to think that UVA can be at the top of the league with duke and carolina every year, but at least challenge like they used to. heck they tied the heels for the ACC regular season title just a few years ago. the facilities are second to none and the institution speaks for itself. my question with the staff is how their faith is shown and how UVA handles that. im just not sure RMK knows what he will be getting himself into.

It's hard to imagine he doesn't, but naivity sometimes shows up where you wouldn't expect it. UVA may not be quite the bastian of secularism NM is, but I don't think its far behind.

[jinxy]

R I It's not just how much money he will get now. It's the fact that if UVA takes a huge step up this year his name will be on the national radar again. UVA is doling out money this offseason like it's on trees. 1.7 million to Bennet who has 3 years experience, 2.1 mil to buyout leitao??????, Also he is the Associate Head Coach, go ahead and review the football staff additions to Al Groh, they are doling out money like crazy this offseason.

I would even be willing to bet soemthing was said in negotiations with Bennet that part of the deal was for UVA to pony up the type of offer to get him Ritchie Mckay as his top assistant to make up for not being the head coach. Like I said I dont blame him for Capitalism, it's everythign else. There are just tooo much evidence going against RMK right now to make me think this was driven on opportunity and $

[flamesfilmguy]

I kinda feel like we felt back in Atlanta when Vick got arrested and Bobby P. Bolted for arkansas a couple of years back. I knew this was a familiar feeling. But as an example of rising out of this. The Falcons got a new coach and made it to the playoffs.

Hopefully in time we can match that. Obviously the situations are different. but still I think its a good comparison.

[bobsacamano]

http://www.scout.com/a.z?s=143&p=2&c=852314

I know this article was posted previously, but some of you guys should read this. Talk about a walking advertisement. They raised all kinds of money for this guy and he bounces without a flinch. This article doesn't make me feel so bad.

*Heck they're plenty of hungry coaches out there that our dying for an oppurtunity to coach at Liberty. We need to show some of these prospect coaches to our football games.

[flameshaw]

This is the hardest thing for me to grasp right now. IMHO one should never play the "God" card as an excuse to......................

[Th3rd]

SuperJon...

I am an alumni of a few years. I didn't get to see a game this season other than those miserable ESPN affairs. I was however, a very committed fan that traveled to see the team play when I lived in the burg. With that said...thank you. Thank you for passionately articulating what many of us obviously feel. I was just sort of mad about Seth in a selfish, childish way. This is totally different, I feel personally betrayed by what has happened here. We have truly been wronged, and played by a liar. No explaining can change that. I've not been here at FF long...but I love you guys, and your passion for our school. I truly wish everyone understood the way some of us literally live and die with our colors. I look forward to the day, which is coming soon, that we rise above this sort of thing, and become what God has destined for our special school.

To big Ritch, Seth, and anyone else that has been here and left to "better yourself", or b/c "God called you" this week....

IF YOU AREN'T A FLAME NOW, YOU NEVER WERE.

Let's look to the future starting now.

to be honest i was ticked and felt betrayed when the news first broke, but after thinking about it, im taking SJ's view on it... yea today is a bad day to be a flame, but today is almost over and tomorrow is on its way, so wish him well and move on, 09-10 basketball will be different and there wont be familiar faces, but i still plan on being in the front row cheering them on to victory...

just another day in the life of a LUnatic

[SuperJon]

Way to copy an exact comment you left on a Facebook status. Good job on that.

[TheLouder]

SuperJon...

I am an alumni of a few years. I didn't get to see a game this season other than those miserable ESPN affairs. I was however, a very committed fan that traveled to see the team play when I lived in the burg. With that said...thank you. Thank you for passionately articulating what many of us obviously feel. I was just sort of mad about Seth in a selfish, childish way. This is totally different, I feel personally betrayed by what has happened here. We have truly been wronged, and played by a liar. No explaining can change that. I've not been here at FF long...but I love you guys, and your passion for our school. I truly wish everyone understood the way some of us literally live and die with our colors. I look forward to the day, which is coming soon, that we rise above this sort of thing, and become what God has destined for our special school.

To big Ritch, Seth, and anyone else that has been here and left to "better yourself", or b/c "God called you" this week....

IF YOU AREN'T A FLAME NOW, YOU NEVER WERE.

Let's look to the future starting now.

to be honest i was ticked and felt betrayed when the news first broke, but after thinking about it, im taking SJ's view on it... yea today is a bad day to be a flame, but today is almost over and tomorrow is on its way, so wish him well and move on, 09-10 basketball will be different and there wont be familiar faces, but i still plan on being in the front row cheering them on to victory...

just another day in the life of a LUnatic

I agree. Ill be right there with you. I still hope some guys stick around tho.....

[Th3rd]

Way to copy an exact comment you left on a Facebook status. Good job on that.

shut up! i didnt feel like typing the exact thing out again... and it summed up everything i was feeling and am still feeling

[Kolzilla41]

Good night to all..... the latest post gets a prize

[ToTheLeft]

Two words:

Dale

Layer.

I know Dom joked about it earlier, but if there is interest on his part, and there honestly could be, this would be a SOLID pickup. All the current players would have at least met him, since he was here while they were either playing or being recruited, and I mean, he is the top assistant at an NCAA tournament school, is a former NCAA Tourney coach, and really the type of guy we want here. He is an excellent recruiter, and an all around good guy.

Plus, he has been a head coach TWO places in almost 20 years as a head coach... he proves that he's a guy committed to the team he's with.

[SuperJon]

What makes you think he would leave being an assistant in the Big East to come here? I'm asking honestly.