Coach McKay's Departure
Posted: April 1st, 2009, 6:05 pm
Had a good talk with Coach McKay by phone this afternoon. He seemed emotionally drained from making the call to head north to Charlottesville.
He told me that he didn't make a decision until this morning after initially turning down Bennett's offers several times over the past few days. And when he said at Flames Club that he intended to be at LU for the rest of his life he was being sincere.
It wasn't until he sat down face-to-face with Bennett yesterday that he even really seriously considered the possibility of leaving LU. But after he & his wife prayed about it they felt God calling them to make what would on the surface be a strange move.
He explained to me that after 14 years as a head coach that the idea of being an assistant had become appealing. He's at a different stage in his life where he doesn't need the accollades of being "the man". Frankly as someone of similar age and having a deep understanding of the demands of the job I completely feel him.
He seemed completely torn to be leaving what he feels is a fantastic job surrounded by men of integrity. He talked again and again about what a huge impact the last two years have had on his life personally and especially spiritually. He also praised Jeff Barber as an AD.
And he also wanted me to let folks understand that he has had a strong family relationship with the Bennetts for a quarter century. He considers the elder Bennett to be his mentor. So when Tony talked to him about coming to join him it was a very personal situation between a pair of Christian brothers. He gave me the feeling that if it weren't for that relationship there is zero chance this move could've happened.
Bottom line, he expressed his continued love for LU stating he would be thrilled to have his own kids come someday. It is has passion for the school that made this all the tougher on him.
He is putting the things he has learned at LU about humbling himself and following God's call ahead of his own selfish desire to stay as head coach at Liberty. Frankly I admire him for being willing to take that stance even though is kills me to see him go.
He told me that he didn't make a decision until this morning after initially turning down Bennett's offers several times over the past few days. And when he said at Flames Club that he intended to be at LU for the rest of his life he was being sincere.
It wasn't until he sat down face-to-face with Bennett yesterday that he even really seriously considered the possibility of leaving LU. But after he & his wife prayed about it they felt God calling them to make what would on the surface be a strange move.
He explained to me that after 14 years as a head coach that the idea of being an assistant had become appealing. He's at a different stage in his life where he doesn't need the accollades of being "the man". Frankly as someone of similar age and having a deep understanding of the demands of the job I completely feel him.
He seemed completely torn to be leaving what he feels is a fantastic job surrounded by men of integrity. He talked again and again about what a huge impact the last two years have had on his life personally and especially spiritually. He also praised Jeff Barber as an AD.
And he also wanted me to let folks understand that he has had a strong family relationship with the Bennetts for a quarter century. He considers the elder Bennett to be his mentor. So when Tony talked to him about coming to join him it was a very personal situation between a pair of Christian brothers. He gave me the feeling that if it weren't for that relationship there is zero chance this move could've happened.
Bottom line, he expressed his continued love for LU stating he would be thrilled to have his own kids come someday. It is has passion for the school that made this all the tougher on him.
He is putting the things he has learned at LU about humbling himself and following God's call ahead of his own selfish desire to stay as head coach at Liberty. Frankly I admire him for being willing to take that stance even though is kills me to see him go.