[bigsmooth]

coach dunton will not be back as coach next year. his contract ran out after the game last night, and it will not be renewed. let's be mindful of the families involved. a national search will commence, and official word is coming.

[WWJFD]

Too bad. I feel bad especially for the assstiants who are all 2 years and less with the program. Not easy to uproot and leave especially after just settling.

[Purple Haize]

If that is true, I feel for the family. I really like his kids, especially the Eddie Haskellish Matt.

[flameshaw]

Thanks for the heads up smooth. We should handle this with class on this board. Some will be happy, some will be sad. However there are families and feelings involved. I was not a RD supporter, but I would not have wanted to be him last night, all night for anything, I do feel for the man personally.
Someone has already started another thread that is not going to solve anything regarding RD. Now that he is gone, let's move on, pray that we get a great new coach, and support him 100% until he losses his first game.

[Sly Fox]

Let's heed the words of HMO in this discussion:

I'm going to write this big.

Let's just all be MATURE about this

I'm being serious...this is sometimes when we see the biggest difference between the haters and koolade drinkers...I can promise you the koolade drinkers will support whatever happens and let it go after a solid week, but boy I dont even want to think about whats going to take place if he's around a few more years...I may have to quit the board again (for you brokeback)

Whether you were koolaid or haterade, we're all Flames and when something like this goes down I feel we need to close ranks. The bone of contention for some on this board is now removed so let's show some respect today on this board.

Let me go on record as saying I was a Coach D man. He wasn't perfect (who among us is?) but he had a passion for the program and the university. While some have questioned his Xs & Os, you can't argue his character. He's done a great for the university and I'm proud to claim as a member of the LU family.

Having been in Coach D's shoes myself a couple of years ago, my prayers are with him to find someplace quickly where he can be a great fit and honor Him. His primary concerns now are for his family and I believe the school will take the high road in this regard.

Coach, you will be missed and I personally appreciate your hard work and dedication to LU. You'll be in my prayers as you move forward to the next place God has lined up for you.

[NJLibertyboy]

Amen. Very well said.

[LUconn]

Do we have a link for that? Not that I don't believe you.

[bigsmooth]

amen Sly. I too was a Dunton supporter,and i know he will land on his feet. i want to publicly thank him for what he has done for liberty basketball and i will miss him.

[mrich]

I believe you guys, but is this inside information, or has there been a press conference.

[Sly Fox]

No press conference as of yet. But then again, when has this board ever waited for a news conference?

[Fumblerooskies]

Yes...
...someone mentioned Coach and his family. Many lives will be impacted. In the words of Mark McGwire, "let's not talk about the past." Nothing positive is served by or ...
...remember, RD did bring a title to LU and brought the program up from Mel's time.

[mrich]

No press conference as of yet. But then again, when has this board ever waited for a news conference?

Thanks Sly

[bigsmooth]

it is concrete mrich. trust us on this one.

[mrich]

it is concrete mrich. trust us on this one.

Thanks Smooth, I can't say that I didn't get a big smile when I read this. I don't feel for RD the coach, but I do feel for RD the man. Change is always hard, and I pray that he takes this in stride. Blessings to RD

[Hold My Own]

amen Sly. I too was a Dunton supporter,and i know he will land on his feet. i want to publicly thank him for what he has done for liberty basketball and i will miss him.

nah, just a link to me...I'm the source

[thepostman]

I figured this is what was going to happen in the meeting today. I always have liked Coach D, even after some of the things some people on this board said to me about him, I still liked him

With that said this is the best thing for this program right now. That is the hard thing about sports, sometimes you have to get rid of people to move on.

I am sure Coach D will find work somewhere else. I doubt highly he will have any problems finding another coaching job. I wish him the best.

Now once this becomes official I look forward to hearing about some candidates for the job....to get the students excited about the program it would be nice to bring in someone with a Rocco like attitude....

[jcmanson]

I thought this was going to happen, but I am still sad to see him go. I wish him all the best, and thank him for what he has done and will do for Liberty University.

[Ed Dantes]

Dunton played a significant part in the two greatest moments in LU b'ball history, as an assistant coach in 1994 and as head skipper in 2004 when those teams won the championship. In 2002, he took over the worst program in the nation.

That will be his legacy... that, and he brought in Larry Blair, the Big South's leading scorer. RD helped lay down the tracks, it's up to someone else now to drive the train.

Hats off to Randy Dunton; we wish him the best with whatever he's going to do (there are probably a few D-I schools looking for an assistant coach, I bet. He'd be a good fit).

[Ed Dantes]

And, I would like to add, that Dunton kept this year's team together when it seemed as if they were all going to give up midway through. But, they fought back and earned a three seed when we all thought that they were going to buckle over.

[Hold My Own]

VERY VERY well put

I know this is tough for the family and I think about Emily...I've had the chance to speak with her...it's just tough for her being a Freshman in HS...it's the ultimate wake up call on how real this is and how these things truly effect peoples lives...and at the same time the sad truth that happens to Division I coach's at some point

Coach D hasnt let anyone down, us or his family

[TDDance234]

[No msg. -- TD]

[Sly Fox]

Out of respect for the moment I think its best if we give this a little time before we start that speculation, TD.

[TDDance234]

Understandable.

[Sly Fox]

Until any news conference, I'd rather we not begin that speculation. We'll have plenty of time to talk about it.

[PAmedic]

God Bless, Randy.

You treated me with the utmost respect and courtesy when you had no reason to do so, other than you were trying to share your obvious passion for all things Liberty hoops.

I wish you and your family the very best-

we'll meet again someday