Sterk was the real problem here...

Posted on: September 21, 2023 at 12:21:35 CT

Even if you accept that there was zero intent on the part of the Kreklows to foist their nieces husband into the head coaching position on a permanent basis, which I doubt, they guaranteed by the timing of their retirement that he would at least be the interim coach for the upcoming season.

That is the point where the adult in the room (presumed adult) needed to step in and recognize the obvious and flagrant conflict of interest on the part of the Kreklows, and commit to and conduct a true nationwide search after the season was over to hire the most qualified coach available to lead the team going forward. That is where Sterk failed miserably, by making their nieces husband the permanent head coach, before his interim season had even concluded (I believe).

That was on Sterk. It is at least understandable, although blatant nepotism, for coaches to sometimes scheme to get family members special treatment. But the AD needs to be the check and balance on that, which Sterk refused to do.

At the time, this young family member (by marriage) was so inexperienced and unqualified that he would not have even gotten a job interview at any P5 school or any moderately successful other program. He would have been laughed at even if he applied for such an interview. It all could have been avoided if Sterk had just minimally performed his job.

The rest is history as the program was run into the ground to the point that we won just 4 SEC matches and lost 32 over his last two seasons. Leaving the new coach a significant rebuilding job.