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Whitmer basketball coach Bruce Smith faces accusations of bias

Buckskin86

Moderator
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Whitmer standouts Nigel Hayes, left, and Kenny Hayes told their parents, Talaya and Al Davis, of Coach Bruce Smith's alleged behavior after Mrs. Davis met with other parents who made accusations against the coach.
( THE BLADE/ANDY MORRISON )

toledoblade.com -- Whitmer basketball coach Bruce Smith faces accusations of bias
 
People around here are extremely upset and against these accusations. A quick jump on facebook shows whitmers whole student body supporting Coach smith, as well as players ON the current team as well as former players saying the accusations are completely false. Kenny and Nigel Hayes parents are the ones behind most of this and it truly imo has NOTHING to do with racism at all and is really just a cheap cop out.
There were many stories before this even broke about the hayes boys parents being trouble. Always at practice type of people ect.
Just thought I would give the pulse of the students and people around here.
 
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Buckin Crazy;1741520; said:
People around here are extremely upset and against these accusations. A quick jump on facebook shows whitmers whole student body supporting Coach smith, as well as players ON the current team as well as former players saying the accusations are completely false. Kenny and Nigel Hayes parents are the ones behind most of this and it truly imo has NOTHING to do with racism at all and is really just a cheap cop out.
There were many stories before this even broke about the hayes boys parents being trouble. Always at practice type of people ect.
Just thought I would give the pulse of the students and people around here.

Imo this all has to do with the asst coach (name slips my mind) getting fired. This situation has bad written all over it. Wormley, in addition to the aforementioned names, also seems in on this fiasco. Those 3 kids are A LOT of star power for one school to handle.
 
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shiznit7;1741534; said:
Imo this all has to do with the asst coach (name slips my mind) getting fired. This situation has bad written all over it. Wormley, in addition to the aforementioned names, also seems in on this fiasco. Those 4 kids are A LOT of star power for one school to handle.

Wormly Just answered questions asked by the reporter thats it. He still loves coach Smith. It's really the parents imo.

Im interested in seeing where this goes, I cant see them firing coach smith, I can't see Kenny leaving for one year, I can see his brother leaving for some private school recruiting him.
Something else is motivating these parents and everyone knows it.
 
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Buckin Crazy;1741545; said:
Wormly Just answered questions asked by the reporter thats it. He still loves coach Smith. It's really the parents imo.

Im interested in seeing where this goes, I cant see them firing coach smith, I can't see Kenny leaving for one year, I can see his brother leaving for some private school recruiting him.
Something else is motivating these parents and everyone knows it.

I can't say that I know anything about the current situation, but I used to run cross country for Coach Smith back many moons ago. (Side note: dude had the smoothest form I've ever seen... he was an effortless runner.) I'd personally characterize him as a very caring coach (relative to other coaches I've had). While a caring coach, I also believe that the words "intense" and "animated" are spot on.

These days intent means very little in the face of actions that someone can take to be over some line. Whatever happens here, I hope the best for Coach Smith... and the families involved.
 
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This is a tough subject.

I believe that Coach Smith is not a racist, per se.

But I believe that this coalition of parents have some legitimate concerns and complaints about some of his actions and approaches.

And I think what they've been looking for, whether its been handled the best or not, it to make it clear to him that they have these concerns and that while he may not have realized it, some of the things he has said and done have caused some confusion, concern, and damage with the kids. This doesn't(yet) seem like a clear witch hunt where a parent or two is just blindly trying to get him fired.

BUt again, this is tough territory for everyone involved, and now that the story ran in the paper, it will probably only intensify.

Best of luck to all involved, hopefully they can all learn and take something out of this ordeal.
 
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The biggest question I have after reading the article. What could you possibly gain by dividing your team by white and black players?

What a stupid thing do to because it opens himself up for accusations. This isn't Mississippi (or South Georgia) in the 1960s.
 
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sgabuck;1741750; said:
The biggest question I have after reading the article. What could you possibly gain by dividing your team by white and black players?

What a stupid thing do to because it opens himself up for accusations. This isn't Mississippi (or South Georgia) in the 1960s.

My thoughts
 
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sgabuck;1741750; said:
The biggest question I have after reading the article. What could you possibly gain by dividing your team by white and black players?

What a stupid thing do to because it opens himself up for accusations. This isn't Mississippi (or South Georgia) in the 1960s.

Maybe overweight players were complaining about shirts vs. skins and this was the first thing that came to his mind.:)
 
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sgabuck;1741750; said:
The biggest question I have after reading the article. What could you possibly gain by dividing your team by white and black players?

What a stupid thing do to because it opens himself up for accusations. This isn't Mississippi (or South Georgia) in the 1960s.


Uhhh, racism just didn't occur in the south in 60's buddy(or just in the south period). I'm not on either side, but if the parents feel that they have a problem, hopefully it corrects itself without causing too much harm to most important entity in this equation, the students/athletes. I wish for the best for both parties, and hate when race is brought up like this. But it does happen.
 
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Agreed. This is definitely not the place for Kenny Smith conversation. Can we get this moved the Basketball---->Professional Basketball forum ASAP :biggrin:
Bill Lucas;1742088; said:
This conversation doesn't have anything to do with Kenny Smith's recruitement or commitment to Ohio State.

I'm not sure where the current discussion should occur but I am certain this isn't the place for it. :osu:
 
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