FSU athletic director Horace Small confirmed Monday that Duckett would not be signed for a sixth season, citing a desire “to take the program in another direction.”
If that’s the case, Small’s sense of direction is extremely flawed.
Usually, when a high school, college or professional coach is fired, the reasons are evident: He had a losing record, committed some recruiting violation or embarrassed the school with some unethical or immoral act.
Rick Duckett did none of that.
What Duckett did for five seasons was field a highly competitive team that worked harder than any other in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association. His players displayed sportsmanship and class, and they won more than they lost (76-57).
Virginia Union’s Dave Robbins, who has coached the Panthers to two national championships and 11 CIAA titles in 20 seasons, recently said Duckett’s teams “are the best-coached in the league.”
Duckett had one losing season, going 10-17 in 1994-95 before improving to 15-14 last season and 17-10 this year. The Broncos won 12 of their last 15 regular-season games this year and seven straight at one point. A first-round CIAA Tournament loss to Virginia State was a disappointment, but the prospects were bright for 1998-99 with 12 of 14 players expected to return.
But more important, FSU’s basketball players have graduated under Duckett. All but one player who completed their basketball eligibility at Fayetteville State under Duckett have earned a degree. That player is now in school working toward that goal.
In fact, the only blemish on Duckett’s record occurred in October 1996 when Small postponed the start of preseason practice two days and suspended Duckett for seven practices. He did so because the team may have violated a minor NCAA rule regarding individual workouts before the start of preseason practice on Oct. 15.
Duckett handled the situation honestly, accepting responsibility and the penalty.
The same cannot be said for Small, who first told this newspaper that he didn’t “know of any problem” even though Duckett’s suspension was already in effect.
Just maybe it’s Small’s track record that ought to be evaluated here, not Duckett’s.
Small said one of his first objectives upon becoming FSU’s AD in July 1996 was to raise more money for the athletic department. But two years into Small’s tenure, the school’s athletic department is facing its worst deficit in recent years, which is one reason the Board of Trustees voted in February to increase student athletic fees for next year.
Duckett and other coaches at FSU have managed to succeed despite working with one of the smallest recruiting budgets in the CIAA, and while operating under a directive from Small to pursue only in-state athletes.
The morale of FSU’s coaching staff has also suffered a dramatic drop under Small. Certainly, observing the way Duckett has been treated won’t enhance that situation.
Nor will the action, or in-action of FSU Chancellor Willis McLeod.
McLeod has apparently given Small carte blanche to hire and fire coaches at FSU. That’s a power not even the athletic directors at Atlantic Coast Conference schools enjoy.
It’s amazing, considering the circumstances, that McLeod didn’t step in and stop Small from making a decision that opens his university up to criticism and embarrassment.
Here’s hoping that McLeod will find the courage to do so next time and keep FSU from losing another good person, teacher and coach such as Rick Duckett.
Sammy Batten can be reached at 486-3534 or otsports@fayettevillenc.com