I'm prefacing this by saying I really like Jim Schaus. He's done a heck of a job for us the past few years, and in my limited contacts with him - I actually think he's a very nice man, who's done wonderful things in an absolutely thankless position (OCF, Shuttles, you know the drill). When he took over a few years ago, I wasn't mature or level headed enough to realize what a great hire he was for the University. Especially after being so mentally poisoned by the god awful disaster that was Kirby Hocutt (Joke-Cutt).

I'm sure I made comments about Jim and the department that were in poor taste, but much of that was dictated by the carpetbagger status that had been attained by Hocutt and Boeh when they held the chair prior to Schaus. I was sick of the job being a stepping stone, and our fan base being constantly stomped on by these short timers. It ripped me apart pretty good to watch Hocutt take a giant crap on us, then walk away for Miami, and I would have expressed anger towards anyone in the AD position. Anyways, I digress, but before I mention this scenario - I want my positive feelings about Jim known and expressed.

Also, I have to credit Bobcat28 for getting me thinking about the Schaus angle in all of this. So, here's the nightmare scenario:

What if Schaus also has one foot out the door? Does Groce know of Schaus's career aspirations? Does Schaus put in 110% to retain Groce? As IPF and Locker Room wrap up, has Schaus shifted his focus to his next job? What is McDavis's role in a retention plan? Does Schaus even think it's prudent to pay an Ohio Coach significantly more than the MAC Market dicatates? Have we broached an increased student fee?

Simply put - have we exhausted every avenue to make sure the nightmare scenario doesn't come to fruition?

I remember when I worked in the Candy Business in Chicago. Fannie May Chocolates for those who want to be nostalgic. I joined the Company when it was in Chapter 11 and the Management Team was in the process of trying to save a sinking ship. As the first couple years passed by, it was clear the ship was going down faster then the Titanic. My Manager and I talked at length about our Career Aspirations and Goals during that period. It wasn't because we were great friends, it was because we spent a ton of time collaborating, and that conversation was part of a natural progression. The conversations were mostly informal, but I'm sure I presented body language and wording that told my Boss where my head was at, and vice versa.

Bringing it back to Schaus/Groce, I'm just wondering aloud if all of this will factor in. Maybe I'm overthinking it, but it wouldn't be looking at ALL possible angles, if we didn't look at Schaus's role in this.

My assumption, as I've tweeted all week - Schaus and McDavis have been ready for this. I believe Groce got the offer today and Schaus/McDavis knew it was going to happen. The lag between the offer and the press conference (Dinner tonight and breakfast tomorrow) is allowing them to confirm that their contingency plans for a Groce offer can still be executed. Whether this means a contract counteroffer, or cutting Groce loose in favor of another strong candidate, or something entirely different - I don't know. But I believe both Jim and Rod (Jack and Rod - Stern anyone?) were ready for this.

The nightmare to me will be finding out that Groce left and we didn't do EVERYTHING in our power to prevent it, or that others were (god forbid please) complicit in helping him leave. If our Administration leaves it all out on the floor like Coop, Walt, Ivo, Nick, Reg, Jon, etc - I'll be happy. If we fold up shop like US Soccer, you'll see a side of the LOVE that won't be pretty for anyone.

LOVE

Love,
You and I and "everyone else" (excluding trolls) who attends these board meetings is born and raised on Green and White. Wouldn't it be wonderful if someone came along who was born a Bobcat (or who married into OUr family and became fully assimilated) and whose heart's desire -- their dream job -- was to be the best Ohio coach or AD there ever was ... a person who was not only as good as it gets in all the ways that make a coach or AD great (such as, I believe, Jim Schaus and John Groce) ... but a person for whom Green and White was the proverbial "end of the rainbow"?
Speaking from a career of experience, I can tell you that following rainbows in a quest for a pot of gold does not bring happiness. It is beholding the rainbow itself and basking in its glow that is the treasure.
A fact: There always will be someplace that can dangle the lure of money, but if that's what's steering your boat, then be prepared for the consequences.
There are false notions about "worth" that have warped our society and led a whole lot of people to plod through life with a bulging bank balance and a bankrupt psyche.

I don't know. The end in your nightmare scenario is pretty much the same as the end in the undesirable scenario, the means of getting us there are just different. If you went on to explain that Schaus was already checked out, quickly exits himself, we hire an uninspiring coach, and 3 players transfer, THEN I'm starting to have a nightmare.

Dont be surprised is Schaus is the next one on a plane...

It was an attempt at least to be humorous, complete with a semi-appropriate emoticon.  I think I said something about maybe you were too busy to post on bobcat attack because you were too busy planning your next boycott.  It was meant to be a little sarcastic, but not mean spirited -- a little light humor.  If you took it otherwise, I hereby apologize.  Your swipes at me always seem much more nasty than my swipes at you, which usually are tinged with my warped sense of humor.  So, perhaps, we should just agree to lay down our hatchets and agree that neither of us has covered ourselves with glory in these interchanges.  I think bobcat attack would be better for it.  OK?