It's not a firing under any circumstance. While it's semantics, he just won't be renewed at the end of the year. It may not be an important distinction to members of the board, but I do believe it will be to Saul. In any case, I think the answer would still be no, he wouldn't stay. I have a hard time imagining a scenario where he and the district continue their relationship.

Speculate all you want but after this year Saul is gone !!! I have a better chance of getting struck by lightning than those things happening in the 1st post.

I said yes just because I've lost optimism that it can happen. I wanted to see how the MAC season unfolded before I jumped to any conclusions on a coaching change, unlike a few people here. I wanted patience, let's see what happens. Now we still have no healthy Dartis, Gollon was just starting to look good again and he blows an Achilles, TK's scoring has gone down a fair bit the past 4-5 games, we have no consistent shooting, and chances for a positive finish to 2018/19 has started to look bleak at best.

Time to push the reset button. I hope Carter, BVP, and Preston stick with us, but the rest...

"Both teams played hard, my man."

Nope.

#MarchMatters

If there is one thing we've learned is that these players have never quit during Saul's regime. Do they play lousy games? Sure, everyone does from time to time...some more than others obviously. But these kids all play their ass off for SP.

It didn't look that way last time out, but that's one time. You think Gavin Block doesn't want to go out a winner? That kid never stops trying. Jordan Dartis is probably punching walls because he can't be out there. Same for Jimmy G.

There may be a bad egg here or there on the roster, but I don't think there is a lot of "quit" in this group. They're too good of people to do that.

Angry and Move on ? You all keep making posts about Saul, You think Saul has this team set up for success ? Hell No !!! these players are just going through the motions, running the Offense and Defense that Saul has taught them and we are seeing first hand how that's turning out. Getting blown out of games, (which most of you used the word EMBARRASSING when Ohio lost to Akron) also losing not (loosing) big leads it all falls back on one person Saul Phillips.

Isn’t it rich? Aren’t we a pair? Me on the ground, you in mid air. Send in the clowns. There ought to be clowns.

Don’t bother. They’re here.

Maybe. But I know what alliteration is.

I remember that game. That was the low point that year, and everything else was up from that day. And, I miss the large man from the Netherlands. Watching his evolution was fun.

I have to believe that this decision was made a year ago due to a lack of a contract renewal, and that it isn't just about wins and losses. Back when Coach Hunter was let go, the thinking was that the Bobcats should be dominating the MAC year and year out just for starters. There is very little flash and excitement to this product/program right now; in fact, the football program has totally eclipsed the basketball program in terms of becoming a nationally recognized brand. That has a lot to do with Solich's own long standing National appeal blending nicely with the football program in Athens. I believe that the next coach, whether we like it or not, is going to have to be a flashy and colorful personality that is bigger than life such as a Rick Pitino or a Bruce Pearl type of ringmaster, who has the Bobcats making headlines, even when they are losing. This could include an Andy Enfield "Dunk City" type of spectacle or a frighteningly intense taskmaster like Frank Martin of Kansas State and South Carolina fame. I truly believe that the next choice will not be about what is best for the kids and the locals, but what generates attention on a National Level. Sorry, my fellow Athenian brothers and sisters, but I believe that we are on the verge of having a media friendly three ring circus come to town. After all, as the old Hollywood axiom goes, it doesn't matter whether they love or hate you, only that they are constantly talking about you.

I love the continued argument that you and others make about how he "has FAILED to do so for 5 years". It's hilarious that we've magically forgotten the two good years out of five that our coach and his staff have had when they won 20 games and got the the MAC Semi's - one of which was a whisker away from being a MAC Finals appearance.

Also, if getting angry about the salary is your thing, as it is for others, why is it that no one is directing any of that angst towards the people who willingly paid him that salary?

#ThingsThatMakeYouGoHmmmmm
(that's for Fear Leon) ;-)