No topic has stirred the pitched level of emotions than the termination of basketball coach Bobby McCormack at CBC. Suffice to say, Jim Baer won't be invited to break bread with the Brothers of CBC anytime soon. Here's the pro's and con's so far of emails and comments:
Jim Blase, SLUH grad
LOVED your article! I do not even know the man (am a SLUH grad), but have just been outraged over this. The great career this coach has had, and they fire him, AFTER A 20 WIN SEASON???? Like you imply, this is a Catholic institution??
H. Bommarito
You should be ashamed! THis is such blaten false information!
Tyler Kacich
I would like to thank you for posting such a humorous article. I enjoyed reading your idiotic facts and all you're very "knowledgeable" sources. It's clear that you have not watched many CBC basketball games over the past few years. Yes, the numbers may look good but the wins have been from pure talent alone. You make it sound like he was hired 2 years ago and got fired for underperforming. He was the head coach for 17 years and it was just simply time for change. There is no player growth.. The players come in and leave the same exact way.
Before you write another article, ask any of the basketball players what coaching goes on in practice. Save these articles for people with actual basketball knowledge, not someone who is just making up facts to get his name out there. Try to find some more facts and be closer to the situation before you write another embarrassing article.
Dan Swoboda
Dear Mr. Baer, First off I would like to say that I am a senior at CBC high school. I took high offense to reading this article. I just wanted to let you know that it was the most childish and ludicrous article I have ever read. Bobby woud be ashamed of this. Bobby is a great man and a wonderful LaSallian but how dare you talk about my school like that. Simply stating rumors that you've heard from parents around the block. A bad reporter will succumb to those rumors and post them without any factual evidence. I, along with the rest of the CBC community, demand that you take this trash down. If you want to write a real article, please do so with factual evidence, not rumors that you have heard around the block. Thanks, Nick Swoboda
Jeff Kihn
It's simply the next phase of the coup that began with the termination of Mike England as President. The small group of folks who ousted England and now Mc Cormack are truly an arrogant clique that pouts when they don't get their way, or perhaps worse, get offended when people don't recognize how 'important' they are... Exhibit 1 and 1a of that arrogance being the manner in which they removed England and McCormack. I predict it is the beginning of many poor decisions that will soon manifest themselves and launch CBC into a long period of decline.
Will Smith
Over time, I've learned that there are multiple sides to every story and I suspect that is the case here as well. Was his job performance really as stellar as it should have been? Were players better or worse after playing for him? Perhaps there were broader reasons that his contract was not renewed - reasons we aren't privvy to. Perhaps it was just simply a time for a change and time for everyone to move on and grow. If he's as good as people think, he'll land on his feet and find another position.
Frank Cusumano, KSDK TV
Great story!
John
This article is so biased. You are clearly only looking at one side. For one, you have no idea why they didn't renew his contract and you most likely never will. You also have no idea what he is like as a teacher in the school. You really should get your biased ass articles off this site and never write about something that you don't know the whole story to.
Jared
TERRIBLE article. This article just bashes on CBC and the people a part of it. Do you think that the student or teachers get a say in who stays and who goes? No. Its a select few that decide these things somewhere in a meeting of board members. So why don't you stop bashing all the people a part of CBC and stop being so arrogant. You aren't a part of the brotherhood that comes with this school so stop talking about it like you've been a part of it. Why don't you go and find something else to waste your time with.
Shaun G
This is THE worst misinformed article. Try actually contacting those on the inside.. You really need to get your facts straight before printing blaten lies. You do realize his kids still attend school there this does nothing but hurt the kids- now time for everyone to move on. Its a done deal. You bashing the school is not going to change it. If he is as great as you say he should gave a new job in mo time- wish him all the best!
Tom
James Baer, "The Baer Facts".. more like "The Baer Heavily Biased Opinion". If this is what passes for journalism on The Patch, its a wonder anyone reads it. Pathetic.
Paul Maddock
To the posters claiming the article is not factually based, and biased, let me ask you: 1) Are the alleged facts about McCormick leaving a higher paying, pensioned job at Ladue and turning down an offer from UMSL true?; 2) Is the allegation that Jayson Tatum will be the next head coach true?; 3) Is the allegation that Justin Tatum will transfer and claim hardship next year true?; and 4) If these alleged facts are true, is the bias you see in the article that Baer believes McCormack was a solid coach and loyal to CBC? You think a 20 win season is just something that happens? After all, didn't the "Dream Team" come to play for McCormack? He's only been there for 20 years, so good or bad, it's not like he hasn't established a reputation for who he is.
Megan Bloom
Most likely the people that are bashing what Frank Cusamano (sp) wrote are part of the institution so these would be "biased" opinions. In all the years I've watched Frank on channel 5 news I loved him and the way he reports. He is a GREAT talent. He says it like it is, period. That's exactly what he was doing in the article he wrote!! Thanks Frank for all your entertainment in the way that you report sports!!!
Terry Mickler
If you don't think this was about winning and losing then consider this. Would they have fired Bobby if he would have gone on and won the state title this year?
What does the rest of the student body at CBC think about the dismissal of 17-year coach Bobby McCormack. Express those views in our comments section below.
I was once told that the only reason to hire a coach is to fire him/her later. While this is incredibly callous in regards to the human being, in this case a wonderful man and good coach who will land on his feet, the sentiment is accurate, as it has been for the last several CBC coaches. There is never just one reason for any job move, and it would be illegal for the school to comment about their reasons. Fans of Bobby can rest assured that there is no skeleton in his closet, if there were, he would not be able to stay on as a health teacher. More to come on next post. . . .
Would this be an argument if he had lost 20 games? Won only 15? At what point can you say a coach underperformed when a team has 4-6 Division 1 players? And you can't ask the players not to come back. I have been assured by people I trust that this move had nothing to do with Tatum, but I don't know that it matters if it does. If Tatum does not get the job, an equally vocal group of folks will complain more about the loss of Bobby. If he does, there will be more outrage and unfounded suggestions that this was just about getting a player, despite that his father has won championships. One thing is for sure: whoever gets the job will have a target on their back. Whether they win enough, place kids into college enough, promote the program enough, etc. there will be a group of people who will complain enough for years until that coach is asked to leave. So is the life of a coach. The only reason they are hired is to be fired.