Awkward Press Conference

Indiana State’s Farewell to Lansing

(St. Louis, MO) – Greg Lansing was fired Monday in Terre Haute. The awkward press conference to announce officially, what we all new unofficially was technically a decision to not renew Lansing’s contract. Director of Athletics Sherard Clinkscales and Lansing sat socially (and otherwise) distanced for the duration.

Our article outlining why this was a mistake before it happened can be found here on the site, but this press conference made it worse. Already three Sycamore players have transferred because of what they saw and perceived in the transaction and this awkward press conference.

Here is the ISU press release.

I never judge honesty nor motives of the people making statements. I assume they are either telling the truth or mean what they say as best as they can. This press conference challenged my sensibilities.

Clinkscales opened the press conference with words of affirmation about Lansing, who in turn thanked his former AD and said nice things about Indiana State and Terre Haute. That all makes sense.

 

 

Awkward Press Conference – Reasons for Departure

When asked about the reasonings for the parting of ways, Clinkscales said he wanted someone in place that would be around five to seven years and that there was a need for a different voice in the Sycamore basketball program.

While acknowledging the team had met expectations the past two seasons he felt it was time to move on. Despite praising Lansing for bringing in really talented players that were upstanding men, he decided a new voice was needed. The answers to the questions stretched the ability to believe.

Lansing says he’ll always be a Sycamore and Clinkscales explains his decision.

 

 

Clinkscales’ reasoning means Lansing, who had lobbied for a two year extension last year, when he was offered a one-year deal, didn’t want to stay longer. Neither Lansing nor Clinkscales told us that Lansing wanted to leave in two years, but that’s the way it was made to sound.

What’s Next?

Clinkscales made it clear that he wants to build on the momentum of two-straight winning seasons. That was made more difficult today by the transfer announcements of Jake LaRavia, Tre Williams and Jared Hankins. The fifth-year athletic director wants to hire someone with success at the ‘high level’. He also acknowledges the ISU program has financial limitations and struggles.

He says many people have expressed interest in the job in spite of the financial short falls. ISU has worked hard in recent years at fund-raising and promoting its brand, and yet what Clinkscales calls ‘our premier sport’ has been greatly underfunded.

 

 

So at this awkward press conference we learned coach Lansing ONLY wanted to be there for two years. Is that true? His teams met Clinkscales’ expectations. He admits they have funding issues and Lansing recruits the right kind of players and people.

Clinkscales said that assistant Kareem Richardson would be a candidate for the job, but the three transfer announcements today, indicate that won’t be enough to hold back the exodus.

Lansing – Classy Until the Bitter End

Coach Lansing was the winner in this awkward press conference. He smiled, he thanked people, including Clinkscales and talked about his love for Terre Haute and Indiana State. He admitted that firing him two or three years ago would have been warranted.

Lansing will leave ISU one win shy of the all-time coaching record and as only one of eleven Missouri Valley Conference coaches to win at least 100 conference games.

He also leaves with his dignity in tact.

 

 

Valley Hoops Insider wants Indiana State to succeed and we want Greg Lansing to thrive. This awkward press conference did not help the school and only solidified Lansing’s status in our hearts and minds. His integrity and affection for others shined for the entire press conference.

We will closely follow the ISU coaching search. While we have long disagreed with THIS decision, we wish them the best of luck on the next one.

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