When a decision-maker has an important position to fill, the protocol is familiar and common-sensical. She does the diligence due the position she must fill by reading resumes, contacting references, soliciting the input of trusted advisers, and personally interviewing the candidates. Routine. The decision-maker fills the position as expeditiously as the protocol requires. Her judgment in making the hire will thereafter be judged just as she will judge the performance of the person she has hired. She will give the one hired time to perform his job capably.
When despite protocol diligence the one hired does not perform capably then the decision-maker must make another decision. The protocol is less clear here. The decision should not be made precipitously-- Have I given him enough time?; "When it is not necessary to change it is necessary not to change." But should be made expeditiously--"What should be done eventually must be done immediately." Do I have a replacement ready? "I always knew who I was going to talk to. I was going to talk to three people, and I was going to hire one of them." The stakes after all are high and now the decision-maker's judgment is even more so the focus.
The University of Miami’s athletic director, Blake James, decision to hire Manny Diaz for the important position--important financially and high profile--as head tackle football coach was not made with the diligence due this important position. It was made precipitously. Diaz, who had been UM's defensive coordinator, had left and accepted the head coaching position at Temple. James then forced out head coach Mark Richt and, ignoring sensible protocol, stole Diaz away from Temple the same night.
Diaz has been Miami's head coach for not quite one year. James' judgment in hiring Diaz was disastrous. Diaz' coaching nous had been seriously questioned all season--the team was frequently unprepared, it was undisciplined, it was motivated by choice rather than by requirement; Diaz' personnel decisions, especially in choosing a quarterback, were puzzling to many; and Diaz' own statements veered from extreme--"This is what we're trying to bring back to the U, that F-U type of swagger"; "You’re either going to be with Miami kicking tails or you’re going to go against Miami and get your tail kicked" (to recruits), to extreme--"We're in rebuilding mode." The game results reflected those swings, but beginning with the team's win over Pitt, Diaz had won three straight and was thought to have put the doubts to rest and to have turned the corner. Then came that FIU type of swagger Saturday night. Blake James will now be judged on what he does with Diaz.
I would have fired Manny Diaz this morning. I have seen enough. Saturday night was just more of the same but the final straw. I would already be calling James Franklin, P.J. Fleck, and Mario Cristobal. But I am not the decision-maker. Blake, it's your call.
When despite protocol diligence the one hired does not perform capably then the decision-maker must make another decision. The protocol is less clear here. The decision should not be made precipitously-- Have I given him enough time?; "When it is not necessary to change it is necessary not to change." But should be made expeditiously--"What should be done eventually must be done immediately." Do I have a replacement ready? "I always knew who I was going to talk to. I was going to talk to three people, and I was going to hire one of them." The stakes after all are high and now the decision-maker's judgment is even more so the focus.
The University of Miami’s athletic director, Blake James, decision to hire Manny Diaz for the important position--important financially and high profile--as head tackle football coach was not made with the diligence due this important position. It was made precipitously. Diaz, who had been UM's defensive coordinator, had left and accepted the head coaching position at Temple. James then forced out head coach Mark Richt and, ignoring sensible protocol, stole Diaz away from Temple the same night.
Diaz has been Miami's head coach for not quite one year. James' judgment in hiring Diaz was disastrous. Diaz' coaching nous had been seriously questioned all season--the team was frequently unprepared, it was undisciplined, it was motivated by choice rather than by requirement; Diaz' personnel decisions, especially in choosing a quarterback, were puzzling to many; and Diaz' own statements veered from extreme--"This is what we're trying to bring back to the U, that F-U type of swagger"; "You’re either going to be with Miami kicking tails or you’re going to go against Miami and get your tail kicked" (to recruits), to extreme--"We're in rebuilding mode." The game results reflected those swings, but beginning with the team's win over Pitt, Diaz had won three straight and was thought to have put the doubts to rest and to have turned the corner. Then came that FIU type of swagger Saturday night. Blake James will now be judged on what he does with Diaz.
I would have fired Manny Diaz this morning. I have seen enough. Saturday night was just more of the same but the final straw. I would already be calling James Franklin, P.J. Fleck, and Mario Cristobal. But I am not the decision-maker. Blake, it's your call.
