It was not hard to read between the lines when Althletic Director Mike Bellotti announced Tuesday afternoon he had decided against renewing the contract of head basketball coach Ernie Kent.
Acknowledging "our basketball program . is in a better position now" than it was when Kent's 13-year tenure began, Bellotti outlined the reasons for his action:
"My decision wasn't based on just this year," he said. "If you look at the last five to six years - we need to do a better job and as we move forward into the new arena we've got to re-energize our fan base and attempt to expand ticket sales."
The stated time frame includes a pair of NCAA tournament appearances and a Pac-10 tournament championship in the past four seasons and a full resume that includes NIT appearances in 98-99 and 03-04 (semi-finalist) as well as a Pac-10 regular season crown and the program's first Pac-10 tournament championship along with three additional NCAA trips in 2000, 2001 and 2003. That track record, widely recognized as an unprecedented period of success for the program effectively singles out the empty seats as the fundamental motivation for the change, protestations to the contrary notwithstanding.
As Oregon's record faltered the past two seasons average attendance has slipped from 8,700 per game the year following their elite eight appearance to just 7,122 this past season and the pressures of filling a larger arena next season clouded the landscape for the whole of the 2009-2010 season.
Struggling frequently with his emotions, Kent acknowledged it had been a difficult three weeks as persistent questions about his status swirled around his team. But he also adamantly defended his record at the University and reiterated the loyalty he held for his alma mater.
Confirming he had been informed his contract would not be renewed when he spoke with Bellotti on February 22, Kent said his options were to "resign now" or finish the season and have the decision made public after the regular season and before the start of the Pac-10 tournament.
"I thought it would be very hypocritical of me to walk out on my guys after everything we have done here in terms of player development and helping them to understand how to handle themselves as men . showing them one last time how to handle themselves in a very tough moment.
"This moment does not define who we are as a basketball staff . but when you look back on it and see that when it was in our hands you will see that we took very good care of this program. Not only the winning, but more importantly the academic standards that we've set for this basketball program.
"When I think about Oregon I think it is important for all of you to understand - you may find a better basketball coach, but I don't think you will find anybody that has the passion and love that I have for this University. For whatever reason, I will always be joined at the hip with the University of Oregon. And I can say nothing but good things about it.
"I love this institution and I have a lot of pride in this institution. And this institution was built on the backs of a lot of great people. From (Len) Casanova to Herb Yamanaka and Jeanne Havercroft . Dave Frohnmayer and Bill Moos - two of the greatest men that I ever met - they gave me an opportunity to coach here and then stood by side. I'll never forget my time here.
"I want to thank Penny and Phil (Knight) for everything they have done for my family and for everything they have done for this basketball program. Because the table is set for a great run by this group."
Kent finishes as the program's most successful coach and the longest serving head coach in the Pac-10. In his 13 seasons Kent posted a 235-173 (.576) record and he indicated he hoped to continue to coach.
"I will take some time when all this is done - and I don't have a lot of time because typically in this business you have about a 45-day window that opens and closes. When anybody takes an opportunity to look at our track record and look at our resume those people who really understand basketball will understand what we accomplished here.
"I think the fact that we've had success here, I think the fact that we put such a high premium on graduating - I've got a lot more coaching in me and it's just time to build another program somewhere else, and I'm really looking forward to the opportunity to doing that. It will take me some time - I don't think I'll ever get over the hurt - but that's part of the life lessons that I need to have these guys understand."
"Because they are going to have times that are a lot more difficult than this where they are going to get punched in their gut and they are going to have to regroup.
"This is my basketball program. I am responsible for where we are at today and I understand that fully. And if I'm the guy that's in the way from getting you to a championship - and I'm talking about an NCAA championship which nobody thought we could even come close to doing - then let me step out of the way or move me out of the way."
Both Bellotti and Kent expressed frustration with the publicity that has surrounded the decision.
"I think it was very unfortunate for the players to have to deal with that, I really do," said Kent.
"It was meant to be kept quiet," said Bellotti. "My hat is off to Ernie in the way that he has handled all of this and his team in terms of continuing to fight right through the end."
"That was not the intent and I really don't know where it came from," Bellotti said of the leaked report of his February 22nd meeting with Kent. "I thought both Ernie and I had done as good a job as we could do about keeping it quiet between the two of us."
Bellotti also stated that he did not expect to employ a search firm to help fill the vacancy and he felt the position could possibly be filled quickly enough to have someone in place by the beginning to spring term (March 29).
Someone with a "proven ability to coach . who can recruit and care for the players - that will be excited to be here in Eugene, Oregon at the University of Oregon ." were the qualities listed by Bellotti when asked what he would be looking for in Kent's replacement.
Players E.J. Singler and LeKendric Longmire were made available for comments and each spoke of their disappointment with the decision to terminate Kent although neither anticipated players transferring from the program as a result of Tuesday's announcement.
Although Bellotti had not returned any phone calls from interested candidates and would not offer a list of potential replacements a core group of names have emerged over the past three weeks and includes:
Mark Few, Gonzaga
Jamie Dixon, Pitt
Mark Turgeon, Texas A&M
Lon Kruger, UNLV
Steve Alford, New Mexico
P.J. Carlesimo - not presently coaching
Randy Bennett, St. Mary's
Bellotti indicated he expected the compensation package for whoever eventually succeeds Kent would approach $2 million annually, roughly twice the amount of Kent's contract.
