Hi all. I am a regular reader and thought it was time to get my feet wet and join in the conversation!

 

I am here to mostly shed some light on the Coach McDonald situation. I played under Coach McDonald at NCC and graduated a few years ago. I absolutely loved playing for Coach Mike. He would jump off a cliff for each and every one of his players. Mike absolutely loved coaching at NCC, enough that he turned down other jobs that paid much much more.

 

To my understanding, Rob Detzel (AD at NCC) fired Coach McDonald after a talk with a parent who has two sons on NCC's team who both did not receive much playing time. The three things that Mike was fired for were calling one player a bad word, pushing one player to the ground, and talking about being drunk all the time. For one, the player that he called the name was this man's son. To be honest, he deserved to be called one and needed it. His hand (and the entire team's hand) had been held and the boys needed to see their coach mad at them, disappointed in them. And I cannot see this as a fireable offense (thoughts of what NCC's football coaches yell at their players are running through my mind...). Secondly, in talking to a player on the team this year, the instance where he pushed a player to the ground goes as follows. The boys were circling and stretching and joking about their reputation as a flopping team, so Mike walked in and nudged one of the freshmen who fell to the ground as a flop. This is ridiculous if this is what Coach McDonald was fired for. Lastly, Mike NEVER talked about being drunk. The player who I talked to says that he only did to teach life lessons to the boys, like what not to do so to speak.

 

I still haven't talked to Mike about the whole thing, but the player I talked to said he was disappointed that NCC's administration stabbed him in the back. The administration didn't talk to Mike about any of this; they just went off of a parent's story without even hearing Mike's side to this story. To add on this, they fired him over the phone, too.

 

Coach McDonald was a hell of a coach, and NCC is at loss on this one. I know that Mike made hardly any money, and the only coach still on staff is the freshmen coach. So with the little budget that NCC gives to paying the soccer coaches, I can't see them finding a coach like Mike, and assistants and a JV staff on top of that.

 

Coach Mike was like a father to me, and I will have his back in any discussion. I would back him over the NCC soccer program at this point. I hope he finds another coaching job here in NKY because it would be a huge loss if he leaves. Best of luck to both Coach McDonald and NCC moving forward.

 

Coach McDonald was called in to meet with the Athletic Director and Principal due to complaints made by players and parents. Detzel contacted Mike and asked him to come meet to discuss the issues. Mike told him that he would not come in to hear them bad-mouth him and that they probably already had their minds made up. The day of the meeting came and went and Mike did not show up. He was dismissed as you or I or anyone else that fails to comply with the bosses request to talk about issues with your employment. Mike's achievements at NCC do speak for themselves. Also, winning records and regional championships are not all that it's about. This is a Catholic school and the leaders of the programs there need to be above reproach.

I feel that there are quality coaches that can run quality programs that will be interested in the position at NCC. If you are a successful coach and looking to build a resume, please consider applying to the school on the hill. You will be given the support of the administration, parents and players as long as you contribute to the character development of the student-athletes. Nuff said.

 

After a conversation with Mike McDonald, he informed me that he was let go over the phone. He did say that after the fact he was offered by the AD that if he wanted to plead his case that he could call the principal and set up a meeting, there was never a date set because he feels that if the parents don't want him there then he will step aside and hope the best for the program. I know Mike really enjoyed being at Ncc and his heart was set on being there for years to come.

 

Everybody has "bits and pieces" that are correct.

 

insidesource2 is close to being correct, but there is some things missing.

 

SidelineView is money.

 

flops&hacks is correct about being let go over the phone.

 

Again, it had ZERO to do with playing time!

Sideline view is not money.....

Mike was never offered a meeting with anyone until days later. Unless lawnboy you are the AD or principal how would you know this? I have attended McDonald training sessions in the past, I don't know him to ever lie to myself or anyone else. Actually I remember him telling me his first season how he received a message on nkysoccer from a sideline view telling him how he would never win games at Ncc and how he wasn't the right guy for the job. Coincidence?

If you would like to talk to Mike about it I'm sure he would love to meet, still to this day he has never said a bad thing about Ncc, the parents or how things went down. He and Detzel use to be seen having drinks together at BW3 in fort Wright watching UFC, I don't think that will change. He told me that he believes that Rob went to bat for him and that he hopes the best for Ncc soccer program.

If you want that meeting PM me and I will give you his #

I'm not the Principal or AD.

 

Like some have stated, I think his record speaks for itself and he knows his soccer. I think he did a AWESOME job with the program.

 

However, I'm not saying another word about this. I wish him the best in moving forward.

I'm not the Principal or AD.

 

Like some have stated, I think his record speaks for itself and he knows his soccer. I think he did a AWESOME job with the program.

 

However, I'm not saying another word about this. I wish him the best in moving forward.

 

I agree, sorry

Let's let this one go, I know Mike all to well and felt the need to defend him since he has had a rough run of events this year.

 

Good luck coach McDonald

coaches & athletic directors ultimately are pawns in the chess game of athletics @ many of the schools; public, private, etc.... across this state. I have seen coaches get run off due to parents not happy with the way practice is ran, playing time, off-season conditioning, fundraising & AD's that have quit over constant nagging from administration over issues that are out of the AD's control. AD's don't do the job they do for a pat on the back, but it never hurts to be told that you have done a good job every now & then, the same goes for the coaches.

Actually I remember him telling me his first season how he received a message on nkysoccer from a sideline view telling him how he would never win games at Ncc and how he wasn't the right guy for the job. Coincidence?#

 

Flops & Hacks is not money. I did post when McDonald was named as head coach, but never said he would not win games at NCC. I knew the kind of players he had and that were coming up in the near future. I did not like the way that NCC chose to appoint him head coach when he had no experience running a program. As I said before his record at NCC speaks for itself. No need to misrepresent me. With the number and skill level of players that come out for NCC soccer the head coaching position will be a great spot for a coach that wants to build his resume and a legacy.

So did you approve of the hire of Doug millay or Steve Bornhoffer?

Mike was appointed to the job with a week or so left in preseason so I don't think know they had much choice, not sure I wasn't paying attention back then. Did you know Mike or what his coaching background when he was appointed? Did you even know Mike or just pass judgement without getting to know him?

Did you know Mike helped Start the freshman programs at holy cross and Ncc , he also has been on 4-6 staffs that made runs to state.

Like I said in the last post let him be, let this go.

I agree with flops&hacks here slideline just let it go. It sounds like you have an axe to grind. Sounds like you were maybe passed over for the NCC job in the past. Just how ito sounds SIDESLINE

I agree with flops&hacks here slideline just let it go. It sounds like you have an axe to grind. Sounds like you were maybe passed over for the NCC job in the past. Just how ito sounds SIDESLINE

I have no axe to grind with Coach McD. The entire point of my post is that NCC now has the time to conduct a proper job search for the next head coach. NCC is a great community and has a strong administration. I am hopeful they find a head coach that wants, and knows how, to run a program. Like I said before the next head coach will have great support and a great tradition to work with. Coach McDonald's dismissal had nothing to do with parents complaining about playing time.

Anything new?

Nothing here on the pitch.

I heard some more rumblings in the stands this past weekend, trying to get someone to confirm but no luck yet.

 

If true, might come as a surprise to some.... others.... not so much.

Don't hold out on us YC. What did you hear.

The easy guess would be a current players dad who is already a HS coach in Ohio.

Do not want to drop the news unless I know it is legit, my rumor is a NKY coach.