Halterman takes big cut in pay, but not in pride

[Jennifer]

http://www.newsok.com/cgi-bin/show_article?ID=882009&pic=none&TP=getcollege

Some interesting quotes:
When OSU athletic director Terry Don Phillips announced on Feb. 12 Halterman's contract would not be renewed, Halterman was 21/2 years from being eligible for retirement.

"That's really the only bad taste I have," Halterman said. "If I had done a poor job, it would've been one thing."

"Sherri has done a tremendous job at OU," Halterman said. "I was at OSU for 19 years, and for 16 years, we had a better program. When I came to Stillwater, OSU's program was probably the worst in the country. Then it got so it was good year in and year out, until recently."

That, in itself, is a noticeable change for Halterman. Despite OSU's success over the years, there was never a huge following.

"This town has been very receptive and friendly," Halterman said. "Anywhere I go, they say, 'You're the new coach.' This is a great opportunity. I don't look at it as a step down. Coaching is coaching."

"I had more money for team travel at OSU than I will for the whole program here, but that's OK," Halterman said. "But it's a level playing field. Our budget at Cameron is competitive in D-II. At OSU, if it wasn't at the bottom, it was near it."

[ChipperF1]

Thanks for posting this. GO COACH HALTERMAN AND GO CAMERON!!!!!!!

If there is justice on this earth, Dick Halterman is cutting down nets at the Division II Finals next season...and Oklahoma State gets swept by Nebraska and end up dead last in the Big 12.

[Daddo]

I disagree. The fact that he'd been there a long time and used to be successful isn't a good enough reason to keep a coach around. OSU is pretty pathetic in women's sports and taking this step to improve the program was absolutely neccessary. I hope he does really well at Cameron (except against my alma mater Central Oklahoma, a school you Nebraska folks may have heard of) but there's no reason not to wish the Cowgirls and Coach Goodenough a lot of luck as well.

[Jennifer]

I think the way it was handled was the worse thing of all-to fire him mid-season was totally uncalled for.
They should have waited until the season was over.
Maybe it was time for him to go, but then again I know his players have always liked and respected him. While nowhere near a powerhouse, they did finish at .500 this season.
It's interesting to see the direction OSU women's sports have taken. Their softball team used to be really good, but has evened out over the past several years. Soccer has never done much. They occasionally have some decent tennis and golf players. I wonder what the reasons for the decline are? Having lived in Stillwater for 2 long years, I never found it to be an appealing town. Lack of instituional support? THey do seem to get athletes w/ high accolades, but then they don't achieve much while there.

except against my alma mater Central Oklahoma
Hey Daddo--that's my alma mater as well!

[ChipperF1]

Central Oklahoma...Dang good wrestling team..

[ChipperF1]

C'mon Daddo....You really think I'll wish OSU or Kansas and TAMU luck? C'mon they are the only things keeping Nebraska out of the last place.

I'd like to see Big Red at least win the Enron Division of the Big 12 this year