We are all “under construction” till we breathe our last breath. Sounds like Coach McKay has used that time to mature and grow in wisdom. Good reminder for all of us.
Sounds like Coach McKay has evolved, which I suppose we all aspire to do. I too once was chasing a better job; better pay, more prestige. It was a fool's errand and while I gained valuable experience it did not make me a better husband, father or friend. But life is like that: You learn from the trials and avoid repeating mistakes. I sleep better now. Go Ducks.
Generally I stick to sports, and "human interest," in comments here, but feel compelled to offer something different, but related, concerning Liberty University.
I tried, unsuccessfully, to get local (Portland, Eugene) sportswriters to pay attention to this prior to the Ducks dismantling of Liberty in the Fiesta bowl last January, per a media expose. But just two months after that game the Education Dept. issued it's largest ever fine against Liberty for the right-wing "Christian" school's abhorrent treatment of over a score of its' women students who'd reported sexual assault.
While some will dismiss this as "having nothing to do with sports," the fact is that several of those accused of assault by the women were athletes.
Having had many women in my life who've related stories of sexual assault to me (ex-wife, sister, girlfriends), and whose lives have been shattered by the experience, I believe it is important for people to understand what happened to the women at Liberty, who were universally punished by the school while their attackers suffered no consequences whatsoever. The school forbids premarital sex, but apparently felt differently when it was non-consensual.
(Sidebar: School's former president Jerry Falwell Jr. had to resign. Sex scandal.)
So my questions for Coach McKay might have included: "You were coaching at the school when these assaults occurred. Were you aware of any of your players being involved, and if so how did you handle it when you found out."
I'm guessing some of the many women who read these comments might like to know.
Given that up to 1/3 of all women in college report unwanted sexual contact this is by no means a trivial topic. I have a granddaughter at a major university in Colorado and worry about her often.
MM - I agree with you that this scandal, at a CHRISTIAN SCHOOL nonetheless, was swept under the rug pretty quickly. But, this has also been done at many other schools. You might remember that our own JC did an amazing piece of investigative reporting on sexual assault at OSU in the Mike Riley era. Might have even won a prize for it while at the Oregonian? Really brought it to the forefront of everyone's mind.
But we have fading memory and tend to "forgive" these transgressions, especially in the sports world. I too have known many women colleagues in the academic world that have been victims of sexual harassment, even if they have not been assaulted in the strict sense of the word. It is still an "assault" to the senses that stays with them forever.....and should be not be forgotten.
"Appreciate" the reminder, Skip. I actually knew the victim in this horrible assault, who later worked for me when she started college. BIG difference, though, she was NOT a student as OSU, and was not--unlike the female students at Liberty--punished by the school (including expulsion). Yes there was a cover-up, and yes the assaulters did get off lightly. Sad fact is that schools will often try to shield their athletes, but never to the degree that Liberty did by literally attacking the victims. And few schools immerse themselves in piety like Liberty, making their hypocrisy (punish the victims, protect the assaulters) all the more shocking. And I appreciate your "never forget" insight. Couldn't agree more. Perhaps McKay is totally innocent in this, but if not, the only way to prevent more of this in the future is to keep shining a light on it. As men who care about women, it is the least we can do.
I like coach Altman, but he did himself in the middle of a player rape scandal, three players in fact. I remember the university first blaming the victim, then the cover up. Altman's fist mistake was to take a transfer, who already had a sexuall assault at another school. Most sports fans I know have forgotten this case.
Indeed, it's only a vague memory for me. I suspect that the "straight arrow, vanilla Nebraska-boy" Altman was way out of his depth in trying to figure out how to handle the situation. In no way excusing anything, just trying to imagine how it must have been. OTOH a coach like Tark would have seen the whole situation in a much different light. Probably not acted much differently, but guessing he'd have had different feelings about it. I have a hunch Altman believe he always tries to do the "right" thing, so guessing this situation hit him hard. Someone like Tarkanian, not so much.
I remember Altman was very hesitant to kick off at least one of the three. I believe he booted two guys right away and then hung on to the third for some reason who wasn't really better than the other guys. I remember the victim was painted by the University has to be a bad person. They even tried to cover up things and get shady lawyers to discredit her it was a bad look for the University of Oregon. Since that episode, I believe Altman has recruited a better set of characters for his teams.
Please re-read my comment. I have come to no such conclusion, but rather would simply like the coach to be asked what he knew about the situation (he's been there 10 years), if anything.
The story was about a Liberty basketball coach "redeeming" himself. He was coaching at the school when athletes were raping female students and getting away with it. My post, and interest in what the coach knew, is legitimate. As believes everyone else who has responded.
I don't like to reply to myself but I'll clarify some things I wrote after looking up this case. They did dismiss all three guys who were accused of rape. They settled with the victim for $800,000. The comments from the UO president were disgusting until he had to make good comments after losing the lawsuit. One of the three players was already arrested for rape at his previous school. Altman knew it and took him anyway. The price of success isn't worth that. This happened in 2015 so yes people start forgetting this when a decade goes by.
So there's a bit of a hubbub about the North Carolina AD chairing the Selection Committee influencing West Virginia being bypassed. Defenders say he wasn't in the room - but that's not to say that his influence as the Chair might not have permeated. He was in the room when the Top Ten KenPom, BPI, and NET ratings Zags got dropped to an 8 Seed. I'm sure that it never occurred to him that just might help preserve his Heels in the tie with Duke and the Zags for 9 consecutive Sweet Sixteens in the 64+ team era. Just a thought.
“The idea of moving far away from something in order to examine it more closely and with more clarity? In a way, getting away from our younger years only to see them better is sort of what we all do.”
What concerns me (at times) are lapses in Duck perimeter defense. If Bittle and Evans cover the rim and everyone else smothers the 3 ball, Ducks win going away. If not, look out. 👀
It concerns me that so much of Oregon's offensive attack is perimeter based. Bittle is a beast. I am curious if Altman will run more of the offense through him in the tournament.
As you mentioned, McKay is at a conservative evangelical university. That university celebrates the transformative redeeming power of Christ. I don't know if McKay is a believer or not -- my hunch is that it's a requirement at Liberty -- but it sure sounds like he's redeemed. Props to him for that.
I got to admit when I saw him putting up those phenomenal records at Liberty the past few years, I thought I was reading the wrong Richie Mckay. He was a weak X's and O's coach, and seemingly never happy at any job. I'm guessing he learned a lot from Tony Bennett, who was fairly stoic, calm and really focused in the moment. More power to Richie for turning himself around and becoming an excellent coach.
What I remember about McKay wasn't his job hopping, it was how horribly he treated his players and how they all despised him. PSU, OSU and New Mexico. He used them as pieces of meat and tortured them to boost his career. Not one player ever came to his defense that I can remember. Maybe some acknowledgement of those transgressions would be in order before he gets a pass on "finding himself".
I heard he was a chair tosser in practice at Oregon State and a heck of a lot of f-bombs being thrown around. I truly hope he's changed. Part of me thinks though if a good opening happens this year, he's gone.
A good honest coach. I can think of a few places I’ve lived with the jobs I had and often ask myself why didn’t I stay right there. A lot of the good and bad times would not have come along.
I wish Coach McKay and Liberty a good game and great luck.
We are all “under construction” till we breathe our last breath. Sounds like Coach McKay has used that time to mature and grow in wisdom. Good reminder for all of us.
Sounds like Coach McKay has evolved, which I suppose we all aspire to do. I too once was chasing a better job; better pay, more prestige. It was a fool's errand and while I gained valuable experience it did not make me a better husband, father or friend. But life is like that: You learn from the trials and avoid repeating mistakes. I sleep better now. Go Ducks.
Generally I stick to sports, and "human interest," in comments here, but feel compelled to offer something different, but related, concerning Liberty University.
I tried, unsuccessfully, to get local (Portland, Eugene) sportswriters to pay attention to this prior to the Ducks dismantling of Liberty in the Fiesta bowl last January, per a media expose. But just two months after that game the Education Dept. issued it's largest ever fine against Liberty for the right-wing "Christian" school's abhorrent treatment of over a score of its' women students who'd reported sexual assault.
While some will dismiss this as "having nothing to do with sports," the fact is that several of those accused of assault by the women were athletes.
Having had many women in my life who've related stories of sexual assault to me (ex-wife, sister, girlfriends), and whose lives have been shattered by the experience, I believe it is important for people to understand what happened to the women at Liberty, who were universally punished by the school while their attackers suffered no consequences whatsoever. The school forbids premarital sex, but apparently felt differently when it was non-consensual.
(Sidebar: School's former president Jerry Falwell Jr. had to resign. Sex scandal.)
So my questions for Coach McKay might have included: "You were coaching at the school when these assaults occurred. Were you aware of any of your players being involved, and if so how did you handle it when you found out."
I'm guessing some of the many women who read these comments might like to know.
Given that up to 1/3 of all women in college report unwanted sexual contact this is by no means a trivial topic. I have a granddaughter at a major university in Colorado and worry about her often.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/05/us/politics/liberty-university-fine-crime-sexual-assaults.html#:~:text=The%20department's%20review%2C%20which%20began,that%20discouraged%20reporting%20sexual%20misconduct.
MM - I agree with you that this scandal, at a CHRISTIAN SCHOOL nonetheless, was swept under the rug pretty quickly. But, this has also been done at many other schools. You might remember that our own JC did an amazing piece of investigative reporting on sexual assault at OSU in the Mike Riley era. Might have even won a prize for it while at the Oregonian? Really brought it to the forefront of everyone's mind.
But we have fading memory and tend to "forgive" these transgressions, especially in the sports world. I too have known many women colleagues in the academic world that have been victims of sexual harassment, even if they have not been assaulted in the strict sense of the word. It is still an "assault" to the senses that stays with them forever.....and should be not be forgotten.
"Appreciate" the reminder, Skip. I actually knew the victim in this horrible assault, who later worked for me when she started college. BIG difference, though, she was NOT a student as OSU, and was not--unlike the female students at Liberty--punished by the school (including expulsion). Yes there was a cover-up, and yes the assaulters did get off lightly. Sad fact is that schools will often try to shield their athletes, but never to the degree that Liberty did by literally attacking the victims. And few schools immerse themselves in piety like Liberty, making their hypocrisy (punish the victims, protect the assaulters) all the more shocking. And I appreciate your "never forget" insight. Couldn't agree more. Perhaps McKay is totally innocent in this, but if not, the only way to prevent more of this in the future is to keep shining a light on it. As men who care about women, it is the least we can do.
Michael- I couldn't agree more.
I like coach Altman, but he did himself in the middle of a player rape scandal, three players in fact. I remember the university first blaming the victim, then the cover up. Altman's fist mistake was to take a transfer, who already had a sexuall assault at another school. Most sports fans I know have forgotten this case.
Indeed, it's only a vague memory for me. I suspect that the "straight arrow, vanilla Nebraska-boy" Altman was way out of his depth in trying to figure out how to handle the situation. In no way excusing anything, just trying to imagine how it must have been. OTOH a coach like Tark would have seen the whole situation in a much different light. Probably not acted much differently, but guessing he'd have had different feelings about it. I have a hunch Altman believe he always tries to do the "right" thing, so guessing this situation hit him hard. Someone like Tarkanian, not so much.
I remember Altman was very hesitant to kick off at least one of the three. I believe he booted two guys right away and then hung on to the third for some reason who wasn't really better than the other guys. I remember the victim was painted by the University has to be a bad person. They even tried to cover up things and get shady lawyers to discredit her it was a bad look for the University of Oregon. Since that episode, I believe Altman has recruited a better set of characters for his teams.
Sounds like you have already came to a conclusion on Richie McKay somehow having knowledge on the series of sexual that occurred at Liberty.
Please re-read my comment. I have come to no such conclusion, but rather would simply like the coach to be asked what he knew about the situation (he's been there 10 years), if anything.
Lol. You started with saying “I feel compelled.” Why would you even ask? The sexual assaults at Liberty had nothing to do with the story John wrote.
The story was about a Liberty basketball coach "redeeming" himself. He was coaching at the school when athletes were raping female students and getting away with it. My post, and interest in what the coach knew, is legitimate. As believes everyone else who has responded.
I don't like to reply to myself but I'll clarify some things I wrote after looking up this case. They did dismiss all three guys who were accused of rape. They settled with the victim for $800,000. The comments from the UO president were disgusting until he had to make good comments after losing the lawsuit. One of the three players was already arrested for rape at his previous school. Altman knew it and took him anyway. The price of success isn't worth that. This happened in 2015 so yes people start forgetting this when a decade goes by.
Ducks in a walk
Agree
Thank you for bringing this coach’s story to our attention. Bless him for learning life lessons and being a better coach and better person.
So there's a bit of a hubbub about the North Carolina AD chairing the Selection Committee influencing West Virginia being bypassed. Defenders say he wasn't in the room - but that's not to say that his influence as the Chair might not have permeated. He was in the room when the Top Ten KenPom, BPI, and NET ratings Zags got dropped to an 8 Seed. I'm sure that it never occurred to him that just might help preserve his Heels in the tie with Duke and the Zags for 9 consecutive Sweet Sixteens in the 64+ team era. Just a thought.
I don't like having the AD as the chair of the committee...
He could not be in the room during discussions on UNC. He could be in the room for discussions on WVU.
UNC's unmerited inclusion stinks to high heaven.
My thoughts exactly!
A blast from the past. Liked how you connected your careers in the article. Sounds like he may have matured. Looks like a good game to b watch.
If liberty stops the 3 ball and slows the guard tandem, they have a chance. A very tall order though.
Think Oregon is too good. I have the Ducks in the Sweet 16
Sally Sisk Miller or Sunny Sixkiller, gotta love it.
“The idea of moving far away from something in order to examine it more closely and with more clarity? In a way, getting away from our younger years only to see them better is sort of what we all do.”
Beautiful.
Thanks James
What concerns me (at times) are lapses in Duck perimeter defense. If Bittle and Evans cover the rim and everyone else smothers the 3 ball, Ducks win going away. If not, look out. 👀
It concerns me that so much of Oregon's offensive attack is perimeter based. Bittle is a beast. I am curious if Altman will run more of the offense through him in the tournament.
One can only hope John.
As you mentioned, McKay is at a conservative evangelical university. That university celebrates the transformative redeeming power of Christ. I don't know if McKay is a believer or not -- my hunch is that it's a requirement at Liberty -- but it sure sounds like he's redeemed. Props to him for that.
I got to admit when I saw him putting up those phenomenal records at Liberty the past few years, I thought I was reading the wrong Richie Mckay. He was a weak X's and O's coach, and seemingly never happy at any job. I'm guessing he learned a lot from Tony Bennett, who was fairly stoic, calm and really focused in the moment. More power to Richie for turning himself around and becoming an excellent coach.
McKay might have done better at OSU if he hadn't tried to run off Brian Jackson.
"The nicest thing anyone I spoke with said was: “I haven’t thought about him in ages. I’ll leave it at that.”
No kidding. He wasn't derisively called "the Little General" for nothing.
What I remember about McKay wasn't his job hopping, it was how horribly he treated his players and how they all despised him. PSU, OSU and New Mexico. He used them as pieces of meat and tortured them to boost his career. Not one player ever came to his defense that I can remember. Maybe some acknowledgement of those transgressions would be in order before he gets a pass on "finding himself".
I heard he was a chair tosser in practice at Oregon State and a heck of a lot of f-bombs being thrown around. I truly hope he's changed. Part of me thinks though if a good opening happens this year, he's gone.
Most every college football and basketball coach is looking for that bigger ($$$$$$) opportunity.
A good honest coach. I can think of a few places I’ve lived with the jobs I had and often ask myself why didn’t I stay right there. A lot of the good and bad times would not have come along.
I wish Coach McKay and Liberty a good game and great luck.