I just read Kim Mulkey's book, "Won't Back down". It's a very easy read and a VERY interesting book for Louisiana Tech fans. This book will give Tech fans a blow by blow summary of how Baylor lured Mulkey away from the Lady Techsters program back in 2000, as well as a "behind the scenes" look at our apparently "ethically challenged" university president, Dan Reneau.
Please get your hands on this book ASAP and read pages 65 thru 82. It will absolutely make your blood boil. You can see for yourself how Dan Reneau mishandled Mulkey's exodus from Tech, and after it became clear that his "4-yr plan" was blowing up, he --according to Mulkey-- planted lies about Mulkey in the media. (These lies to the media were apparently NOT leaked from Jim Oakes' office, but rather Reneau's via Tech's PR department.)
According to the book, as weeks and weeks passed after Barmore first announced his retirement back in 2000, neither Oakes or Reneau would even discuss the job opening with Mulkey. Barmore was in shock. He couldn't believe it. Even members of Tech's Athletic Council didn't understand why Louisiana Tech had not stepped up. In fact, it was during this time that Oakes was quoted in newspapers as saying "Louisiana Tech is conducting a national search for Coach Barmore's replacement." According to Mulkey, that statement hit her like a ton of bricks. With a 19-yr association with Tech as a player and assistant coach, they knew she wanted the job, but they wouldn't talk to her about it.
Meanwhile, Baylor AD Tom Stanton was putting the hard sell on Mulkey. He absolutely refused to give up. He rolled out the red carpet for Mulkey and her family. He said he was tired of Baylor being a training ground for coaches who would move on to bigger and better jobs, and that he envisioned Mulkey as a real long term asset to Baylor University.
While Reneau's mismanagement of the situation is bothersome, I was mostly disappointed to hear that our university president can --according to this book-- be so ethically challenged. That's very disappointing, if true. Regardless of whether Reneau decided to offer Mulkey the Lady Techster job or not, planting lies in the media about someone --especially one of our own, for goodness sake-- crosses the line of ethics and fair play. It's just not acceptable. And it makes me think Louisiana Tech could continue to suffer in all things athletic due to its association with Reneau. I firmly believe that we humans reap what we sow. If you do good, you'll get good in return. Likewise, if you cheat people or take advantage of people, you --and everyone who enables you-- may suffer.
HD