[Mick]

The real question was Rittman's aware ?

Yes, good question.  Based upon the timing of events and the description of his reaction, he sounds like someone who had been completely blindsided.  Like this was the first he'd heard about it from management.

Over the years I have had employees who cut, or try to cut corners, some big and some small.  I call them on it 10 times out of 10.  I understand the impulse, everyone tries to do more with less.  At the same time, I can't have them cutting corners.  So I talk with them about it.  I make recommendations.  I watch them do it my way.  I keep tabs on them.  And if they can't or won't adhere to my instructions, I let them go.

The one thing I don't do is show up at their office door with security to discuss an issue for the first time and say "clean out your desk."  I don't do that, because it is completely unfair and it is horrible management.  Another thing I don't do is agree to have a closed-door meeting with people who have the express purpose of ranking on my employee without discussing it with that employee.  Especially if it means that factions have formed.

It makes me wonder about the so-called "independent" investigation.  I wonder if a truly independent investigation might have found that fault with Muir.  Because if that had been the case, maybe Muir would have had to go too.  And I suspect that the University wanted as little damage as possible, so it would be in the University's best interest to limit the damage to the softball team and a departed S&C coach. 

But this is all speculation.

[Mick]

The real question was Rittman's aware ?

Yes, good question.  Based upon the timing of events and the description of his reaction, he sounds like someone who had been completely blindsided.  Like this was the first he'd heard about it from management.

Over the years I have had employees who cut, or try to cut corners, some big and some small.  I call them on it 10 times out of 10.  I understand the impulse, everyone tries to do more with less.  At the same time, I can't have them cutting corners.  So I talk with them about it.  I make recommendations.  I watch them do it my way.  I keep tabs on them.  And if they can't or won't adhere to my instructions, I let them go.

The one thing I don't do is show up at their office door with security to discuss an issue for the first time and say "clean out your desk."  I don't do that, because it is completely unfair and it is horrible management.  Another thing I don't do is agree to have a closed-door meeting with people who have the express purpose of ranking on my employee without discussing it with that employee.  Especially if it means that factions have formed.

It makes me wonder about the so-called "independent" investigation.  I wonder if a truly independent investigation might have found that fault with Muir.  Because if that had been the case, maybe Muir would have had to go too.  And I suspect that the University wanted as little damage as possible, so it would be in the University's best interest to limit the damage to the softball team and a departed S&C coach. 

But this is all speculation.