[teejers1]

I'm with OutsiderFan and 2006alum in questioning what, exactly, you would have Mac do, given the victim's very specific requests in that first conversation.  In ideal world, Mac knows to say "I have to report this to legal counsel at the university and will take my instructions from them."  But he probably didn't know what he had to do or should do (and it sure sounds like he reported up the ladder - to AD - so that already puts him in a more favorable light than other coaches we've read about at other institutions).

And when, exactly, did the victim go from "I don't want Tumpkin to lose his job, or be hurt in any way, I just want him to get help so that he won't be a menace to me or society" to "I need a permanent injunction (which will preclude Joe from ever coaching again) and have to talk to police, even though I know this will end up in a criminal prosecution against Joe"?  And her first statement that "I don't want any money" juxtaposed against "Tumpkin's severance of $79K is more than I make in a year" is a tad incongruous.

Look, I'm not saying she ultimately took the wrong approach - far from it.  But she has to know she sent conflicting signals and put the coach in a bit of a bind, albeit with the best of intentions.

Domestic violence is an ugly ugly thing.  And while it is very clear from a right/wrong perspective, it is much less clear on a "just punishment" perspective.  Forget Tumpkin (he appears to be a bad guy who will get what is long overdue).  But let me ask you this:  do you think Ray Rice's fiancé wanted him to be blackballed by the NFL and never get another job with that kind of salary?  Do you think such a result was a good thing for the victim?  For their family?  Do her wishes on this front not matter at all?

[teejers1]

I'm with OutsiderFan and 2006alum in questioning what, exactly, you would have Mac do, given the victim's very specific requests in that first conversation.  In ideal world, Mac knows to say "I have to report this to legal counsel at the university and will take my instructions from them."  But he probably didn't know what he had to do or should do (and it sure sounds like he reported up the ladder - to AD - so that already puts him in a more favorable light than other coaches we've read about at other institutions).

And when, exactly, did the victim go from "I don't want Tumpkin to lose his job, or be hurt in any way, I just want him to get help so that he won't be a menace to me or society" to "I need a permanent injunction (which will preclude Joe from ever coaching again) and have to talk to police, even though I know this will end up in a criminal prosecution against Joe"?  And her first statement that "I don't want any money" juxtaposed against "Tumpkin's severance of $79K is more than I make in a year" is a tad incongruous.

Look, I'm not saying she ultimately took the wrong approach - far from it.  But she has to know she sent conflicting signals and put the coach in a bit of a bind, albeit with the best of intentions.

Domestic violence is an ugly ugly thing.  And while it is very clear from a right/wrong perspective, it is much less clear on a "just punishment" perspective.  Forget Tumpkin (he appears to be a bad guy who will get what is long overdue).  But let me ask you this:  do you think Ray Rice's fiancé wanted him to be blackballed by the NFL and never get another job with that kind of salary?  Do you think such a result was a good thing for the victim?  For their family?  Do her wishes on this front not matter at all?