Opinions vary on Fisher's firing

University students and alumni offered strong opinions about the firing of Steve Fisher - some hailed the decision, but others suggested the University should be "de-Gossed."

Responses came to an e-mail group established by The Michigan Daily last week asking reader opinion about the dismissal of the former Michigan men's basketball coach.

Many were sympathetic toward Fisher, expressing disapproval about Athletic Director Tom Goss. Some students and alumni applauded Goss for the decision, complimenting him for a take-charge attitude. Many said they hope Goss's choice will reinforce the importance of student-athletes at the University.

Goss

But others, like Nursing senior Lakeeta Smith, said Fisher was given a raw deal.

"I think that the University handled the situation inappropriately," Smith said. "Whether or not Fisher did something wrong is none of my business, but they should have given him the opportunity to resign."

Engineering junior Brian Gurwin said Michigan fans "should breathe a sigh of relief" that Fisher is gone. Gurwin agreed with Goss's intention of finding the new coach from outside the Michigan program.

"Tom Goss should be applauded. It is time to clean house," Gurwin said. "By bringing in an outside coach, the basketball team will regain some of its much-lost respect. Hopefully, the student-athletes will return to being just that - a student and an athlete."

Gurwin said Fisher took the "prestigious University and turned it into a junior college for basketball players.

Goss fired Fisher on Oct. 10, the day after the University released the results of an investigation into the basketball team conducted by Kansas City law firm Bond, Schoenck and King. Questions remained about Fisher, especially ones regarding his relationship with Detroit booster Ed Martin. Fisher allegedly initialed the name of former assistant coach Perry Watson on ticket request forms for Martin in the name of the former assistant coach.

LSA first-year student Naveen Lemuri said that despite the accusations, Fisher was not treated properly.

"Whether he committed any NCAA rules violations or not ... Coach Fisher deserved more than the poor display that Goss gave at the Saturday press conference," Lemuri said. "At the very least, Fisher deserved to be given the opportunity to resign with dignity, rather than be shoved out the door by an athletic director who has been at the University for only a short time."

Howard Le Piors, who graduated in 1965, said Fisher was never given the chance to prove his innocence.

"It's a Black Day for some blue alums ... and I'm seeing red," he said. "Fisher has been found guilty by Goss and Bollinger before the coach had a chance to defend himself.

"Shame on you two, you've done a great disservice to the University. ... Maybe the University should be de-Gossed."

Engineering senior Brian Wietzke said Fisher is innocent of any wrongdoing, but his skills as a coach are not right for the job.

Wietke used Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski as an example of the model coach - a presence on and off the court. According to the senior, Fisher, who recorded a 184-82 career mark in his eight-year tenure as coach, hasn't gotten enough out of his players.

"He might be the nicest guy, a father figure, but he doesn't instill a work ethic in his players," he said. "He doesn't motivate his players to win."

Law student Jason Blankenship was glad Fisher was fired, saying he presents a bad image of the University. He said he would give up wins in exchange for a clean program.

"The image projected by Coach Fisher's action (or inaction) reflects poorly on the institution that I, and many others, have chosen to attend," he said. "I'd honestly prefer to lose all the basketball games in the world, if the alternative was to win many games with a hint of impropriety."

Rackham student Joe Gutowski said the only way to get to the truth is by having Martin step forward. Gutowski, who said he respects both the players for standing by their coach and Goss for making the move, said the only way of getting to the truth of the accusations is to have Martin step forward.

"Even after months of following the 'scandal' that is Michigan basketball, I still don't think the whole story is out there," Gutowski said.

"Martin still hasn't said anything regarding his involvement with Michigan basketball players or coaches. If only Martin would speak on that topic, perhaps a lot of the present uncertainty would be washed away."

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