SDHoya
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Post by SDHoya on Mar 1, 2022 15:48:01 GMT -5
As I read the article, the unnamed sources did not have any direct knowledge, they were simply speculating as to what RT's role and/or influence is. From the article: "If you think you don’t have much visibility into what exactly Ronny does as Chief of Staff for the team, you’re not alone. In nearly every interview with current and former members of the program, the consensus reply to the question “What exactly does Ronny do for the program?” was either a shrug or an “I don’t know”."
And forgive me as I likely missed it, but do you have a link to the University confirming that RT is an employee? Did the university say what his title is? This is right from the article hilltophoops.substack.com/p/ronny-thompson-georgetown-basketball-influence?s=r"(EDIT: New information received today from a Georgetown University employee with knowledge of Thompson’s employment status revealed that Thompson is listed by the university as a “salaried ongoing (regular) employee”.)" Fair enough, although that's not exactly an official confirmation. But considering that is about the only assertion in Aidan's article that would amount to direct knowledge (of an unnamed source), I'm still not quite seeing the scandal. 0-17 is a scandal. Nothing in this article makes clear how the Ronny situation (whatever it may be), has anything to do with it.
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iowa80
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Post by iowa80 on Mar 1, 2022 15:48:38 GMT -5
To my knowledge, there has been confirmation that Ronnie is employed by the University. Should we expect that he is not on the payroll? And, if so, should we think that he is being compensated to have no role in the running of the program? Ultimately, I suppose one either believes or does not believe the Hilltop Hoops article in which unnamed sources outlined his influence. As I read the article, the unnamed sources did not have any direct knowledge, they were simply speculating as to what RT's role and/or influence is. From the article: "If you think you don’t have much visibility into what exactly Ronny does as Chief of Staff for the team, you’re not alone. In nearly every interview with current and former members of the program, the consensus reply to the question “What exactly does Ronny do for the program?” was either a shrug or an “I don’t know”."
And forgive me as I likely missed it, but do you have a link to the University confirming that RT is an employee? Did the university say what his title is? That is one quote, and, as we proceed through, we read that “but somehow he had involvement with everything . . .” Then, there is mention of “micromanaging” etc. So it appears that not knowing exactly what he does is a product of him doing a lot of things. Regarding his employment, see the comment above.
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bluegray79
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Post by bluegray79 on Mar 1, 2022 15:53:33 GMT -5
At the risk of repeating what others have said or implied, if what the program needs is a fresh start, how can that happen if those in charge of making the big decisions in the coming weeks are mired in a system and mode of operations that is likely not looking for a fresh start?
Which makes the lack of transparency that much more infuriating -- no one knows who really does the hiring (Lee? RT? DeGioia? the B of Trustees? some combination of some or all of these?). Not having a clear picture of the process and the roles people have in it does aid and abet an atmosphere of mystery AND may explain why decisions are delayed and kicked around, as no one - including those actually involved in those decisions - really has a good grasp on who is making them and how. Good God, people who work within the program don't know what RT's position is or what he does? How does that work? I worked in public schools all my life and we would joke (over a few beers) that we didn't really know what our principal did in his/her job, but that's different. And it was funny in a sad and resigned way. But this isn't funny.
Last concern -- how much of this is reaching the eyes and ears of those involved and those who should see and hear it?
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rhw485
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Post by rhw485 on Mar 1, 2022 15:59:03 GMT -5
The "Ronny" obsession is pretty bizarre to me, bordering on conspiracy theory (not Pizzagate level, but perhaps moon landing). I mean, I get that people are looking to assign blame and symbols of rot, etc. But if the Hoyas were winning, I don't think most fans would care what the arrangement between the university and RT is, or if he was playing on his phone/calling a Mason game/whatever. I still have yet to see any confirmation that he has any direct role in the program or even significant influence. Nor does anyone know if RT's presence prevents the program from hiring the "young up and coming staffer" that we supposedly should have on the payroll. A hypothetical--assuming RT is actually on the payroll (which to my knowledge there has been no confirmation of)--what if when JTIII was fired, III negotiated a $3m buyout, of which it was agreed that $500k would be set aside for a RT to be a "consultant" for the program at $100k/yr for 5 years. The consultancy role has no real authority, but RT is to be available to provide his input as requested. Under the agreement, RT is permitted to accept other employment. Let's further say that Ronny is regularly seen walking around the halls of the TAC, but has a minimal role in the program. I understand that some people may see this as corrupt (even though this type of arrangement is not all that uncommon in executive severance packages), but frankly would it the worst thing in the world (or even a factor in the program's decline)? A few points on RT - Yes of course, this is only happening because we're losing. Losing is what causes the further examination to ask why are we not succeeding
- As others have mentioned, the article caused an immediate response with confirmation that he's a salaried employee
- Yes I appreciate it's "anonymous" sources but I don't think Aidan made up the quotes, it's clear he plays some role in the basketball program. The fact that it's so undefined is concerning, lack of ownership / accountability is a sign of poorly run organizations
- I think part of this is to highlight how little the university did to set Ewing up for success. Again, it's unclear to the outside what was in Ewing's control vs. what wasn't. But in what world is Ewing picking a RT assistant to be his DOBO. In reality, I think it more highlights how ill prepared Ewing was to say hey wait a minute this isn't what happens at a modern, functioning program. Or it highlights how weak his network was in relation to the college game to properly fill out a staff and he needed the help of the JT / RT connections to get there. Either way the buck stops with Ewing but I do feel like the reality is he's in less control than the average HC. That's on him but it's still difficult.
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hoyaboya
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Post by hoyaboya on Mar 1, 2022 16:17:16 GMT -5
At the risk of repeating what others have said or implied, if what the program needs is a fresh start, how can that happen if those in charge of making the big decisions in the coming weeks are mired in a system and mode of operations that is likely not looking for a fresh start? Which makes the lack of transparency that much more infuriating -- no one knows who really does the hiring (Lee? RT? DeGioia? the B of Trustees? some combination of some or all of these?). Not having a clear picture of the process and the roles people have in it does aid and abet an atmosphere of mystery AND may explain why decisions are delayed and kicked around, as no one - including those actually involved in those decisions - really has a good grasp on who is making them and how. Good God, people who work within the program don't know what RT's position is or what he does? How does that work? I worked in public schools all my life and we would joke (over a few beers) that we didn't really know what our principal did in his/her job, but that's different. And it was funny in a sad and resigned way. But this isn't funny. Last concern -- how much of this is reaching the eyes and ears of those involved and those who should see and hear it? With due respect, I think you've lost the forest through the trees. When JT2 was alive, he ran EVERYTHING in the basketball program. He made every major decision. That included allowing his namesake son to get fired and accept a $9M+ buyout to go away (which JT3 has subsequently forced the university to pay, since he never took another head coaching position, unlike most coaches his age that leave major jobs). When the JT3 firing was allowed to happen, JT2 was the ONLY person involved in hiring Patrick Ewing. 1-man search committee, contract approved by DeGioia, deal done. Lee Reed has had zero influence on the basketball program since the day he was hired as AD due to the ongoing presence of JT2. Within the last 18 months, JT2 died and Patrick Ewing has provided further proof that he's a horrendous coach. The old decision maker is no longer around. Now it's time for Lee Reed to run the show on a national search for Ewing's replacement, something that Reed is completely capable of doing. DeGioia, with the support of the Board of Trustees, has had to step up and tell Ewing/Falk that it's time to go. These things are all in motion and will allow for a capable new coach to be hired within the next month. This thread is about Ronny Thompson, so I'll circle back to that. The only reason he's around, in fact the only reason he's accomplished anything in his life (if you want to say he's accomplished something), is due to his father. He was not a Georgetown-level player, yet his dad gave him playing time on teams with other great players that ultimately underachieved. He was not a Georgetown-level assistant coach, but his dad got him a job on Esherick's staff. He proved in 1 year that he couldn't lead a mid-major program, completely failing at Ball State and crying racism on his way out the door. And he's not a Georgetown-level Chief of Staff even on a terrible team. He's a complete failure of a person who has never accomplished anything on his own his entire life. He's been stealing money from Georgetown University for years. Now that Ewing is done, so is Ronny. And that's why there are some people on this board and on Twitter going crazy about the very easy decision to move on from Ewing.
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Post by trillesthoya on Mar 1, 2022 16:19:34 GMT -5
If anyone is still confused about whether Ronny has significant power in the hoops department please ask yourself why else would Howze be our DOBO. It’s like we’re sticking our heads in the sand here to try to pretend he doesn’t have any say at all in what goes on despite being told repeated both by himself (by calling himself the chief of staff) and by the national media, even besides Hilltop Hoops from back in 2017 when Rothstein first broke it.
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Buckets
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Post by Buckets on Mar 1, 2022 16:24:41 GMT -5
Also I think the RT situation hits a nerve for people because the person in the article is just an archetype of a character in a dysfunctional, crumbling family business.
Not all applies to RT, but the model would be founder's son, position with basically no responsibility invented just for him to get him on payroll, compensated far beyond market value of other offers, has power far beyond the normal organizational structure because of his last name, no actual responsibilities means he can flow around and stick his nose in where he sees fit. (Hinted at in the article but not mentioned, the archetype has his finger in everything so he can take credit for successes and blame failures on the party whose actual job responsibility it is). They exist everywhere: basketball programs, companies, non-profits, schools, etc.
Like a non-satirical and very unfunny Roman Roy.
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Bigs"R"Us
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Post by Bigs"R"Us on Mar 1, 2022 17:16:19 GMT -5
This type of unqualified “silver spoon” person would also push out any skilled and motivated employee that would appear a threat. He would be tucked away so as not to bring attention to himself and underserved position. An empty suit siphoning money from the university. Stop the insanity.
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Post by augustusfinknottle on Mar 1, 2022 17:26:07 GMT -5
Any chance the opacity is by design, Mr. President?
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jwp91
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Post by jwp91 on Mar 1, 2022 17:31:27 GMT -5
Time to buy stock in aluminum foil manufacturers.
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Post by bicentennial on Mar 1, 2022 17:51:40 GMT -5
Look I would certainly not say Ronnie Thompson has the credentials to have a high paying job in the Basketball department at GU.
I do think the description of what happened at Ball State above is not accurate or fair. At the time and the following year I read articles in the Muncie Papers and Indianapolis papers including the decision of a former judge who arbitrated the case. RT was the coach at Ball State and had a better season his first year than the coach they let go the year before. He was fired during the offseason following that 1st year. It was alleged that at a time when RT was not to be in contact with the players he was spotted in the upper stands of the gym where they were having an off season practice or scrimmage. When it went before the arbitrator the next year it came to light that he was fired based on the report of only one witness who reported the presence of a bald black man in the upper stands of the gym. The person who reported that to the school assumed it was RT but did not know RT and admitted at arbitration that he did not know what RT looked like. The school decided the bald black man was RT but no one at the scrimmage saw or knew of a person watching the game from the upper stands. RT was awarded the rest of his contract.
I hardly call that playing a race card! Its called not being fired for cause when being sacked for no reason despite a guaranteed contract. The arbitrator said no reasonable person would believe RT was the only person that could have been in the stands. Despite the report by Ball State, the NCAA did not even believe the report was worth investigating.
Perhaps we could get Nike to hire RT to create a bunch of promotions with players NIL in them to help recruit/keep players! I believe for some years JT2 sat on the Nike Board.
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Elvado
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Post by Elvado on Mar 1, 2022 18:25:33 GMT -5
Look I would certainly not say Ronnie Thompson has the credentials to have a high paying job in the Basketball department at GU. I do think the description of what happened at Ball State above is not accurate or fair. At the time and the following year I read articles in the Muncie Papers and Indianapolis papers including the decision of a former judge who arbitrated the case. RT was the coach at Ball State and had a better season his first year than the coach they let go the year before. He was fired during the offseason following that 1st year. It was alleged that at a time when RT was not to be in contact with the players he was spotted in the upper stands of the gym where they were having an off season practice or scrimmage. When it went before the arbitrator the next year it came to light that he was fired based on the report of only one witness who reported the presence of a bald black man in the upper stands of the gym. The person who reported that to the school assumed it was RT but did not know RT and admitted at arbitration that he did not know what RT looked like. The school decided the bald black man was RT but no one at the scrimmage saw or knew of a person watching the game from the upper stands. RT was awarded the rest of his contract. I hardly call that playing a race card! Its called not being fired for cause when being sacked for no reason despite a guaranteed contract. The arbitrator said no reasonable person would believe RT was the only person that could have been in the stands. Despite the report by Ball State, the NCAA did not even believe the report was worth investigating. Perhaps we could get Nike to hire RT to create a bunch of promotions with players NIL in them to help recruit/keep players! I believe for some years JT2 sat on the Nike Board. Here’s an idea. Cut Ronny off from the University teat and let him earn a living doing something other than being Big John’s son.
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Post by hoyasaxa2003 on Mar 1, 2022 23:30:44 GMT -5
Fair enough, although that's not exactly an official confirmation. But considering that is about the only assertion in Aidan's article that would amount to direct knowledge (of an unnamed source), I'm still not quite seeing the scandal. 0-17 is a scandal. Nothing in this article makes clear how the Ronny situation (whatever it may be), has anything to do with it. Others have addressed this indirectly, but I do not consider Ronny's employment a "scandal." And it is absolutely true that if we were about to head into the NCAA tournament as favorites to make it beyond the first weekend, nobody would care. Success makes all sorts of things acceptable that would otherwise be ignored, or at least, tolerated. Instead, the Ronny Thompson situation is emblematic of the larger problems facing Georgetown's basketball program--namely, a program and administration stuck in 1985 that clings to its legacy so strongly that it prevents the program from moving forward into the 21st century. There is nothing inherently wrong with legacies either, as long as they work and/or the people are qualified! For example, had JT3 continued the success he saw in his early years, none of us would have a problem with it (again, success takes lots of issues off the plate). But, instead, the program is at its worst point since John Thompson Jr. took the helm, and we have a program where his son (who has had no coaching success himself) seemingly has a strong influence within the program. But, an influence that is clouded in secrecy, when none is warranted unless the university is so embarrassed by the fact that they have Ronny on the payroll that they do not want anybody to know. I do not blame Ronny for the programs problems, that falls on Ewing as the coach, but I also do not see what he is bringing to the table. Further, I do not see why his employment status has been shrouded in such secrecy. I mean, the guy is either an employee or he isn't. Why is this so complicated? Why the secrecy? If the university was straight forward about this, I doubt this thread would exist, I doubt Aidan's article would have been written, and this thread likely would not exist or be much shorter. I have nothing against Ronny. I actually used to enjoy when he broadcast our games because he actually knew the team and would occasionally drop interesting bits of information. But, he has no business being an administrator of our program, influencing who occupies a position like Director of Basketball Operations, or making the situation so uncomfortable that Ewing's communications director quit (and since she left, the communications have been horrible). Perhaps Patrick Ewing tolerates this as deference to his former coach and mentor, but the whole thing just wreaks of mismanagement and poor administration. That is why it matters.
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iowa80
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Post by iowa80 on Mar 4, 2022 10:48:32 GMT -5
Hilltop Hoops saying that Ronnie is the motivating factor behind bringing Broadus back to Georgetown.
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tashoya
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Post by tashoya on Mar 4, 2022 10:54:13 GMT -5
As I read the article, the unnamed sources did not have any direct knowledge, they were simply speculating as to what RT's role and/or influence is. From the article: "If you think you don’t have much visibility into what exactly Ronny does as Chief of Staff for the team, you’re not alone. In nearly every interview with current and former members of the program, the consensus reply to the question “What exactly does Ronny do for the program?” was either a shrug or an “I don’t know”."
And forgive me as I likely missed it, but do you have a link to the University confirming that RT is an employee? Did the university say what his title is? That is one quote, and, as we proceed through, we read that “but somehow he had involvement with everything . . .” Then, there is mention of “micromanaging” etc. So it appears that not knowing exactly what he does is a product of him doing a lot of things. Regarding his employment, see the comment above. Could be. Though "micromanaging" often doesn't mean that someone is "doing" a lot of things. Typically, in my experience, when someone is described as micromanaging, they're, in fact, not doing anything other that trying to involve themselves in things that they needn't as they don't offer much other than hindering those actually doing the jobs being micromanaged from being more efficient. They're just wasting people's time. I don't know if that's true of Ronny but that's my experience. For instance, my boss is often referred to as a micromanager which, in reality, generally just means she wants to have endless meetings that are nothing more than status updates about things which she doesn't understand (nor is she qualified to understand). She does this so that when she meets with her bosses, she can blow just enough legitimate sounding smoke as to make her seem somehow additive or relevant to her department which she isn't. She just wastes other people's time.
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DFW HOYA
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Post by DFW HOYA on Mar 4, 2022 10:58:41 GMT -5
Hilltop Hoops saying that Ronnie is the motivating factor behind bringing Broadus back to Georgetown. Much as some may fall down the conspiratorial rabbit hole that is Ronny Thompson is some sort of consigliere who is angling to bring his brother back and rake in millions for the family until John IV steps forward, he has no long term deal. Most contracts are renewable at Georgetown on one year increments. The Hoop Club reception in New York is next week. I'm sure you can ask about him.
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TC
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Post by TC on Mar 4, 2022 11:01:31 GMT -5
Assuming he's not covering the A10 tournament?
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iowa80
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Post by iowa80 on Mar 4, 2022 11:03:40 GMT -5
Hilltop Hoops saying that Ronnie is the motivating factor behind bringing Broadus back to Georgetown. Much as some may fall down the conspiratorial rabbit hole that is Ronny Thompson is some sort of consigliere who is angling to bring his brother back and rake in millions for the family until John IV steps forward, he has no long term deal. Most contracts are renewable at Georgetown on one year increments. The Hoop Club reception in New York is next week. I'm sure you can ask about him. That’s all well and good but non-responsive to my comment. The closest that I have gotten to being “conspiratorial” about Ronnie is reiterating what Curran is reporting. It’s not particularly conspiratorial and is worthy of discussion, even outside of the Hoop Club.
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Buckets
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Post by Buckets on Mar 4, 2022 11:46:44 GMT -5
Much as some may fall down the conspiratorial rabbit hole that is Ronny Thompson is some sort of consigliere who is angling to bring his brother back and rake in millions for the family until John IV steps forward, he has no long term deal. Most contracts are renewable at Georgetown on one year increments. The Hoop Club reception in New York is next week. I'm sure you can ask about him. That’s all well and good but non-responsive to my comment. The closest that I have gotten to being “conspiratorial” about Ronnie is reiterating what Curran is reporting. It’s not particularly conspiratorial and worthy of discussion, even outside of the Hoop Club. Plus we should probably dial back on "conspiratorial" for a while. Like if you said five years ago, "Well III is gone, but I bet we'll hire Ronny into a secret job that doesn't have a title, isn't on the basketball website, he won't even be listed in the employee directory. He's there so that Pops still has eyes and ears inside the building. Based on how much influence Pops still wields, we'll probably find out a few years from now that Ronny's got his hand in everything that goes on in the program behind the scenes, even after Pops dies." That sounds completely bonkers but seems to be basically true. Saying some of the small leaps from there are tin foil hat stuff is giving the benefit of the doubt to an institution that has torn that benefit to shreds.
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