Damage is done.

[JHHawk]

Why did Barta not nip it in the bud with a strong statement of support yesterday if his mind is made up? Do you think he would assume that delaying that support would quell the uproar? Ridiculous. If Barta thought that letting this stew for 3-4 days then coming out with that support of Lick was a good PR move, he is stupid and should not have that job.

Everyone in PR knows that you either kill this rumor as quick as possible,(like in that postgame statement by Barta) or you move ahead in getting your ducks in a row before making the announcement. Barta is probably doing that right now.

Letting this bubble for days and then saying no change would be disasterous for the program's immediate future. Season ticket cancellations would stream in.

 

[rdubbs]

So it's not fair to think that Barta doesn't have his mind made up at this point?

 

[Igothawked]

So it's not fair to think that Barta doesn't have his mind made up at this point?

I think it's fair to say that Barta doesn't have his mind made up on how much the buyout will be. Other than that, I think his decision is made.

 

[galactawitz]

Why is there no way? We don't even know who started all the rumors that spread yesterday.

While I somewhat see what you are saying, and could fully see Lick back next year, this would still be marked as the beginning of the end.

All you have to do is look at the sheer volume of excitement on the board's when the "rumors" started yesterday. There hasn't been that much excitement surrounding Iowa basketball in a long long time. That speaks a lot about the current state of the program, something that I don't know can be recovered from.

 

[DFaceHawkeye]

I think the days of Lick are over... based on his own remarks. I think Barta might have actually done some bridge burning if, in fact, he did meet with the players all in a one on one situation. Lick probably caught wind of this (from his son) and was annoyed and this is what sparked his comments. Way, way too much smoke for there not to be a fire, even if it's smoldering. I agree with JH that Barta's getting his ducks in a row, and we'll find out in a few days what's actually going down. Just a matter of time.