Southern Mississippi head coach Larry Eustachy became the fourth Division I coach to take a leave of absence during the season. Never before can I recall anything like this happening. Albeit the four situations are different, but is does show just how much pressure coaches are putting on themselves. Not that I am saying other people don’t have pressure and that they are not compensated rather well. However, with the passing of Wake Forest coach Skip Prosser this summer there has been much more talk and reflection about how the job has changed.
Larry Eustachy— left due to his mother’s fight against cancer
Lute Olsen– personal problems stemming from his potential divorce
Perry Watson– health concerns
Jessie Evans– personal reasons (forced out by his athletic director)
I hate to be callous, but the reality was that all four teams had underperformed this year. Could be a lack of concentration by the head coach or just a coincidence. You decide.
