**Article written by Ted Taylor/Black Tampa Bay** “WINSLOW MUST GO” By Ted Taylor The sudden untimely firing of Florida A & M University Head Football Coach Earl Holmes during Homecoming Week has led to a chorus of disgust by the FAMU family for putting a stain on the celebration. As a result, there is a unified call that Winslow must go. The sentiment has been that at the least, Holmes should have been allowed to finish out the season, being so near the end and the team having played better over the past few games. Memories of the way Winslow handled the firing of the basketball and track coaches, and the suspension of golf and tennis teams, were ignited. Most followers disagreed with those decisions feeling that with the suddenness, proper evaluations were not conducted. Even those who tried to give the benefit of the doubt to the administration felt Holmes should not have been disgraced in the fashion done. Holmes is a born-and-bred Rattler, decorated for his accomplishments on-and-off the field, being a former NFL standout as well as contributor to FAMU. From the time he met Holmes, Winslow generated a personal dislike, and did not try to hide it. The administration has refused to support Holmes in basic ways, seeming to hope he would fail. Further, many followers posit that Holmes was not given a fair opportunity, being only eight games into his second season. The team began to show some improvement over the past few games despite being shunned by Winslow and the administration, and playing dozens of newcomers with little or no game experience. The fans wanted to see if any dividends would payoff in a third season for Holmes. Off the playing field, most are upset with Winslow’s management style. He is viewed as arrogant, dismissive and intimidating to all athletic staff. The decision to fire Holmes was tight-lipped, causing information and communication staff to scramble. When team leaders attempted to discuss the release of their coach, Winslow dismissed them, with a brushoff of did they have a book they needed to read. The university president, Elmina Mangum, had a similar attitude when she met with the players, talking to them like kids. During the ordeal, the players have acted with more leadership and maturity than those who are in place as school leaders. The feelings of convocation attendees were displayed during the Homecoming Convocation on Friday morning. Winslow was resoundingly booed during an episode that lasted minutes. His immaturity was displayed when he challenged the group in childish fashion, causing Mangum to intervene, and face booing herself. Over the weekend, there were some cries for Holmes to be reinstated. Nevertheless, the tenure of Winslow needs to be terminated immediately to avoid him having input or imprint on the selection of a new coach. With coaches usually being signed to five-year contracts, the stench of Winslow could smell for years, further deepening the budget hole in which FAMU is currently wallowing. A lot of giving that would have been done this Homecoming was not, and this will continue if a person perceived as a Winslow clone is hired. Philosophically, administrators and other leaders will criticize those who withhold as disloyal or inconsiderate, but the point is, less giving will result. And as criticism increases, the frustrated will dig in deeper. Just as the overall weekend, the game atmosphere was characterized by distraction. The topic of conversation was Winslow and his antics instead of the game. Even though the attendance was announced as 18,663, a large number of those were give-aways and other free admissions. Moreover, there were 2-3 times as many people outside. Whether this was orchestrated or coincidental, the number was larger than usual. Some were calling for a boycott by going to the stadium, but not into the game. Ether Mangum does not understand the mire Winslow has put athletics, or she is so beholden to him, she doesn’t care. Nevertheless, she is allowing a crisis to cancer over a person who has not distinguished himself as an athletic administrator. He has shown FAMUans that he prefers a hatchet over a carrot, that he can generate discontent, but not funds. As Holmes stated in an exit interview, this is not the FAMU he knew, up to just a few months ago. If administrators are working off of some mandate to change FAMU, the way it is being attempted will only lead to a change of their job status. Historically, FAMUans have not allowed others to disrespect them, and will not start now. For a bright future of FAMU and Dr. Mangum, Winslow must go. About the Writer: The writer is a 1975 graduate of FAMU, who is a Lawyer in Plant City, Florida. He is a Distinguished Alumni and Outstanding Alumni of the Quasquicentennial. He is also a longtime supporter of FAMU athletics, particularly Football, financially and in-kind.
Posted on: Wed, 05 Nov 2014 14:09:35 +0000