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The twitterverse has exploded, and two distinct camps have emerged: the media that thinks Ben Howland should have been fired, and the media that thinks he deserved one more shot, because, you know, three final fours.
Jon Gold cannot put it any more simply:
I thought watching nat'l media cover UCLA football coaching search was annoying until I watched nat'l media cover UCLA hoops coaching search
— Jonathan Gold (@TheCoolSub) March 25, 2013
Let him summarize why everyone else who doesn't actually follow UCLA basketball think he shouldn't have been fired:
But...but...but...three final fours a half-decade ago! That matters still! SO MUCH
— Jonathan Gold (@TheCoolSub) March 25, 2013
What is the main stream media writing? (And yakking about on the air?)
Ben Howland goes to Final Four 3x,wins PAC 12 title #Fired - Craig Robinson lives in last place - still employed #POTUS
— Doug Gottlieb (@GottliebShow) March 25, 2013
We're so heartless, firing someone who won a regular season title in a weak conference.
Three Final Fours? Check. Won your league regular season? Check. Pink slip? Check. Nice play, UCLA.
— Seth Davis (@SethDavisHoops) March 25, 2013
real question is why would anyone want that job? RT @marc_diverde: who are the early frontrunners to replace Howland?
— Seth Davis (@SethDavisHoops) March 25, 2013
Greg Anthony, on TV, didn't think Howland deserved to be fired. (Neither did Charles Barkeley. Turrible.)
Ben Howland is a good man and a good coach...sad to see him go but at this point the decision had to be made..can't recruit under a cloud!
— Greg Anthony (@GregAnthony50) March 25, 2013
I mean, COME ON.
USC and UCLA should have a contest to see who can get more coaches raises. Neither a great job. Hard to lure an elite name.
— Pete Thamel(@SIPeteThamel) March 25, 2013
Ok here's ONE guy that gets it.
If UCLA isn't an elite job, there are no elite jobs.
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) March 25, 2013
Seriously. And any big job you take across the country, you are dealing with history, tradition, and boosters. You will need to recruit well, manage your roster, and meet expectations.
Here's another.
I was the one pushing for UCLA to hire Ben Howland a decade ago. But I can't argue against UCLA breaking him off tonight.#Gauchos.
— Jim Rome (@jimrome) March 25, 2013
Dear East Coast and people who do not actually follow UCLA or college basketball until the tournament starts, here's the deal:
Pundits seem to forget college bball coach is two roles: coach & GM. Howland can coach defense but roster management, interaction was awful.
— Jonathan Gold (@TheCoolSub) March 25, 2013
If Howland had stayed humble instead of ego exploding after 3 FF, maybe he hires actual assistants, sticks with winning system. Didnt, gone.
— Jonathan Gold (@TheCoolSub) March 25, 2013
Seriously.
Florida GC has as many tourney wins as UCLA over the last 5 years and national pundits still wondering why Howland was let go?
— Greg Biggins (@GregBiggins) March 25, 2013
Go Bruins.