Various media, students and fans have been calling for Ernie Kent’s dismissal for the past few seasons, and the rhetoric has never been stronger than it is now. “Sources” say the basketball coach may have been fired a few weeks ago. I believe that ending the Kent era would be a mistake by the University athletic department.
Prior to the return of Coach Kent to his alma mater in 1997, the Ducks had been to only one NCAA Tournament since 1962 (a first-round loss in 1995). In the 13 years since, the team has made five tournaments and made two memorable runs to the quarterfinals. The 2002 regular season Pac-10 title was the first conference championship for Oregon since 1945.
Many who would like to see Kent replaced point to the past two seasons as indication that a change is necessary. No fan base wants to experience a 16-loss Pac-10 record. However, the team is noticeably improved from last season: Road sweeps in Washington and Los Angeles would have been unthinkable a year ago, and they made the jump from two conference wins in 2009 to seven this season. The team will lose only two players to graduation; there is a solid core of young players who have gotten valuable playing experience, and any of them could break out next year as the Ducks’ next star.
Despite the Ducks’ reputation as the first NCAA Tournament champions, the program does not have much success to speak of. Ernie Kent is the winningest coach in school history, and he brought the program to national prominence. He has raised the expectations of this team, and it would be unfortunate if his success is what ultimately leads to his demise. Give Coach Kent another season to work with this young team, and hopefully Matt Court will open to a rejuvenated team hungry to prove that the they are ready to make a name for themselves, and restore their coach’s.
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