Lickliter deserved to coach another year

Coach Todd Lickliter has a contract. He deserved at minimum another year. I realize there is more to winning than the ability to coach, but anyone who thinks this man can't coach is not watching.

He has more coaching ability in his little finger than Steve Alford has in his entire body! Does anyone really believe a Lickliter team with Adam Haluska, Jeff Horner and Greg Brunner would lose to Northwestern State (2006 NCAA tournament)?

As for the players who don't want to stick it out, just leave. They made a commitment and they should honor it. It was apparent to me Anthony Tucker was more concerned about himself than the team.

I also am tired of the negative reporting by The Gazette. They keep saying “those close to the Iowa program” without naming anyone. I am very aware of then problems but coach is an honorable man who deserved a chance to finish what he was hired for. When a coach of his caliber is fired, this place will turn into a coaching graveyard.

Maybe we can have writers Mike Hlas, Sean Keeler (Des Moines Register) and Scott Dochterman hire the next coach, and if he fails, we relieve them of their reporting duties.

Elmer l. Beckler

Oxford