Fisher Out as Michigan Men's Basketball Coach
10/11/1997 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
The following is a statement by Tom Goss, director of athletics at the University of Michigan:
Yesterday afternoon I met with Coach Steve Fisher to review my concerns about our men's basketball program.
As you know, Thursday we released a report from the law firm of Bond, Schoeneck and King that details their seven-month long investigation of allegations from anonymous sources of improprieties within our men's basketball program. Although that report found no major NCAA violations, President Bollinger and I both indicated yesterday that we were troubled by evidence in that report that our basketball program was not being held to the standards we believe all programs at the University of Michigan should meet. Today I discussed those concerns with Coach Fisher.
Since I became athletic director on September 8, I have had time to reflect on the values I believe should characterize the University of Michigan Athletic Department. I have met with all of the head coaches individually to discuss these issues. Two of those meetings were with Coach Fisher.
I have also been briefed since becoming athletic director about the issues and inquiry into our basketball program. Steve Fisher also has been kept abreast of the report by the investigators throughout the time they were conducting their inquiry. My conversation with Coach Fisher yesterday, however, did not focus as much on the particular findings of the report as it did on my sense of what we need to do to move forward with a program of which we are all proud.
As a result of that conversation, I have decided that it is time to make a change in the head men's basketball coach at the University of Michigan. I respect Steve Fisher and his right to privacy, so I do not wish to discuss in any detail the substance of our conversation. I want to thank Steve Fisher for his years of dedicated service and loyalty to the University and the Athletic Department.
I want you to know where I stand on the central values of Michigan athletics. These are not simply Tom Goss's values -- they are the University of Michigan Athletic Department's values.
I mentioned at the press conference yesterday that I had met with all of our head coaches on two occasions. During those meetings we focused on the core purpose and the core values for our program. We concluded during those meetings that our core purpose was:
To create an environment to help student-athletes realize their potential ... academically, athletically and socially.
And we concluded that our core values should be a firm commitment to:
- honesty and integrity
- accountability and responsibility
- respect and compassion
- competitive spirit
- the "team" must come first
I will immediately begin a search for a new head coach for our men's basketball team. I hope it will be a short process. I will use the values I have just described to guide me in my decision-making in this process.
As we conduct what I hope will be a short search, I will ask assistant coach Brian Ellerbe to conduct team practices and, under my direction, to administer the program.
Questions for Tom Goss
What kind of timetable do you have set for this position search
"The process must be quick ... Hopefully this will allow us to move the program forward."
Do you have anyone in mind
"I believe Michigan's one of the most attractive jobs (out there) and I have to believe someone's going to step up. Someone I'm going to want for this position."
Statement by Lee C. Bollinger, U-M President
As I said when we appointed Tom Goss, I believe the athletic director should be responsible for seeing that the values, standards and practices of the department of athletics reflect the values of the University as a whole. I brought Tom Goss here to uphold the values and standards of the University, and I've given him the freedom he needs to do that.
Tom has consulted with me about his decision to change the head men's basketball coach, and I concur with his decision.
I want to thank Steve Fisher for his years of dedicated service and loyalty to the University of Michigan.
Contact: Bruce Madej (313) 763-4423
