Walter Offutt

[SlackBooDom]

Probably but wish we had something and doesn’t need to be any real detail. Just something.

I don’t see why someone doesn’t ask Brennan or his sidekick. We are donating and buying tickets for a program that is down an assistant now for the entire first season of a first time coach. It hurts recruiting, scheduling, improving our players, and more. It is critical and we have silence. I don’t understand.

 

[cubird]

Maybe it is a sensitive personal issue that is none of our business. Doubt we are going to hear anything until after the season.

 

[Adunk33]

The message from the team remains consistent:

Redbirds Close Two-Game Road Swing in Cedar Falls - Illinois State University Athletics

The Illinois State men's basketball team closes a two-game road swing on Wednesday night when the squad travels to Cedar Falls, Iowa, to take on the Northern Iowa

goredbirds.com

Illinois State Assistant Basketball Coach, Walter Offutt, and his wife Nicole are the proud parents of a healthy baby boy. We wish Coach Offutt and his family the best. Current Men's Basketball Chief of Staff, Mike Mastroianni, will cover the assistant basketball coach role while Coach Offutt is on parental leave.

 

[BirdGrad2011]

Maybe it is a sensitive personal issue that is none of our business. Doubt we are going to hear anything until after the season.

Let me stress we are not owed anything. It’s just peculiar how silent it’s been. If he just took a long leave to be a parent then I commend him for prioritizing and also Ryan as he clearly encouraged and accepted it.

 

[DannyCooksey]

As someone who was able to take paternity leave 2x I applaud what Coach did. You never get that time back. Coaching is just a job. Bonding with newborns is critical

 

[Reggie Redbird]

As someone who was able to take paternity leave 2x I applaud what Coach did. You never get that time back. Coaching is just a job. Bonding with newborns is critical

It’s a game note that appears has just has been left in.

From State University employee policy: “Eligible employees are granted up to six (6) weeks of paid leave following the birth, or upon placement or legal adoption of a child under age 18….For eligible employees, parental leave taken will count toward the 12-week FMLA entitlement.

DC, did you take longer than the FMLA-allowed time though? If I’m not mistaken, Offutt would have been unpaid for the last 6+ weeks and at risk of termination for not returning to work, including needing to pay back the first 6 weeks’ paid. Nobody is arguing that bonding with newborns is not critical, but I think most people are realistic that this is not a regular paternity leave. With each passing week, it is more likely “something“ keeping him away from the program. I feel the social media silence, for example not even one Twitter “like” or retweet for any positive Redbird news, speaks volumes.

Regardless of the reason, the University could explain something along the lines of, “Coach Offutt will eventually be returning.” Or “Coach Offutt will not be returning this season and we wish him well in the future.” All this can be done regardless of reason and without an intrusion into Offutt’s personal life.

What also speaks volumes is Benson’s silence on this. It’s clear he’s either not going to delve into something that is clearly not a regular paternity leave to provide any information or input or he is aware of the reason and just not reporting anything. It is easy to say, “Offutt is expected back…” or “Offutt does not appear like he will return to the sidelines this season.” without violating anything about the specific situation. I think the folks that Benson is reporting news to would like to know how long their team will negatively be impacted (recruiting, player development) by this situation.

One side note: because he is a public employee and public funds are involved, there is an accountability that funds are handled properly in any state employment matter. Nobody needs to know the reason for the absence, unless for A crime or breach of public trust but they are entitled to transparency in making sure all laws are followed and all funds are handled appropriatel.

 

[SlackBooDom]

Does not sound child or personal or paternity leave or anything and it also doesn’t sound like Offutt will coach with Pedon or at ISU from those who know.

 

[Bird Friend]

Does not sound child or personal or paternity leave or anything and it also doesn’t sound like Offutt will coach with Pedon or at ISU from those who know.

Those who know . . . like . . . whom?

 

[Rollbirds]

It’s a game note that appears has just has been left in.

From State University employee policy: “Eligible employees are granted up to six (6) weeks of paid leave following the birth, or upon placement or legal adoption of a child under age 18….For eligible employees, parental leave taken will count toward the 12-week FMLA entitlement.

DC, did you take longer than the FMLA-allowed time though? If I’m not mistaken, Offutt would have been unpaid for the last 6+ weeks and at risk of termination for not returning to work, including needing to pay back the first 6 weeks’ paid. Nobody is arguing that bonding with newborns is not critical, but I think most people are realistic that this is not a regular paternity leave. With each passing week, it is more likely “something“ keeping him away from the program. I feel the social media silence, for example not even one Twitter “like” or retweet for any positive Redbird news, speaks volumes.

Regardless of the reason, the University could explain something along the lines of, “Coach Offutt will eventually be returning.” Or “Coach Offutt will not be returning this season and we wish him well in the future.” All this can be done regardless of reason and without an intrusion into Offutt’s personal life.

What also speaks volumes is Benson’s silence on this. It’s clear he’s either not going to delve into something that is clearly not a regular paternity leave to provide any information or input or he is aware of the reason and just not reporting anything. It is easy to say, “Offutt is expected back…” or “Offutt does not appear like he will return to the sidelines this season.” without violating anything about the specific situation. I think the folks that Benson is reporting news to would like to know how long their team will negatively be impacted (recruiting, player development) by this situation.

One side note: because he is a public employee and public funds are involved, there is an accountability that funds are handled properly in any state employment matter. Nobody needs to know the reason for the absence, unless for A crime or breach of public trust but they are entitled to transparency in making sure all laws are followed and all funds are handled appropriatel.

And if this was our first year head coach taking all this time away we’d want and expect answers

 

[BirdGrad2011]

Guess we’ll find out in 2 months when he’s back or gone. The more silence then I tend to think we’ll be looking for a new assistant.

 

[DougSutton]

Does not sound child or personal or paternity leave or anything and it also doesn’t sound like Offutt will coach with Pedon or at ISU from those who know.

All I have to go by is my intuition but this feels resonant with me. In the big picture, the reasons don't matter that much to me but my sense is that there is something more to this story.

Not traveling with the team (or work) to stay at home with a newborn is common today but there seems to be a complete lack of presence and engagement, including from social media channels like Twitter. I have a few good women friends that are business owners and entrepreneurs that just had babies and they are actively engaged with their business from home via social media. It takes very little effort to sit at home support the team via social media. My mom friends with newborns are taking sales calls, running leadership meetings and are engaged with their business at least a few hours a day, all the while being fully present with their child.

I agree that time will tell and I wish coach Offutt nothing but the best. I also trust that coach Pedon will make the best decision for the program during the offseason.

 

[stielowp]

Maybe he got the Mayor Pete deal?

 

[Adunk33]

I don't know any details of what is going on and hope all is well with Walt and his family.

One thing I think about is that if Pedon is kicking himself for opting to go the three assistant route (one brand new, one vet, one tweener) with 2 GAs and a Chief of Staff. Nothing against the GAs or CoS, but they do not have the experience that another assistant could bring. Hindsight is 20/20 but a guy who was most recently a financial analyst and an assistant coach on a High School bench being thrust into a D1 assistant job is tough on all involved. I know Pedon knows and trusts him as a four-year manager at OSU but it's a massive jump and has to be a bit of a shock. I know I would be way over my head if it was me in that situation. I'm sure he's a great CoS but it's one thing to be the guy booking hotels, travel, meals, collecting tape, etc. versus maybe leading a scout or being involved during in-practice instruction.

Not to mention, he now finds himself with the ability to call on players and recruit. I'm not sure if they are using him for that or not. I assume Pedon is taking the "recruiting coordinator" title that would've likely been Walt's and is being very hands-on with all players the team is interested in. Man, Pedon is a busy, busy guy.

 

[cubird]

Better to remain silent and be thought of a fool rather than to speak and to remove all doubt. AL

 

[Reggie Redbird]

I don't know any details of what is going on and hope all is well with Walt and his family.

One thing I think about is that if Pedon is kicking himself for opting to go the three assistant route (one brand new, one vet, one tweener) with 2 GAs and a Chief of Staff. Nothing against the GAs or CoS, but they do not have the experience that another assistant could bring. Hindsight is 20/20 but a guy who was most recently a financial analyst and an assistant coach on a High School bench being thrust into a D1 assistant job is tough on all involved. I know Pedon knows and trusts him as a four-year manager at OSU but it's a massive jump and has to be a bit of a shock. I know I would be way over my head if it was me in that situation. I'm sure he's a great CoS but it's one thing to be the guy booking hotels, travel, meals, collecting tape, etc. versus maybe leading a scout or being involved during in-practice instruction.

Not to mention, he now finds himself with the ability to call on players and recruit. I'm not sure if they are using him for that or not. I assume Pedon is taking the "recruiting coordinator" title that would've likely been Walt's and is being very hands-on with all players the team is interested in. Man, Pedon is a busy, busy guy.

When Dakich came here, it was to be the DOBO. Perhaps when Offutt went into an unpaid status (after the first 6 weeks), Pedon could have considered hiring a special assistant - maybe a recently retired coach who wanted something to do for a few months. I am just concerned about player development with everyone having to focus on other areas, especially with two assistants in their first season doing so (one fill-in).

 

[BirdGrad2011]

When Dakich came here, it was to be the DOBO. Perhaps when Offutt went into an unpaid status (after the first 6 weeks), Pedon could have considered hiring a special assistant - maybe a recently retired coach who wanted something to do for a few months. I am just concerned about player development with everyone having to focus on other areas, especially with two assistants in their first season doing so (one fill-in).

We have seen player development with our own eyes though. Judson and Pedon have so much knowledge. Dakich is still pretty fresh from his playing days so he can relate well and knows exactly what Pedon wants. Im not concerned one bit about this aspect. Burnout would be the bigger concern.

 

[SgtHulka]

We have seen player development with our own eyes though. Judson and Pedon have so much knowledge. Dakich is still pretty fresh from his playing days so he can relate well and knows exactly what Pedon wants. Im not concerned one bit about this aspect. Burnout would be the bigger concern.

I'm glad he was able to secure Jud. Knowledgeable guy who's very active on the bench

 

[Hamdonger]

When Dakich came here, it was to be the DOBO.

I know it's tit for tat, but Andrew was hired as a full-fledged assistant (Pedon's first hire) with an emphasis on recruiting.

 

[Redbird222]

I know it's tit for tat, but Andrew was hired as a full-fledged assistant (Pedon's first hire) with an emphasis on recruiting.

On the Dakich podcast he told us he was originally hired as Director of Ops but he do so well coordinating everything when nobody was hired yet that Pedon made him full time assistant. Cool story

 

[Hamdonger]

I'm glad he was able to secure Jud. Knowledgeable guy who's very active on the bench

Did you know Jud went 45 for 47 from the FT line his sophomore year at Illinois? A cool 95.7% clip. (that's pretty good but c'mon Jud ya couldn't make just 2 more?) Finished 88% for his career.