Dukes, Seahawks set to battle Friday

Dillard's future up in the air

With the men's Colonial Athletic Association Tournament kicking off tomorrow, many critics feel this might be coach Sherman Dillard's last game.

Although Dillard still has one more year left in his contract, some feel JMU will buy out that final year and hunt for another coach this off-season. That is strictly speculation at this point, and the JMU administration has said nothing publicly.

If Dillard is let go, some will say it was warranted — that he dug his own grave.

Personally, I feel bad for the guy.

Dillard just hasn't had luck on his side since his first season as coach. In the first three of my four years at JMU, the team struggled in mediocrity because of injuries and players quitting the team.

Some thought Dillard would be fired after last season, but it was thought that his contract was too expensive at the time to buy out, especially with JMU in a budget crisis. He was given this season to prove himself. All he has to show for it is a 7-20 record (3-15 in the conference) and a last-place finish in the CAA.

To me, it seemed unfair for JMU to give Dillard this season to prove himself knowing that the Dukes lost most of their stars to graduation last May. The administration expected him to turn things around with a couple of upperclassmen, a slew of freshmen and a handful of walk-ons. The talent that you put on the floor is the talent youget. With not a lot of experience, JMU didn't get much this season.

Not only do I think JMU gave Dillard an unfair chance this season, but also it was almost unfair to hire him in the first place. In three seasons at Indiana State University, Dillard had a 29-52 record — a winning percentage of 55.6 percent. So, they ask a guy to come win at a school with more expectations that has had a proven string of success. They ask him to follow a coach such as "Lefty" Driesell, who took the team to the NCAA Tournament in 1994. And — the worst part — they ask Dillard to win at his alma mater. Talk about pressure.

You might be asking yourself, "Why is this guy defending Dillard when JMU has been miserable in recent years as the team's record has gotten worse and attendance has dropped considerably?"

Dillard isn't the best X's and O's coach — that's been obvious for years. But, that doesn't mean he doesn't care. I can see it hurts Dillard to see his team struggle like it has lately. I can see it in his eyes during games and at press conferences. I can hear the pain in his voice when he talks about his players. He wants so much for the team to experience success.

As one of the best players in the Dukes' history, Dillard is a guy who has so much pride in JMU as a program and a university. Yet, many fans don't see this side of Dillard. All they see is what happens on the court, what substitutions he makes, what plays he calls and if the team wins or loses.

Success is determined by the eye of the beholder. If JMU gets rid of Dillard, it might find another coach to get the program back to the upper echelon of the CAA. But, unless JMU hires another one of its alumni, I almost can guarantee that JMU will not find another coach that personally cares more about JMU than Dillard.

Drew Wilson is a senior SMAD major who hopes that the Dukes soon will return to the top of the conference where they belong.