I appreciate your response and D99's as well ...

I read this page fairly consistently, but rarely post as I don't think I have much to add.

I'm generally aware that Melanzana has posted often about Coyne's treatment. My post was not to defend his position there, but to wonder why Swarbrick felt it proper to make that move while not addressing more promptly or effectively the volleyball program.

I think it's fair and appropriate to wonder whether teams and coaches throughout the program are being held to consistent standards. That doesn't necessarily mean "identically," whatever that would even mean. So I do appreciate your thoughts about the trajectory of the lacrosse program against the trajectory of the sport.

That provides useful information in attempting to evaluate the Coyne decision. It doesn't help much in trying to understand the Brown situation, especially given her earlier success at Notre Dame. Her long run of NCAA appearances preceding the current drought suggests a similar trajectory of Notre Dame's program being passed by.

I'm also mindful of the reality that D99 and others have pointed out. Given our stated claim of competing for championships in all sports, given the downward trajectory of that program and given the decision that Coyne's trajectory was unacceptable, somebody's got some explaining to do.

There are a lot of talented communications specialists in the world. The price for retaining one shouldn't be at the expense of compromising our obligation to our volleyball student-athletes.