Wolfman

December 17th, 2016 at 8:46 PM ^

so I imagine they have a better take on the situation. Appears to me minds were made up the previous season in what, I imagine, was the worst W-L compilation in decades at that football tradition rich school. I do know, however, it is the toughest league in the state, bar none as proven by many of the lower classified schools that play at a roughly .500 or higher clip during the regular season, then go on to have great playoff runs, many of which end in championships. 

It appears to me they pulled the trigger a bit prematurely on this young man. He grew up bleeding the colors of Brother Rice and I can only assume he would have had great success int he future. Even if they land - which I'm sure they feel they have - a tremendous head coach, it appears this is not in keeping with the loyalty, family-like atmosphere and high character that I am certain this school espouses and tries to live up to. I do know it has a distinguished list of grads that have gone on to great success. I wish the young man good fortune. Someone will be getting a damn fine coach. 

yossarians tree

December 18th, 2016 at 8:55 AM ^

I'm a Rice alum and this doesn't seem in line with the way the school has been run. In the past they had a member of the Christian Brothers as principal but lately they are run more like a prep school with a layman headmaster type structure. The new administrators might have been influenced by some big money insiders who wanted to make a change or had an agenda. They had a pretty good season this year in the Detroit Catholic League which is the toughest in the state. There ain't any more Al Fracassas out there. Back in the day they had a pretty good basketball program under Bobby Knight-wannabe Bill Norton, and since he left they have sucked at basketball ever since but no one seems to care.  Strange.

karpodiem

December 17th, 2016 at 8:47 PM ^

What a bullshit thing to do to a guy, right before Christmas. These 'Catholic' admins who fired him should have a dump truck of coal dumped in their front yard.

UESWolverine

December 18th, 2016 at 12:52 AM ^

You're right but I was actually more motivated to post in reaction to the 'Catholics' comment than it being about the BR situation. I actually had no idea what the situation was until I just actually read the article. From the outside, this move doesn't seem to make sense to me. And I'm hearing that it doesn't even make sense from those close to the situation. 

Abomb4480

December 17th, 2016 at 8:52 PM ^

Total shame, guy was never given much of a chance...

Also. There are no regional semis in MHSAA, District Final goes right to a Regional Championship, to Semis and then onto Ford Field.




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LSAClassOf2000

December 17th, 2016 at 8:58 PM ^

Sofran said he never had a meeting with Brother Rice administrators telling him that he didn’t win enough or had to improve in one area or another or a possible change would happen.

That is the part that strikes me as truly terrible. If that's the case, they didn't even offer Sofran an assessment of his performance and give him a chance to say what he can do to improve if indeed Brother Rice wasn't pleased. I wouldn't blame Sofran for being absolutely pissed quite honestly, even if he can't express it publicly at the moment. 

1464

December 17th, 2016 at 10:16 PM ^

One would hope that this decision comes back to bite them in the ass.  If they'd be this cold blooded to a coach, I hope their candidates for replacement balk at the opportunity.  How shitty to do this right before Christmas...

NittanyFan

December 17th, 2016 at 9:55 PM ^

Rice interviewed Zimmerman back in December 2013, but Rice decided not to go that direction.  That may have been their only chance.

I have no inside knowledge, but I'm sure Scott Merchant will be near the top of the list too.  Although the negatives there: Chippewa hasn't really been elite in Scott's time there --- and the whole weirdness of him being the DLS coach for about 2 days last off-season.

UnkleBuck

December 17th, 2016 at 9:13 PM ^

That's really too bad.  Coach Sofran put his heart and soul into that program on and off the field.  No question he'll bounce back. WIshing the best for him and his family. 

kyeblue

December 17th, 2016 at 9:21 PM ^

something happens when new administration come in and think that they want to clean the house. I bet that they already have a candidate who wants the job.

I am not sure how Catholic school works but alumni and parents should put pressure on the administration to make sure that the hiring of their next coach is a fair and open process