WEFALD FIRED AT KANSAS STATE
Football coach, Ron Prince, makes unprecedented move.
AP - 2/16/07
Manhattan, KS - Jon Wefald, President of Kansas State University was removed from office today in what many around the school are calling "unprecedented fashion".
According to those close to the situation Ron Prince, head football coach at the university, approached President Wefald early this morning and informed him that he was being released.
"He just asked me if I'd like to get a latte at the local book store - he really likes to read books - so I said 'sure' and while we were talking he broke the news. I was stunned. What can I say?" said Wefald.
Questions abound as to whether Coach Prince, aka Scary Smart, even has the authority to make this move. Coach Prince fired President Wefald after a recent rash of firings within his own football program.
So far, at least 7 people from his staff have relieved of their duties this winter. Among them was the veteran 28 year equipment manager simply known as Shorty around campus.
Reached for comment, Shorty had this say about the situation, "I don't know what to think. One minute you're scrapin' mud outta a cleat and the next minute you're out on your keester and he's telling you to read The Count of Monte Cristo if ya want to know what's goin' on. Hell, I ain't read a book in 40 years and I ain't gonna start now. I took a couple jerseys with me as momentos, though. Bishop was mah fave".
Coach Prince was unable to be reached for comment according to his Ambassador of Fair and Impartial Communications. Observers around the university have noted that recently multiple cameras and guard dogs have been seemingly strategically placed around the football stadium and campus. Also, one onlooker stated that she observed a flag flying over the stadium with what appeared to be an image of Coach Prince holding a hammer in one hand and a Bible in the other on it.
"It's been there for a few weeks." said the student who wished to remain anonymous. "I haven't been by there in the last couple of days because of the mandatory strip seaches but I wouldn't be surprised if it's still up. Everyone at K-State knows the coach is just doing what's best for all of us. We're behind him 100%. If he needs to fire someone to get the job done then I don't know why we'd question him. She later added, "Yeah, could you not mention who I am. I heard from a friend of mine who heard from this guy at Sigma Nu that some people who have commented about the Coach have disappeared recently".
The Board of Regents of the State of Kansas will be meeting tonight in a secret location in order to discuss what to do next.
One member of the Board told this reporter, "I don't know that there's a lot we CAN do. I mean, what with the armored patrol vehicles roving the perimeter of campus and the television station playing his image saying 'You will obey' 24 hours a day. It's just a tough deal right now". Tough deal, indeed.
But as one long time K-State fan said, "Hey, if it gets us a win over Auburn then I'm all for it. I'm even kind of digging this 'Use Tax' thing for walking on campus if it gives Coach Prince the finances he needs to kick some butt". Only time will tell if this new regime has what it takes to get the Cats to the promised land. But the new innovative tactics being used by the Coach just go to show that he is willing to take a bold and daring approach."
