First female coach in men's basketball fired...

[Open the Muggy Gate 0]

Click here for the link

 

Ashley McElhiney saga

By TERESA M. WALKER

The Associated Press

Feb 1 2005

 

Player: Firing 'embarrassing'

 

NASHVILLE - Adam Sonn and his Nashville Rhythm teammates want to keep Ashley McElhiney as their coach and hope the owners of the ABA franchise reverse a decision to fire the first female coach of a men's professional team.

 

Co-owner Sally Anthony walked onto the court during the third quarter of a game Saturday night and fired McElhiney after the coach refused to bench a player. Sonn, who has a broken foot, was sitting beside McElhiney on the bench at the time.

 

''Why (Anthony) would pull something like this is beyond me, and it was embarrassing for all parties involved,'' Sonn said Monday. ''I just think that things are going to settle back down, and you know later this week things will get back to normal.''

 

The firing has been national news, and Sonn even received an e-mail from a friend touring in Japan who read about it on the Internet.

 

''Everybody's terming it a sports soap opera,'' Sonn said. ''It's pretty much holding up to that standard right now until something more definite comes out, which should be in the next day or two.''

 

Anthony and her husband, and co-owner, Tony Bucher didn't return messages left Monday By The Associated Press. Rhythm general manager Daniel Bucher, Anthony's brother-in-law, also didn't return multiple messages. The team's third owner, Justin Christian, could not be reached for comment.

 

Anthony, a pop singer who has her own record label, helped the expansion Rhythm make a national splash last May with the hiring of McElhiney, then 22. Nashville is 18-7 under McElhiney.

 

Saturday's argument involved the playing time of Matt Freije, Vanderbilt's all-time leading scorer who was signed last week after being released by the NBA's New Orleans Hornets. Anthony wanted Freije, who made a reported $10,000 for two games, to be benched. McElhiney refused. That's when Anthony fired her.

 

Assistant coach Scott Flatt had to help restrain Anthony, and security guards eventually kept Anthony from returning to the sideline. Guards escorted her from the building after the game.

 

''I can't explain it,'' Sonn said. ''I've never seen anything like that. For someone to storm on the court while the game is on and threaten to take Ashley out of there, it's just ridiculous.''

 

He gave McElhiney credit for helping the Rhythm rebound from an 18-point deficit in that game and beat Kansas City 110-109.

 

''That just shows greatness on her and just a testament to her - how well and classy she handled the situation,'' Sonn said.

 

After the game, Anthony went into the locker room and told the Rhythm she had fired McElhiney and they could support her or Anthony would fold the expansion team.

 

''She's an owner. I give her that, and she's the face of ownership. But she's not what she thinks she is,'' Sonn said.

 

McElhiney has declined to comment. She received a standing ovation Sunday when she appeared at a Vanderbilt women's game.

 

The Rhythm are scheduled to play Saint Louis on Saturday night in McElhiney's old high school gym in Gleason.

 

Anthony, a pop singer who has her own record label, helped the expansion Rhythm make a national splash last May with the hiring of McElhiney, then 22. Nashville is 18-7 under McElhiney.

 

Saturday's argument involved the playing time of Matt Freije, Vanderbilt's all-time leading scorer who was signed last week after being released by the NBA's New Orleans Hornets. Anthony wanted Freije, who made a reported $10,000 for two games, to be benched. McElhiney refused. That's when Anthony fired her.

 

Assistant coach Scott Flatt had to help restrain Anthony, and security guards eventually kept Anthony from returning to the sideline. Guards escorted her from the building after the game.

 

''I can't explain it,'' Sonn said. ''I've never seen anything like that. For someone to storm on the court while the game is on and threaten to take Ashley out of there, it's just ridiculous.''

 

He gave McElhiney credit for helping the Rhythm rebound from an 18-point deficit in that game and beat Kansas City 110-109.

 

''That just shows greatness on her and just a testament to her - how well and classy she handled the situation,'' Sonn said.

 

After the game, Anthony went into the locker room and told the Rhythm she had fired McElhiney and they could support her or Anthony would fold the expansion team.

 

''She's an owner. I give her that, and she's the face of ownership. But she's not what she thinks she is,'' Sonn said.

 

McElhiney has declined to comment. She received a standing ovation Sunday when she appeared at a Vanderbilt women's game.

 

The Rhythm are scheduled to play Saint Louis on Saturday night in McElhiney's old high school gym in Gleason.

 

On the Net

 

 

Nashville Rhythm: www.nashvillerhythm.com

 

Sally Anthony: www.sallyanthony.com

The old ABA had all sorts of characters. Virginia owner Earl Foreman, who sold off Erving, George Gervin and Swen Nater within a year, was hanged in effigy nightly by furious fans.

 

Back in the day, the ABA had a coach named ''Slick'' and players named ''Fatty'' and ''Goo.'' It had Marvin ''Bad News'' Barnes, who disappeared from time to time.

 

Sally Anthony, welcome to the club.

 

I live just a few miles from Nashville, so this is a pretty big story around here. IMO, the owner is a complete idiot for threatening to fold the team if the players don't support her firing. It's just a ridiculous situation all-around caused by a bonehead owner.

[kkktookmybabyaway 0]

Gotta love the minor leagues.

 

So I guess now when a female coach of a men's team gets canned, it'll be like when a black NFL coach gets fired -- with media pressure and charges of RACISM/SEXISM.

 

Seriously though, this is a weird story, especially when I read parts of it 2-3 times in your post...

[starvenger 0]

I heard about this on Sunday. Empty threat by the owner, seeing as she has 2 other owners who would probably overrule her.

 

Personally? I think it's a stunt by Sally Anthony to get her name in the news. I mean, she's a singer, but who's heard of her? But act a bit like a diva/McMahon/Cuban/Steinbrenner and get your 15 minutes.

 

As for Ashley McElhiney, well, her team is 18-7. All I can say is, good work.

[kkktookmybabyaway 0]

So they had a winning record and the coach got canned (didn't read the article entirely)?

 

That's why women shouldn't be team owners...

[iggymcfly 0]

No kidding yo. Bitches be trippin.

[2GOLD 0]

The Knicks should hire her now. They need a coach.

 

Oh and it sounds like the owner wants to coach the team and just have it revolve around her. Ego trip to the mega ultra extreme. She probably expected people to love her and not the coach cause SHE hired her and SHE should be given full credit for the team's success.

 

It's like if J-Lo bought the Clippers and hired Phil Jackson.

[Open the Muggy Gate 0]

I heard about this on Sunday. Empty threat by the owner, seeing as she has 2 other owners who would probably overrule her.

 

Personally? I think it's a stunt by Sally Anthony to get her name in the news. I mean, she's a singer, but who's heard of her? But act a bit like a diva/McMahon/Cuban/Steinbrenner and get your 15 minutes.

 

As for Ashley McElhiney, well, her team is 18-7. All I can say is, good work.

One of those owners is her husband.

[2GOLD 0]

I heard about this on Sunday.  Empty threat by the owner, seeing as she has 2 other owners who would probably overrule her.

 

Personally?  I think it's a stunt by Sally Anthony to get her name in the news.  I mean, she's a singer, but who's heard of her?  But act a bit like a diva/McMahon/Cuban/Steinbrenner and get your 15 minutes.

 

As for Ashley McElhiney, well, her team is 18-7.  All I can say is, good work.

One of those owners is her husband.

 

And the GM is her brother in law....

Lady is kinda in complete control.

[Open the Muggy Gate 0]

Power trips are never a good thing. If she folds a team that is 18-7 and 6th out of 33 teams in a league... she is fucked up in the head. I'll keep taps on what's going on with this. Discuss at will until I find out sometin'.

[2GOLD 0]

The sad thing is if she is forced out, she'll claim she was removed because she was a woman and will point to the team's record as her evidence.

 

It'll be funny if this comes out that her husband said, "wow, Ashley is looking good tonight" which led to his wife saying, "what is THAT supposed to mean?!?!" so she fired her.

 

But it would also be a shame cause this woman is a setback waiting to happen to female ownership everywhere.

[starvenger 0]

I heard about this on Sunday.  Empty threat by the owner, seeing as she has 2 other owners who would probably overrule her.

 

Personally?  I think it's a stunt by Sally Anthony to get her name in the news.  I mean, she's a singer, but who's heard of her?  But act a bit like a diva/McMahon/Cuban/Steinbrenner and get your 15 minutes.

 

As for Ashley McElhiney, well, her team is 18-7.  All I can say is, good work.

One of those owners is her husband.

 

And the GM is her brother in law....

Lady is kinda in complete control.

I'm actually assuming that those two guys (plus the third partner) are, you know, competent, in terms of running a business. If the team is doing good business, they won't fold it.

[Banter 0]

Apparently the owner is now in the hospital. She tried to o.d. on pills, then hit the booze and slashed her arms up with a pair of scissors. What a whack job.

[LivingLegendGaryColeman 0]

It's like if J-Lo bought the Clippers and hired Phil Jackson.

Phil Jackson would never coach the Clippers. He only coaches a team if it has the most dominating player of its generation on it.

 

As for this, I hadn't heard this yet and I've been looking at all the ABA, CBA and NBDL websites lately just to see what old guys are still hanging around. It'll be interesting to see where McElhiney ends up, I'd say she could have a shot as an assistant in the NBA sometime soon, but I still don't know if, other than a PR stunt, a team would be ready to hire a female head coach yet, or how some of the "Big Contract, Big Shots" of the NBA would take it.

[UseTheSledgehammerUh 0]

There could be a plethora of reasons here.

 

For instance, okay a woman coach was hired. Okay. Let's examine whny she'd be fired:

 

1) She wasn't giving the owner head anymore.

 

2) She got pregnant via the owner/various players.

 

3) She wasn't able to cook enough pretzels/hot dogs to be served before gametime.

 

In all seriousness, woman coaches are just inferior to male coaches. Much like women athletes, who in some rare cases are extraordinary, are very, very inferior to their male counterparts.

 

Males are just stronger, more aggressive, and better understanding of the game.

 

Sorry lady. Now go sew me a scarf.

[MrRant 0]

You're a fool.

 

God I hope there are drunk drivers out in your neighborhood tonight.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Agreed. Those are some very stupid assumptions.

[nl5xsk1 0]

UTSU, good sarcasm ... very funny post. Oh, wait, you were serious? Ugh.

 

Having said that, though, I'd pay good money to see the coach and owner have a cat-fight. Neither of them are knockouts, but both are definitely cute enough.

[Ripper 0]

Any person thinking that some male coach is better than Pat Summit, Bertha Teague, Jody Conradt, or Lidia Alexeeva just because they are women are complete and total dumbasses.

 

Its about knowledge of basketball, that has nothing to do with athletic ability.

[Open the Muggy Gate 0]

There could be a plethora of reasons here.

 

For instance, okay a woman coach was hired. Okay. Let's examine whny she'd be fired:

 

1) She wasn't giving the owner head anymore.

 

2) She got pregnant via the owner/various players.

 

3) She wasn't able to cook enough pretzels/hot dogs to be served before gametime.

 

In all seriousness, woman coaches are just inferior to male coaches. Much like women athletes, who in some rare cases are extraordinary, are very, very inferior to their male counterparts.

 

Males are just stronger, more aggressive, and better understanding of the game.

 

Sorry lady. Now go sew me a scarf.

The team she was coaching is 18-7 and you gonna say she was inferior? Think about that...

 

Anyways, not much new info, but they do mention the suicide attempt in this article....

 

Rhythm owners apologize to fired coach

By TERESA M. WALKER

The Associated Press

Feb 2 2005

However, Ashley McElhiney's future remains uncertain

 

NASHVILLE - The owners of the American Basketball Association's Nashville Rhythm apologized on Tuesday to their coach, who was fired by a partner in a courtside blowup. What happens next remains to be decided.

 

The e-mail apology came three days after Sally Anthony stormed onto the court during the third quarter of the Rhythm's 110-109 victory over Kansas City, demanded that coach Ashley McElhiney bench a player and then told her she was fired. Security guards had to escort Anthony off the court.

 

Anthony is one of three owners of the team that made history last May by hiring McElhiney as the first female coach of a men's professional basketball team.

 

''The ownership of the Nashville Rhythm would like to apologize to Ashley McElhiney, our fans, Lipscomb University (where the game was played), the city of Nashville, and our sponsors for the incident,'' the statement said.

 

It went on to say the organization was reviewing the incident and hoped to have a decision ''on a course of action as soon as possible.''

 

McElhiney, who has led the Rhythm to an 18-7 record, has declined to comment but she plans a statement by Wednesday.

 

The Rhythm's two-sentence release didn't fully satisfy ABA co-founder and chairman Joe Newman, who on Tuesday named McElhiney as an assistant coach for the league's All-Star game on Feb. 14 in Las Vegas.

 

Newman said the league won't step into a personnel issue, even though he has been inundated with complaints and reporters wanting to talk. But he will order the league and the team to donate basketballs to youth leagues in the city of Nashville.

 

He hopes the Rhythm owners, who he thinks have run a good team until now, resolve the issue themselves. He encourages them to be open and honest and said Anthony is the one who's been embarrassed.

 

''She's gotten far more negative publicity for a person who's a recording artist in Nashville than she should get in a lifetime. She's gotten every bit that she deserved and more for the outburst,'' Newman said.

 

What prompted Anthony's actions remains unknown because she and her husband and co-owner, Tony Bucher, haven't responded to e-mail and fax messages seeking comment.

 

Anthony, 30, was treated by paramedics a few hours after the firing when her sister-in-law telephoned 911 for help just before 6 a.m. Sunday, according to a tape of the call obtained by The Associated Press.

 

''My sister-in-law is in her apartment right now, and she has taken some pills and mixed it with alcohol and taken scissors and cut up her arms,'' said the caller, who identified herself as Susan in the 911 tape.

 

The caller told the dispatcher that Anthony had taken Xanax, a drug used to treat anxiety and panic attacks, and was passing out every few seconds, then waking up. The caller also told the 911 dispatcher that her sister-in-law could become violent and put up a fight.

 

''You think this is a suicide attempt?'' the dispatcher asked.

 

''I don't know if she really meant to kill herself. She definitely meant to hurt herself,'' the caller said.

 

Anthony was taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center by ambulance where she was treated and released on Sunday.

 

The woman who called 911 did not immediately return a telephone message from the AP on Tuesday. A woman who identified herself as Anthony's mother Monday told The Tennessean that her daughter had a bad back problem and that the talk she had mixed Xanax with alcohol and tried to cut herself was ''a total lie.''

 

Management and Rhythm players met Monday night to discuss the situation, and the players were waiting for a final decision.

 

''We're confident things are going to be fine,'' center Adam Sonn said.

 

And this shit just gets weirder and weirder by the moment...

[Open the Muggy Gate 0]

Well it looks like all is normal again...

 

McElhiney back in coaching job

By DAVID BRANDT

[email protected]

Feb 4 2005

 

Gleason native will bring her team to hometown Saturday

 

GLEASON - The potentially huge headache on his hands had high school principal Randy Frazier a little bit irritated Thursday afternoon.

 

But about 2 p.m., the call he'd been waiting on finally came after five days of hand-wringing and speculation.

 

Coach Ashley McElhiney and the ABA's Nashville Rhythm are still coming to play a professional basketball game Saturday at Gleason High School.

 

McElhiney, the former Gleason and Vanderbilt basketball star, was reinstated as the Rhythm's coach Thursday after a bizarre on-court incident on Saturday left her job in limbo. Part-owner Sally Anthony took to the court and tried to fire McElhiney in the third quarter of a 110-109 victory over Kansas City. Anthony later had to be subdued by security.

 

Ashley's father, Danny McElhiney, said he couldn't comment on specifics of her reinstatement.

 

''I'd love to tell you more about it - I really would,'' Danny McElhiney said. ''But all of her lawyers and agents have told me not to say much. All I can say is I'm really excited to see Ashley in Gleason, and she will coach on Saturday.''

 

The Rhythm released an official statement saying Ashley McElhiney was back with the team, but didn't give many details regarding her return except that Tony Bucher, who is Sally Anthony's husband, is taking over as the Rhythm's chief executive officer.

 

''We understand any disappointment and anger our fans felt from the incident,'' Rhythm general manager Daniel Bucher said in a statement. ''But we now ask them to please put this in context with the whole season and show their support for our coach and the team.''

 

Frazier is in charge of bringing the pro basketball game to Gleason, and he said it's a good thing McElhiney was reinstated because no Ashley meant no game as far as he was concerned.

 

''To be honest, if Ashley wasn't coming I don't think anyone would have shown up,'' Frazier said smiling. ''We're happy she's back with the team, but no matter what she decided, we wanted her to do what was best for herself.''

 

Tickets are back on sale for Saturday's game at the new Gleason gym. Doors will open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $12 and seating is first-come, first-served. Frazier said he expected nearly all 1,450 tickets to be sold.

 

Several hundred tickets had already been sold before McElhiney's job troubles, and Frazier wasn't sure what would have happened had the game been canceled.

 

''Obviously, we would have had to do something to make the situation right,'' Frazier said. ''But I haven't been in contact with the Rhythm all week. It's been very frustrating for me trying to figure out what to do.''

 

The 23-year-old McElhiney is the first female to coach a men's professional basketball team. She has led the Rhythm to an 18-7 record in her first season as head coach.

 

Tickets for Saturday's game can be purchased at Gleason High School or by phone at (731) 648-5351.

 

So the husband takes over and she goes back to her job. Oh yeah, she was also named assistant coach for the all-star game too.

[starvenger 0]

Its about knowledge of basketball, that has nothing to do with athletic ability.

Agreed. McElhiney's pretty much right out of Vanderbilt, so presumably she's retained a lot of whatever fundamentals her coach taught her.

 

So the husband takes over and she goes back to her job. Oh yeah, she was also named assistant coach for the all-star game too.

See? Competence.

[HarleyQuinn 0]

Wait, so the female owner tried to commit suicide hours after the firing and the owner's husband who's also an owner re-hires the coach? Is the female owner on medication or have a history of mental problems or depression?

[Ripper 0]

Wait, so the female owner tried to commit suicide hours after the firing and the owner's husband who's also an owner re-hires the coach? Is the female owner on medication or have a history of mental problems or depression?

Well...she is a pop singer. Thats enough right there.

[Sass 0]

I think the owner was on drugs when she fired Ashley. She probably just went on a binge after the game.