Wondered how long it would take to get posted from when I first heard!

Replacement options?

Daddys girl has a cry and gets coach sacked.
Lightning will not win this year if this is the way the team has to be run

Damn. I was certain that Rick Castle could get a job out of this!

I'm I missing something here? We are two games into the season and have a 1/1 win loss record. Thats not bad start sure it would be better with a 2/0 but still not enough to sack a coach over. I'm no Chris fan by the way but surely they i more to this if true and not just dads little girl excuses.

Daddy's little Princess got her way.

Keep talking sh#t Carla, we heard you on the radio Angela was not going to start this weekend... You knew that...

nope thats it thats why its a disgrace!

Disagreement in how to coach, I think.

Yeah disagreement, start my daughter or get the sack......

This is ridiculous, especially given the media push to install us as early championship favourites.

Chris hasn't done anything wrong. It's a dictatorship in which money, power and daddy's little princess RULES... Discraceful Vince

Chris built this team! Good on the assistants for walking - that's respectable - That's less than i can say for the Marino family...

I am not surprised. I saw the game on Friday night and was shocked at the layups that Chris missed, the bad passes he dished out and his woeful shot selection. He only has himself to blame.
I bet he is feeling bewildered and let down

sorry that's MORE than i can say for the Marino's

chris is only the coach - and like the players said, he can't play for them and it's only the second game... now that's come from the players buddy. Keep HANGIN ROUND tool cos you obviously have NO idea

Thanks for info 153026. I must have forgotten this. Sorry about that- Why then was coach sacked if the players made these simple mistakes???

you all sound like a bunch of tools, how about you get a life and stop talking like you know everything about everyone. so you know the whole story????? how about you ask yourself before writing so much crap on this forum
really someone was sacked and will be replaced.

If you guys bothered to read my post, there was a little sarcasm in it. I wrote that Chris made bad passes, missed layups, had bad shot selection etc, but too many 'tools' missed that part of it and got busy paying me out and saying the players should be partly accountable. This is exactly what I was getting at

This just goes to show that a daughter should NEVER be picked in her fathers team.
You should be disgusted in yourself Marino!! Just because you own the team, doesnt mean you should tell the coach how to coach.

Best thing for the club is to part company with CL
Should have happened last year
1. Now Marino is forced to get a coach who can make a decision without stressing out the program
2. Chris definately was a yes man to Phil Sanders or Dean Kinsman would have the job 3 years ago
3. Ask Summerton, Smith, Flanagan, Screen, Lorenzeni etc etc if they ever would play for Lucas again - same answer - NO WAY
4. Feel sorry for Chris to a point however it was the wrong choice as he is not a SENIOR team caoch
Fine with U21 kids but ask any of the experienced players and he is not at ease with the process at all
Last weekend was tough to watch - whittle and Gahan are playing on experience NOT coaching
cant see the owners not favoring the daughter however maybe she said how little respect for the senior coach there was and Vine said enough is enough

Best thing for the club is to part company with CL
Should have happened last year
1. Now Marino is forced to get a coach who can make a decision without stressing out the program
2. Chris definately was a yes man to Phil S_anders or Dean Kinsman would have the job 3 years ago
3. Ask Summerton, Smith, Flanagan, Screen, Lorenzeni etc etc if they ever would play for Lucas again - same answer - NO WAY
4. Feel sorry for Chris to a point however it was the wrong choice as he is not a SENIOR team caoch
Fine with U21 kids but ask any of the experienced players and he is not at ease with the process at all
Last weekend was tough to watch - whittle and Gahan are playing on experience NOT coaching
cant see the owners not favoring the daughter however maybe she said how little respect for the senior coach there was and Vine said enough is enough

Wasnt Lucas given a multi year contract extension last season???

At least give it some more time. If they continued down the path of ;ast week then yes look into getting rid of the coach. Until then you leave Sam in a hard position. What if Marino doesn't get much court time does Sam get the BOOT and then the next and then the next?

When does it end?

Agree
I am not bashing Chris
Its no way to run a program,
Boti is going to smash this in the morning
I just hope it doesnt implode
I have sat and watched for 2-3 years since Jan quit with not a great deal of hope
Lucas had his heart and soul in the right place but was never going to get the older heads to embrace the "control" method he employed

Possible Replacements..............

Dean Kinsman
Rick Castle
Paul Mesecke

Boti will be soft and not give this story its due interest. I reckon if he is smart he will know that Vince will have soooo many lawyers crawling up Boti's ass he will have to go to court just to use the loo.

Other replacements could be Debbie Cook, Gary Fox, Sonia Knight.

"Hanging Around", I got your comment the first time and had a chuckle. Very funny! Is this sacking a record in the WNBL.

Story has been released.

'Lucas shock axing'

"ADELAIDE Lightning coach Chris Lucas has been sacked by owner Vince Marino, his assistant coaches Scott Ninnis and Marcus Wong both resigning amid unprecedented turmoil at the WNBL club."

http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,22605034-5006371,00.html

And Boti has NOT held back either. Check out the columns on AdelaideNow:

http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,22605034-5006371,00.html

Also see Scott Ninnis' comments!

I hope these all make the Advertiser in a few hours!

I think it is safe to say that Marino did more damge in one day to womens basketball in SA than anyone could of thought. Will there be a public backlash?And while every SA coach is looking for a break, how could someone from SA takeover the team?

Well it's going to be interesting to see when Phillips comes back and is fully fit. Will Phillips have to play the no. 2 to Marino?

Marino is half the player Phillips is....

Whether you think Lucas was capable or not as a successful coach, the issue is timing. Why bring a team in such turmoil 2 games into the season. If Lucas was good enough to see the whole season out last season, what was so urgent about sacking him 2 games into the new season? Couldn't all the dirty laundry have been washed in the off season? It really amazes me think that we are giving Chappell so many chances to come good, and yet in an instant, Lucas is dismissed after just 2 games. To top this off, there isn't even a replacement to take over immediately.

Vince Marino may be the owner of the team but what he has to realise is that he hasn't bought a new car or a new suit that he can do and wear as he pleases. This asset is different in that it involves people, people with a passion and commitment to hard work. I just hope his decision is the right one because as the owner, he controls the success of elite women's basketball in South Australia. The fact that Lucas' assistants have followed him out the door, says a lot for Lucas and not much for Marino.

Marino is half the player Phillips is.... (you didn't finish your sentence) .... now, let alone when Erin isn't injured. ;-)

Unblvbl. Thoughts go out to Chris and Scott - this doesn't seem quite right.

Anyone else notice the bit in the paper about Wilkins contract being reinstated.

I believe that until the full facts are known everyone should keep their uneducated/biased opinions to themselves. Some constructive suggestions is what is needed here not bagging of everyone involved with the Lightening

vote on advertiser web page -


http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,22605034-5006371,00.html

oops my mistake... Marino ISN'T half the player Erin Phillips is....

But what is going to happen when Erin is back playing and full fitness... I think Phillips will be next on the chopping block because Phillips plays in Princesses position....

The Lightning have just become a joke! Congrats to the Marino's! I guess some people never change!

This story got second billing on ABC news this morning behind a political advertising story - not bad! Shame it takes something like this (along with the sale of BASA's assets the other year) to get a decent headline.

Isaac are they still wearing bodysuits?

I have no vested interest (and little actual interest) in the Lightning, but reading the Advertiser this morning I was shocked. Ninny is right, Heal and Cowan together couldn't have thought this one up!

BTW, for those interested:

Matthew Abraham and David Bevan are discussing Adelaide Lightning between 8:30 and 9am

You can listen live online: http://www.abc.net.au/backyard/audio/

I hope Rick tells them to get stuffed if he is offered the job. Who would want it given what has transpired?

I think crowds will be down and it's a matter of time before players walk as well. Such a shame given the great team that has been assembled, and it's Sammy's last year too.

Lot's of talk about players not wanting to play for Chris - seems plenty of top players are prepared to though. Some very good players this year came to Adelaide that I'm sure would have had nom shortage of offers elsewhere.

This will be difficult to recover from.

Lightning have lost my vote! Sorry Girls but I dont condone that treatment of coaches at enay level!! It is called respect - you dont have to like everyone but you should at least respect them!

I went to the game on friday night having not seen a WNBL game in probably five years and was impressed with the crowd size and the general atmosphere. It was a pity there wasn't more to cheer for on court.

Now with Lucas getting the sack disgracefully it will take alot to get me interested again, I probably won't be back for another five years...

Who would want to touch the team after this has happened? Any new coach would have one hell of a job trying to overcome what has just happened. Its also interesting to note that Adelaide should win there next game tomorrow quite easily as Bendigo were beaten by Perth last night.

Vicki Daldy has been appointed the new coach. Tough gig. Hope she coaches with independence

Where's Tom Maher? He likes Angela.

Ok. Everyone has had time to process this now, and while some people may be very emotional about it, lets take a deep breath, and look at some facts.

1. Vince Marino's intervention saved the lightning from demise. They were in an untenable finanacial position before he came along. He took the team and injected a LOT of money to spruce up the program, attract top quality players and take the games out to the country areas to attract more supporters.

2. Hence, this to him, is a business. If YOU owned a company and someone wasn't doing their job the way you wanted them to, you would see to it that it was dealt with. As stated in the paper, it was a business decision. Maybe the way it was handled could have been improved, but in the end, the result would have been the same.

3. Leave Angela out of it. It's well documented that she had reservations playing under the team owned by her father. She was forced to though, because her Law commitments at University wouldn't give her special dispensation or leave from the course any more. She was offered other contracts from clubs, but was in the difficult, and probably regrettable position that she play for Adelaide or lose her degree. This now has put her in the unenviable position of being the easy target to blame. So she not only had to fight for her position in the team to be justified (ridiculous, considering she was this years Halls medallist) but now has to unfairly carry this on her shoulders for the rest of the season.

4. None of us on this forum were there. No one knows the inner workings of the team. To blame one player for a business decision is a knee jerk reaction.

5. I am sick of hearing negative reports about the Marino family. I find her to be nothing but professional, and her family the same. There is no 'princess' syndrome or special treatment for her. They largely keep to themselves, they don't engage in politics, they are just highly competitive, very professional people that want the best for basketball in Adelaide. I find it very hard to believe that she was the one behind all this.

6. Those who have been coached by Chris Lucas will know that he is one of the hardest working coaches in the league. But he is also seemingly weak at decision making in tight games, his finals record is not great, and reportedly, along his career path, he has burnt many bridges with his underhandedness towards many top players - which they will testify to.

7. So before you blame Vince Marino for ruining the game in this state, WAIT until you have all the facts. Wait and see what he's got to say. Remember that he was the one that saved it in the first place. And before you cry out about the ill treatment of Chris Lucas, think of the fat payout he would have from his contract termination.

anyone feel like boycotting the lightning games until chris lucas is re-instated. Owner only feel the wrath of supporters when it hits there hip pockets.

"settle" - Ninnis WAS there and his comments confirm that lucas was treated in a very unprofessional manner. He said straight out that his treatment by the Dragons was nothing compared to the way Marino treated Lucas.

That's a fact.

Here is a quote off the OZhoopsboards Forum

"Just read this off the ABC website. If this is the case, then it's one the most pathetic displays I've ever heard of from a team owner. Disgraceful from Vince Marino, thoughless, tactless and unprofessional. I hope the girls stand up for Lucas and walk out.
I also feel sorry for Angela, this is going to put a lot of unnecessary pressure on her as well.


Lightning without coaches after clash with owner

The head coach of the Adelaide Lightning basketball team has been sacked and his two assistants have walked out after clashing with Lightning's owner Vince Marino about his daughter's position in the team.

Coach Chris Lucas had just had his three-year contract renewed.

He says he was sacked in a meeting today when he tried to discuss Mr Marino's daughter, Angela.

"When an owner of an organisation tells me yesterday who's starting in the team and I don't agree with that, that's basically where it's stemmed from," he said.

"A coach has to be able to coach the way he wants to coach and that's what you're employed to do.

"I feel that that was an unworkable situation.

Assistant coaches Scott Ninnis and Marcus Wong have also walked out, leaving the team with no coach in the second week of the season.

"He (Marino), within a three minute process, put a blank cheque on the table, signed the cheque and said 'you're gone', offered the assistant coach the position and he stated that it was the most disgraceful thing he's ever seen in basketball and he walked out as well," Lucas said.

Mr Marino has been unavailable for comment."

This was the link. Explain this then "settle"

ABC Article - Coach Clashes with Owner

Does ABC radio have the Chris Lucas interview from this morning on their web site? If so, maybe settle should have a listen to that.

Dear Mr Marino

Im not happy with the entertainment you have provide and I would like my money back on my season tickets I bought....Just send me a check in the mail, and that will be fine.

When you decided to reinstate the coach I paid you (for my ticket) to coach the team then I might think about coming to a game again.

WATCH THE NEWS TONIGHT CHRIS LUCAS IS GOING TO TELL ALL...

Got the tip from a reader that the audio from Chris Lucas' interview this morning is on the ABC site:

Chris Lucas interview is on the ABC website...go here: www.abc.net.au/adelaide/morning/audio.htm

and scroll down to Thursday Oct 10 (they've got the wrong date up). Today's "mornings reloaded" audio is there.

Chris Lucas without doubt is/was the hardest working and most organised coach in the WNBL. Chris has put his heart and soul into the Lightning Team. His constant goal has been to do as much as he can to improve every player in the playing group during his time with the club. It is fair to say that Chris's coaching cretentials have been recognised by Australia's governing basketball body given his national appointments during the past few years. Yesterday was indeed a black day in what has been a proud history of this club. For the management to act against Chris in the way it has is short sighted and misguided, but when the main reason prompting the decision is the Owner's daughter, the decision is just plain stupid and irresponsible. In a way yesterday was a good day for Chris as he was prepared to put the TEAM fist at the expense of the individual and himself. The coaching group should also be congratulated in putting their TEAM first by throwing their support behind the Head Coach.
I will still support the team and wish Sam and the rest of the group every success in this current year but as for the management, I'm afraid I come up empty.

(#153116) Is that you Vince?

Thanks for the link Isaac. That was a good listen. Cant wait for the Marino response. I'll be tuning in.

I know Chris and for your information its never been about money for him - he even decided to cut his own contract short at the start of the year so that lightning could get the 'stars' - oow, and he doesn't drive around in any fancy sponsor car either - he gave that up too... so this 'fat' pay out your talking about, aint so sweet either!

chris coached for the love of basketball, not money and made countless sacrifices for the club. And by the way chris got picked for this job because of his outstanding credentials, over many other elite coaches... and assistant Australian women's coach doesn't say much? He is highly regarded by many elite basketballers also, that's fact

get your own facts straight SETTLE or should i say mr. or mrs. Marino

Its no surprise Mr Marino has been a flop at managing this team.

Like father like daughter!!

Carla, its funny whos side your suddenly taking seeing as your employed by Marino... keep sweet and kiss that bum and you'l always have your job. did Marino pay u too say that on channl 10.

if "there's two sides to the story" than why haven't we heard from vince - he knows he is in the wrong - go home too whyalla and carla u follow

oh and pictures tell a thousand words... don't they. just look at the paper and news. those tears aren't for vince or his princess - they are for a highly respected coach who will be sadly missed..

Absolutely disgusting behaviour Vince!!

This is the start of the funeral march for the Adelaide Lightning.

Give it next, or the season after, and it will be the Whyalla Vince Princesses.

As was reported today, the moment Angela walked out without warming down, and rumours started the same very day "Chris was coaching for his life" on the weekend....little princess gets her way.

This is the death of the Lightning. Mark my words.

The last time I can remember a sacking that caused so much angst was when Russel Ebert got replaced as coach of the Magpies by John Cahill back in 1988.I was one of the many at the rally at the old light house that day calling to have Russel reinstated, while wanting to hang the committee from the Birkenhead Bridge.

Well JC came out in 1988 and won the night premiership, then was responsible for 3 day premierships in a row.(Great days!)

JC made most of us Magpie supporters eat our words with a fair lashing of humble pie. This turned Cahill into an absolute club legend that he is to this day.

Vicki you have a hell of a lot of work to do my girl. If you succeed you may become a hero; if you fail I fear you will be part of the "Band of villains"

Either way I fear after this season you will be left with one very average All Black point guard that just may need to play every position on the court, with a crowd made up entirely of family.

Seems money CAN buy you anything!

Carla Boyed is a discrace! Vince must have pulled out his cheque book for her too...

I've got it, the new starting line up for the Vince's Whyalla Princesses

1 spot Angela
2 spot Angela
3 spot Mum
4 spot Carla Boyed
5, Angela (why not)

but we better run that past Vince first!

(#153285) Hey, leave a spot for the other Marino daughter! She may be able to start in 10 years time!

Phillips wont be back...not now!

2nd womens club for Adelaide with Lucas as coach....I'll kick in the first $50...who wants to help bankroll it?

i just wanted to crack the hundred!!!!!!!!

'settle' should do just that!

In point 4, you suggets that none of us were there, so we don't know what happened, but in point 6, you are quite happy to point out Lucas' 'underhandedness' in dealing with previous top players.

One thinks you are being a little hypocritical 'settle', and should apply your own rules to yourself too!

settle, a quote from point no. 7
"And before you cry out about the ill treatment of Chris Lucas, think of the fat payout he would have from his contract termination."

Oh geez, I just ran over your little girl and killed her, but don't worry, here is a cheque for $50,000. That should ease the pain.

How ridiculous does that sound? No more ridiculous than your comment.

I don't know - that's a fair bit more ridiculous IMO! ;)

the girls need our now support more than ever.

we have a fanatastic line up and many of these girls will head overseas / interstate as their careers progress- we want them to say good things about adelaide so we can advertise a quality place to come and as the WNBL evolves, a great place to play.

Took the words out of my mouth Isaac .
Reminds me of a time back in the day as a 11 year old catching the train to practice . Was running a little late and noticed the train coming so i hopped over the tracks and on to the platform to be met by 2 stern policeman who questioned my manouver .
I was very polite and stated that i did not know it was illegal to cross the tracks to get onto the platform which was met with i kid you not " So if somebody murders someone and says they did not know that was illegal i have to let them go "
before handing me a fine .
Still haven't got over it to this day

Gee Vince!! All you had to do was COACH the team. Then you would get away with nepotism...just ask Boty!

Let's quit with accusations of who Settle may or may not be - play the ball, not the man.

Having sat back and observed the events of the last week to this point as a sponsor, I am extremely disappointed all round and am seriously considering withdrawing my sponsorship.
The treatment Chris Lucas was handed by Vince Marino was to my mind appalling and the swift action taken by Carla in advising sponsors there was "two sides to the story" has indeed been "shallow" as nothing has been forthcoming delivering this so called "other side of the story"
Just maybe there is no other side to the story and the management is hoping all hostilities towards them will be erased in the fullness of time.
I am sure I am not the only sponsor thinking this way and I will continue to watch with interest the future attitude of others in my position.
One last observation I have made is that Carla to my mind, is not up to her role as Operations Manager as can be evidenced by her lack of professionalism when communicating both verbally and in writing during the farce of the past week.

I believe that Carla had an operation last week and is pretty new to the position - might be worth withholding judgement for a bit?

Fact is she is way out of her depth, and the way that she conducted herself on national TV proves that.She was very unprofessional and unconvincing about the whole situation, saying what the owner wants I would suggest.

Which, you'd have to admit, is partly what she's getting paid to do.

I am way interested now. How does an Operations Manager act when adults without warning behave with the utmost lack of maturity?

Good business practice has mediation (cooling off) and arbitration processes. In this case, actions have more resembled childish petulance - In abundance.

The immediate bottom line for the operations manager appears to have been coordinate support(coaches, manager Etc.)at short notice for a team that had to play games interstate. Surely this was achieved.

Let me also suggest that the Ops Manager would devoted some time to limiting the flow of personnel away from the business that is Adelaide Lightening. Surely this would be in the sponsors best interest?

Sponsors should be given the assurance that their brand is marketed. Effectively, that the brand is promoted (no team, no promotion) and that the brand is not diminished by by the actions of "The Team".

To date, I have observed poor practice by a number of people, but the players who wear the uniform that house the sponsorship have been nothing but professional. They are worthy of support.

WOW now it's hit the world wide web
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adelaide_Lightning

Inappropriate use of Wikipedia that is hopefully reverted quickly.

So speculation should stop. Then Marino give your side of the story and it might unless your side of the story confirms the speculation.

Dual WNBL championship winner Tania Dhu will join Vicki Valk on Adelaide's bench from this week.

Dhu, 30 and still a state league player with North Adelaide, has accepted the Lightning's assistant coaching role.