I am going to label this as purely opinion, because well that is what it is... along with a whole lot of conjecture, but it is based on talking to quite a few people about the events. Not all of them agreed a whole cloth, but enough that I was able to develop my own opinions of the events of last week. I am not going to state facts or figures , but have gone out of my way to generalise things as best I can. You can take it or leave it.
I thought about putting this in one of the other dozen Kramer to Idaho threads, but chose to put it in it's own thread to make it clear. What I am about to say is based on talking to a very connected Idaho booster I have known for many many years, and a small handful of Bobcat folks. That said the only people who really know what happened is Kramer and Spears, but there is a certain commonality that does come to the surface.
Right now the big debate is did Kramer withdrew his name because he knew, he was not going to get the Job. The other line thought is that Kramer, withdrew his name because he truly felt the move was not right for him. Critic's of the Bobcat program (and some of us Bobcat as well) want to believe the first idea while the Bobcat faithful tend to want to believe the second.
From the Idaho side the story goes Kramer entered the interview like a bull in the China Shop and after Spears experience with Erickson he (Spears) is/was looking to maintain more control over the program. From the Bobcat camp I hear Kramer wanted the job, he in his mind had a plan, he went into the interview as we would expect Kramer, opinionated, full of energy, and brutally honest. It is said that Kramer laid out a plan that involved football AND the athletic department to get it on track. I think Spears finally realized the force of nature that is Kramer.
For those who know Kramer do you think Kramer would walk into a situation where he may be set up for failure or if he had doubts?
I am also told that, the arrest last week had a big impact on Kramer when they were first announced, but as the day's went on they weighed on his mind and also his pride. This quote from a friend (I hope he doesn't mind me using it)
So in my opinion I think both above are correct. Possibly, when Kramer left Idaho he knew he had seriously ruffled some feather, like wise Spears had to consider could he handle a force like Kramer. On the other hand though no decisions had been made, Idaho was not even close, and Kramer was a very much still in the running. Kramer also had a very long trip home to think about Idaho and Montana State. So when on Friday Spears and Kramer said it was mutual decision, that may have actually, for once, have been the most truest reason for Kramer pulling out."<Mslacat> I know this may sound like what you would expect me <a big Kramer supporter> to say, but I truly believe that the idea of leaving MSU with a dark cloud over it's head, that may be attributed to him in years to come, weighed heavily on Kramer. Kramer is so damn prideful"
Remember this though in three years (+/- a year) when the Idaho job opens up again (and it will) I feel confident Kramer will be looking at it very hard again (and god help us if WSU opens up)
Just opinion and conjecture!!
crazycat, good point.