By DAVID NAGEL
THE flame that has burnt so brightly in the heart of its coach of the last six years, Doug Koop, was finally extinguished by the Cranbourne Football Club on Monday night.
Koop – who was informed back on August 1 that his contract would not be renewed for the 2014 season – had reapplied for the role and, with a burning desire, had well and truly fought his way back into contention for the top job.
That all changed after a meeting, last Thursday, between Koop and an independent panel appointed by the club to make recommendations for next year’s senior coaching position… it did not go well.
A follow-up meeting between club and players on Monday was the pre-curser to an evening phone call to inform Koop of the club’s decision to look elsewhere.
Coaches come and go at all clubs, but the extraordinary circumstances surrounding Koop’s sacking stems from the fact that the Eagles have taken part in the last three Casey Cardinia league grand finals, it’s obvious this decision was not based on a lack-lustre and poorly performing football department.
It does however stem from a breakdown in communication between club and coach.
“Doug Koop is a great football coach, but leadership should encompass many things at a football club and respecting those roles and responsibilities and the people within the club must be considered highly,” club general manager Danny Mulqueen said yesterday.
“The club put together an independent panel that we regard highly and their recommendations have been taken on board, we will announce our new coach this Friday,” he said.
Koop was still coming to terms with the decision when he spoke to the Gazette on Tuesday morning.
“It’s been a tough year so there’s a sense of relief, but it’s shrouded in disappointment for the players,” Koop said.
“I’ll never doubt that the board made decisions based on the best interests of the club but there has to be some common sense shown. Things weren’t broken, they were just a bit dusty, we’re all grown men and if they had sat me down and said, ‘can we change this and change that a little?’ I’m sure with those discussions we could have moved forward.”
Koop said it was disappointing that, despite having the players support, he had to walk away and it was the end of a very special six-year journey with his team.
“There’s a very special bond between player and coach and I’ll walk away with some great friendships,” he said.
“I really have the desire to take this group further, but now all I can do is just wish them all the best for the future… some are doing it pretty tough right now and I’ll catch up with them over the coming days.”
Koop and his long-time assistant Billy King have been in high demand and an announcement on their coaching future, with a club also under the PCN Sports Alliance banner, will be made shortly.
