Mike Glennie resigned due to "resistance to change" from Dexter school officials
Mike Glennie stepped down a month after taking the Dexter head football coaching job because of "resistance to change from various parties from within the school district," according to the Dexter Leader.
Mike Glennie resigned a month after agreeing to be Dexter's football coach.
AnnArbor.com file photo
Glennie agreed to become Dexter's next football coach in March, but resigned last Wednesday. He previously had coached Saline for 10 years and spent last year as an assistant at Pioneer.
Glennie went on to praise Dexter athletic director Mike Bavineau and said his "heart goes out" to Dexter's players, but the situation started to deteriorate after taking the job.
“The vision to make positive changes within the athletic department that he and I shared was not shared with various members of the community,” he said.
Glennie did not return a request for comment from AnnArbor.com last week.
Comments
Jim Mulchay
Thu, Apr 25, 2013 : 1:58 a.m.
A quote from the Dexter Leader article - "Dealing with red tape regarding what he said were simple and reasonable requests for the progression of the program, Glennie said he was trying to build a sustainable and successful program for the long-term; something that he said grew increasingly difficult during his short time on the job." What were the requests? If the requests were related to spending money, that might involve some red-tape.
Shawn Letwin
Wed, Apr 24, 2013 : 6:14 p.m.
Quotes from the original article..."They're hard-working kids; they're good kids. There needs to be support for those kids and those programs." Dealing with red tape regarding what he said were simple and reasonable requests for the progression of the program, Glennie said he was trying to build a sustainable and successful program for the long-term; something that he said grew increasingly difficult during his short time on the job. "It was not a light-hearted decision," Glennie said. "You don't shy away from the hard work to make change. [When] those allow you to or to not make change are not of the same vision ... it becomes frustrating." "On my end, when you're trying to make a commitment and move forward, and when things start to deteriorate, you start to wonder what's next." Glennie said he is not actively looking for coaching opportunities, but noted that if the right circumstance were to along in the future, he would take it into consideration. "If that opportunity comes up at some point of time, we'll look into it," Glennie said. "After 24 straight years, I've still got coaching in me, but I'm old enough now to where I don't feel like I have to force it." Messages left seeking comment from Bavineau were not immediately returned. Glennie has been doing this for over 24 years, took the job even though he wasn't looking seems to infer that collapse of the agreement cannot be attributed to just "being a bad hire" in the typical sense. Give him credit for stepping down almost immediately; unlike the last superintendent that just quit mid-year...WOW! The district had completely collapsed on all financial support to Dexter Athletics just over 3 years ago by expecting the entire athletic program to be self-funding and had no model to follow where this is/has been done at the high school level in the state, or the nation. Bad hire...maybe, undesirable employer, maybe too!
josephk
Wed, Apr 24, 2013 : 7:35 p.m.
I wasn't making a point but more trying to understand so thanks for the clarification. With younger children in the district, I would like to truly understand their plan. But based on what I am hearing, they either don't have one or aren't interested in sharing. Coach Glennie not actively looking for a coaching job probably best explains why he didn't jump into the Dexter Athletic mess.
Shawn Letwin
Wed, Apr 24, 2013 : 7:22 p.m.
Huh? Ever hear of Title IX? Each sport was not expected to be self-funding. The entire department was expected to be self-funding. "Fans" are paying to see a football game and band parents are paying to see their kid march-which must be tough to understand since all of the other band performances can be seen for free. The stands generally clear out quite quickly after the half-time show from band parents while the rest of the fans stay to support the team. Speaking from experience as a two-year chair of concessions for ABCD. "Why should that money go to the athletic department?" Good question. Almost as good as, "Why did the district pay 100% for the band uniforms with ZERO contribution from the Band Boosters?" But this thread has gotten way off topic...enjoy, take care and be well. When the band gets
josephk
Wed, Apr 24, 2013 : 7 p.m.
If each sport is expected to be self funded, why not let the revenue generating sports keep their gate money? On Friday's, fans are paying to see the band and the football team. Why should that money go to the athletic department. Maybe Dexter's socialistic method to sharing the revenues are part of the problem. Let the Tennis, Softball, Baseball etc.. Booster Clubs do some fundraising to help support their sports. I agree that concessions can be split but why the gate?
Doug
Wed, Apr 24, 2013 : 4:12 p.m.
The only members of the community that he can be referring to are the school board members. They have come up short on several issues too lengthy to discuss here. A few are: the athletic department that is in disarray despite having an excellent athletic director and The AP program, though excellent, is a drain on the diminishing school financial bottom line. Perhaps we need to reexamine our choices for school board members and make changes at the appropriate time.
josephk
Wed, Apr 24, 2013 : 3:56 p.m.
Unfortunately, this looks like a bad hire. When a program is so poorly regarded, Coach Glennie should not have expected to walk in and get all of his demands. If Coach Glennie would have taken a year to show positive improvements and generate community enthusiasm, he would be in a much better position to comment about the district's commitment to change. As was mentioned in another article, the BOE gave the band $100,000 for new uniforms. But, the band is regarded as one of the top in the state and has over 200 members in a school of approximately 1200. Getting buy-in becomes much easier when you deliver. Coach Glennie appears to have the pedigree to do a good job but not the patience it would take to get it done.
Lisa Hartmann
Wed, Apr 24, 2013 : 3:09 p.m.
The dedicated players have not only experienced disillusionment, disappointment and embarassment but it has also affected their futures. We have had poor records in football and that has decreased the chances of recruitment for capable and deserving players. We have lost many excellent football players to clubs and other sports because the fb program has been in such disaray. I hold the BOE responsible. I hold those that have influence responsible. They are holding back our student athletes. Dexter finally had a coach that was willing to do what was necessary to try and turn things around and he found he came against a brick wall. I believe we finally have a caring and supportive AD but if they are not careful, we will lose him also. Dexter bring in someone that CARES! And get rid of those that don't.
Krupper1
Wed, Apr 24, 2013 : 2:38 a.m.
Hmm, perhaps the parents? Those alumni who refuse to consider change? Ensconced faculty/staff? I'm not a fan of jumping ship without trying to create change and value. . . but I do know Dexter.