TU Fans Speak Out Over The Possibility That Football Coach May Be Leaving

The fan reaction to the possibility of Steve Kragthorpe leaving might not be what you expect. News on 6 Reporter Emory Bryan explains. <br/><br/>We've been monitoring the airwaves for what the fans

Monday, January 8th 2007, 6:14 pm

By: News On 6

The fan reaction to the possibility of Steve Kragthorpe leaving might not be what you expect. News on 6 Reporter Emory Bryan explains.

We've been monitoring the airwaves for what the fans are saying about Coach Kragthorpe, and while some criticized him, more criticized themselves for not going to games and not supporting the team, and the coach, in a way that would make a coach not even consider leaving.

"No official word yet, from either side," said The Buzz radio host Chris Plank. Despite the lack of word on the final decision, the fans of TU were a little hopeful.

â€œ I hope it's not true, I think he's a great coach, I know he's a good coach,â€ said one caller.

And the fans are a little disappointed. "And with Kragthorpe, with some wins, the attendance has been a little bit better, but by now, I would expect Tulsa to get some really great attendance and it hasn't happened," another caller said.

Sports Talk radio is just that, just talk, but several callers and the hosts seemed to agree that if Coach Steve Kragthorpe leaves some of the blame must fall to the fans.

Kragthorpe's stock has risen with every successful season, but fan support has been slower to change. The empty seats in the background during nationally televised games might make a coach think twice.

"TU Fans, the head football coach, who led you to three bowl games in four years is on the verge of leaving to take another job! Where's your fire for this program? This is embarrassing," Plank said.

But after all the talk about if he's leaving, and why he's leaving, naturally, the talk turned to who's next.

â€œOk who do you think are the candidates for the TU job? Ok one of my favorite games, let's go,â€ a caller said.

And the speculation there is all over the place, just as it was the last time TU had a coaching change. This time it's different, the last couple of coaches had losing seasons who it wasn't as much of a surprise to the fans.