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Doug the Blue Coat Fired

I tried reading thru as many posts on this as I could before fatigue set in.
I found this topic a little ironic after what I witnessed this weekend.
While attending my granddaughters basketball game, I witnessed pretty much the same thing first hand only this was from a player to people in the stands.

My granddaughter plays for a private Christian school and was playing a big Catholic school that is in their district. To be honest, it should not have even been a contest, a small Christian school with 8th graders helping make out the roster going up against a school 25 times their size.
But to the point; while warming up, a player from the Catholic school gave someone in the stands the finger. It could have been me she was giving it to for all I know but I was just sitting there not saying anything so I assumed it was for someone in my general area since it happened right in front of me.

If that was not enough, she does it again. As an old high school coach, if one of my players ever did anything like that, they would be my assistant for the near future. I did not allow such behavior by my players. If something needed to be said, done, I was the one to do it. Not the players.

The little Christian school was holding their own, hustling, diving for balls, just ball'n like hell and I love it. but these two kids from the Catholic school did not like being in this situation and was talking crap to my granddaughters team. Not just "smack talk" but calling them bitches and such.

The game ended and as I was walking out, I walked past the AD for the Catholic school and I stopped and asked him if he was the AD ( I already knew he was, but wanted him to feel comfortable) and he said Yes, and turned to talk to me. I spoke to him calmly and very politely telling him what I witnessed the entire game knowing he knew this since he was three rows in front of me during the game. I said that this kind of behavior was not acceptable for high school athletes to act this way much less ones from a Catholic school.
The AD looked me dead in the eye and said, "they are kids and kids do dumb things".

He did not say I will take care of this, no he brushed it off.
My point is, when leaders such as these folks allow this behavior for 15 year old girls, how do you think they will act when they get older?
There is no accountability these days.

I feel bad for the man but he should know better than to act like this. He is a representative of UK.

I agree with this. I’m all about accountability. And man, I agree with you kids that are “let off”? Only get worse. They have no life experience or usually have bad emotional reasoning. Adults are different to a degree. We make mistakes and we own up to them. Kids don’t always do that. This guy did. He apologized and they still hit him hard. That’s what I don’t like. I mean UK is within its rights. But I think suspending him would’ve been a better option and showed both accountability and understanding that “hey. We are all human.” This wasn’t like a DUI or and assault which, while mistakes, are much more serious and carry awful and sometimes permanent consequence.
 
Doesn’t seem like anyone can make a mistake anymore. No 2nd chances. Just let Doug apologize and stay the course. The Fla fans provoked a response and they are saying they didn’t take offense.

First, this was pretty minor...getting fired from a volunteer job.

Second, we live in a nation of second chances, 3rd chances, 4th chances. As a former state cop I can tell you that I could arrest a sexual predator and watch the courts give him a slap on the wrist and watch him do it again. I am retired now but still follow this stuff. How many times do you read about a crime being committed by someone with a rap sheet a mile long?

My point is maybe firing this guy will be a good learning experience for this guy. From a legal perspective, he is a liability to UK. That is the world we living in.
 
I agree with this. I’m all about accountability. And man, I agree with you kids that are “let off”? Only get worse. They have no life experience or usually have bad emotional reasoning. Adults are different to a degree. We make mistakes and we own up to them. Kids don’t always do that. This guy did. He apologized and they still hit him hard. That’s what I don’t like. I mean UK is within its rights. But I think suspending him would’ve been a better option and showed both accountability and understanding that “hey. We are all human.” This wasn’t like a DUI or and assault which, while mistakes, are much more serious and carry awful and sometimes permanent consequence.

He was fired from a volunteer job. Maybe he learns a lesson and is better for it?
 
Who cares about a one off middle finger in a sea of middle fingers. It’s sports. The Florida fans were obnoxious so they got a little obnoxious thrown back at them. Big effin deal.

It’s weak as hell to fire the man over it but that’s Barnhart and Capilouto for you. Neither dude enjoys when people have fun on campus.
 
A choice that literally everyone one of us has done at least once in our lives. Was just unlucky camera was on him. Stupid to let him go.
In fairness, it didn’t take cameras for him to be noticed. He was surrounded by a lot of people. I’m sure word would have gotten out.

It’s not being “21st Century soft or weak” on UKs part to terminate his voluntary service. . If it was 1952 and a blue coat was flipping off people and dropping F bombs, he’d probably would’ve gotten worse treatment back then.

I think either a suspension or expulsion from volunteering was the right thing to do. UK fans have enough of an image problem without a blue coated representative of the basketball/football program throwing birds etc.

if UF fans were being out of control (which isn’t hard to believe), he should’ve waved security over and have them escorted out.

Times have changed. People haven’t.
 
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This is exactly right. Those positions are both highly coveted and represent the university.

I also don’t think the university is out of line to expect that individuals in those roles exhibit a modicum of decorum when performing their duties.

It’s unfortunate they let him go, but I don’t get the outrage here.
Outrage isn't the right term. Being sick of "Barney the Hypocrite", it's his new name, picking and choosing when he has a moral problem with something. Our players dropping f bombs on live tv, our coaches doing the same. This is about who has power and who doesn't. Who can be bullied and who can't. Who can be forced to "exhibit a modicum of decorum" and who can't be.

If UK wants to take some moral high ground on this fine, I have no issue with it, but I insist they do so across the board, evenly. Do you have a problem with that counselor?
 
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It’s not a knee jerk reaction.

These guys get the privilege of attending every home game for free, which is why there is a waiting list to join the Committee.

They only thing they have to do in return is perform a customer service role towards the fans and be professional about it.

Is it really too much to ask to expect someone in a customer service role to refrain from flipping off the paying customers?
Oh boy, now we're talking about being professional towards fans. What a Pandora's Box that would be to open.
 
You’d be surprised how fun that gig was

I am glad to hear that! I was at a Christian music concert one time and the guy in front of me points to the ushers and security and said, "Those guys have it great tonight. Last week they had a Marilyn Manson concert." I can imagine some concerts are a LOT harder than others!
 
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UK Athletics has fired Doug for his actions at the UF game.

I mean, I get a suspension or some other form of punishment. But firing a guy after NINETEEN YEARS? Ridiculous.

Your thoughts?
My thoughts are … you’re a drama queen. And Doug probably should’ve been fired before this. After hearing his interview today, he probably has blue hair too.
 
Outrage isn't the right term. Being sick of "Barney the Hypocrite", it's his new name, picking and choosing when he has a moral problem with something. Our players dropping f bombs on live tv, our coaches doing the same. This is about who has power and who doesn't. Who can be bullied and who can't. Who can be forced to "exhibit a modicum of decorum" and who can't be.

If UK wants to take some moral high ground on this fine, I have no issue with it, but I insist they do so across the board, evenly. Do you have a problem with that counselor?
It’s not bullying and it’s not about taking any moral high ground. It’s simply due to differences in what’s expected in terms of conduct, and that’s nothing new nor is it outrageous.

If I’m walking through a hotel and I hear one of the maintenance staff drop an f bomb as an expression of frustration with a pipe fitting they’re trying to loosen, then that’s no big deal. However, if one of the front desk staff directs an f bomb towards a customer, then it starts to become a problem. Both staff members said the same thing, but the context was totally different.

That’s not hypocrisy, it’s simply a recognition that standards of conduct vary from one situation to the next. An action that is acceptable in one context may not be in another. That’s how things work in the real world and I don’t have an issue with that.
 
I agree with this. I’m all about accountability. And man, I agree with you kids that are “let off”? Only get worse. They have no life experience or usually have bad emotional reasoning. Adults are different to a degree. We make mistakes and we own up to them. Kids don’t always do that. This guy did. He apologized and they still hit him hard. That’s what I don’t like. I mean UK is within its rights. But I think suspending him would’ve been a better option and showed both accountability and understanding that “hey. We are all human.” This wasn’t like a DUI or and assault which, while mistakes, are much more serious and carry awful and sometimes permanent consequence.
Well...since you mentioned DUI and pertinent to this topic, I am quite sure this guy is still in his spot at the table right beside the bench. Associate AD for basketball.

A longtime administrator for John Calipari’s Kentucky basketball program was arrested this week for driving under the influence.

In an arrest report obtained by WHAS-11, police found Chris Woolard Monday in his car Monday night on a sidewalk near a fence. He smelled of alcohol, was covered in vomit and the car was still in gear. He was arrested for a DUI after failing a field sobriety test.
 
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First, this was pretty minor...getting fired from a volunteer job.

Second, we live in a nation of second chances, 3rd chances, 4th chances. As a former state cop I can tell you that I could arrest a sexual predator and watch the courts give him a slap on the wrist and watch him do it again. I am retired now but still follow this stuff. How many times do you read about a crime being committed by someone with a rap sheet a mile long?

My point is maybe firing this guy will be a good learning experience for this guy. From a legal perspective, he is a liability to UK. That is the world we living in.
He was there for 19 years and made one mistake that we are privy to.

I’m all about accountability. But it comes in many different forms. Now, if he did it again, he’ll yeah fire his butt.

You say it was minor. But it wasn’t minor for him. And before you say “well he should’ve thought of that”, you of all people should know people do illogical stuff under duress, fear, stress or relief celebration. I took care of my Mom for 13 years. And let me tell you, I loved her with my heart and soul. Some nights we cussed at each other because it was hard and we would both be exhausted. It didn’t mean I loved her any less or should’ve been removed from my duties. It just mean we had both had enough for that one night.

You were a cop. And I respect the hell out of that. My uncle did it for two decades. Did you ever screw up on the job? You weren’t fired obviously, but I’m sure you were disciplined. And rightfully so more than likely.

I just don’t think the punishment fits the crime here. At all.
 
Afraid Doug may be hitting bottom. Turning to a life of crime. I've seen these hard cases before. One day your seating people in Rupp Arena and the next day you're a mule crossing the border with opioids.

This is what it's like being a blue coat.

 
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He made a very human mistake. One that I guarantee we’ve all done in our cars at least once.
I’m sorry, but this is such patently silly analogy.

Doing it to another driver in a car is so immeasurably different than doing it to paying customers (and, yes, even opposing fans are regarded to be such at UK games) by someone representing UK in a customer service role that it’s laughable to even attempt that comparison.

As others noted, context makes all the difference with something like this. And you just tried to analogize it to something contextually a million miles away from this situation.
 
It’s not bullying and it’s not about taking any moral high ground. It’s simply due to differences in what’s expected in terms of conduct, and that’s nothing new nor is it outrageous.

If I’m walking through a hotel and I hear one of the maintenance staff drop an f bomb as an expression of frustration with a pipe fitting they’re trying to loosen, then that’s no big deal. However, if one of the front desk staff directs an f bomb towards a customer, then it starts to become a problem. Both staff members said the same thing, but the context was totally different.

That’s not hypocrisy, it’s simply a recognition that standards of conduct vary from one situation to the next. An action that is acceptable in one context may not be in another. That’s how things work in the real world and I don’t have an issue with that.
That isn't a proper analogy and you know it. It is hypocrisy.
 
He apologized and said he shouldn’t have done it.
This isn’t a crime. He made a very human mistake. One that I guarantee we’ve all done in our cars at least once. And actually Blue Coats pay an annual fee to do the work.

As a former cop, I think people accepting the consequences of their actions is a good thing. People apologize and think they should not face consequences. It starts when they are young and it never ends. Just watch the documentary on Jason Kid's ex wife being scammed and you will see what I mean.
 
I’m sorry, but this is such patently silly analogy.

Doing it to another driver in a car is so immeasurably different than doing it to paying customers (and, yes, even opposing fans are regarded to be such at UK games) by someone representing UK in a customer service role that it’s laughable to even attempt that comparison.

As others noted, context makes all the difference with something like this. And you just tried to analogize it to something contextually a million miles away from this situation.
And as I’ve stated. He should be punished. But you don’t fire good help over one mistake. Or at least good employers shouldn’t.

So you would have fired him as well?

Speaking of context. Do his 19 years of service mean nothing to you? I would agree if the client was offended. They weren’t. In fact they’re siding with him. So are the rest of the paying clients it seems. So if your client disagrees with you, and your employee apologies, you still opt for the ultimate option? That’s pretty closed minded in my opinion. And this is coming from a guy who’s been accused of being too hard on people.
 
As a former cop, I think people accepting the consequences of their actions is a good thing. People apologize and think they should not face consequences. It starts when they are young and it never ends. Just watch the documentary on Jason Kid's ex wife being scammed and you will see what I mean.
If the apology is sincere it should count for something. People absolutely deserve second chances if they are sincere. Now granted, it doesn’t have to be here, and that’s UKs prerogative, but I think they’re overthinking the reaction of fans, which here seem to care less.
 
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That isn't a proper analogy and you know it. It is hypocrisy.
It is the proper analogy, which is why I chose it.

But to put it in different terms, as a fan who paid for a ticket to a game, I see no issue whatsoever if an athlete swears on the court out of frustration. However, if an usher swears at a fan, then it becomes probelmatic.

Again, that’s not hypocrisy. It has to do with the fact that the f bomb from the athlete isn’t an insult directed towards a fan whereas the usher’s f bomb is an insult.

If you’re honest, do you think it’s possible that you disagree with this decision simply because you have an axe to grind with Barnhart?
 
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You get into animal abuse. Clearly I was referencing the usher flipping off someone and you jump to animal abuse.
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It is the proper analogy, which is why I chose it.

But to put it in different terms, as a fan who paid for a ticket to a game, I see no issue whatsoever if an athlete swears on the court out of frustration. However, if an usher swears at a fan, then it becomes probelmatic.

Again, that’s not hypocrisy. It has to do with the fact that the f bomb from the athlete isn’t an insult directed towards a fan whereas the usher’s f bomb is an insult.

If you’re honest, do you think it’s possible that you disagree with this decision simply because you have an axe to grind with Barnhart?
No, I think its an unnecessary overreaction. They could have simply asked him to apologize for getting caught up in the moment and put him on a probation of sorts.

Yes, I despise Mitch. I'm a fundamentalist Christian and I don't appreciate his hypocritical flip flopping usually based on money and power.

Yes, Doug was wrong but within the context of the wrongs we've seen with coaches, administrators and players, it was terribly insignificant.
 
Listen I don't think he should have been fired...but do you wanna be IU?
suspended for a game or two and warned.
But let's not act like flippin the bird and a "fcck you" would be okay from an usher...if it were opposing fan or at away game
Yeah I agree that he should have handled himself better in that situation considering he has 19 years experience but hell he was with the fans and whom amongst us hasn't done some kind of stupid ass thing at some point in their lives?
I mean I'm sure Barnfart isn't a saint,hell who is...I'm not gonna cast no stones at the guy for flipping a damn bird to some rival fans.Ive seen and heard alot worse from venues in the SEC when UK goes on the road.To each their own but give the man a good talking to,and have him apologize publicly to the rival fans that it didn't offend and let him keep doing what he's done for 19 years.....and our fans are a long way off from being IU....those in charge currently,not so much.
 
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It’s now being stated that the UF fans that he flipped off booed during the Pratt ceremony.

They’re lucky as hell all they got was the bird and not their deserved ass whippings.
That’s when he should’ve gotten security to throw the bums out. Their tickets are not a carte Blanche. Think how much more satisfying it would have been to see those jerks escorted out.
 
As you can see, I don't post... But this topic and a lot of the responses really bother me.

I am a UK fan by birth and a UK grad as well. Although in the last few years, I've had enough of the UK administration that I did not renew my football season tickets last year, even though I'd had them since 2005 and went through all that grief and no longer donate to UK. I don't even wear UK gear anymore. I could go on...

I've led and managed groups ranging from a handful, to hundreds, all over the world AND yes sometimes in customer service oriented positions...

First of all, is what the 101 usher did right? No. Should he be held to standard? Yes, but what is the standard? Did/does the 101 club or whatever it's called have a volunteer/employee handbook and codified punishments for infractions and clearly defined code of conduct? Is their only punishment firing/being relieved? Does everyone that does something wrong get fired/relieved? Have other ushers done worse and not been fired/relieved? Are there no steps taken that lead to firing/being relieved? No counseling first? Just "you're fired"...?

Second, as some mentioned, fans don't have the right to act like ignorant savages. The customers is NOT always right. I don't care if it is a sporting event and emotions are charged... it is just a game. There should be no tolerance for abusive behavior toward other fans, the teams, OR staff. If the FL fans or the UK fans were being abusive, then remove all of them. Cheer, boo, yell, whatever, but no abusive behavior. Act like civilized people.

Does UK treat other employee/volunteers like this? Was he fired just because of this incident? Who fired him? Who is replacing him? What else is going on in the 101 club?

What a poor decision by everyone involved.
 
He was fired from a volunteer job. Maybe he learns a lesson and is better for it?

The volunteer part is something I think some people are missing. It isn't like he's losing a paycheck and won't make ends meet.

Also I don't think he was actually fired. I think they're just not going to invite him back.

Finally noone knew or cared about this issue until ksr told them to. So at least 90% of this is the ksr parrots just being ksr parrots
 
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Firing an old man for flipping the bird to an opposing team fan base (who was clearly provoking him).

Inviting an ex-coach back who flipped the bird to the whole fan base.

This is . . . Kentucky Basketball.

It isn't the end of the world either way but UK should grow some balls and support a guy who clearly loves his Cats....JMHO.
 
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The volunteer part is something I think some people are missing. It isn't like he's losing a paycheck and won't make ends meet.

Also I don't think he was actually fired. I think they're just not going to invite him back.

Finally noone knew or cared about this issue until ksr told them to. So at least 90% of this is the ksr parrots just being ksr parrots

Jaded much?
 
Man bullshit. That’s common practice at games. I grew up flicking Billy Donovan off as early as I can remember.

They could have owned it and put him in a funny commercial or anything. Firing. Soft as charmin.
 
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I am glad to hear that! I was at a Christian music concert one time and the guy in front of me points to the ushers and security and said, "Those guys have it great tonight. Last week they had a Marilyn Manson concert." I can imagine some concerts are a LOT harder than others!
Man. Eat me drink me is is a masterpiece and easily my favorite manson album. Most folks don’t realize how bluesy some of his work is.
 
If someone in the same position at UofL, Unc, Kansas, Duke, etc did the same thing to Kentucky fans, everyone on this board would be calling for them to be fired.

You may not like it, but you take a position like that, volunteer or not, there’s a sort of decorum that comes with it unlike a regular fan attending a game.

Folks, geez, come on.
 
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