Was the separation between Arizona and Dick Tomey amicable?

With Arizona Daily Star writer Greg Hansen reporting on the falling out with Dick Tomey and Arizona, that made us think, was the separation amicable?

Who read the most recent Greg Hansen article? Well we sure did, and hopefully you did too, as the senior writer for the Daily Star broke down the separation between Dick Tomey and the University of Arizona.

To clarify first off, this isn’t a dig at Hansen, but rather just a discussion on the information that has been presented.

Arizona Wildcats

For those needing to be brought up to speed, basically Hansen was able to speak with former University President Peter Likins, and former Athletic Director, Jim Livengood.

As the program honored the old ball coach just two weeks ago, naming the outdoor practice fields after him during homecoming week, Hansen was able to catch-up with both Likins and Livengood, getting their side of the story of what happened during the Tomey resignation back in 2000.

In essence, what Likins and Livengood had said was that Tomey was actually the one who wanted to resign on his own accord, rather than being pressured or pushed out.

That certainly changes the perception of the separation greatly, as it’s been believed and perceived that Tomey more or less forcibly had to resign.

Now, I must say that the timing of all this seems odd too, because here’s a bombshell of a story that supposedly changes the perception of the whole separation, and here it’s been a few months since the former coaches untimely and unfortunate passing. Tomey isn’t here to verify or possibly argue against this point of view.

Making things worse in all of this, Likins and Livengood essentially admitted to frauding the Arizona Board of Regents, reclassifying his resignation in order to pay Tomey $600,000 as a “good gesture” for a fond farewell.

Yes, you read that correctly, Likins and Livengood basically admitted to FRAUDING the Arizona Board of Regents.

More confusing is the supposed fractured relationships and rifts the separation has caused all these years after, especially with former Wildcat Antonio Pierce, who now serves as a linebackers coach up at rival Arizona State.

So, what’s confusing here is, if Tomey was wanting to resign and told the team he would likely be resigning, why would Pierce for instance be so disgruntled with the school over his coach “quitting”? Wouldn’t Pierce indeed have a bone to pick if his coach was actually let go or pushed out in a shady way, rather than him quitting?

Either way, this seems all highly suspicious, especially as to me it seems as if Likins and Livengood are lying about what transpired. Also, it just shows the gross incompetence of our athletic department, perhaps destroying a once respectable reputation the program had.

If you’re needing a little reminder just how rocky things have been with Arizona Football, the program has now lost a conference worst, 100 conference game following the Tomey resignation.

Anyways, at Zona Zealots, we’re hoping this program can turn it around and find some of the success that Tomey was able to find here. As always, Bear Down, Arizona!