[Quack Attack]

Football: Recruiting feud erupts over St. Bony commit

Ventura St. Bonaventure Coach Todd Therrien is so furious with Oregon assistant coach Steve Greatwood that Monday morning, he said the Ducks will no longer be welcome on campus.

"I don't want to see anyone from Oregon," he said.

Therrien's wrath is directed at Oregon because last week, St. Bonaventure defensive back Xaiver Ramos committed to Greatwood, but on Monday, Therrien said Greatwood called by phone to say Oregon was withdrawing its scholarship offer after getting a commitment from another player.
"This is the second time I've had to break a kid's heart in two months," Therrien said.

Former St. Bonaventure linebacker Loren Powers signed with Tulsa, only to have the scholarship revoked because of an issue involving an SAT score even though Powers was an NCAA qualifier, according to Therrien.
Therrien said Ramos received a written scholarship offer from Oregon. The offer wouldn't become official until Ramos signs in February. But schools seek verbal commitments and are expected to honor the commitment, which is the reason Therrien is angry.

"Our kids, when they commit, they commit," Therrien said.
Therrien was preparing to inform Ramos of Oregon's decision.

-- Eric Sondheimer


10:16 AM PT, June 16

[Lefty Noob]

I can definitely understand the coach's irritation with Oregon.
You teach these kids to be men, and to live up to their word, only to have a school pull something like this? Disgraceful conduct.

[Quack Attack]

I totally agree Lefty. Steve Greatwood is actually one of the best recruiters in the PAC 10 who originally was with the Ducks for 10 yrs and left for ASU the past 5yrs before returning last season. I know head coach Belotti will jump all over him for this, this isn't Belotti's style and I have never heard of a case like this in Duck recruiting...ever! However, I think it happens to every team, just most of the time it is never reported.