Bob Donewald was out as Illinois State basketball coach, fired after 11 seasons. Athletic director Ron Wellman cited the program’s “inability to improve our finishes in the Missouri Valley Conference the past few years,” and Donewald’s “reluctance to support departmental activities and booster functions.” The need for a change in leadership had become apparent, Wellman said.
March 13 will be the 30th anniversary of that stunning announcement, which ranks among the most polarizing local sports stories in 40 years on this job.
Donewald supporters pointed to his 208-121 record, the first three NCAA Tournament appearances in program history, three NITs, two Missouri Valley titles (one regular season, one tournament), a brand new Redbird Arena and screamed, “How?