If we’ve learned anything about University of Missouri athletic director Jim Sterk in his year-plus on the job, it’s that he’s a congenial man and not prone to rash or reckless actions or comments.
That’s why, for instance, he dropped by football coach Barry Odom’s office the morning after the repulsive 35-3 loss in September to Purdue to offer support and encouragement.
But you’d be wrong to mistake his nurturing inclinations and amiability for ambivalence or being a pushover.
That firm side surfaced in a hectic week at MU that included the indefinite suspension of basketball player Terrence Phillips amid a Title IX investigation made up of complaints from at least four women, the seemingly abrupt firing Jan.