A day or two passed after Oregon State director of athletics Bob De Carolis learned that his contract would not be extended.
De Carolis had a year left on his current contract, but he quickly realized he was losing focus on the job as he pondered his situation.
"I noticed, and I think this is normal to happen, I started checking out mentally, to be honest with you," De Carolis said Wednesday.
"I didn't think that was fair to the student-athletes, staff and coaches and I didn't it was fair to this institution and if I couldn't be in 100 percent, all-in, then that was not going to be a good thing for anybody.