ETSU did not force men’s basketball coach Jason Shay to resign, Athletics Director Scott Carter said in a statement Thursday afternoon.
“ETSU did not fire Coach Shay nor force Coach Shay to resign,” Carter said in response to recent community speculation. “As outlined in the terms of the separation agreement, in Coach Shay’s statement and in my previous statement, Coach Shay decided to resign.”
“I again want to thank Coach Jason Shay for his dedication to the men’s basketball program and continue to wish Coach Shay and his family the very best. I ask for your continued support for our student-athletes and entire university community.”
In the contract separation agreement, obtained by the East Tennessean via an open records request, Shay will be paid $450,000 severance, payable at $18,750 per month for 24 months. The university will also provide the coach and his family with health insurance for 24 months or until Shay accepts full-time employment, whichever occurs first.
Since Jason Shay announced his resignation as head coach of the ETSU men’s basketball team Tuesday afternoon, multiple players have entered the transfer portal and fans have taken to social media to express frustration and ask questions regarding the reasoning behind Shay’s resignation.
Shay and the ETSU men’s basketball team have been the subject of recent community discussion, after footage surfaced of players kneeling during the national anthem at an away game at Chattanooga. Tennessee state Senate legislators encouraged administrators to “prohibit any such actions moving forward” in a letter to all state-funded universities, which sparked an organized protest on ETSU’s campus to express support for the students’ peaceful protest and right to free speech.
Within 12 hours of Shay’s announcement, Bucs forward Sadaidriene Hall announced his decision to cease play with ETSU and enter the transfer portal. Along with Hall, Southern Conference Freshman of the Year Damari Monsanto also announced he was entering the transfer portal. After a 13-hour drive back home to Sulphur Springs, Texas, Hall spoke to the East Tennessean regarding his decision to leave.
“I love Coach Shay and everything, ” Hall said. “And when he called that meeting and said he resigned, I’m like ‘I’m not playing for no other coach, because they didn’t recruit me and Coach Shay recruited me.’”
In addition to his own departure, Hall predicted a loss of several other members of the team.
“Coach Shay has a special spot in our hearts and everything, and like he’s gone, so… you never know, but I think people are transferring. Like, most of the team is transferring,” said Hall. “Probably be like 3 or 4 that stays, maybe 5 at the most.”
Hall said he was confused at the lack of support behind the team, including ETSU’s own administration.
Hall’s decision to transfer places him back into competition with many other student athletes across the country, and he is now in waiting for contact from other institutions.
“Where I’m from, everybody in the community is all loving, caring, supportive,” Hall said. “No matter what you do they’re always behind you. So, Tennessee and Texas — where I’m from — is a lot different. So, I wasn’t used to that.”
Following Shay’s announcement and social media speculation regarding the reason for his resignation, ETSU Student Government Association Vice President Seth Manning took to social media to express his sentiments on the matter.
“If any ETSU official was involved in forcing Coach Shay to resign, then I (and I can assure a majority in Student Governance) will call for resignations and a fully independent 3rd party investigation,” Manning said in a Facebook post Tuesday night.
In a call with ET staff, Manning elaborated on what situations may call for SGA action.
“My initial belief right now is that there was not, you know, a formal university official who came up to Coach Shay and said ‘Look, I think it would be better if you find another job,’ I don’t think that happened,” said Manning. “I mean I’ve been forthright in saying this, if that did happen, then you know the SGA would call for resignations.”
Manning spoke about what a fact-finding process might look like in the case of internal pressure, including involvement of the Tennessee Board of Regents or external investigation. Manning said student governance intends to take a zero-tolerance policy regarding retributive actions in the future.
“I think that at the end of the day, my personal belief at this point is that Coach Shay had a lot of backlash thrown at him that, in my view, should not have been the case from the community. But at the same time the community had the right to express their voice, and Coach Shay saw that he had better options elsewhere and he went with that path for him and his family’s sake, and I don’t fault him on that.”
ETSU spokesperson Joe Smith declined to comment independently on the matter, directing East Tennessean staff to the news release put out Tuesday by ETSU Athletics and Shay.
“Earlier today Coach Jason Shay shared with me his intention to resign as head men’s basketball coach at East Tennessee State University,” ETSU Athletic Director Scott Carter said in the news release. “I fully respect Coach Shay’s decision and have accepted his resignation. Coach Shay is part of our championship history at ETSU, and I thank him and his family for the effort they have given to our university.”
Shay’s resignation took place after a six-season career with ETSU, serving his final season as former head coach Steve Forbes’ replacement. His time with the university featured several athletic accomplishments, including helping lead the Bucs to two Southern Conference regular season and tournament championship victories.
“After much consultation and deliberation, I have decided it is in the best interest of myself, my family and the ETSU men’s basketball program to no longer continue as the head basketball coach,” Shay said in the news release. “This past year has been extremely challenging for me in many different ways. It is the right time for a new challenge and an opportunity to reset my personal and professional goals. I want to thank Dr. Noland, Scott Carter and Dr. Sander for the opportunity at ETSU and wish them the best of luck moving forward.”
