Readers comment on Dan Mullen being fired, Hawthorne High football games and more

Fresh start

While the Gator Nation is focused on the firing of football coach Dan Mullen, what it should really focus on is athletic director Scott Stricklin. In announcing Mullen's firing, the athletic director said the football coach needs to put really great structure and culture in place.

Let’s ask the same question of Stricklin. Has he put up a really great structure and culture in place? And the answer is a dismal "no." He should have known Mullen is not a great recruiter from his days at Mississippi State University, where Stricklin was the athletic director. So why exactly did he hire Mullen?

As for the culture of University of Florida athletics, the less said about Stricklin the better. He allowed the now disgraced women’s basketball coach Cameron Newbauer to continue despite several players voicing their concerns about a variety of abuses by the coach. And, in fact, Stricklin rewarded Newbauer by renewing his contract.

So how is it that Stricklin rewarded two coaches with contract extensions and then they were fired within a year of that? What does this say about Stricklin himself?

It’s about time UF does the right thing and fires Stricklin. It's time for a fresh start.

Praveen Pathak, Gainesville

More letters:

Readers comment on a birth at the Alachua County jail and more

Readers comment on erecting statues of Black athletes at UF and more

Coming together

I attended the homecoming football game of Hawthorne High School and the football game between them and Wildwood High School. Unlike other schools in the county, Hawthorne does not have a band. The alumni came together for homecoming and was so good they returned for the Wildwood game.

These are not students, these are moms, dads and grandparents who came together to make a difference. Congratulations, you showed how the community can work together.

Bettye Stoney Allen, Gainesville

Self defense

The jury in the Kyle Rittenhouse case confirmed the right to bear arms and self defense, despite the prosecution's violation of Rittenhouse's constitutional rights during the trial. But the jury would have none of it.

It was a simple case: a mob chasing and attacking Rittenhouse threatened his life and he defended himself. I never saw Rittenhouse chase down anyone at that dangerous riot. But if you get your news from MSNBC, CNN etc. you would think this was a race issue. How can everything be about race? It's propaganda, my friend. And they have no interest in reporting the facts and truth but, rather, have an agenda.

The love-America crowd is waking up to the divisive, hate-America minority. This country would benefit from more patriots like Rittenhouse who have the courage to stand up to a lawless, rioting mob and protect their community when there were no police to be found.

Mike Fulford, Gainesville

Judge’s actions

The verdict of not guilty on all charges against Kyle Rittenhouse shouldn’t come as a surprise. We could see a not guilty verdict coming, due to the behavior and rulings by Judge Bruce Schroeder.

His honor decided that the dead and wounded in Rittenhouse’s murderous intent could not be called “victims” in his court. He further decided that the people Rittenhouse came to kill were allowed to be called looters and rioters in court in front of the jury.

The upshot of all of this is that we never have and never will be a nation of laws and justice for all. The idea was and is a myth.

Clayton Smith, Gainesville

Join the conversation

Send a letter to the editor (up to 200 words) to letters@gainesville.com. Letters must include the writer's full name and city of residence. Additional guidelines for submitting letters and longer guest columns can be found at bit.ly/sunopinionguidelines.

Journalism matters. Your support matters.

Get a digital subscription to the Gainesville Sun. Includes must-see content on Gainesville.com and Gatorsports.com, breaking news and updates on all your devices, and access to the Gainesville.com ePaper. Visit www.gainesville.com/subscribenow to sign up.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Letters to the editor for Nov. 24, 2021