Attorney General directs release of Deike documents

University officials must release more information to the Patriot Talon regarding the “retirement” of former women’s basketball coach Terri Deike, according to a Texas Attorney General’s opinion issued Sept. 24.

The University claimed some documents are exemption from disclosure because Deike had threatened to sue when her contract was not renewed. However, the Attorney General denied the exemption saying the University attorneys failed to prove a lawsuit was imminent.

“You [the university] have not provided any information demonstrating that the former employee has taken any concrete steps toward litigation,” Assistant Attorney General Laura Lemus wrote in the decision. “Therefore, we find that the university has failed to meet its burden under section 552.103.”

In the original open records request filed in July, the Talon requested copies of Deike’s contracts, copies of all correspondence between Athletic Director James Vilade and University officials, copies of any complaints sent by University students, former students and their families, correspondence referencing alleged NCAA violations and correspondence detailing the University’s steps as it investigated the alleged NCAA infractions, as well as any conclusions drawn.

The Talon received Deike’s contract, but no copies of e-mails, letters or other correspondences between the University and others. It is unclear what document the Talon will receive. Mary Barr, director of compliance, said she has not received notice yet.

University officials released Deike from her position in June after a six-year tenure. University officials have denied to comment on reasons for the release. As for coach Deike, she is now officially retired after the release ended her career. Deike, in a telephone interview last week, said she did not have any other choice.

“My husband’s job keeps me here,” Deike said. “He works for Anadarko Oil Company and must live within 30 miles of the office in Henderson. He worked for over 30 years offshore, and he deserves to stay at home.” Deike could retire due to her 32 years of working in Texas schools.  She now stays at home, which she says she’s never done before.

“I got my first coaching job at 22,” Deike said. “This is all I’ve ever known. So, now I’m trying to be still and listen to where God wants me to be.” Deike said she would like to continue coaching at the college level, but not junior college. “Junior college is a whole different ball game,” Deike said. “And I don’t think I can go back to high school.”

As for her release, Deike said she’s thought a lot about it. “I think it was all [Dr. Howard] Patterson,” Deike said. “I don’t think Vilade had much to do with it.” Deike said she believes there is something Patterson is hiding and Vilade was used by Patterson to get rid of her. Vilade would not comment on Patterson’s involvement with Deike’s release or with the athletic department.

Patterson is the former athletic director, and is now the vice president of student affairs for the University. He could not be reached Friday afternoon for comment. In Monday’s interview, the Talon informed Deike of several applicants’ resume’s, some of which only had high school experience.

She said the department doesn’t value high school experience. She did say she was the exemption, but said she was sometimes ridiculed as being “just a high school coach.” Deike said she doesn’t understand why. She started the basketball program at the University and said it was the easiest job she had ever had.

Vilade said there was no justification to the claim that his department does not value high school experience. He also said the current men’s basketball coach Kenny Bizot came from high school coaching as well.

University officials hired Stasha Richards to replace Deike in August after a nationwide search and 49 applications were received. Deike said she believes Richards will do a fine job, and that she went about getting the job the honorable way, but was suspicious at first because of Richards and Vilade’s being alumni of Baylor University.

Vilade said he had never met Richards before she visited the campus during the summer and that their ties to Baylor had nothing to do with her hiring. For now Deike said she would continue to stay at home and hopefully get some answers. “To know you’ve lost your career and not know why is strange.”