I first learned about this breaking story this morning while doing the show, and I feel sicker about it now then I did just a few hours ago. Dr. Darren Hamilton will resign his position as Alcorn State’s director of athletics to accept the same job at Livingstone College.

It’s not the fact that he’s been embroiled in controversy in two out of his three previous stops as athletic director, or the fact that he caused national embarrassment to the Alcorn State Braves program with multiple firings and non-sensical administration. It’s the fact that Livingstone College couldn’t see through whatever charm Hamilton presents to recognize him as the swine flu of black college athletic administration. What kind of person, when commenting about his new job, says this as the reason to take the gig?

“It’s a hard job to turn down,” Hamilton said. “You look at the CIAA and its basketball tournament, which had the third highest attendance of any conference tournament in the country, behind only the ACC and the Big East. (The decision) was a no-brainer if you will.”

The CIAA Basketball Tournament? Really? That’s why you took a job? That’s like me taking a job with the Harlem Globetrotters because I admire their ability to run the magic circle. It doesn’t ring of particular affinity for Livingstone, it’s history, or a vision to improve their place in the tradition-rich CIAA.

I feel bad for Livingstone, because they are in a tough position with limited enrollment, limited alumni support, and a bunch of renowned Division I and II athletic programs surrounding them. This move shows just how much they yearn for improvement, and you can only hope that Livingstone President Dr. Jimmy Jenkins can keep the matches hidden long enough from a proven program arsonist.

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