[StanFan88]

Regardless of whether he was forced out or chose to leave, to simply not say anything is childish.  All the more evidence to me that he's a spoiled brat who quits when he doesn't get what he wants.  I hope he grows up someday.

Actually, it's just the opposite of childish.  In any government or business endeavor, not all departures or splits are harmonious.  The most gracious way to inform the public is to be brief and generally positive  OR brief and neutral.  Another, equally respectful, is to just say nothing.  That is respectable: not taking personal shots at people or organizations on the way out.  The public-- you or I--are not owed any explanation.  Except in certain positions of public responsibility no explanation is required. 

Maybe Nottingham is how you describe him:  spoiled and a quitter.  But that would make his silence in this case all the more remarkable and mature. 

Nottingham left two football programs because he was told he wouldn't be the starter (Stanford) and lost his starting job (Columbia).  It would have been very simple for Nottingham to issue a gracious, brief statement along the lines of, "I have decided to leave the Columbia football program for personal reasons but plan to finish my degree there (or enroll elsewhere to complete my degree).  I would like to thank my coaches and teammates and wish them the best of luck going forward."

That would be leaving with class and dignity.  To slink away silently is immature, considering he's done it twice.

[StanFan88]

Regardless of whether he was forced out or chose to leave, to simply not say anything is childish.  All the more evidence to me that he's a spoiled brat who quits when he doesn't get what he wants.  I hope he grows up someday.

Actually, it's just the opposite of childish.  In any government or business endeavor, not all departures or splits are harmonious.  The most gracious way to inform the public is to be brief and generally positive  OR brief and neutral.  Another, equally respectful, is to just say nothing.  That is respectable: not taking personal shots at people or organizations on the way out.  The public-- you or I--are not owed any explanation.  Except in certain positions of public responsibility no explanation is required. 

Maybe Nottingham is how you describe him:  spoiled and a quitter.  But that would make his silence in this case all the more remarkable and mature. 

Nottingham left two football programs because he was told he wouldn't be the starter (Stanford) and lost his starting job (Columbia).  It would have been very simple for Nottingham to issue a gracious, brief statement along the lines of, "I have decided to leave the Columbia football program for personal reasons but plan to finish my degree there (or enroll elsewhere to complete my degree).  I would like to thank my coaches and teammates and wish them the best of luck going forward."

That would be leaving with class and dignity.  To slink away silently is immature, considering he's done it twice.