The unveiling of Larry Eustachy’s drunken reveling is not the first time our basketball team has been in the headlines for misbehaving, but Larry’s lapse in behavior has certainly made the most waves. The backlash Eustachy is facing has varied greatly — while some call for his immediate dismissal or resignation, others only question his choice of beverage while at a party with students.

This is all, beyond a doubt, disappointing. And it deserves much more than a slap on the hand and some negative press for the university. Eustachy already knows he has disappointed the ISU community, his friends, his family and his players. That guilt led him to address his behavior directly with ISU President Gregory Geoffroy and Director of Athletics Bruce Van De Velde.

It is not pleasant to see a man who should be a role model setting this kind of example for a team that has suffered run-ins with the authorities already this year, with charges ranging from child pornography to driving while intoxicated. Clearly the difference here is that Eustachy really broke no law.

Did he break his contract — the one that helps him land more than $1 million a year, making him the highest-paid state official in Iowa? The one that states he needs to serve as a positive representative of the university in public and in private? Yes, he did.

But is it time to fire Eustachy? No, it is not.

Disregard that some basketball players have said they will leave the Cyclones should Eustachy lose his job. That’s a sign of dedication to their coach, not a threat that should be used as leverage in determining whether Eustachy should be fired. Others, such as Jake Sullivan, are instead remaining loyal to the Cyclones, saying they will be a part of our team regardless of what the university decides to do with his coach.

Our coach knows what he did was wrong. He knows he made a fool of himself. He knows he made our university look foolish.

It is, however, time to crack down on Eustachy to ensure future embarrassments to our university are halted. Eustachy should no longer be allowed to travel separately from his team to create a sense of unity with the team. He should seek counseling to calm his drinking habits, if only for the peace of mind of the thousands of fans he has disappointed. He should focus on his wife and kids, who are enduring just as much embarrassment as he is right now.

And, Eustachy — never forget that you are in the spotlight, whether it’s on the side of the court, at Wallaby’s, on Welch Avenue, or at a college kid’s after-hours party.

When you wear the black mock turtleneck, you may as well be wearing a big Cyclone, for your actions have now spoken for all of us. End the foolishness, put your life in order and get back to serving the Cyclones.

Editorial Board: Cavan Reagan, Amber Billings, Ayrel Clark, Charlie Weaver, Katie List