Coaching in the NCAA has never been an easy job. These are very young, very high profile men and any mistake they make will be plastered all over the media.
This week offers us an opportunity to compare the reactions of two coaches when an incident occurred.
First we have Nick Saban of the University of Alabama.
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) - Off-the-field problems have been piling up for Alabama's football team.
The latest incidents have included the arrest of All-Southeastern Conference safety Rashad Johnson on disorderly conduct charges after he allegedly pushed a security guard to the ground at a bar in the off-campus district called the Strip early last Saturday morning.
He did indicate that Johnson, a team captain, would not face suspension. The arrest of one of the team's stars and leaders was another public black eye on the program, though.
What? No suspension? Hey Nick, you've had eight players arrested in the past 14 months. You might want to reconsider that coddling a bit.
"Regardless of how many people got arrested this week on the Strip, there was only one on ESPN, only one on Fox Sports and only one all over the state of Alabama in every newspaper," Saban said. "The consequences for his behavior and the responsibility that he has and the opportunity that he has is far greater.
Naturally, it wasn't Johnson's fault; it was the media's. Pathetic. So, if the media hadn't picked up the story, then nothing would happen? Oh wait, nothing is going to happen anyway!
Saban said if the problems continue, he might consider imposing more restrictions on his players. He called Johnson "as fine a person as we have on our football team."
That last sentence makes me wonder what kind of gang he is running down in Alabama. What is tolerated of the seniors will be embraced by the freshmen. Johnson will probably play in the NFL one day and Saban is only helping develop him for that role. Think Pacman Jones.
But another incident occurred in Dallas, Texas.
DALLAS (AP) - SMU quarterback Justin Willis has been suspended from spring practice by new coach June Jones for an undisclosed violation of team rules.
This is an entirely different situation. June Jones is facing high expectations and although Rashad Johnson was an all-SEC player, Justin Willis was the best player on the SMU squad and was probably going to get a lot of Heisman attention under a Jones offense.
What's also of interest is it was a "violation of team rules". That means that the media doesn't even know what he did and so Jones could have easily brushed whatever he did aside.
Willis may yet turn out to be a thug but it won't be because Coach Jones encouraged it.
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Comments (3)
I have given up on journali... (Below threshold)1. Posted by Logical Texan | March 2, 2008 2:18 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
I have given up on journalists ever making sense, or actually doing research before spouting ignorance! If you would do a simple Google search, you would see that the charges are probably going to be dropped against Johnson because the cop lied! Imagine that....a cop that can't be trusted!
Thank God we have a coach that actually looks at facts before making decisions! So, I guess you're going to have try again to prove your disdain, a.k.a. jealousy, actually has merit other than being just envy!
1. Posted by Logical Texan | March 2, 2008 2:18 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on March 2, 2008 14:18
2. Posted by Danny Strickland | March 2, 2008 2:56 PM | Score: -1 (1 votes cast)
http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=367456
"Prosecutors still want Johnson to perform community service in exchange for dropping the charge, according to Swords."
Sounds like a plea deal to me. Regardless of this case, Saban has had 8 players arrested in the last 14 months and any way you cut it, that isn't good.
I'm not sure what you meant by jealousy? I recently wrote a glowing report of Alabama's amazing recruiting class. Ironically, I get a ton of mail accusing me of being in the tank for any team in the SEC.
The point that I wanted to make is that all the talent in the world with poor discipline will leave you disappointed. Just ask Bobby Bowden.
2. Posted by Danny Strickland | March 2, 2008 2:56 PM |
Score: -1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on March 2, 2008 14:56
3. Posted by Media Biased | March 3, 2008 9:11 AM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Coach Saban suspended Prince Hall, a starting linebacker, indefinitely for "violation of team rules" and he will miss spring practice and possibly be kicked off the team. How come that fact was not in your biased article?
3. Posted by Media Biased | March 3, 2008 9:11 AM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on March 3, 2008 09:11