Problem in college athletics isn’t kids, it’s the guys in suits
West Virginia AD Oliver Luck promoted Dana Holgorsen (rear), who recently was intoxicated and thrown out of a casino.
Given that there is a U.S. congressman tweeting women pornographic pictures of his junior senator — and to somebody out of his district, no less — maybe this shouldn’t come as a surprise.
But the worst of infectious diseases currently destroying college athletics isn’t the recruit who’s trying to play one school off the other for a signing bonus. Or the star player who’s looking for a car deal or a condo. Or the hungry but cross-eyed coach who will lie and drop-kick his values for a BCS bowl game or NCAA tournament berth. Or the booster in the shadows who will do everything to help all aforementioned parties.
Grown, secure men who seemingly shouldn’t have anything to worry about are the biggest thing destroying college athletics.
Parents feel compelled to set an example for their children. So apparently do college administrators and coaches — they’re just setting the wrong ones.
West Virginia coach Bill Stewart wasn’t a terribly popular coach but he was coming off a co-Big East championship and was nearing the end of his career. He was forced to resign last week because word leaked that he – and possibly his wife –reportedly was trying to submarine the team’s coach in waiting, Dana Holgorsen, by spreading drinking rumors about him.
Oliver Luck, West Virginia’s athletic director, a well-educated man with a law degree, responded to this in an unusual way. He forced Stewart out the door (good) but he promoted Holgorsen one year ahead of schedule (bad). He did this even though last month an intoxicated Holgorsen had to be dragged out of a casino by police escort from a West Virginia casino (and you wonder: how drunk and obnoxious does one have to be to get thrown out of a West Virginia casino?). There also are strong allegations of other drinking issues.
Luck’s reasoning must have been that Holgorsen runs a good offense. Somehow, he has escaped criticism, I guess because he wears nice suits.
In Columbus, outgoing Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor is getting slammed for actions that almost certainly will lead to NCAA probation. But what about the men who enabled the system, the ones who stalled, deflected and lied when initially confronted with the issues: The school president (Gordon Gee), the athletic director (Gene Smith) and the head coach (Jim Tressel) – all of whom should have felt secure enough to do the right thing?
Tennessee, which annually has one of the largest athletic budgets in the nation, is facing 12 major NCAA violations in basketball and football. It fired athletic director Mike Hamilton but gave him $1.33 million as a separation gift, I guess because potentially having football and basketball programs slammed with probation simultaneously doesn’t disqualify upper management from such things in Knoxville.
The new liars club: Bruce Pearl (above), Gordon Gee, Jim Tressel, Gene Smith.
Tennessee’s hearing with the NCAA’s committee on infractions lasted 11 hours Saturday. So many current and former coaches and administrators attended that the meeting had to be moved to a larger hotel meeting room, adjacent to one with a wedding reception.
Welcome to the scary remake of Wedding Crashers, staring Bruce Pearl and Lane Kiffin.
Pearl, who already has been fired and is charged with unethical conduct, showed up with an orange tie and orange suspenders. Even at this point, he apparently finds image more important than being genuine and honest.
These are the men who are supposed to lead. And we’re blaming the kids?
Last December, when Ohio State was still in firm denial mode when the players’ memorabilia-for-tattoos scandal broke, Smith said, “There are no other NCAA violations around this case. We’re very fortunate we do not have a systemic problem in our program. This is isolated to these young men, isolated to this particular incident.”
Oops.
Pryor reportedly earned $20,000 to $40,000 selling autographed items. He seemingly changed cars every time one needed a wash. Does he deserve criticism? Absolutely. But we need to look higher on college athletics food chain for the real problem. Few are fostering an atmosphere of compliance.
Before we dump on the 21-year-olds, look at the men in the suits.
By Jeff Schultz
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134 comments Add your comment
Innocent Bystander
June 12th, 2011
11:45 am
They should do a Fulmer Cup for the guys in the suits. Probably wouldn’t compete with the real Fulmer Cup.
VOLinATL
June 12th, 2011
11:54 am
Amen!!
Delbert D.
June 12th, 2011
11:59 am
I don’t see guys like Pryor as victims, rather as willing accomplices.
theriddler
June 12th, 2011
12:00 pm
Looks and smells like our politcal system.
jeff jeff jeff you ignorant slut
June 12th, 2011
12:02 pm
while i agree with most everything you said… you failed to mention the fact that we even have a fulmer cup. you know the one that is being won by your favorite school to the north of atlanta every year?
gotta think that having a coach and university continue to allow its student athletes ’sic’ to reign free and break real laws as opposed to those ‘make believe’ rules that the ncaa dictates is far more of a problem.
yet once again you fail to even mention this issue.
have you and your boy friend mark been tweeting pics of one another again?
and speakin of tweets…. why mention that situation when there were laws broken and bribes made by politicians who cheated on their family, broke up another family and bought hookers and even kept an illicit love child from his wife for 10 year? once again you show that you have an agenda that is a bit shall we say lop sided!
sorry schultz but if your going to bring up examples how about bringing up the most appropriate ones not ones that suit your agenda!
how about we
June 12th, 2011
12:10 pm
pay the kids 300 a game out of the coaches pocket. great idea from the ol ball sack
kick those recruiting sites to the curb along with signing press conferences and over signing. lets put the responsibility back to where it belongs. the university should be doing a better job of recruiting kids of character and kids who can actually spell. as it stands now schools like alamba and auburn can sign 40 players and pick an choose the ones who best meet their needs. from my standpoint that is not being responsible.
pass laws that make it illegal to represent a sa. put some bite in these laws. allow the university to sue these individuals for big bucks.
may be time that schools recruit players that will lead vs being ring leaders! my guess is that pryor was a ring leader not a leader.
country boy
June 12th, 2011
12:10 pm
Nice article Jeffy boy. First paragraph is too funny. My comment is a bit off subject but as a Durham, NC native a a longtime Duke basketball fan I have found it very shortsighted by so many fans to demonize ( pardon a bad pun ) Duke’s men’s basketball program and particularly Coach K. If fans would stop and take a deep breath and objectively analyze the program, coach and past/present players they would see a program that is hugely successful with integrity even among shady adversaries ( UNCONN, KY). Now let the beating begin on the poor ‘ol county boy.
SSIgator
June 12th, 2011
12:11 pm
. . . and da Preacha Man eludes Jeff’s article once again.
supersize that order, mutt
June 12th, 2011
12:14 pm
next on the NCAA hit list will be the Gators. You heard it here first.
The Listener
June 12th, 2011
12:21 pm
Paying the players will never be a realistic solution, and the NCAA knows it. Because it doesn’t matter that the football and men’s basketball programs (in 95+ % of schools) contribute nearly all of the athletic dept. revenue; if you pay a football player $300, then the girl who sits at the end of the boat and calls the cadence for the women’s rowing team also has to get $300, or a lawsuit making that so will occur. So since you can’t pay every athlete, you can’t pay any.
Dawg Tired
June 12th, 2011
12:24 pm
College football is all about money, period. It tries to cloak itself in tradition, school spirit, state pride, “It all about the kids!” BS.
At least the NFL is honest about what it is all about.
Bob
June 12th, 2011
12:29 pm
Good article Jeff, and I like your satire…”Andrew Luck, a well-educated man with a law degree”. Too funny, and too bad none of those clowns have any morals.
JAWJeRDAWG
June 12th, 2011
12:32 pm
The ’suits’ and some boosters can certainly be enablers to infractions, Jeff.
But the school’s athletes also know the NCAA rules and regulations they must follow in their academic and athletic persuits, and when found to be in non-compliance, must accept responsibility and punishment.
All too often, the college, the program, the fans, and the athletes suffer from this greed of a few. Good that those programs, like UGA are TRYING to do and play the games the right way. .. Go Dawgs!
Frank Lane
June 12th, 2011
12:33 pm
Bad kids and bad adults are both to blame. Terrell Pryor is not guiltless and neither was A
J Green. His team knew he was in it for himself. Hopefully we got rid of the “me” squad.
Bull Meacham
June 12th, 2011
12:33 pm
Right on! Big college football fan my whole life. At 48 now, I’m done with it. Too corrupt. No standards. USC on probation, AJ suspended for selling his own jersey, yet no sanction on Cam Newton/ AU. Glad to see OSU and Tenn finally at least getting at least investigated.
No concerns for fans either. Going to a game in Athens now is more difficult than a full day at the DOT, County Tax office, etc. Admin and local politicians have succeeded in making gameday more of a hassle than its worth. I now stay home, save my money.
1eyedJack
June 12th, 2011
12:40 pm
“junior senator”
Good ‘un Jeff. If you don’t mind I’d like to use that one myself.
By the way Jeff, what was Lane Kiffin wearing? Or better yet, what was Layla wearing?
Hillbilly D
June 12th, 2011
12:45 pm
Let the NFL finance its own minor league system.
Ted M
June 12th, 2011
12:46 pm
ah YEAH!
Ted M
June 12th, 2011
12:52 pm
No offense Jeff but it was about time you gotta new post the last one was lame.
Bryce S
June 12th, 2011
12:57 pm
Pretty good article, but this comment was unnecessary and I would suggest that an apology to the fine people of the State of WV is in order.
“(and you wonder: wow (sic) drunk and obnoxious does one have to be to get thrown out of a West Virginia casino?)”
Sir Barks A Lot
June 12th, 2011
1:01 pm
1. Start with the NCAA – they allowed Ohio State’s players to play in the Sugar Bowl for the ratings and dollars – and allow a five game suspension the following year????
I guess integrity only applies when mid-majors are invovled.
Heck – UGA and Georiga should have agreed to let AJ Green be suspended for 4 games – in 2012 or be allowed to pick out which 4 games not to plauy in 2011. If he wnet pro – then that is on AJ – not UGA.
2. DO NOT feel sorry for the players – all this talk about needed to be paid as they are the ones bringing in all the money. I am a sport of college football – and my school – the players come and go – and I root for them because they play for my school.
– they get a full ride – food,housing, tuition, training – coaching – opporunity for a degree, and a lucky few get a chance to hone their skills for a lucrative NFL contracta. Cry me a river.
– College football was around before they were born – and will be there far after they are no longer breathing.
- These spoiled entitled brats want to exploit the system for their gain – just like the suits. They no longer see playing college football as an opportunity and a scholarship as a priveldge.
Maurice Clarrett stated – it’s on the players – these kids are seeking the cars, condo’s, money – taking advantage of their popularity.
JDawg1785
June 12th, 2011
1:02 pm
Excellent post, Jeff! I miss the days when fans didn’t need a law degree to keep up with the news in college sports.
Buckeye
June 12th, 2011
1:04 pm
Another column for Schultzie and another column with Ohio State front and center.
Go Bucks!
Hit A Single
June 12th, 2011
1:05 pm
Everybody can take blame. We build these kids up and kiss their tails to get them to come to our schools. The media, parents, sorry parents that don’t even give their kids the time of day unless they think they can get something out of it, sorry ass coaches, boosters and fans are all to blame. But you know what it goes back to the student athlete that breaks the rules. Alot of kids come from bad backgrounds and are very successful doing it the right way.
Season Over
June 12th, 2011
1:11 pm
Boise State 49, UGA 13.
Season Over
Charles
June 12th, 2011
1:15 pm
1. Terrelle Pryor’s cars were legitimately purchased by his mom, the loaners were used while his cars were being repaired and this was documented.
2. At this point 8 out of 9 of the current players supposedly accused of getting tatoos in exchange for memorabilia by Sports Illustrated NOT only had all their respective memorabilia, but 2 of the individuals NEVER HAD A TATOO and DO NOT have a tatoo on their body.
3. At this point both Terrelle Pryor’s attorney and the Mr Talbott, accused of paying for memorabilia both passionately claiming their is no trail of money or checks or payment or evidence of it of paying Terelle Pryor for anything.
4. And both the NCAA and Youngstown State’s former president stated that Jim Tressel had no culpabililty with Ray Issaac, the QB getting paid by the YSU booster and in fact… Ray Isaac himself has been on record numerous times saying that Jim Tressel had nothing to do with the affair.
5. How about Maurice Clarett recently & factually declaring his actions while at OSU his actions and not related at all the Jim Tressel.
You, like your many of your colleagues in the media, love to report the negative and lots of allegations & innuendo but never back those up with the truth or that facts when they present themselves.
You love to run headlines about the guy accused of RAPE…but when the accused is found to be at the park feeding the pigeons when the RAPE supposedly occurred you WILL NOT REPORT that.
Jim Tressel had impacted more young lives in a positive fashion and done more in the service of his community, state and fellow man than you will in 20 lifetimes…(and you can’t stand the thought of it)
How about a report on that Jeff?
regards,
Charles N Carter
Atlanta GA
Fisher
June 12th, 2011
1:21 pm
Western Carolina 82, TECH 6 (missed the extra point kick)
Tim
June 12th, 2011
1:36 pm
Good column… and what about Michael Adams and UGA paying Daomn Evans more than $237,000 for all the mess he got in… driving drunk, having a woman he wasn’t married to in a vehicle with him and her panties in his lap and trying to bribe a law enforcement officer. Ridiculous!! He should not have been paid one penny!!! What about writing a column about the ludicrous salaries major college coach’s make and the even-more ludicrous pay they receive when they get fired (Ex: Fulmer, $7 million fat Tennessee)?
Charles
June 12th, 2011
1:55 pm
Oh yeah… Jeff I forgot to mention (or did you forget to report?) Ohio State lead the NCAA Top 25 football programs in academic progress rate and was #1 in GPA (the highest in school history) among Big Ten football programs… They were #5 in academic progress rate among ALL NCAA institutions… among those being Northwestern, Penn and better than schools like Stanford…
It would seem it would be real difficult to encourage corrupt behavior in the athletic dept and by the head coach, go 12-1 two years in a row, win 2 BCS bowl games and achieve academically like Ohio State does…
Any brilliant investigation into that Jeff ?
How about a report on teams & schools that WIN BIG and ALSO GRADUATE players ???
That would require work, journalistic saavy & integrity and heaven forbid some positive reporting.
Probably not… huh ?
NoGaGator
June 12th, 2011
1:58 pm
Charles -
If Terelle is clean, why is he now refusing to talk to the NCAA?
re: Isaac – Tressel introduced him to Monus when Isaac said he was having problems. Then Tressel doesn’t know anything from that point. ANSWER -He didn’t want to know.
Tressel introduced Smith to the booster who then gave Troy Smith money. Then again, Tressel doesn’t know anything from that point. ANSWER -He didn’t want to know.
OSU basketball player Titus saying people really had to be looking the other way about all the cars. He said all you had to do was look in the players parking lot and it was pretty obvious.
But most important, Charles, how can some outside reporters for SI spend a week or two in Columbus and dig up so much dirt when pOSU has a compliance dep’t of 6 people that should be on top of transgressions? How can it be?
Also, if the article was inaccurate, I’m sure we’d be seeing trailers on ESPN of lawsuits being filed out of Columbus. Instead, not a peep.
Bo in North Carolina
June 12th, 2011
2:04 pm
Charles & Sir Barks Maurice Clarett of course has outstanding credentials and high morals and can comment of the OSU situation.
Jeff good column.
jim
June 12th, 2011
2:14 pm
Charles, If Tressel truly is blameless in all of this, then he may be the most ignorant man on the planet. Numerous reports indicate that OSU players getting perks was common knowledge throughout Columbus.
I don’t doubt he is a good guy & has helped hundreds of kids, but I would say it is possible to be that person and still turn a blind eye to what his kids were doing.
George (do you miss me now) Bush
June 12th, 2011
2:16 pm
Great article, Jeff. Thanks.
Beast from the East
June 12th, 2011
2:23 pm
Charles,
Your passion is admirable, but your naivity is not. Tressel is about as clean as I am and I’ve just come from from working in the yard for 4 hours. FILTHY!
Dawg Whisperer
June 12th, 2011
2:27 pm
The reason that “da preacher man” eludes Jeff’s article is because he does not exemplify the character of those others mentioned in the article. SSIGator… your incessant abusive comments toward coach Richt is far more a reflection on you than him. Negativity is not a healthy choice.
PMC
June 12th, 2011
2:32 pm
Wait, so the Stewart’s were spreading false rumors about the CIW, but the CIW is still a drunk? “Just because you’re paranoid it doesn’t mean the world’s not out to get you?”
That sounds like a disaster waiting to happen, they might as well hire Rich Rod back. He’s not busy. Speaking of disasters…..
spider
June 12th, 2011
2:33 pm
How about a report on the biggest cheaters in all of college sports BYU
PMC
June 12th, 2011
2:34 pm
Charles, the graduating players at Ohio State are not the ones winning games for them. I think that’s part of the point really. Ohio State is an excellent learning institution with an absolutely pathetic compliance department, purpose built to use the schools reputation to cover up massive rules violations…. so they could win football games.
BAMA STAN
June 12th, 2011
2:51 pm
13 NATIONAL TITLES – 22 SEC TITLES!!!
Charles – Nice post – except you left out the part that Tressell lied and covered up some to the violations.
If he had integrity – he would have suspended his players before the bowl game and came clean when he found out what was going on – but the pressure to win was too great.
Hey – we have had scum bags ruin our program as well – Mike DuBose was having an affair with a staff worker, paying high school coaches and parents to direct kids to Alabama – and got caught. We had many arrogant alumni and Alabama staff workers go after other schools and pointed fingers to defray the blame.
At the end of the day – our program was guilty.
I could care less about Spurrier or Fulmer turning us in – they should have.
We deserved what we got – and buddy – it was rough to go through.
However – be humble – accept the punishment – restructure your program – and go back to winning Big 10 titles – that is what Ohio State is all about!
Roll Tide!
AU Football = Mental Giants
June 12th, 2011
2:52 pm
Enter your comments here
Sir Barks A Lot
June 12th, 2011
2:54 pm
Bo In North Carolina – I think you missed the point. What Maurice said was all the stuff he did – was on him. He went looking for cars – cash , etc. Most of the players do the same – they knowinly break the rules on their own. Tressell’s issue is that he found out about it – and did not report what he knew – so he covered it up. It cost him his job – as well as it should have.
Alex Casabian
June 12th, 2011
2:55 pm
Jeff,
To find the root of the problem, you always follow the money… which leads to the suits. Cleaning up this sport has to start there.
BUT make no mistake… EVERYONE involved is at fault. Nobody held guns to these kids heads and forced them to take money and benefits they knew to be wrong. Money doesn’t make you WHO you are… it makes you MORE of WHO you are.
George (do you miss me now) Bush
June 12th, 2011
2:57 pm
Bama Stan,
That may be the most intelligent, level-headed, reasonable statement I have ever heard a Tide fan say. Especially
“At the end of the day – our program was guilty.
I could care less about Spurrier or Fulmer turning us in – they should have.
We deserved what we got – and buddy – it was rough to go through.”
Thanks for not spewing venum as it is so easy to do when discussing issues we are so passionate about. I would enjoy the ajc sports sections and comments if we could trade the hate mongers for sane participants as yourself.
Have a lovely day, from a Dawg.
jacketdad
June 12th, 2011
3:00 pm
Bama Stan – good post – it is nice to see that some fans have their priorities in order.
Beast from the East
June 12th, 2011
3:03 pm
Bama Stan,
Well said. My Gators were guilty as all get out during the Pell years. It certainly is a tough pill to swallow but it is better to just take your lumps, learn from it and move on. No sense is being in denial as it only makes it worse.
SEC Fan
June 12th, 2011
3:06 pm
BAMA STAN -
Good post but if you had any integrity, you’d stop with your bogus claim of Nat’l Titles. Surely you can do better.
Bryce S
June 12th, 2011
3:15 pm
PMC.. having a few drinks isn’t a crime. Bear Bryant, Jackie Sherrill, Bo Schembechler, et al. all enjoyed a pop now and then. Holgosen wasn’t being disruptive and took a cab home. Don;t tell me you’ve never done that. Of course your probably a Pitt fan. Maybe you should start concerning yourself with violent behaviors like coaches striking their “baby mama’s”
Bob Gibson
June 12th, 2011
3:21 pm
As long as there are people (you and me) and money involved, there will be corruption. Period.
I expect there is little to no corruption in anything other than football and basketball, but nobody gives a rip. How long until kickoff?
Abolish HHS
June 12th, 2011
3:41 pm
Yo Jeff, it all started in West Virginia, Mr Gordon Gee was the President of WVU for about five years I believe. He was also head of the SAT program, no wonder they have dumbed it down. Check out the Mylan Pharmaceutical scandal at wvu, the President of the school had to resign for helping cover up a fake MBA for the Governors daughter, who just happened to be the CFO of Mylan (they promoted her to Co CEO or President or some such high mucky muck position when it was proven by the Pittsburgh Press that she had no MBA degree).
Abolish HHS
June 12th, 2011
3:42 pm
Oh yeah, the governor in question is now the US Senator from WVA, replacing Robert Byrd!
rizing star
June 12th, 2011
3:43 pm
in the past, you would call a guy that dealt in e-type porn a pervert. Now you just callem congressman.
In the past, you would call a team that opened the season against a ranked team courageous. After they lose, you just callem losers.
Bo in North Carolina
June 12th, 2011
3:52 pm
Sir Barks point taken. However, I still would not bank on Clarett for a character witness.
Delbert D.
June 12th, 2011
3:55 pm
I had a few glasses of pinot noir last night, but I was home watching the Braves, not getting tossed from a casino.
Bobby Petrino
June 12th, 2011
4:10 pm
I coach strictly for the love of the game and the kids !
PMC
June 12th, 2011
4:22 pm
Bryce, I don’t really care at all whatsoever about the goings on in Morgantown, best of luck to you all. Seems like the police escorting a coach out of a casino for drunkenness is a step beyond… “Welp, I think I’ve had enough, guess I’ll go home and call a cab”
The Plain Truth
June 12th, 2011
4:22 pm
Speaking of outrages, UGA has made the state a laughingstock with its reputation as one big party school with so many job opportunities for lawyers and bail bondsmen, and decent people are fed up with this. Get rid of the illiterate, undisciplined drunks and me-first jerks that Mark Richt recruits, and get rid of Richt too. Even with these morons, he can’t even win the division, much less the SEC, so what’s the point?
San Marco
June 12th, 2011
4:24 pm
South Carolina 37, Georgia 17.
Buh bye, Saint Mark.
Yeltsin
June 12th, 2011
4:27 pm
“Buh bye, Saint Mark.”
AND GOOD RIDDANCE TO THE LOSER!
rs
June 12th, 2011
4:55 pm
The sad thing about all of this stuff is its going on all over the place,in every sport in college.And the powers to be know it.
borogirl54
June 12th, 2011
4:59 pm
I agree it is not the kids’ fault. Rather, the fault lies in a combination of coaches, administrators and out of control boosters. Many of these kids come from low income backgrounds and all of sudden, they have college coaches basically throwing themselves at them to come and play for their school. The sad thing is that many of these kids will complete their eligiblity and leave school without a degree.
FCB
June 12th, 2011
5:03 pm
Charles, that academic progress rate report is a bunch of crap. The reason why schools like Stanford rank lower is because they don’t give their football players a pass or send them to the easier classes. Those players have to take the regular curriculum at top notch institutions.
Jeff, I think you left out that in the defense of some of the administration, they may not know because they have been lied to as well. I think once they get full information they take appropriate actions, but if they’re working on only partial or misinformation, then things get tricky. The presidents’ of these universities have far more things on their plate than their athletic programs.
Paul N Destin
June 12th, 2011
5:07 pm
Just wait to the guys in the suits from AU take the stage. College football is on he downhill folks and the reason is the player pool is getting worse every year. The easy button/ESPN me bunch will ruin what most of us old times consider the best game going. Add in today’s coaches and we have about 10 years left. Think about it ..OSU has as many as 30 guys in on the free stuff for tats and do you think for a minute they gave a rats azz about the tradition of those that came before them or those still on the team? Really. Until the NCAA makes the teams have to return TV money if caught cheating then good luck. Mike Slive looked like a New Orleans pimp the way he handled the Cam Newton deal and the folks across this country (sports) have little respect for the SEC because gave the go ahead due to money and the chance for a SEC to get into the show. Enjoy our game while we have them but their is no doubt it’s going south in the future. Hell…the conferences and the coaches pass on to the officals the responsibility of controlling the players when scoring a TD…now that is taking the bull by the horns. Maybe we need to get the presidents from UGA and UF to handle that for us? Maybe send to players to the jails in athens and gainesville at least the presidents know something about those are located. Hypocrites.
DAWG
June 12th, 2011
5:32 pm
I was with 82nd Airborne for years and one word comes to mind FUBAR. As long as the NCAA has a blind eye, this crap will never stop. Some programs are crafty enough to hide their butts and no paper trail. All I can say this has to stop.
Paul's Johnson
June 12th, 2011
5:36 pm
This garbage has become an everyday occurence. We see it so often, I think we’ve come to expect it. Shameful.
OSU Fan
June 12th, 2011
5:43 pm
Say what you want….Tressel lied. He should be removed. But to blame him or anyone else for something a 19-22 yr-old did is BS. The players know right from wrong. Coaches are wrong for knowing about it and ignoring it…as well as lying about it. But, initially, the kids who take the money, etc are to blame. The system stinks…and people are idiots to think it’s not happening in most (if not all) major DI football and basketball programs.
Beast from the East
June 12th, 2011
5:47 pm
Gators came back to take game 3 of the Super Regional and are heading to Omaha! MSU played a great series and gave the Gators all they could handle. What a game today!!!
Go Gators!
Beast from the East
June 12th, 2011
5:50 pm
“The system stinks…and people are idiots to think it’s not happening in most (if not all) major DI football and basketball programs.”
OSU Fan,
I usually don’t buy that. However, with all we keep hearing it’s beginning to feel that way.
Mr. A Weiner
June 12th, 2011
5:56 pm
Just let the guys in the suits do thier jobs. Thats the only thing that should matter these days anyway. Just Win baby!
Wonderful Ohio on the Gulf 'Dog
June 12th, 2011
6:08 pm
Gordon Gee and Gene Smith need to be following Tressel out the door in Columbus, just like Hamilton followed Pearl in Knoxville.
When an employer’s regulatory agency catches an employee lying red-handed, that employer must fire the lying employee immediately. Otherwise, the regulators have no option to conclude anything but that the employer approves the lying.
That Gee, Smith, and Hamilton did not act swiftly against Tressel and Pearl makes them equally complicit in the coaches’ lying.
Gee and Smith must go!
5150 UOAD
June 12th, 2011
6:42 pm
As this country has forgotten God our morals, ethics, and values have continued disappearing. Many of your friends maybe nice and respectful to you, but I bet they are screwing over somebody. I used to think that for the most part people are good and care about each other. I find that harder and harder rationalize everyday. I fear as the economy gets worse we will see the worst in man not the best. We have been taught to be the best and to get to the top at any cost. The Public Education System is making it even worse. Schools can’t teach Christian Values, Patriotism, or Moral without somebody being offended and bringing a lawsuit. There is no Right or Wrong, but only what you can Prove or Litigate.
Do the world a favor and kill a Lawyer or Politician. We would all enjoy a better less crap filled life.
The Love of Money is the root of all evil and college football is just another big money business.
juice sourcer
June 12th, 2011
6:42 pm
The system is completely broken and totally hypocritical. Coaches and universities making millions and players get nothing. Needs to be blown up.
NCAA Division I Football = Money = Corruption
June 12th, 2011
6:44 pm
Greed. Corruption. Rule breaking. Agents. Arrests. Selling jerseys. Scalping tickets. $60 parking at game. Traffic jams getting home. Huge coaching salaries. Large athletic budgets.
=
NCAA Division I Football.
NCAA Division I Football = Money = Corruption
June 12th, 2011
6:44 pm
Greed. Corruption. Rule breaking. Agents. Arrests. Selling jerseys. Scalping tickets. $60 parking at game. Traffic jams getting home. Huge coaching salaries. Large athletic budgets.
=
NCAA Division I Football.
NCAA Division I Football = Money = Corruption
June 12th, 2011
6:44 pm
Greed. Corruption. Rule breaking. Agents. Arrests. Selling jerseys. Scalping tickets. $60 parking at game. Traffic jams getting home. Huge coaching salaries. Large athletic budgets.
=
NCAA Division I Football.
LakeDawg
June 12th, 2011
6:55 pm
You are right on, Jeff! This is typical of how America works in general. The men in suits orchestrate the whole thing, walk away with a bundle, and then deflect the public’s attention by pointing at A) the athlete or in politics pointing at B) poor people. The sad thing is the public falls for it hook, line, and sinker to their own detriment. BTW I have to give you kudos for the “junior member” line.
Tidewatch
June 12th, 2011
6:57 pm
SEC fan,the titles are not bogus.
5150 UOAD
June 12th, 2011
6:58 pm
Isn’t Oliver Luck Stanford’s QB Andrew Luck’s dad?
heartofdarkness
June 12th, 2011
7:06 pm
A fish rots from the head.
Abolish HHS
June 12th, 2011
7:08 pm
5150 – Yes, the AD at wvu is Oliver Luck jr’ dad. Oliver sr played for wvu, then Huston in the nfl. Even when he was in the NFL, I would periodically see him in the bars of Sunnyside.
Dawg Jones
June 12th, 2011
7:08 pm
Shultz…so close to getting this right. The suites take some of the blame…but keep in mind they are just trying to protect the the stupid coaches they hire. Keep in mind they have to protect them because if they go against them too early…the coach can have them removed very easily. So really its the blind leading the blind. Will anyone out there step up and do the right thing? The answer is no when too much money is involved for the individuals (coaches and AD’s) They are both like CEO’s and we see that they have all done on Wall Street!
SEC Fan
June 12th, 2011
7:17 pm
C’mon Tidewatch get real. A couple of the years y’all claimed Nat’l Titles, you weren’t even the best team in the SEC.
Do you seriously think any knowledgeable fan outside of your myopic, parochial fan base really believes that?
SEC Fan
June 12th, 2011
7:21 pm
Here you go Tidewatch
http://spittingfire.wordpress.com/2008/01/13/alabamas-12-national-championships/
And you Bammers are all married to Morgan Fairchild, yea, that’s the ticket.
LakeDawg
June 12th, 2011
7:22 pm
I think Bama has claimed a couple of Birmingham News national titles in the 20’s. What is their count up too now? 30 or 40 national titles? I can’t keep track.
SEC Fan
June 12th, 2011
7:30 pm
LakeDawg why do they even bother to stop at 13 – even if they have to count on both hands and part of a foot to get there?
Oh, I forgot they can’t count past 5 very well since their other hand is up their azz.
LakeDawg
June 12th, 2011
7:39 pm
SEC Fan
I’m gonna help them out. I’ve started a new ranking system that is very scientific. It’s called the Lake Poll. I rank teams based on the amount of kool-aid drinkers in each fan base. I’m retroactively giving Bama ALL previous national titles!
5150 UOAD
June 12th, 2011
7:41 pm
The Only Teams that can claim a REAL National Championship are the ones that finished the year Undefeated. Michigan has like 50 NC if you count all the old newspapers and things that called them that from 1900 on. The BCS MNC is a real Champion either. Until they split all leagues up evenly, play every team in the league to get a champion, and then all league champions play in a Tournament it is just people running their mouths and nothing more.
5150 UOAD
June 12th, 2011
7:42 pm
LakeDawg followed by the UGA fan base. Too bad UGA’s teams don’t have the wins on the field like Bama does.
LakeDawg
June 12th, 2011
7:50 pm
5150 UOAD
No, UGA doesn’t have the wins on the field that Bama does, but we aren’t claiming 50 national titles either.
BTW UGA does own GT though. LMAO
SEC Fan
June 12th, 2011
7:54 pm
5150 UOAD
Based on your criteria, ie undefeated season, the Bammers will try to schedule all lower-level teams like UL-Monroe in a desperate attempt for yet another.
Oh, that’s right, they already did and lost to them.
5150 UOAD
June 12th, 2011
8:11 pm
LakeDawg where did you go to college?
SEC Fan you don’t read very well then do you? I said the Undefeated teams from the past. I told you how to win a NC now with all league champions playing in a tournament. I hope you are just an SEC fan and not a Grad of any college in the SEC.
5150 UOAD
June 12th, 2011
8:12 pm
SEC fan Auburn would have more National Championships than UGA and that is for sure.
5150 UOAD
June 12th, 2011
8:13 pm
If we counted Undefeated seasons.
LakeDawg
June 12th, 2011
8:15 pm
5150 UOAD
I graduated from UGA. What year did you drop out at Tech?
5150 UOAD
June 12th, 2011
8:22 pm
I guessed you would say you graduated UGA but then there is no way to prove it now is there? I graduated from NGC and Kennesaw State. My Father is the Tech Grad. I started going to games with him when I was 6.
SEC Fan
June 12th, 2011
8:28 pm
5150 UOAD
I read extremely well and my COMPREHENSION is equally as good. You need to be better in your criteria. Undefeated teams of the past…wtf does that mean? An MAC school OF THE PAST may be the only undefeated team in Major College Football. Do you, 5150 UOAD, then award them the Nat’l Championship? If so, you’ll be like some of those Bammer alleged championships – awarded by people noone has ever heard of and years after the season.
LakeDawg
June 12th, 2011
8:30 pm
5150 UOAD
I guess you will have to take my word for it, or not. BTW I have a lot of respect for NGC.
SEC Fan
June 12th, 2011
8:35 pm
5150 UOAD
BTW, I graduated from UND and have an MBA from Northwestern’s Kellog School of Busness.
5150 UOAD
June 12th, 2011
8:49 pm
Then why the SEC fan if you are a gold domer?
And yes that would make the MAC school a National Champ. It makes as much sence as the way it has always been done. like I said you can go back and see the Michigan has like really 20 something NCs if you see the different papers and wire services than published it’s final poll. Any of those people are as good as the BCS of any other fake way NC’s have been decided for over 100 years.
Is that Kellog as in the Food company? I didn’t know The family had a school named after them. Nice.
SEC Fan
June 12th, 2011
9:03 pm
5150 UOAD
1. Look at the drivel you attempt to write: “The BCS MNC is a real Champion either.”…It makes as much sence…” ? wth man???
2. We’re called “domers”, not “gold domer”.
3. Northwestern’s Kellog School of Business is top 5 in MBA programs in the country. Nice.
4. An MAC school Nat’l Champ? Really?
5.Glad you graduated from somewhere…NGC – what’s that, a health food store?
Wonderful Ohio on the Gulf 'Dog
June 12th, 2011
9:04 pm
5150,
“I didn’t know The family had a school named after them. Nice.”
Pretty ignorant of you, then, don’t you think?
5150 UOAD
June 12th, 2011
9:13 pm
Wonderful Ohio on the Gulf ‘Dog
Do you know every Family that has a College or school named after them? I didn’t know the Kellog’s had one. It isn’t that big of a deal. Sorry if my not knowing that offended you. I see on US News & World Report list it is #3.
The BCS MNC is a should have been The BCS MNC isn’t a.
SEC Fan
June 12th, 2011
9:21 pm
5150 UOAD
Shane or Patrick…Is that you? Ground control to Major Tom…
5150 UOAD
June 12th, 2011
9:24 pm
Don’t know a Shane or Patrick.
Do you follow ND much?
I don’t get the SEC thing if you are from the North. No big deal I just find it interesting. Most Yankees make fun of everything southern. you seem to have embraced it.
It Ain't Rocket Science
June 12th, 2011
9:31 pm
What role models do most of these kids have to look up to. They see all the corruption that goes on in society and they think, since it is accepted by the community as a whole, then it is OK for them to get a piece of the pie. Look at thier role models. Crooked politicians, mail order preachers, CEO’s of big companies that lie and cheat to protect themselves. Sure, the colleges pay these coaches a lot of money, but they earn it. They are asked to keep a kid out of trouble, provide for his well being as far as is legal, teach him life lessons his parent(s) failed to provide them, and shape a team that is successful out of this combination of kids. With the pressure everybody associated with college sports puts on the coach, is it any wonder they cut corners sometimes to keep their job and produce a winning program at all cost. If a coach is actually a God fearing, honest individual, we vilify them and shout for them to be thrown out, unless they finish in the top 10 every year. Win at all cost is the motto in America and college sports is part of America. Nobody is exempt in society for the most part as we all act as if our cause is the only thing that matters in life, and everybody should think it is thiers as well. Nothing is going to change in sports or any other walk in life. Money is the great motivator and that is the lesson, we give these kids and pass this off as the only way to look at and do things.
SEC Fan
June 12th, 2011
9:32 pm
Again, for educational purposes, why would you ASS U ME I am a yankee. I was born in the South and have lived here with the exception of College and grad school.
The SEC is a much better league than the Big Ten (Northwestern) or ND – an independent with thier own NBC network but still living on the past. Maybe Kelly will change that.
Good luck with you 5150 UOAD, I’m out – have an early flight tomorrow..
5150 UOAD
June 12th, 2011
9:37 pm
I just figured that you were from the north since all your education is in the north. Bad of me but not necessarily totally misguided I don’t believe.
Have a good flight.
Saban
June 12th, 2011
10:09 pm
Doesn`t matter if Richt cheats or not. He can`t coach anyway.
Boise State 66 Dawgs 6
BG
June 12th, 2011
10:10 pm
SEC Fan says, “NGC – what’s that, a health food store?
Typical Yankee arrogance!
BTW, I’d like to see big-time college sports knocked down a couple of notches, and don’t understand why the IRS tolerates its non-profit characterization.
voiceofreason
June 12th, 2011
10:19 pm
Hillbilly D is exactly right. The root of the all these problems is that college football and basketball are essentially farm leagues for the pros. Us college football fans like that because it gives college football high caliber athletes that it probably wouldn’t have if it had to compete with minor league football for talent. The current model worked 50 years ago when college and pro football weren’t as lucrative. With the money schools, coaches and agents stand to make today, all three are willing to take chances and break NCAA rules to recruit and keep players. And as long as both college and pro football remain lucrative, there will always be schools, players and agents willing to cheat to get players. And the system will remain dirty and corrupt.
In my opinion, college football needs to return to just being college football instead of being semi pro sport. Kids should apply to college and go through the standard admissions process without any consideration of their athletic talents. Once they’re accepted to the college, they can then try out for the team. This will ensure that colleges are only admitting kids that are qualified for college. To be sure, this will reduce the talent level in college football and probably the popularity of the game but colleges should be about education. It pains me to say this as a college football fan but if we’re going to be honest about the problems and the solutions, we have to look at how the game has evolved into a semi pro sport.
UGA owns you tasty bees..
June 12th, 2011
11:41 pm
LeCHOKE James obviously sold his soul for only a second place finish.. Wonder if he kept his receipt???
Native to the ATL
June 13th, 2011
12:45 am
unk Boh mahn gahnie…….lahnie cha lahnie cha…….White boys win.
TheAntiMe
June 13th, 2011
12:57 am
Just thought that I would start the ball rolling for your next blog/column, Jeff:
The Mavs may be the World Champs but LeBron James is STILL the undisputed queen of the NBA illustrated by how he once again ran off of the floor crying like a little girl after the Mavericks kicked their cans. This is starting to become a common occurrence for James in the NBA playoffs.
TheAntiMe
June 13th, 2011
1:06 am
Oops, I guess I didn’t start it after all.
Elmo
June 13th, 2011
1:38 am
I agree . You have earned your Master’s in Common Sense Jeff.
UGA owns you tasty bees..
June 13th, 2011
3:26 am
More importantly than this extemely flagrant “foul” on morals by these suit-wearing greed mongers, is the fact that LeChoke James didn’t win 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, not even “six” championships tonight.. If anyone doubts that scum-bags allegiances, check out the “illuminati” triangle symbol he often does, taught to him by his closet mentor Jay-z, who also worships the devil. That is no joke. Why would someone already rich and famous sell their soul for a few more bucks? GREED. Before you start making fun of me, look up info on that conspiracy on youtube, there are tons of supporting videos to this theory. Why would he mock Jesus Christ with his pre game ritual in the first place? More sports stars and entertainers have literally sold their soul than you may think, and the proof is there.
UGA owns you tasty bees..
June 13th, 2011
3:28 am
By the way Jeff, your Haslem tweet (?) couldn’t have been more hilarious, even if you would’ve tossed Bibby in there too..
UGA owns you tasty bees..
June 13th, 2011
3:32 am
I have to admit, I once thought that you were in love with Paul Johnson, the way you gushed over him in previous years, but now, punks, rejects, and losers like LeWhimp, Kiffin, and Tressel make Paul J. look good-natured, humble, and well-mannered. Who knows, maybe a few more years from now, me and you may see eye to eye on more than a couple occasions a year..
Cloudodust
June 13th, 2011
7:05 am
Of the 12 violations referenced, the 10 major violations in basketball alone is 11 too many. The ringleader, one Mike Hamilton, skates away with cold, hard cash. Football will get a slap but proceed. Basketball might take a standing 8 count and need a cut man in their corner. Sorry folks, no Death Penalty Atop Rocky.
sportzfan
June 13th, 2011
8:04 am
Why is it that everyone on these post point fingers at Schultz and other writers for giving their opinions? Why is it that most of you see others faults and not your own? Why not write facts like “Bama Stan” did earlier and admit that most all programs have faults.
Why degrade coach Johnson when he’s won everywhere he’s been…..and with less talent. Why degrade coach Richt when every Univ. in America needs a coach with such character. Why degrade coach Saban when he wins at every stop…..is it jealously? Why belittle coach Spurrier when he gets results and brings excitement to the game? When you state commits about these and other individuals, don’t just rattle off an opinion, give some proof.
The real problem in college athletics is the obnixous fans posting in articles like this and calling radio talk shows……and 90% didn’t even go to college. Take care of your own household and stop looking down your nose at others.
RambleOn84
June 13th, 2011
8:14 am
Hey Schultzie,
I always hear folks talking about paying college athletes.
But how about going the other way? How about we stop paying the coaches, other than a small supplement (like the way high school coaches are paid)? How about we only allow students and alumni admission into the games?
RambleOn84
June 13th, 2011
8:22 am
Imagine a football coach moonlighting as a chemistry professor…I think most of the problems with the cheating would cease to exist under this method. But I know this would NEVER happen.
Tom
June 13th, 2011
8:23 am
Hey Jeff:
Who was the source of Holgorsen rumors? Coach Stewart and his wife in an effort to get rid of the coach in waiting (Holgerson). Once this was learned by the administration, that’s why Stewart was let go with one year remaining on his contract. You have some good columns-this was not one of them.
Rolo
June 13th, 2011
8:32 am
This piece illustrates why I stopped wearing a coat and tie. You get a pissed of client or customer coming in the office. The first person they’re going to grab is the guy in the tie.
Bryce S
June 13th, 2011
8:41 am
Tom… the allegation is that the coach/wife was the source. Luck has repeatedly stated that he’s found no evidence of this. However, Stewart resigned (Was NOT “let go”). It’s funny how story’s get twisted.
The reporter in question who made these allegations has had an axe to grind with Stewart since Stewart lied to the reporter (Not being sharp enough to evade the reporters question) He lied to the reporter about whether or not Stewart had spoken with Holgorsen. Stewart was wrong there. But the reporter has had a vendetta ever since. The reporter waited until after the reporter left the newspaper (was fired?) to come out with the allegations against Stewart.
Mayo
June 13th, 2011
9:34 am
Money…it’s a hit! Don’t give that do-goody-good bull$hit…
NCAA. Like it or not: that’$ what it’$ all about, folk$!
OldFan
June 13th, 2011
3:00 pm
Big time college sports simply mimic the larger influences in society. The days of the student-athlete went out with leather helmets and boola-boola, just like the house-calling family doctor and the corner banker. This stuff happens because we let it, because we value winning above all, and because we believe that more money must mean higher achievement. But despite all the muck, it’s still possible to enjoy a Fall Saturday when the players are on the field. Too bad all those other folks in suits are on the sidelines.
rizing star
June 13th, 2011
8:34 pm
speaking of Bron…the worst thing for Mia was Bron hitting his first four shots. Then downhill.
Lacoste
June 13th, 2011
8:35 pm
I know how to solve the problem……fans need to stop spending their money on college athletics. Empty seats will do it.
Jill
June 13th, 2011
8:58 pm
Holgorson certainly acted poorly that night, setting a bad example. HOWEVER, he was NOT “dragged” out of the casino. The situation is difficult enough without exaggerations being whimsically flung about to support an op-ed. What is known, is that he was intoxicated and loud and then left peaceably on his own and took a cab home. HOWEVER, I am in no way justifying his behavior. He needs to take responsibility for the position he holds and needs to realize he is a role model for 18 year-old to 23 year-old young men.
Big Ten Champs Nebraska
June 15th, 2011
9:23 am
Ahhhhh……Football in the south. Much like the police and politicians….Corrupt.
See you in the fall.
Dawg Tired
June 16th, 2011
1:13 pm
Bryce S – I was actually wondering just how drunk and obnoxious one has to be to get kicked out of a West Virginia casino.
Dawg Tired
June 16th, 2011
1:14 pm
With apologies to Jill – I should have said “asked to leave” rather than “kicked out.”
brit snoddy
June 16th, 2011
4:13 pm
Stewart only asked reporter, who has also been fired, to look into rumors about Danadude Hogo. which turned out to be true. Hogo refused to leave casino at request of security but left when police were called. Oliver the Brilliant was brought in by ONE rich booster who served with on the WVU board of regents for the plannned hit job on Stewart,regardless of his record last year. Not until Stewart hired a NY attorney, who probably threatened to expose the connniving Luck, did Luck cave and give Stewart a buyout, although much smaller than he was entitled to. compare Stewart’s record of being the winnningest coach in WV history and his salary of $800,000 per year with othrs.
Rantly McTirade
June 16th, 2011
6:14 pm
You should take a much, much closer look at Luck. He admitted, indirectly, that there was no evidence that Stewart tried to get dirt on Holgerson, and the one employed sports journalist(Landon at the Huntington paper) flat out said that Stewart-or anyone close to him-were
in any contact with him. Luck used, probably even created this myth, to dump Stewart who didn’t deserve it-9 wins a year at West Virginia is pretty good. Luck would be a great government or corporate hack-an untrustworthy, amoral backstabber.