J.A. Adande: The Closest thing to a victim might be the African American Assistant Coaches

[Franisdaman]

The most remarkable aspect of the government case that ripped apart college basketball last week is that the closest thing to a victim might be the alleged perpetrators in the middle of this, the ones who were doing what their job required: the African-American assistant coaches.

Everyone got what they wanted from the transactions detailed by the FBI. The shoe companies, agents and financial advisers got their “in” with potential moneymaking clients of the future. The players and their families got their cash. The basketball programs got their recruits.

Maybe you could say the players’ choices in schools and representation were narrowed, thanks to the money circle.

The court documents allege that there was a conspiracy to “commit an offense against the United States” through unlawful bribes that entailed interstate travel, wired money and communication. Yeah, there might have been some untaxed transactions, but as a U.S. citizen — as we, the people — do you feel personally wronged?

Here’s who gets deprived repeatedly in this game: black assistant coaches who want head coaching jobs at the major programs. A Minneapolis Star-Tribune study last season found only 13 African-American head coaches among the 75 major-conference college basketball programs.

So they take the jobs they can get and rise until they hit the glass ceiling, which often means an assistant coach with heavy recruiting responsibilities. They are valued for their ability to keep the heat off the head coach.

A Louisville assistant coach could be accused of arranging for sex parties with escorts for recruits on campus and head coach Rick Pitino got to say, “I don’t know if any of this is true or not.” Andre McGee got the boot, and Pitino lived to see another day.

In the latest scandal, Pitino and Jurich aren’t facing federal charges with 80-year maximum sentences. That burden falls on the assistant coaches, all African-Americans.

J.A. Adande is the director of sports journalism at Northwestern University and has been a staff writer at ESPN.com, the Los Angeles Times, the Washington Post and the Chicago Sun-Times.


LINK: https://theundefeated.com/features/black-assistant-coaches-get-hurt-the-most-in-recruiting-scandals/

 

[DanL53]

I disagree with the presumption because:

1) We're assuming there is some reason a black assistant is required. If that is true than there is already a better chance a black guy would get the job.
2) If it's such a terrible gig why would anyone want it?
3) No one has to break the law and from all indications most don't.

I do agree there are far to few African American Head Coaches in the NCAA. But I don't think it is because they are all getting arrested by the FBI. In fact, up until the last month that idea didn't even exist. And, Pitino, a guy mentioned as getting a break? He's toast.

 

[vgshwk]

The most remarkable aspect of the government case that ripped apart college basketball last week is that the closest thing to a victim might be the alleged perpetrators in the middle of this, the ones who were doing what their job required: the African-American assistant coaches.

Everyone got what they wanted from the transactions detailed by the FBI. The shoe companies, agents and financial advisers got their “in” with potential moneymaking clients of the future. The players and their families got their cash. The basketball programs got their recruits.

Maybe you could say the players’ choices in schools and representation were narrowed, thanks to the money circle.

The court documents allege that there was a conspiracy to “commit an offense against the United States” through unlawful bribes that entailed interstate travel, wired money and communication. Yeah, there might have been some untaxed transactions, but as a U.S. citizen — as we, the people — do you feel personally wronged?

Here’s who gets deprived repeatedly in this game: black assistant coaches who want head coaching jobs at the major programs. A Minneapolis Star-Tribune study last season found only 13 African-American head coaches among the 75 major-conference college basketball programs.

So they take the jobs they can get and rise until they hit the glass ceiling, which often means an assistant coach with heavy recruiting responsibilities. They are valued for their ability to keep the heat off the head coach.

A Louisville assistant coach could be accused of arranging for sex parties with escorts for recruits on campus and head coach Rick Pitino got to say, “I don’t know if any of this is true or not.” Andre McGee got the boot, and Pitino lived to see another day.

In the latest scandal, Pitino and Jurich aren’t facing federal charges with 80-year maximum sentences. That burden falls on the assistant coaches, all African-Americans.

J.A. Adande is the director of sports journalism at Northwestern University and has been a staff writer at ESPN.com, the Los Angeles Times, the Washington Post and the Chicago Sun-Times.


LINK: https://theundefeated.com/features/black-assistant-coaches-get-hurt-the-most-in-recruiting-scandals/

Omg there aren’t enough black people in hockey,swimming,tennis,wrestling,nascar,downhill skiing but the same can be said of latinos and Asians but that doesn’t make it racist.

 

[hawk-i bob]

I do think in many cases 'the assistant' coach seems to be the fall guy for the 'head coach that didnt know a thing'.

I would suggest to the 'assistant coaches who got charged by the FBI...where is your head coach now? Was committing felonies on behalf of your head coach (white or otherwise) worth it?

Cheaters are cheaters...doesnt matter whether white or black. As of now it seems the assistants' are out there committing the crime while the head coach is sitting back. Ya I know Pitino got can...but he had a program rap cheat (prostitutes).

I have no doubt these assistant coaches who got caught & happen to be black were hired by their head coach to go 'get me players'.

I have no doubt these head coaches knew what their assistant was doing and in the very least turned a blind eye & certainly had zero administrative control...because of that & because the head coach hired them & because they happen to be of color.....ya in a way they were also victims of the "Head Coach Didnt Know Anything".

A few years back there were some posters who suggested Fran needed to get rid of Andrew Francis and get a "head hunter recruiter". Now you few may see why some of us said watch out what you wish for. Character matters...this is why Fran is as on hands as any head coach in the country and hires assistants he trust...whether they are black or white.

He certainly doesn't leave them out there to take the fall...because he doesnt cheat.

 

[skydog0784]

"A Minneapolis Star-Tribune study last season found only 13 African-American head coaches among the 75 major-conference college basketball programs."

That is higher percentage (13/75 = 17.33%) than the African American population in the US on a pro-rated basis (13.3%).

The caucasian population is getting screwed! This is an outrage!


"According to Race and Ethnicity in the United States statistics as posted on Wikipedia; as of July 2016, white Americans are the racial majority. African Americans are the largest racial minority, amounting to 13.3% of the population."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Race_and_ethnicity_in_the_United_States

 

[amahawk]

"A Minneapolis Star-Tribune study last season found only 13 African-American head coaches among the 75 major-conference college basketball programs."

That is higher percentage (13/75 = 17.33%) than the African American population in the US on a pro-rated basis (13.3%).

The caucasian population is getting screwed! This is an outrage!


"According to Race and Ethnicity in the United States statistics as posted on Wikipedia; as of July 2016, white Americans are the racial majority. African Americans are the largest racial minority, amounting to 13.3% of the population."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Race_and_ethnicity_in_the_United_States

You are letting the facts get in the way of a story.

Some one had the same answer for Paul Finebaum on his show. He said African Americans were under represented in the ranks of major college football coaches.

 

[DodgerHawki]

I do think in many cases 'the assistant' coach seems to be the fall guy for the 'head coach that didnt know a thing'.

I would suggest to the 'assistant coaches who got charged by the FBI...where is your head coach now? Was committing felonies on behalf of your head coach (white or otherwise) worth it?

Cheaters are cheaters...doesnt matter whether white or black. As of now it seems the assistants' are out there committing the crime while the head coach is sitting back. Ya I know Pitino got can...but he had a program rap cheat (prostitutes).

I have no doubt these assistant coaches who got caught & happen to be black were hired by their head coach to go 'get me players'.

I have no doubt these head coaches knew what their assistant was doing and in the very least turned a blind eye & certainly had zero administrative control...because of that & because the head coach hired them & because they happen to be of color.....ya in a way they were also victims of the "Head Coach Didnt Know Anything".

A few years back there were some posters who suggested Fran needed to get rid of Andrew Francis and get a "head hunter recruiter". Now you few may see why some of us said watch out what you wish for. Character matters...this is why Fran is as on hands as any head coach in the country and hires assistants he trust...whether they are black or white.

He certainly doesn't leave them out there to take the fall...because he doesnt cheat.

To the point on whether or not coaches knew what the assistants were doing, the answer is yes they knew something was going on, but likely didn't know the details. The way the system has been, it's been set up that way so the head coach can say "I didn't know" and it was technically true. The assistant is the fall guy. As long as that assistant remains loyal and doesn't rat on the head coach, that assistant will be rewarded with future jobs or employment elsewhere.

I think Fran has made good choices on his assistants. It's obvious they have to be people he trusts.

 

[DanL53]

To the point on whether or not coaches knew what the assistants were doing, the answer is yes they knew something was going on, but likely didn't know the details. The way the system has been, it's been set up that way so the head coach can say "I didn't know" and it was technically true. The assistant is the fall guy. As long as that assistant remains loyal and doesn't rat on the head coach, that assistant will be rewarded with future jobs or employment elsewhere.

I think Fran has made good choices on his assistants. It's obvious they have to be people he trusts.

It's so obvious they know though. To not know, these scenarios could never happen:

"What were you doing in Chicago, there is no kid in Chicago on our board?" Ooopsie, never ask assistant where he goes or why.
"I heard from a buddy that you, a shoe guy, and our point guard were at a Holiday Inn Express. Why?" No, can never ask that.
"Sorry to have barged in on your conversation with a Financial Guy for the pros! I'll knock next time!" Yeah, better knock next time.

Just, NEVER ask how works going!

And if an assistant has a big hole in his schedule...don't worry about it.

This is why the rules about Institutional Control are so important.

But the question is, did the FBI just hand the NCAA a gift, or a curse? And the problem is while many would love to see College Basketball get cleaned up, there are also plenty in the NCAA who just want to see the money keep flowing in.

 

[FairfIowafan1984]

I saw this on espn. I'm sick of these race baiting articles day after day on espn. Maybe white head coaches are better coaches, and black assistant coaches are better recruiters.

I don't know but I know a lot of power 5 schools have hired black coaches it just hasn't worked out for most colleges.

I hardly go to ESPN anymore because they just produce articles everyday that aren't much about sports and just divide America even more.

 

[soybean]

I saw this on espn. I'm sick of these race baiting articles day after day on espn. Maybe white head coaches are better coaches, and black assistant coaches are better recruiters.

I don't know but I know a lot of power 5 schools have hired black coaches it just hasn't worked out for most colleges.

I hardly go to ESPN anymore because they just produce articles everyday that aren't much about sports and just divide America even more.

Why would that be?

 

[Hammer93]

You are letting the facts get in the way of a story.

Some one had the same answer for Paul Finebaum on his show. He said African Americans were under represented in the ranks of major college football coaches.

7 Black head coaches in the NFL out of 32 teams........roughly 22%. I feel like whitey is being discriminated against here. Burn down the neighborhood!!!!!!

 

[DodgerHawki]

7 Black head coaches in the NFL out of 32 teams........roughly 22%. I feel like whitey is being discriminated against here. Burn down the neighborhood!!!!!!

I think the point being made is that while 22% of coaches are African-American, the percentage of players in the NFL who are African-American is likely north of 80%.

 

[DodgerHawki]

I saw this on espn. I'm sick of these race baiting articles day after day on espn. Maybe white head coaches are better coaches, and black assistant coaches are better recruiters.

I don't know but I know a lot of power 5 schools have hired black coaches it just hasn't worked out for most colleges.

I hardly go to ESPN anymore because they just produce articles everyday that aren't much about sports and just divide America even more.

Lots of assumptions you are making here. What would tell you that white head coaches are better? Have you compared the performance of all black head coaches vs white head coaches? My guess is you would find out that their performance is rather similar, there are good and bad coaches of both races.

Of course there are a lot of P5 schools who hired black head coaches and it didn't work out. The same could be said for white head coaches.

 

[Hammer93]

I think the point being made is that while 22% of coaches are African-American, the percentage of players in the NFL who are African-American is likely north of 80%.

Why are 80% of players in the NFL black?

 

[mtdew_fever]

Why are there good white RB's in college football, but they are required to change positions when they arrive in the NFL?

Overall, I would agree. Race has a lot to do with hiring of coaches. Talk to the owners....that is the only way it changes.

In college basketball.....talk to the major donors. They are the ones that sign off on hiring.

Why are 80% of players in the NFL black?

 

[kceasthawk]

I do think in many cases 'the assistant' coach seems to be the fall guy for the 'head coach that didnt know a thing'.

I would suggest to the 'assistant coaches who got charged by the FBI...where is your head coach now? Was committing felonies on behalf of your head coach (white or otherwise) worth it?

Cheaters are cheaters...doesnt matter whether white or black. As of now it seems the assistants' are out there committing the crime while the head coach is sitting back. Ya I know Pitino got can...but he had a program rap cheat (prostitutes).

I have no doubt these assistant coaches who got caught & happen to be black were hired by their head coach to go 'get me players'.

I have no doubt these head coaches knew what their assistant was doing and in the very least turned a blind eye & certainly had zero administrative control...because of that & because the head coach hired them & because they happen to be of color.....ya in a way they were also victims of the "Head Coach Didnt Know Anything".

A few years back there were some posters who suggested Fran needed to get rid of Andrew Francis and get a "head hunter recruiter". Now you few may see why some of us said watch out what you wish for. Character matters...this is why Fran is as on hands as any head coach in the country and hires assistants he trust...whether they are black or white.

He certainly doesn't leave them out there to take the fall...because he doesnt cheat.

You might also consider another reason there are so many black assistant coaches right now is because of a more concentrated effort the last decade or so to bring minorities into the coaching profession. Should they reverse this trend in order to shield them from this fate? College sports are BIG BUSINESS, and like many businesses underlings frequently become the fall guys when illegal, or questionable activities take place. It might be a tough decision, but at some point you have to fall back on your own principals.

 

[hawk-i bob]

You might also consider another reason there are so many black assistant coaches right now is because of a more concentrated effort the last decade or so to bring minorities into the coaching profession. Should they reverse this trend in order to shield them from this fate? College sports are BIG BUSINESS, and like many businesses underlings frequently become the fall guys when illegal, or questionable activities take place. It might be a tough decision, but at some point you have to fall back on your own principals.

ya i never said anything regarding the number of black assistants..one way or the other. What I said was it seems the number of head coaches taking the fall (up to this point) is far & few. I understand why....which is bullshit.

Head Coaches know whats going on...if its true they dont..they should be fired for lack of control of their own program.

 

[Phenomenally Frantastic]

Adande is a race baiting punk.

The assistants are to blame for their actions. they are not victims.

 

[hawk-i bob]

Adande is a race baiting punk.

The assistants are to blame for their actions. they are not victims.

so you do not believe the head coaches had any idea what was going on?

 

[Phenomenally Frantastic]

so you do not believe the head coaches had any idea what was going on?

i didn’t say that. i’m saying it doesn’t matter if they did or not.

They are responsible for their actions.

Why is this so hard for liberals to understand?

Actions -> Consequences

 

[hawk-i bob]

i didn’t say that. i’m saying it doesn’t matter if they did or not.

They are responsible for their actions.

Why is this so hard for liberals to understand?

Actions -> Consequences

It does matter the head coaches in these programs are as responsible as their assistants. Why is it so hard to understand that?

you are missing the point & making this political....which in itself is part of the problems with the cheating programs & the head coaches who are getting away with zero consequences.

never said the assistants that were caught by the FBI are not responsible for their actions...but what about their boss? The head man.

If you think catching a handful of assistant coaches will have an impact,,think again...I believe the head coaches keep themselves away from the fray...knowing full well how they get recruits to commit.

I want 'everyone' to be responsible for their actions...everyone.

 

[Franisdaman]

I agree that he is race baiting and trying to make victims out of crooks based on the color of their skin.

Note that he asked "do you feel personally wronged?"

As a fan, YES, I DO FEEL WRONGED. These schools were taking short cuts and got better faster when Iowa was trying to do things the right way and it took Fran and his staff a lot longer to get where we are today.

 

[hawk-i bob]

I agree that he is race baiting and trying to make victims out of crooks based on the color of their skin.

Note that he asked "do you feel personally wronged?"

As a fan, YES, I DO FEEL WRONGED. These schools were taking short cuts and got better faster when Iowa was trying to do things the right way and it took Fran and his staff a lot longer to get where we are today.

If by short cuts you mean felonies..I agree with you.
So let me ask...should there be consequences for Miller at Arizona? Or does he get a pass?....because he 'didnt know anything'

 

[Franisdaman]

ya i never said anything regarding the number of black assistants..one way or the other. What I said was it seems the number of head coaches taking the fall (up to this point) is far & few. I understand why....which is bullshit.

Head Coaches know whats going on...if its true they dont..they should be fired for lack of control of their own program.

crazy how Pitino survived the prostitute scandal and how he is fighting the latest scandal simply by saying "I am shocked! I did not know."

 

[Franisdaman]

If by short cuts you mean felonies..I agree with you.
So let me ask...should there be consequences for Miller at Arizona? Or does he get a pass?....because he 'didnt know anything'

i think there should be consequences because i think he knew or should have known but i bet he remains in his job

 

[Tylerl_28]

i wonder if fran has any regrets about hiring someone like speraw with all the attention this stuff is getting these days.

 

[hawk-i bob]

crazy how Pitino survived the prostitute scandal and how he is fighting the latest scandal simply by saying "I am shocked! I did not know."

yep how these head coaches who are glorified by ESPN get off scott free is the 'real story'...because of that we are all victims...cheated by head coaches who hire assistants to do their bidding.

This notion that underlings are the fall guys is absolutely correct...thus the reason they are hired in the first place. Unless one believes these poor head coaches just "didnt know a thing".

 

[hawk-i bob]

i wonder if fran has any regrets about hiring someone like speraw with all the attention this stuff is getting these days.

after 8 years I sort of doubt Fran has regrets hiring someone like Kirk Speraw..

 

[hawk-i bob]

Brad Underwood: 'We don't have to beg anybody to come here'

 

[hawk-i bob]

Houston coach Kelvin Sampson on federal fraud and bribery scandal engulfing college basketball: 'I just hope they throw the book at 'em.'

 

[kceasthawk]

ya i never said anything regarding the number of black assistants..one way or the other. What I said was it seems the number of head coaches taking the fall (up to this point) is far & few. I understand why....which is bullshit.

Head Coaches know whats going on...if its true they dont..they should be fired for lack of control of their own program.

And honestly Bob my comment wasn't directed at you, but more where this thread seemed to be heading. While I totally agree that the head coach IS the man responsible, and should be held as such, I have no sympothy for any of these assistants either. There's no way that they aren't lining their own pockets with all this cash changing hands so their in the same shit pool as their bosses. Just have a problem with yet another issue being labeled, by JA with the race card, as almost everything seems to be these days.

 

[hawk-i bob]

And honestly Bob my comment wasn't directed at you, but more where this thread seemed to be heading. While I totally agree that the head coach IS the man responsible, and should be held as such, I have no sympothy for any of these assistants either. There's no way that they aren't lining their own pockets with all this cash changing hands so their in the same shit pool as their bosses. Just have a problem with yet another issue being labeled, by JA with the race card, as almost everything seems to be these days.

the thread is heading no different than the article by JA...but regardless bottom line these assistants were hired by their respective head coaches...if you believe the head coaches knew what was going on...then that also means the head coaches are just as guilty.

If they are..its a fair question to ask why they are not facing charges,,,(and I should say not facing charges yet). One doesnt have to pull the trigger to be just as guilty. Especially when the trigger person was hired by his boss.

 

[kceasthawk]

the thread is heading no different than the article by JA...but regardless bottom line these assistants were hired by their respective head coaches...if you believe the head coaches knew what was going on...then that also means the head coaches are just as guilty.

If they are..its a fair question to ask why they are not facing charges,,,(and I should say not facing charges yet). One doesnt have to pull the trigger to be just as guilty. Especially when the trigger person was hired by his boss.

Again, I'm not so much disagreeing with you Bob, as with JA's article which basically says this is all happening because these assistants are black men. I disagree with him. YES these guys are being used by the HC who hired them. YES the HC should be the guy being held most responsible. My issue is with the premise that these guys are being used because their black, and not because they were cheating. Its no different to me then people who complain that 64% of black males are or have been incarcerated, but skip over the part that they were arrested for committing crimes. And YES Pitino needs to be the first one in a cell, but we know with the lawyers he'll be able to afford, that will probably never happen.

 

[hawk-i bob]

Again, I'm not so much disagreeing with you Bob, as with JA's article which basically says this is all happening because these assistants are black men. I disagree with him. YES these guys are being used by the HC who hired them. YES the HC should be the guy being held most responsible. My issue is with the premise that these guys are being used because their black, and not because they were cheating. Its no different to me then people who complain that 64% of black males are or have been incarcerated, but skip over the part that they were arrested for committing crimes. And YES Pitino needs to be the first one in a cell, but we know with the lawyers he'll be able to afford, that will probably never happen.

I would agree...these assistants (while they are & should be held accountable to the tune of serious felony charges)...were hired and used to do exactly what they were told to do IMO.

Used.

 

[BlackNGoldBleeder]

"A Minneapolis Star-Tribune study last season found only 13 African-American head coaches among the 75 major-conference college basketball programs."

That is higher percentage (13/75 = 17.33%) than the African American population in the US on a pro-rated basis (13.3%).

The caucasian population is getting screwed! This is an outrage!


"According to Race and Ethnicity in the United States statistics as posted on Wikipedia; as of July 2016, white Americans are the racial majority. African Americans are the largest racial minority, amounting to 13.3% of the population."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Race_and_ethnicity_in_the_United_States

False equivalency.

What percentage of the players in college basketball are black? A hell of a lot more than 17 or 13 percent. So that line of logic is erroneous. Look at it this way: There are zero coaches in the NHL who are black. If we followed the line of logic you presented, then the NHL needs at least 13% of their coaches to be black since that is the percentage of blacks in the United States. Doesn't make sense when framed that way, does it?

In response to the article, it raises some compelling but also controversial points that obviously generate rigorous debate. I do not think the race angle is (no pun intended) as black and white as the author presents it to be, but I do understand the point about the challenges aspiring black coaches face at the present time trying to land a head coaching gig.

However, I think in time this issue will be a non-issue, and I will compare it to the mentality that once existed in football as far as how black quarterbacks were once viewed. At one time, there was an attitude that was fairly pervasive that most blacks should not play quarterback because they didn't have the intelligence to play the position. I would say this attitude was fairly common even during the 1990s and gradually got better as we entered the 21st Century. Today, I would say it's a non-issue. Why? Because the one great thing about sports is the objective of winning supersedes concerns about people's ethnicity, religion, background, etc. Oh, and of course race has nothing to do with intellectual capacity or a person's ability to play quarterback, as has been clearly demonstrated at all levels of football by now. That helps too.

So, yes, in time, I do believe more black assistants will be given head coaching opportunities. And they will be on the same short leash and receive the same what have you done for me lately? vitriol their white counterparts experience daily in the head coaching profession. And while the author has a point about the assistants unfairly taking the fall, he is also creating an angle of racial injustice that seems to be spurious at best. So, yes, to a large extent, I agree this article adds to the narrative of "race-baiting." If there is, however, one thing everyone should be able to completely agree upon, it is the fact that Rick Pitino and coaches of his ilk are a disgrace to college basketball and should have every record or accomplishment wiped off the books forever.

 

[BlackNGoldBleeder]

I would agree...these assistants (while they are & should be held accountable to the tune of serious felony charges)...were hired and used to do exactly what they were told to do IMO.

Used.

Salient point. And true.

 

[Franisdaman]

Again, I'm not so much disagreeing with you Bob, as with JA's article which basically says this is all happening because these assistants are black men. I disagree with him. YES these guys are being used by the HC who hired them. YES the HC should be the guy being held most responsible. My issue is with the premise that these guys are being used because their black, and not because they were cheating. Its no different to me then people who complain that 64% of black males are or have been incarcerated, but skip over the part that they were arrested for committing crimes. And YES Pitino needs to be the first one in a cell, but we know with the lawyers he'll be able to afford, that will probably never happen.

I agree with you. The coaches charged are not being judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character and by their unlawful actions.

NOTE, too, that the author says this: The most remarkable aspect of the government case that ripped apart college basketball last week is that the closest thing to a victim might be the alleged perpetrators in the middle of this, the ones who were doing what their job required: the African-American assistant coaches.

Taking bribes and helping to funnel money to AAU programs and prospects' families is part of the job description???

I did not read the comments following the column but people should be ripping this guy apart.

 

[amahawk]

I think the point being made is that while 22% of coaches are African-American, the percentage of players in the NFL who are African-American is likely north of 80%.

Are you saying that there are too many black players?

 

[hawk-i bob]

I agree with you. The coaches charged are not being judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character and by their unlawful actions.

NOTE, too, that the author says this: The most remarkable aspect of the government case that ripped apart college basketball last week is that the closest thing to a victim might be the alleged perpetrators in the middle of this, the ones who were doing what their job required: the African-American assistant coaches.

Taking bribes and helping to funnel money to AAU programs and prospects' families is part of the job description???

I did not read the comments following the column but people should be ripping this guy apart.

i agree ALL coaches ....just not just the assistants...assuming you believe the "Head Coaches" should be held accountable for the actions of the assistants they hired.

yes it is part of the job description when the head coach runs a recruiting program as described by the FBI reports. well unless of course you believe the Head Coaches I Didnt Know Anything excuse.

Yep Rick "I Didnt Know Anything" got away with the prostitute program..as the assistant took the fall on that one. And If he had anything to do with it he would get away with the $100K program as well...since he didnt have anything to do with it.

Whether its a black assistant or a white Head Coach they all should be held accountable.

 

[jdv77]

Note that he asked "do you feel personally wronged?"

As a fan, YES, I DO FEEL WRONGED. These schools were taking short cuts and got better faster when Iowa was trying to do things the right way and it took Fran and his staff a lot longer to get where we are today.

The ESPN company line has been that everyone cheats. I do not accept that premise. The fans of every school that did not cheat should feel wronged.

Only if you accept the premise that everyone cheats can you feel sorry for the assistant coaches who actually got caught.

I do hope that the head coaches at cheating programs pay the price, not just the assistants.