"If Randy Moss can learn this offense, then YOU GUYS can learn this offense!"
That's the money quote from Head Coach Pete Mangurian and he said it more than once to his young charges during the first two weeks of spring practice.
But it isn't just whit that marks the way Mangurian and the team are responding to each other so far.
The big story is that the players are embracing the tougher, more controlling Mangurian regime and they're proving it every day:
-The 4:45am bus every morning has been packed.
-The few players who are missing the bus are hustling into cabs to make sure they still make it on time.
-Several seniors are talking about how they wish Mangurian had arrived sooner.
Most importantly, Mangurian is showing a commitment to winning above any deference to the administration. That's a key fact that will serve the team well and right now, the players are "all in."
Any misgivings QB Sean Brackett may have had about all the changes with his personal coaches, (three different OC's in a matter of three months), have melted away and he is excited about the new playbook.
Getting back to Mangurian's style, the totally hands on approach includes some misgivings about the information stream about the team, and that includes this blog.
That's unfortunate, because this blog can and should serve as a great additional tool for Mangurian to assert his independence from the administration.
Let's face it, the most devoted fans are HERE, and he is always welcome to address us directly here as well as get fair but non-fawning questions in this space.
Realism Online
And that leads me to this point...
I accept the criticism, but I must insist that the realistic way in which I cover the Columbia football program has to continue.
Serious fans deserve an outlet that goes beyond a cheering section.
The official Columbia A.D. website serves that purpose, when it isn't taking the entire summer off from publicizing the team like it did last year... or continuing to withhold key info, like when the spring game will be exactly.
The truth is, I am an unabashed "homer" who indulges in cheering section-like material on these virtual pages all the time.
But I also won't sugarcoat the truth and I truthfully have a lot of concerns about the Lions for this coming season... and I also have a lot of optimism about the team.
Right now, Coach Mangurian is one of those reasons for optimism.
And for the record, I take no pleasure in reporting about players quitting the team or failing in any way. I'm not sure how anyone could believe that.
New Brown AD
Brown's new AD comes from the campus just 5 minutes from my home, Hofstra.
Jack Hayes was probably the hottest commodity in the FCS world at his level. This is a big positive development for the Bears and I expect to see the results on the field and the courts if he sticks around for a decent amount of time.
7 comments:
Jaw, I'm baffled by the total dearth of information coming out of Spring ball. Any pleasant surprises? Position changes? And what about the three mystery transfers?
The AD has lots to report about sports that are in action. I don't expect it to cover FB about which there's little news.
But, they'll have an opportunity to interview Mangurian around the time of the spring "game."
This is a little late, but I meant to respond to your Mad Monday commentary on "one and done" where you concluded:
"One and done" athletes tarnish the "scholar" part of the "scholar-athlete" equation and give everyone who plays college sports a bad name.
The Times ran a piece this week noting that in the 10 years preceding the one and done rule 39 high school players went directly into the NBA. Of that number, 9 became All Stars and 6 others became near All Stars.
Those stats would indicate that a very high percentage of these players - mandated by NBA rule to wait a year before entering the league - will have long productive professional careers. In fact, its fair to say that the odds of them succeeding in the NBA are much higher than that of a four graduate drafted into the league. The truth is these players are extraordinarily gifted athletes capable of out-performing adult men.
Leaving college early to pursue a career as a professional athlete may not be scholarly, but there is no more reason to criticize these people than there is to criticize Bill Gates, who left to start his own company. Each left to pursue his greatest calling.
Comparing them to athletes who stayed in college in earlier decades is equally unfair. If Kareem was just entering the league today, I'm sure his agent would forecast his earning power at over $100 million. That type of monetary option didn't exist when he and Bill Bradley were playing the game even as established stars.
As a person who enjoys college basketball I would like to see its brightest stars remain in college for 4 years. But athletic ability is a diminishing asset, and I see no reason to punish players who in many instances are the future stars of the NBA. The rules now dictate we watch them develop in in the NBA. But that doesn't mean we can't enjoy watching a lot of these guys play the very different college game - even if only for a year.
It may be great to see them play but it undermines the integrity of their institutions and the college game itself. The recruiting process for these superstars is nauseating. And they're competing against students who take learning more seriously. If they're not ready for the NBA, let them play in a developmental league. Student-athletes should be just that- studnets and athletes.
Great piece Jake, as always; even in these days of no hands-on football. Not sure where the “transfer” rumors started, but I’ve heard NOTHING about any new kids (and I’m pretty close to the team). Maybe Mangurrian is keeping it close to his chest? I know that he wants to control ALL information disseminated about the team. Control freak? Maybe, but a refreshing new style nevertheless. Our only hope for a transfer will be NEXT YEAR when Childress’ brother, a 6’4” QB who enrolled early at West Virginia, sees the light and transfers next year to CU – when Brackett is gone. We can only hope! Happy Easter all…
I've never felt this blog was negative, only informative and unbiased, and that why I am a loyal
subscriber.
As you stated, if you want sugarcoating, go to the official CU athletics website. All university run sites will try to put a positive spin on their programs- that's their PR mandate.
I think its great that Coach M is following too and would hope that he would feel unconstrained to comment from time to time !
The transfer rumor started with Coach M said we will have 34 new players this Fall, after having recruited a class of 31 (now 30 thanks to Reno).
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