First, let me get this straight. Everybody has an opinion.
That’s good for my business life.
Some opinions come from the media. Some media are in a position to opinionate but mostly they report what others say to them. The blogs are mostly written by either media members, fans, and some, I assume, are a BAA member and alum. Some are invested as a fan in how Boise State plays, some are invested as a media guy in a good story and others are invested as a business.
I am guilty of all perspectives.
First and foremost, I am a former student, player and graduate at (1980-85) Boise State. Most of the passion I have for Boise State football is because of how I started.
I am financially invested in Boise State. I give annually to the BAA, the football program, the tennis program, have football season tickets and am a Lifetime member of the Alumni Association. I have organized fund raisers (established the Gil Cueva Caves Memorial Scholarship), worked with football coaches in fund raisers and former player relations, and helped create what is now the Varsity B club.
I am #464 in the BAA for those that track points.
I have broadcasted games as a sideline announcer on TV, color man on radio, attend every road and home game, and have analyzed the athletic department, especially football, on radio and TV shows for 31 years. That is how my viewpoint is broadcasted and some of my money earned. I sell advertising in and around those shows, and plenty of others, for the majority of my income. So, I have business interests here too.
My opinion is rooted from those viewpoints. It is lastly rooted in being on the radio. Frankly, the media person in me is the vehicle to get this message out there and to have access to key stakeholders. Most of what I think is developed in conversations with administration, coaches and athletes.
Pointing out what is wrong with the team is the low hanging fruit right now. Why coaches are wrong and should be fired. What offense or defense is best to run etc., etc. It takes effort to know what to keep and what to throw out. These opinions seem to come from fans, BAA and former players. When I see stuff like this from my twitter feed I cringe a bit but its how people feel.
“And what hell is going on in our weight room. We are soft weak slow hurt docile meek. I wouldn’t mind seeing a coach yelling… Talk about an overreaction. Oline and offensive playbook is the only real concern in my mind. Sheesh… I truly believe Harsin has to get a new OC,DC,OL,CB/S and WR coach. If not these problems won’t get better… I’ve been a season tic holder for 10 years. Not once have I ever left a game early, but last night I did… the massive ticket and BAA price increases around 2012 pissed off a ton of long-time loyal backers…aside from all the players hating their coach?…”
The last tweet was from a former player Charles Bertoli who apparently took it all back. Fans jumped on it the hardest and started questioning if it was true. I am sure some of it is true.
So what?
I am pretty sure there were times when players who were disciplined by Coach Pete didn’t like him either. Some get over it and some don’t.
I have no doubt that the players are questioning the coaches right now. It is natural. I do believe coaching mistakes have been made. They are not getting the results they usually do. The team has been without its best QB, offensive tackle, running back, safety, linebacker, defensive lineman and corner at times this year. When coaches lose players to injury or disciplinary reasons they adjust and try to make the best of it. Some of those adjustments don’t work. Or, they don’t adjust and ask the team to do the same things for the same results. I hope they admit those mistakes to the team and seek senior player input on what to do from here. This team is in need of a hand shake not a slap to the face. Laughs not lectures. Appreciation not angst
