Kirk Herbstreit, the pretty boy of ESPN's college football coverage, the face of every fan's Saturday morning programming, and the analyst for some of the sport's biggest television events, botched this off season's biggest story. In response to Jim Tressel's resignation, the former Buckeye quarterback said, "I just think he got caught up in being so loyal to try and take care of his own players the way you would your son, the way I would my son, that I think trying to take care of them ended up backfiring on him." His spineless interpretation of the events is not only a dangerously misleading portrayal of Tressel's actions, it is also blatantly false.
Jim Tressel: The Facts
In the Spring of 2010, Jim Tressel was informed that his players were receiving improper benefits in exchange for team merchandise and autographs. When the players' scam came to light, Tressel lied and denied any knowledge of their "isolated" actions. 'The Vest,' whose persona Sports Illustrated has described as "Senatorial," immediately played the role of embattled patriarch--under fire, he claimed, for trying to protect his players. Apologies were missing and the coach's general attitude during press conferences was cagey, at best. Anyone capable of reading between the lines can see that Tressel only sought to protect his own reputation, not his players' integrity.
If Tressel had reported the violations, the perpetrators would have faced suspensions--likely the same sentences they are to serve in 2011--and would have been taught lessons in discipline and life; the sort of values a 'father' is supposed to teach. Instead, Tressel inculcated himself in the scandal. There is no adequate defense for this behavior. Apologists point to the absurdity of the NCAA's rules, but how are we taught to challenge unfairness and authority? Are responsible members of any society supposed to duck the rules and hide from repercussions? Accountability was not only missing at every level in Ohio State's program, it was institutionally discouraged by example.
Effects
For every Ryan Leaf and Braylon Edwards, there is a college football program unwilling to stand up to its players. The problem is systemic and goes beyond football. Coaches across college athletics openly violate NCAA regulations and endear themselves to players by triangulating with Clintonian-precision. They depict themselves as martyrs torn between oppressive NCAA rules and an immense love for their players; like Kelvin Sampson, for example, who, during the heat of investigations, saw himself as 'in the trenches' with his team What lesson are these coaches teaching their players? Only that the world is full of betrayal and false promises. What did Bruce Pearl's players inherit from their coach? A strong sense of disillusionment when the house of cards finally collapsed--similar to what Ohio State players must be feeling this week.
Herbstreit and others perpetuate and encourage the 'father figure' myth at the expense of hundreds of athletes. Jim Tressel sold out his 'children' by withholding information to save face. Jim Tressel "got caught up being loyal" to 'the vest,' not to his players. Herbstreit should understand that "taking care" of the players would have entailed being there for them when they shouldered responsibility for their actions. Tressel and dozens of other coaches deserve their fates because they are the 'deadbeat dads' of coaching--the coaches who mislead players and confuse love of team with love of self.
It's about accountability, Mr. Herbstreit. It appears you are not ready to be a father. Now fuck off.
Put it on the board, Hawk.
