Need an opinion on column calling out assistant coaches

[schiezainc]

i

 

[lono]

Re: Need an opinion on column calling out ass. coach

No matter how valid your gripe, the only reader who might remotely care that these guys were acting like dicksnorts towards you is your own mother.

Everyone else wants to read about the kids in the game.

Therefore, by definition the column is a waste of space.

I'm glad you stayed out of their hairs, though.

 

[schiezainc]

Re: Need an opinion on column calling out ass. coach

I asked my mom and she said that even she doesn't care. :)

 

[Fenian_Bastard]

Re: Need an opinion on column calling out ass. coach

Sorry, but the assistant coaches -- please change the header on this thread so that it no longer talks about "ass. coaches." Thanks. -- made PUBLIC jackalopes of themselves in the performance of their jobs. Definitely worth a column.
I'd tweak that "staying out of their hairs" line, though.

 

[BillyT]

Honestly, I would simply send that to the AD, the principal and the superintendent at the other school and say. "He's what I could have written."

PS: Do you know how hard it is to be living in upstate New York near East GREEN-wich.

I always default to the Rhode Island pronounciation, because I grew up in Westerly.

 

[Ike Broflovski]

I don't think I'd run this. It sounds whiny. As lono mentioned, people don't care about how we do our jobs.

So they were ****heads -- so what? You were allowed to be there, and they had no authority to boot you out. It was unpleasant, but you dealt with it and got the information for your story. Moreover, the team isn't one you cover, or that people in your coverage area would presumably care about, so it doesn't have much news value. It's not as if they were threatening to call the cops on the opponent.

I would, however, send this in letter form to the "classy" head coach and athletic director of the other school, plus cc it to the state high school association. I'd think they'd get the assistants to understand this behavior isn't to be tolerated. You'll be helping future reporters.

 

[Stone Cane]

ok ... wait a sec ... am i missing something?

a couple of assistant coaches who apparently felt that it was more important they have a good view of the game than to let the countless reporters, photographers and cameramen on hand actually be able to do their job and document what transpired.

it is more important for assistant coaches to see the game than let us do our job

doesn't excuse their behavior, but come on, if you're going to cover a game from the sidelines, first rule is that you get out of everybody's way

i'm not philosophically against this kind of piece, but in this case you sound petty and whiny

 

[forever_town]

Send that as a complaint to the AD or the superintendent. Don't run it as a column.

 

[Lugnuts]

The 'ass. coaches' behavior walks right up to the line of being column-worthy.

I think you can only do these kinds of columns every so often, and you really have to pick your spots.

For me, the most compelling part of the column was that the coaches got penalized. I think I would've hooked the column on that... then somewhere near the end mention the stuff with the media.

Were they using foul language? Flipping anybody off?

Unfortunately with these kinds of columns, unless you paint a very clear picture, the public will often side with the team-- not the media.

 

[slappy4428]

If you are outside the 25s, that's your turf and have a legitimate gripe. If you are inside the 25s, its theirs and you have no room to complain -- so says the NHSF, which follows the NCAA on this...
Take your stats outside the 25...

Rule 1-2-4-a: On each side of the field, a team area in back of the limit line and between the 25-yard lines shall be marked for the exclusive use of substitutes, trainers and other persons affiliated with the team. The front of the coaching box shall be marked with a solid line six feet outside the sideline between the 25-yard lines.

 

[lone star scribe]

If nothing happened on the sideline that affected the game -- a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, an ejection, whatever -- forget the column. If there was an incident, that's the column, and you can work in the coaches' ill treatment of the media there.

Turn the column into a letter, and send copies to the head coach, AD, principal, superintendent, chairman of the school board and the high school association executive who works with the media. Don't be inflammatory or make excuses for the coaches. You're both professionals who have to share the sidelines, and your goal is to prevent a third occurrence, not to call out the coaches. And believe me, if you go after them in an "outsider" newspaper, they'll rally the locals against you anyway.

 

[wickedwritah]

I'll disagree with Lugnuts. Never, ever run a column such as this. Why? Who benefits? You are writing slop that no one wants to read, except maybe anti-fanboys. Please, please, please do not publish this, for your sake.

 

[Big Buckin' agate_monkey]

ok ... wait a sec ... am i missing something?

a couple of assistant coaches who apparently felt that it was more important they have a good view of the game than to let the countless reporters, photographers and cameramen on hand actually be able to do their job and document what transpired.

it is more important for assistant coaches to see the game than let us do our job

doesn't excuse their behavior, but come on, if you're going to cover a game from the sidelines, first rule is that you get out of everybody's way

i'm not philosophically against this kind of piece, but in this case you sound petty and whiny

I was wondering the same thing.

I'm in the "don't publish it, but do send it to coach, AD, state association" boat.

 

[Lugnuts]

I'll disagree with Lugnuts. Never, ever run a column such as this. Why? Who benefits? You are writing slop that no one wants to read, except maybe anti-fanboys. Please, please, please do not publish this, for your sake.

I've seen some amazing coaches vs. media columns. But columns that involve a media sideshow are like everything else -- you have to decide if it's truly news.

 

[Fenian_Bastard]

The notion that "nobody cares about us" is rather belied by the nine million blogs dedicated to "watchdogging" various newspapers and writers. To hell with the little tinpot dictators on the sidelines. Public embarrassment brings change. Roast them on a spit.

 

[silentbob]

If you're obstructing a coach's view, you're the problem. Not the coach.

Back when I covered preps, I always looked at being on the sidelines as a luxury. The school has the right to ship you back to the press box, and after this column is published, that might be what happens to you. Problem solved for everyone.

Besides, dont be offended if a coach yells at you. That's how coaches communicate, especially on game night. If they yell at you, big deal. You don't have a story unless they shove or hit you.

If I were you, I'd go out to the school a day or two before the game and just ask the coaches: Where can I stand where I'm not in your way? They'll appreciate that, and you'll know the rules going in.

 

[Fenian_Bastard]

Coaches at every level should grow the **** up.

 

[Cadet]

Coaches at every level should grow the **** up.

Until they are men? And 40?

 

[daemon]

What would you do if a coach walked into the press box and stood in your line of vision?

 

[Bob Loblaw Law Blog]

Don't run it. Waste of space.