Double OT, not sure what Joe Biden has to do with Pelini? But, since you mentioned his name, that is a very good comparison. I voted for Obama TWICE. I love Biden, and Biden is a walking gaffe machine. It's one of the things I like most about him. He speaks his mind. He is who he is. If one likes him, they like him. If not, then oh well. Rarely a dull moment with good ole Joe. He is from Scranton, for crying out loud.
Bo is the same way. Have known him since we were 10. Bo is Bo. He has a temper, but it's not as if he becomes physically abusive with the players. He cusses alot when angry, as do alot of people and alot of coaches. He is highly emotional. With Bo, you get 100%. He's a football coach, plain and simple. The PR stuff is for the AD, SID...etc. I understand this was said in private. Thing is, in this day of cameras with phones and ability to record things, very little is private. He was speaking his mind and being honest to his players. Someone recorded it, and eventually it was leaked to the public. That type of thing does cause a headache for the AD and SID. It also influences what people think of Bo. But, he doesn't care much what people other than his family, close friends, players and coaching staff think of him.
It will be interesting to see how the local media covers YSU. One complaint I have with the media in Ytown is they seem to try and become friends with YSU coaches. Having a good relationship is great. But, there also needs to be enough separation for the media to step back and do reporting, even when it is unfavorable to YSU. That is what happens at the "big time" schools. There were alot of little things that happened when Tressel was at YSU that never made it into the paper. The kind of things that DID make it into the paper, on tv and radio talk shows in Columbus. When I lived on Park Avenue, there was a shooting one night in Fall of 98 outside Amy's Campus 2000 on Elm Street. I know football players were involved in some way, because I heard the names aof a few players being yelled. Incident started as a argument then at some point, shots were fired. I do not know the exact involvement of the football players. Do know players were involved, and it was on a Thursday night with a game on Saturday. Had that kind of thing happened in Cbus, it would have made the news. Even if the players were not guilty of doing anything wrong. But, not in Ytown, at least not when Tressel was coach.
I know a player personally that failed multiple drug tests in 96. He was a Senior, a Captain and an All American. Was finally suspended, but the reason was never made public. Failed the drug tests do to marijuana, which to me is no worse than alcohol and ought to be legal. Point is, at a place like OSU or Nebraska, media finds the EXACT reason then makes it public. I know another player who was banned from Lyden House for fighting. I know this, because I was in school as a post grad student in 97. I worked on Campus. One day, the person in charge of Housing at YSU asked me to fill in at front desk in Lyden. There was a list of all the people who were banned from entering the building. This players name was on the list. I know it was for fighting. I know because I was told that by the person who ran campus housing, and know because I asked the player. He was a starter for YSU. A good kid. But he had a temper and would fight when challenged. Again, kind of thing that would make the news in Lincoln or Cbus.
Bo ought to be entertaining. Press conferences could be fun, especially after a loss. And, NO, I'm not saying I want YSU to lose. Just pointing out he HATES TO LOSE. If he gets asked a stupid question after a loss, he just might give an answer with one or more expletives. Especially as time wears on, and inevitably riffs develop between Bo and some members of the media. Think of Slocum in press conferences after a loss, only with a longer answer and expletives.
There are going to be times he gets right up in the face of players when they come off the field. Times when if able to read his lips, the words coming on will be on the FCC's banned list. And, depending on the level of noise in the stadium, people sitting close to field on YSU sideline side may even hear him cussing. Thing is, he will also hug his players, chest bump, swear when congratulating them. Again, just Bo being Bo. Yes I rambled. Yes the post is long. To those who do not like it, to f###ing bad
. Pretty sure Bo Pelini would approve of that last sentence.
