I agree with Bianchi on this. I can understand the argument for closing practice during the season, but I think it's ridiculous that Muschamp can't talk to the media for a few minutes after practice each day. He needs the media a lot more than Saban does.
On Sun, Aug 19, 2012 at 3:10 PM, Woody Bass <[email protected]> wrote: > > http://m.coachingsearch.com/home/1084-local-writer-has-an-issue-with-will-muschamp-i-try-to-explain-from-a-coachs-perspective.html > > Local writer has an issue with Will Muschamp. I try to explain from a > coach's perspective. > > Posted by: Pete Roussel on August 19, 2012 > > *Orlando Sentinel* sports columnist Mike Bianchi doesn't understand why *Will > Muschamp* is less available to the media than *Nick Saban*. > > Bianchi, well respected for his journalism, wrote during intereting > article today, "Why can't he regularly speak to the media after practice so > Gator fans can be kept up to date with what's going on with their team? > Doesn't he know the Gators are the most popular sports team in this state - > college or pro - and there are millions of fans who are interested in what > is going on inside "their" program?" > > Bianchi isn't the only person in the media that is perplexed by the media > available of specific coaches, but as a former coach myself, here are three > things to consider. > > 1. *Inaccurate storylines become a distraction for coaches and can affect > the psyche of players.* Once an inaccurate storyline surfaces, coaches > have to spend time managing the situation with the individual player, > position group, or even the entire team. Nobody would argue that *Bill > Belichick* and *Nick Saban* are masters of reducing distractions, or > "clutter" as they call it. > > I think Oklahoma State offensive coordinator / quarterbacks coach *Todd > Monken* made a great point on Saturday, essentially a reminder to fans > and media, about the one thing people forget about > scrimmages<http://m.coachingsearch.com/home/1083-todd-monken-heres-the-one-thing-you-cant-forget-about-scrimmages.html> > . > > 2. *Players get better from on-the-field experience, which includes > making mistakes.* For example, on Saturday, I attended the Ole Miss > scrimmage in Oxford. *Hugh Freeze* opened the scrimmage to the public. > It's no secret that the Rebels have a long way to go. The fan base is > skeptical right now. While Freeze is trying to rally the fans, I couldn't > help but wonder if his play-calling was affected by the fact that > Saturday's scrimmage was attended by a few thousand fans. Following the > scrimmage, Freeze even alluded to the notion that he would have called some > things differently on game day. There's a fine line. Do I call some plays > to build confidence and let the fans see what's promising, or do I invest > in 15-20 third & 8+ situations, working to get better, but also risking a > fan base leaving with a sour taste because it looked like the quarterbacks > were having a difficult time? But that's the only way to get better. > Players have to learn from their mistakes. They have to be put in adverse > situations. They have to compile not just reps, but valuable reps. > > Some coaches know who is watching practice. They feel comfortable running > trick plays from the first fews days of August training camp. It's no > coincidence those teams execute their trick plays better than others. But > when a coach doesn't feel he can trust the practice observers, he's not > allowing his coaching staff to coach the way they need to coach. Try > executing a trick play that you install on game week. The results aren't > as good as a trick play you've been repping for weeks and weeks. > > 3. *Coaches actually want to help the media.* I can honestly say that I > don't know a single college football coach that is "against" the media. > The bottom line is coaches want their time invested with the media to be > productive. Coaches don't mind answer interesting, thought-provoking > questions. Coaches appreciate the platform to sell the positives and > establish the storylines. They understand that tough questions are > evitable and reporters are obligated to ask such questions at times. > > But take *Kevin Sumlin*, for example. Don't ask him something that's > he's already talked > about.<http://m.coachingsearch.com/home/1009-kevin-sumlin-doesnt-like-your-question.html>Don't > ask > *Dan Mullen* or *Lane Kiffin* about injuries. And like on Saturday > afternoon, once *Chris Petersen* informs you that he'll tell you when > he's decided on a starting quarterback, don't ask him again and > again<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpQyVgeCt5Q&feature=plcp>. > Coaches want their time with the media to be efficient. They also > appreciate their time with the media is an enjoyable experience. I'm no > expert, but I'd say the more a reporter understands a coach's perspective, > the more receptive the coaches will be. > > You can read Bianchi's entire article, right > here.<http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-08-18/sports/os-mike-bianchi-florida-gators-0819-20120818_1_muschamp-florida-gators-coach-urban-meyer> > > --------------------------------------- > > Recent articles on CoachingSearch.com > Todd Monken: Here's the one thing you can't forget about > scrimmages<http://m.coachingsearch.com/home/1083-todd-monken-heres-the-one-thing-you-cant-forget-about-scrimmages.html> > Lane Kiffin reacts to #1 ranking: It's always going to be about the way we > practice<http://m.coachingsearch.com/home/1082-lane-kiffin-reacts-to-1-ranking-it-will-always-be-about-the-way-we-practice.html> > Jimbo Fisher: We're way ahead of last > year<http://m.coachingsearch.com/home/1081-jimbo-fisher-were-way-ahead-of-last-year.html> > > [image: PeteRoussel2] > > * Pete Roussel* is a valuable resource for coaches, athletic directors, > NFL front-office personnel, and college football enthusiasts. A former > college football coach, Roussel shares insight on coaches 365 days a year > and is recognized as the most trusted expert on coaching transactions. > Follow @CoachingSearch <https://twitter.com/#!/coachingsearch> on twitter > and send your feedback to [email protected] > > > > > > > Woody (via iPhone) > > -- > GATORS: ONE VOICE ON SATURDAY - NO VOICE ON SUNDAY! > 1996 National Football Champions | 2006 National Basketball Champions > 2006 National Football Champions | 2007 National Basketball Champions > 2008 National Football Champions | > Three Heisman Trophy winners: Steve Spurrier (1966), Danny Wuerffel (1996), > Tim Tebow (2007) - Visit our website at www.gatornet.us -- Helen Huntley (727) 823-3801 www.helenhuntley.com -- GATORS: ONE VOICE ON SATURDAY - NO VOICE ON SUNDAY! 1996 National Football Champions | 2006 National Basketball Champions 2006 National Football Champions | 2007 National Basketball Champions 2008 National Football Champions | Three Heisman Trophy winners: Steve Spurrier (1966), Danny Wuerffel (1996), Tim Tebow (2007) - Visit our website at www.gatornet.us
