SI.com - SI On Campus - The Vent: 12/31/2006

1/05/2007 12:15:00 PM

Should Coaches Be Allowed to Blog?

Albany coach Will Brown was suspended by the America East conference for criticizing his team's schedule on his blog. Is this fair?

Photo by AP

The Albany basketball program may not have the history or tradition of Duke or UCLA, but coach Will Brown knew there was a fanbase of students and alumni who supported the reigning America East Conference champions. To that end, he created a Web site to "give you some insight into the University at Albany, our basketball program, and my philosophies and beliefs." Good idea, we thought. After all, there are thousands of sports blogs in cyberspace -- why not read one written by a coach who knows more about the team than anyone.

But Brown took it too far when he criticized America East Conference officials for scheduling four games in seven days. The post has since been taken down, but according to the Albany Times Union, Brown wrote:

"Is that a joke or what? How can you make a team play the 9th, 11th, 13th, and 15th? You have no prep time and no practice time. We pride ourselves on our preparation and scouting reports. This makes it very difficult to be well prepared. Hopefully the AE Conference officials take a look at this mess because that is exactly what it is! One big mess!"

The conference's response to Brown's blogpost: a one game suspension. Commisioner Patrick Nero said in a release:

"I have discussed with Will Brown the inappropriate nature of his comments," Nero said in a news release. "We have a process in place where coaches and administrators have an opportunity to comment on and request changes of their schedule. This process was completed with Albany in September."

What do you think of Brown's comments? Did he deserve to be suspended or did the conference overreact? And should coaches have blogs? What's your take?

View comments | Add a comment

1/04/2007 12:08:00 PM

Who's should go No. 1 - Quinn or Russell?

JaMarcus Russell got the best of Brady Quinn in the Sugar Bowl, but who should the Raiders take with the No. 1 pick?

Kevin C. Cox/WireImage

If Wednesday night's Sugar Bowl was any indication, the Oakland Raiders will select LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell with the No. 1 pick in April's draft. However, Notre Dame's Brady Quinn may have something to say about it. Quinn's performance in the loss to LSU was mediocre at best (15-35, 148 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT), but many feel that Quinn has the potential to be a franchise quarterback, and it certainly doesn't hurt that he spent the last two years with Charlie Weis.

But after watching the 6-6, 260-pound Russell sling the ball around the field on Wednesday night, we'd take the LSU star (if he declares for the draft; he's a junior). A Pop Warner team could get penetration on the Raiders' offensive line and Oakland needs someone who can escape the pocket and make plays like Vince Young.

Who do you think should be No. 1 – Smith, Russell or a darkhorse we haven’t mentioned (Troy Smith, Brian Brohm, Kevin Kolb)?

View comments | Add a comment

1/02/2007 12:05:00 PM

Boise State-Oklahoma: Best Game Ever?

Ian Johnson's post-game proposal was one of the unique moments from last night's Fiesta Bowl. Was it the greatest bowl game ever?

Photo by AP

You couldn't ask for a better start to the new year than last night's Fiesta Bowl between Boise State and Oklahoma. After the Broncos coasted to a 28-10 lead midway through the third quarter, the Sooners came to life and scored 25 unanswered points to go up a touchdown with a minute remaining. But Boise State dug deep into its bag of tricks and completed a 50-yard hook-and-lateral on fourth-and-18 to tie the game and send it into overtime. There, the Broncos came back again and then won the game, 43-42, with a successful two-point conversion on another trick play.

When the dust had cleared the Sooners and the Broncos combined for 22 points in the final 86 seconds of regulation. And then seconds after the improbable result, Boise State star RB Ian Johnson asked his girlfriend, a Boise State cheerleader, to marry him. (She said yes).

Was it the best bowl game ever? Certainly, some Texas fans who watched Vince Young scramble to a national championship last year may say no. As will many Ohio State fans who agonized through three overtimes in the 2002 Fiesta Bowl before celebrating a national title with a victory over Miami. What do you think?

Furthermore, where does the game rank in the big picture of major college sporting events? Was the win bigger than George Mason's run to the Final Four last year or even Villanova's improbable run to the national championship in 1985?

Lastly, what happens if Florida beats Ohio State on Monday? A Gators victory would make Boise State the only undefeated team this season. Yes, the competition in the WAC isn't at the same level as the SEC or Big Ten, but the Broncos did soundly defeat Oregon State (42-14) in September -- the same Oregon State who knocked off the mighty USC Trojans earlier this season. In our minds, they deserve consideration.

What do you think?

View comments | Add a comment

Do you have a topic worth venting about? Send your suggestions here.