Culture of Football/Athletics at UM

[PlayerRep]

I think it is going to be an interesting time to watch the University. In Colter's article about Hauck's contract, it said the amount of money given to the coach to basically be a spokesman for the University on request was increased about $10,000. While it mentioned things like the GSA, it also talked about other University functions. Bodnar is not an idiot, I think he probably sees how Cruzado has used athletics as a foot in the door to sell the University. I also think he has gotten a first hand look at how some of the bigger donors to the school feel about Coach Hauck. I wonder if his plan isn't to use Hauck in more non-athletic situations when appropriate to help sell the institution as a whole to friendly and neutral parties...we shall see.

Interesting. I'm kinda getting that vibe too. I was never a Hauck-hater, but I was not impressed with his "public face." I never had direct contact with the man, but I could see his "rough edges" (shall we say) both in live recorded interviews, in published direct quotes, and in the reactions of reporters who had interviewed him.

That totally changed with his "introductory" press conference. He was engaging, humble when it seemed appropriate, tossed off spontaneous-looking humor, made personal connections all over the place, and answered most questions candidly and fairly completely. In short, he "played the room" about as well as I have ever seen from a coach, and better than a lot of politicians. If he has learned to do that consistently (and people do grow with experience), Bodnar would be a fool not to take advantage of that. And Bodnar is clearly no fool, and very media-savvy. (I've scanned some of his live and published interviews.)

(How many other people still start to type "taped," when we now mean "recorded"? Nobody has used taped for years and years, but it's hard to break old habits. )

Much of what you observed is actually the way Hauck has always been. I'm sure he's improved on some things too. When he was at UM previously, he didn't seem to like all reporters, and that included Neighbor. It appears he may have changed his ways in that regard.

I never thought he had rough edges, altho he could respond very directly at times. Including when even a QB Club member asked about an injury. "No comment; next question." I suppose his sometimes cockiness put off some people, but never bothered me. I like cocky people if they are nice and can back it up. He was always a smiler and could work the room if he wanted to. A lot of women liked him, meaning being around him. A certain female sports reporter in Montana called him charming or a charmer, or something like that. I've always found Hauck to be a lot of fun. He knows how to rile up the Cat fans, and I expect that to continue.

 

[PlayerRep]

This is what Bodnar believes in: Ensuring excellence across the athletics programs and ensuring that the coaches are building leaders of character who will have success off the field over the course of their lives. The second may be more important than the first. This is probably the way it is and was at West Point. This is the way it is in the Ivy league.

 

[PlayerRep]

I think it is going to be an interesting time to watch the University. In Colter's article about Hauck's contract, it said the amount of money given to the coach to basically be a spokesman for the University on request was increased about $10,000. While it mentioned things like the GSA, it also talked about other University functions. Bodnar is not an idiot, I think he probably sees how Cruzado has used athletics as a foot in the door to sell the University. I also think he has gotten a first hand look at how some of the bigger donors to the school feel about Coach Hauck. I wonder if his plan isn't to use Hauck in more non-athletic situations when appropriate to help sell the institution as a whole to friendly and neutral parties...we shall see.

Some supporters cited using Hauck to help market the university, especially in MT, as one of the reasons to support hiring him.

It makes sense. There are absolutely situations where individuals or groups that can potentially help the University as a whole would enjoy hearing from Coach Hauck. (Obviously not all and not every situation, before anyone jumps all over that). He clearly loves Missoula and Montana, and loves this University.

And he is and will be high profile.

 

[CatGrad-UMGradStu]

The data is clear. Applications for admissions always spike significantly after a championship in football. Even basketball helps as Gonzaga was close to dropping basketball Few's second year and the enrollment was in steady decline as an example. Let's face it, the football team represents the university and the stadium is the gateway to said university. It's the reason the head football coach is the highest paid employee of a university, the Athletic Director slightly more than the president. Those beautiful fall days with all the friends you make while attending college are usually a college experience that ties you to that school the rest of your life. The decision to bring a Montana man back to Missoula will turn this school around in so many ways...now, about the faculty...

 

[IdaGriz01]

... Much of what you observed is actually the way Hauck has always been. I'm sure he's improved on some things too. When he was at UM previously, he didn't seem to like all reporters, and that included Neighbor. It appears he may have changed his ways in that regard.

I never thought he had rough edges, altho he could respond very directly at times. Including when even a QB Club member asked about an injury. "No comment; next question." I suppose his sometimes cockiness put off some people, but never bothered me. I like cocky people if they are nice and can back it up. He was always a smiler and could work the room if he wanted to. A lot of women liked him, meaning being around him. A certain female sports reporter in Montana called him charming or a charmer, or something like that. I've always found Hauck to be a lot of fun. He knows how to rile up the Cat fans, and I expect that to continue.

Interesting.

As I said, I have never met the man personally, and never expect to do so. But looking at what was presented in videos and reports, with no countervailing personal contact, he -- to me -- came across as having a "rough edge." I used that term because I know from personal experience that the media, especially the video media, can easily make a person look way worse (or better) than they are in person. To go by a lot of the media reportage ... he was an arrogant prick. I knew from other reports that that was not an accurate portrayal. Hence, my toned-down wordage.

From what you say, I would say he has cultivated his ability to "work a room" even better than before. Although some see that term as pejorative, I do not. "Working a room," in the end, means that you connect to people. Whatever their personal faults, most people can detect a phony pretty quick ... and you cannot "work a room" if it's all phony and put-on.

 

[PlayerRep]

... Much of what you observed is actually the way Hauck has always been. I'm sure he's improved on some things too. When he was at UM previously, he didn't seem to like all reporters, and that included Neighbor. It appears he may have changed his ways in that regard.

I never thought he had rough edges, altho he could respond very directly at times. Including when even a QB Club member asked about an injury. "No comment; next question." I suppose his sometimes cockiness put off some people, but never bothered me. I like cocky people if they are nice and can back it up. He was always a smiler and could work the room if he wanted to. A lot of women liked him, meaning being around him. A certain female sports reporter in Montana called him charming or a charmer, or something like that. I've always found Hauck to be a lot of fun. He knows how to rile up the Cat fans, and I expect that to continue.

Interesting.

As I said, I have never met the man personally, and never expect to do so. But looking at what was presented in videos and reports, with no countervailing personal contact, he -- to me -- came across as having a "rough edge." I used that term because I know from personal experience that the media, especially the video media, can easily make a person look way worse (or better) than they are in person. To go by a lot of the media reportage ... he was an arrogant prick. I knew from other reports that that was not an accurate portrayal. Hence, my toned-down wordage.

From what you say, I would say he has cultivated his ability to "work a room" even better than before. Although some see that term as pejorative, I do not. "Working a room," in the end, means that you connect to people. Whatever their personal faults, most people can detect a phony pretty quick ... and you cannot "work a room" if it's all phony and put-on.

I'm happy to look at any videos, quotes or whatever, that you think are rough. I know that you don't have them at hand, as they are old.

Bobby is not and never was an arrogant prick. Being confident and a bit cocky at times, is not being an arrogant prick.

I know him quite well. I have friends and family who know him well. Not one of them or us agrees that he is or ever was an arrogant prick.

He's actually nice, fun, and very competitive.