doebrmn said:
I will try to make this very easy for you with an example. Two UM players were arrested for disturbing the peace (and other charges). Both immediately lawyered up, UM immediately announced it would let the legal systm run its course and (although it is not entirely clear whether it was before or after the public debate) Pflu suspended the players for one quarter. Seriously, one quarter what was even the purpose.
Back to your example which you keep brining up failing to get the point. Ash recruited an athletically gifted player, that happened to also be a straight A student, with prior issues. Offered him a second chance. Kid screwed up and was gone that day. Not after the legal system ran its course, not after the public debated the issues, not after trying to figure out whether it would have any impact on the future of the program. Gone......... Let's juxtapose that with a similar player recruited by UM. Issues in high school resulting in suspension from program comes to UM and has worked his way up the two-deep and ends up in a yard of someone while driving under the influence. And the immediate reaction of the program. We will let the legal system run its course. Interestingly, after the season pleads out to a lesser charge .............hmmmmm. Same approach when the son of legend comes to town, also carrying a little baggage, takes a little ride under the influence, arrested, lawyers up and once again UM decides to let the legal system run its course.
What makes these cases even more interesting is another UM player without prior baggage (at least not known) but nowhere near the top three of the depth chart ends up rolling a vehicle past someone's house and is arrested for driving under the influence. Immediately suspended. Why didn't he get to let the legal systme run its course.
Again, not claiming a massive conspiracy on the part of UM. Rather, a lack of focus on discipline and taking inconsistent actions without demonstrating a clear desire to put discipline ahead of winning.
Are you actually disputing that UM has a PR problem right now. Are you actually disputing that the way it has handled these situations has not contributed to that problem. This approach has been a direct cause of what is going on now. Right, wrong or indiffent, the approach taken has created a perception that winning is put ahead of all else. Because of that, UM is now being investigated by the DOJ, DOE and NCAA. It is almost a guarantee that one or all will find something UM did was wrong (whether true or not they have to justify the expenditures). UM's approach invited this controversy. Typically, you never get stung by taking a too conservative approach. What if UM had actually suspended those two players for a full game. Would it really have changed anything other than the percpetion of UM. The players would have still plead out at the end of the year and by in large people would have said the penatly (one game suspension) fit the crime (disorderly conduct). Instead, there is a raging public debate that continues to this day because of the way UM handled the situation.
UM has made their own bed and now has to live with the consequences. While in the end that may not result in any type of penalty, it has created a PR mess and left the decision in someone else's hands. The only one to blame for that is UM.
You are attempting to lump items together that have no actuall ties. And you are taking a recent incident regarding Tru and Kemp and painting a broad brush that the University created an atmosphere which allowed for this activity to take place along with your comments that Ash is getting players of much higher moral character. I would have more respect for your comments if you just said that the kids know IF they step out of line, the chances of them staying on the team are greatly reduced. However, there just is nothing factual to conclude that the recruiting process is limiting incidents from happening. Further, you are unable to back up your statement of the past "five years" because is simply isn't true.
1) Department of education is here because a complaint was issued and given all that was going on, failing to look into the matter would be irresponsible.
2) The DOJ is investigating the CA and the MPD, neither of which can actually be accused of being influenced by UM or UM athletics and involves the 80 reported sexual assults over a three year period. Which by the way is the same number reported in Bozeman.
3) The NCAA is here for reasons yet to be determined and I'm waiting to find out.
Obvisously there was a problem at UofM and I am embrassed of what has occured. However, as things came to light UM hired an outside person to investigate the issues. I don't blame The Missoulian for reporting on the issue, I object to the sensationalized version that the lack of facts presented. Further, in your example the implication is that the recruit we were talking about was just a good kid who made a mistake and deserved a second chance, only to be charged with felony distribution after his second fall from grace, you are simpley glossing over the facts that if Ash was really ONLY taking kids of high character he wouldn't have been considered at all. I'm just saying step off your high horse, because while some of the reaction to issues may be different, your belief that it is less likely to occur because of the supposed vetting process by the MSU staff is not accurate. Out of say 50 recruits both schools were after over the past five years, I bet you can actually name one that wouldn't be on the roster now had he picked MSU over UM . If you want to comment on what would have occured had said player stepped out of line, I think you have a valid arguement, but otherwise I believe you have your head in the sand.