Untimely Defense Tactics
On Saturday, September 22, 2007, the Oklahoma State Cowboys celebrated a much needed win in their Big 12 opener against Texas Tech. As commendable as that victory was, it was overshadowed by Mike Gundy's untimely response to an article written by Jenni Carlson of the Daily Oklahoman. In a heated press conference, Gundy released 3 1/2 minutes of fury on Carlson's controversial article about OSU's quarterback situation. In the article, Carlson states many things abou
t Bobby Reid, the now 2nd-string quarterback for OSU, that focus on his work ethic as a college athlete. She first states that earlier in his career when he faced with competition for his position by Donovan Woods, Reid considered leaving the team instead of competing. She also alludes to him being a baby when it comes to injuries by writing that "Reid has been nicked in games and sat it out instead of gutting it out". Carlson then ties it together by stating that the bottom line for the quarterback switch isn't about Robinson's (Reid's replacement) ability but Reid's attitude and the coach’s willingness to sacrifice talent for a more motivated QB.
t Bobby Reid, the now 2nd-string quarterback for OSU, that focus on his work ethic as a college athlete. She first states that earlier in his career when he faced with competition for his position by Donovan Woods, Reid considered leaving the team instead of competing. She also alludes to him being a baby when it comes to injuries by writing that "Reid has been nicked in games and sat it out instead of gutting it out". Carlson then ties it together by stating that the bottom line for the quarterback switch isn't about Robinson's (Reid's replacement) ability but Reid's attitude and the coach’s willingness to sacrifice talent for a more motivated QB. Enter: Gundy (This is the condensed version of what some people are referring to as a tirade). His defense of his player involved some screaming in disgust of the article followed by nothing but praise for Reid. Gundy also said that the article is a work of fiction calling the paper and the paper's sports editor, Mike Sherman, garbage. In nothing less than a verbal attack on Carlson, Gundy, speaking directly to Carlson, lectured her on targeting a "kid" when he's down following soon after with the question of "who is the kid now?" He also volunteered himself for criticism saying that the subject of an article like that needs to be him or his coaching staff - not a heart-broken kid. Just before leaving the quickly press conference, Gundy claimed the whole thing made him want to puke.
My thoughts on the whole situation are mixed. The fact that Gundy stood up for his player is respectable in itself, but the fact that such a huge win for the Cowboys was put on the back-burner for an outraged rant is something else. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a Cowboy fan, but there are times when things are so obviously backwards that I can't help but comment on them.
5 minutes after a win that could turn their season around, the coach of the team goes a little crazy about an article written by someone who has ever played football on a competitive level. Yes, it needed to be said, but in a different time and place. There should have been two separate press conferences - one dealing with the victory on Saturday and one dealing with the article. I think Gundy should have directed that fire into firing up his team, not overshadowing their victory. But, the same way Jenni Carlson has never played competitive football, I have never been a coach in Mike Gundy's situation, therefore I don't know what I would have done if I had been in his shoes Saturday.
After the tension of the weekend died down, Gundy held another press conference regarding his outburst where he stated he didn't regret what he said but did regret not preparing a formal statement because he had forgotten some points he wanted to make. At the second press conference, there was still little talk about the victory. Defending one player is good; overlooking the rest of the team and their hard-earned win isn't. The situation, although it was surrounded by good intentions, is still not back to good.
Carlson's fellow staff writer for the Oklahoman, Berry Tramel, even let the story rest for a day so he could report on what he refers to as the "wildest game in OSU history" because he thought OSU fans deserved better. In his article, he maintained support for Carlson but wrote that he didn't agree with everything Carlson wrote and also thought Gundy did make good points. His timing and delivery, however, made for a PR blunder, according to Tramel. I agree with him. I think there is a possibility that Gundy might even agree with him. Carlson's article was less than professional sounding. And although most are skeptical of her article, the way the Oklahoman handled the aftermath of Gundy's outburst is to be commended. They took a calm approach in responding to the situation. In an interview with Jenni Carlson and Mike Sherman, the Oklahoman cleared up the reason behind the article and also supported and understood Gundy's motive behind the outburst and even said his feelings were justified.
I don't necessarily take either side. I don't know enough about Gundy to like or dislike him and I don't read the Oklahoman. But from a Public Relations view, no matter who is right or wrong in the situation, I think the whole situation was better handled by the Oklahoman.
Short Story
Inaccuracies
My thoughts on the whole situation are mixed. The fact that Gundy stood up for his player is respectable in itself, but the fact that such a huge win for the Cowboys was put on the back-burner for an outraged rant is something else. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a Cowboy fan, but there are times when things are so obviously backwards that I can't help but comment on them.
5 minutes after a win that could turn their season around, the coach of the team goes a little crazy about an article written by someone who has ever played football on a competitive level. Yes, it needed to be said, but in a different time and place. There should have been two separate press conferences - one dealing with the victory on Saturday and one dealing with the article. I think Gundy should have directed that fire into firing up his team, not overshadowing their victory. But, the same way Jenni Carlson has never played competitive football, I have never been a coach in Mike Gundy's situation, therefore I don't know what I would have done if I had been in his shoes Saturday.
After the tension of the weekend died down, Gundy held another press conference regarding his outburst where he stated he didn't regret what he said but did regret not preparing a formal statement because he had forgotten some points he wanted to make. At the second press conference, there was still little talk about the victory. Defending one player is good; overlooking the rest of the team and their hard-earned win isn't. The situation, although it was surrounded by good intentions, is still not back to good.
Carlson's fellow staff writer for the Oklahoman, Berry Tramel, even let the story rest for a day so he could report on what he refers to as the "wildest game in OSU history" because he thought OSU fans deserved better. In his article, he maintained support for Carlson but wrote that he didn't agree with everything Carlson wrote and also thought Gundy did make good points. His timing and delivery, however, made for a PR blunder, according to Tramel. I agree with him. I think there is a possibility that Gundy might even agree with him. Carlson's article was less than professional sounding. And although most are skeptical of her article, the way the Oklahoman handled the aftermath of Gundy's outburst is to be commended. They took a calm approach in responding to the situation. In an interview with Jenni Carlson and Mike Sherman, the Oklahoman cleared up the reason behind the article and also supported and understood Gundy's motive behind the outburst and even said his feelings were justified.
I don't necessarily take either side. I don't know enough about Gundy to like or dislike him and I don't read the Oklahoman. But from a Public Relations view, no matter who is right or wrong in the situation, I think the whole situation was better handled by the Oklahoman.
Short Story
Inaccuracies
1 comment:
You know its kinda sad that Gundy got so fired up and exploded because he really did have some valid points and was defending a kid but because the Oklahoman handled the response better and in a somewhat mature and calm manner, I think many people are thinking Gundy over reacted.
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