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Jones trying to make things right
I know many CMU football fans and family members of players are disappointed in Butch Jones for how his Cincinnati departure went down.
Jones will be the first to admit that he wanted to speak to the players before the press conference, but sometimes things don't work out as you would hope.
In an effort to bring closure to his time with the Chippewas, Jones was back at the IAC on Thursday and spoke with the team and left his office doors open for any players, supporters, and friends to air their grievances with him or just wish him well on his way.
Jones will also be hosting a dinner at his Mt. Pleasant home for the seniors on the football team along with the members of the "leadership committee" on Friday night.
I don't personally like how things went down as much as anyone, but you have to give Jones credit for walking back into the lion's den and facing everyone man-to-man. When Brian Kelly left in the middle of the night, there was no return trip and no more mentions of CMU. Jones at least stepped up and made a final appearance for those that supported him and believed in him.
It may not make things right with everyone, but it at least provides some needed closure to the situation so those at CMU can move on.
Jones will be the first to admit that he wanted to speak to the players before the press conference, but sometimes things don't work out as you would hope.
In an effort to bring closure to his time with the Chippewas, Jones was back at the IAC on Thursday and spoke with the team and left his office doors open for any players, supporters, and friends to air their grievances with him or just wish him well on his way.
Jones will also be hosting a dinner at his Mt. Pleasant home for the seniors on the football team along with the members of the "leadership committee" on Friday night.
I don't personally like how things went down as much as anyone, but you have to give Jones credit for walking back into the lion's den and facing everyone man-to-man. When Brian Kelly left in the middle of the night, there was no return trip and no more mentions of CMU. Jones at least stepped up and made a final appearance for those that supported him and believed in him.
It may not make things right with everyone, but it at least provides some needed closure to the situation so those at CMU can move on.
Labels: Butch Jones, CMU football
posted by Nate Schneider at
10:39 AM
3 Comments:
I am as much of a Jones supporter as anyone, but the fact that he did not address his team face to face before the Cincinnati press conference bothers me. Sorry, I don’t buy the timing excuse, it’s not like he took another job in Southern California; Cincinnati is not that far, especially if he was traveling via plane. I have a hard time believing he couldn’t tell the Cincinnati AD that the press conference had to wait a few hours so he could properly address his former team, they deserved that. It’s not like they were going to pull the offer, it just would have been the right thing to do.
I think people are surprised due to the fact that he always preached having class and integrity, something all Chip fans knew BK lacked. I don’t think anyone in their right mind is criticizing him for taking the job; he would have been crazy to turn the opportunity down.
I wish him the best of luck, and I am looking forward to following him next year at Cincy.
As for us, the program will move on, we have an outstanding AD, and I have faith he will make the right choice. It’s time to look forward, no need to be bitter, BUT it’s only human nature to be a little stunned that he did not address the players face to face first.
I agree it would have been very nice if Butch could have talked with the CMU players before Cincinnati announced his hiring, however it doesn't always work out that way. I'm impressed with how he has responded to the team and community about the move in what seems to be a very positive, classy, humble, and heartfelt manner from all accounts I have read and heard.
Isn't it strange that when "your" head coach leaves and goes to another school for more money, the speeches, terminology, quotes, etc. seem so disingenuous?
I'm sure Cinci is going through the same thing with BK bolting for ND. And its not just Jones, its every college program that has had it happen to them.
When you sit back and think about the speeches and catch phrases, "holding the rope" used at the golf outings, the dinners, the instant replays, the booster events, etc, etc. It just seems so wrong somehow.
Well, here's to CMU finding a new HC and staff to lead them into 2010 and beyond.
Maybe CMU will get lucky and find a coach who REALLY means it when they say, "they really love CMU and Mt. Pleasant and its their home." Even if some other big name program comes calling.
But I'm not holding my breath. And I'm going to be a lot more skeptical when the new coach gets up and does his "rah rah" speeches this time.
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