Ohio State Coach Was Suspended Becasue Of…
Have additional queries or comments? My email address is bwhite1@dispatch.com.For clarity, letters are slightly modified.
Editor: Rob Oller is largely to blame for Ohio State’s defeat at the hands of Missouri. OSU would have prevailed if McCord had stayed and participated in that match. However, Oller’s unfailingly harsh editorials criticizing McCord over the season—even when OSU was winning 11 games—fed so much criticism of this quarterback that it’s clear it had to be a major factor in McCord’s departure. Why endure all that suffering week after week? and then take the fall for Michigan’s defeat? In that game, one player did not lose. He did indeed get an early interception,
which was an error. However, Marvin Harrison Jr. is just as much to blame for the second late one. What about Burke’s interception in the end zone that Michigan scored on because the referee failed to see it? What about Michigan’s failure to be stopped by the defense in the second half? However, McCord accepted the most of the responsibility for the defeat. Furthermore, Oller’s endearing yet sarcastic critiques were too much for the young man to handle. It makes perfect sense that he said, “I’m outa here.” Factual analysis is acceptable. However, Oiler ought to take his unfavorable remarks somewhere. The paper isn’t where he belongs.
Galena and Andy Jones
To Andy: Although I hold Rob accountable for many things, McCord’s decision to skip town is not his fault. McCord resigned for two reasons, as reporter Bill Rabinowitz reported: he wanted more money and a guaranteed starting spot. I don’t think Rob can make one of those happen. Should he succeed, he must resign from his day job.
Hello Brian A coach’s telling a player he needs to compete for a position is not always a bad thing. Not at all. But doing it in public following a significant defeat was obviously blaming that player. Ryan Day also benefited from it, as McCord is now solely to blame for the Michigan defeat. Proceed with that in secret. In essence, he was informing McCord that he would be replaced and that Kyle would have to go. Although McCord isn’t C.J. Stroud or Justin Fields, he wasn’t the only player in that Michigan loss. The coach attempts a 52-yard field goal in less than 30 seconds after the defense was unable to stop him. There were more elements. The manner Day gave in to the supporters and flung a 21-year-old child
Steve Huggins
To the editor: Will the past happen again? The last quarterback to transfer to OSU after spending years honing his craft at the Buckeye School of Almost Champions was a Heisman Trophy winner. Say it with me: “Introducing The Syracuse Orange, this year’s national champions!”
To Jim: It’s not as insane as some people would assume that Syracuse will make the playoffs. Recall that the Orange play Miami at home and don’t play Clemson or Florida State.
Editor’s note: I was shocked to see Marvin Harrison Jr. on the OSU sideline during the OSU-Missouri farce, as an ex-Ohioan and devoted Buckeye supporter. Why hadn’t he put on a jersey and helmet if he wanted to cheer for the team? Though how could Day have allowed any of the deserters to be there? I didn’t spot any other ones standing around. I bet Woody is rolling over in his grave!
Gregory, you have my admiration as an opt-out who aspires to be a good teammate. And just wait to see how many times Woody scoffs when you tell him that the Ohio State quarterback’s desire for more money was a factor in his departure.
To Mr. White, please: Usually, I’ll condense a sports outcome into three words, such as: Really, to highlight it. Fantastic game. All I can think of for the Cotton Bowl are three syllables: Pit-I-Ful. It’s hard to believe, but the worst that could have happened to Pickerington High School if they had played Missouri was three points less than the Buckeyes. Hurt!
It was even more repugnant and disgusting to witness similar high-profile coaches, such as Lincoln Riley and Brian Kelly, desert their teams before to the end of the season in an attempt to chase the elusive big money.
Fortunately, it looks like much of this situation will be resolved by switching to a 12-team playoff starting with the following season. This will increase the amount of meaningful playoffs games while presumably requiring key players and coaches to play through to the end of the season.
Columbus’s Jonathan Gurian
Jonathan: I am excited about the upcoming season, as the squad that finishes 13th will have the most animosity.
Editor’s note: The 2023 Buckeyes defense is unquestionably excellent. Setting the border is the one idea that, in my opinion, is not stressed enough. This season, they have frequently forfeited large chunks of yardage due to losing outside contain. As the season progressed, more teams became aware of this and exploited it. Furthermore, how does one get called for a delay of game penalty following a timeout or on a punt?
Keeler, Greg
Editor’s note: It ought to be mandatory for opt-outs to reimburse scholarship funds. Unfair to the school, supporters, or teammates.
Fred Kegel
Fred: Severe punishment. Where would that money go to those opt-outs? For many children, who might not have been able to attend college without the athletic scholarship, it is a high cost.
To the Editor, His commendation of Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin was particularly powerful after reading Dan Wolken’s piece “Are bowl games really worth the hassle anymore?” and seeing the Buckeyes lose in the Cotton Bowl!
Kiffin stated, “It’s a terrible system… where free agency starts while the season is still going,” in reference to the current portal system. Kiffin contrasted free agency with the existing system.
Maybe the gateway should open only after the national championship game, as per the NCAA’s proposed system reform. Alternatively, a player can use the portal once his team’s season—which includes bowl games—is over. Alternatively, you will have to miss a part of the upcoming season at your new school if you access the portal before either of the aforementioned circumstances.
Grove City’s Joe Palazzo
Editor’s note: Athletes in school? Transfer portals; athletes accepting endorsement deals at one school and departing before ever playing a game; athletes playing for many teams every season; sign-stealing espionage; athletes declining to participate for fear of injury; and coaches with illustrious resumes likely losing their jobs. Yes, that is modern college football. Additionally, a conference
Perhaps, in keeping with the NCAA’s planned system overhaul, the gateway should remain closed until after the national championship game. As an alternative, a player can access the portal once bowl games are finished for his team. Alternatively, if you visit the portal prior to either of the above mentioned events, you will have to miss a portion of the future season at your new school.
Joe Palazzo of Grove City
Note from the editor: School-based athletes? Athletes playing for many teams each season; athletes turning down opportunities to play because they fear injury; players taking endorsement deals at one school and leaving before ever playing a game; sign-stealing espionage; and coaches with impressive resumes probably losing their jobs are all examples of this phenomenon. It is, in fact, contemporary college football. Furthermore, a conference
Perhaps, in keeping with the NCAA’s planned system overhaul, the gateway should remain closed until after the national championship game. As an alternative, a player can access the portal once bowl games are finished for his team. Alternatively, if you visit the portal prior to either of the above mentioned events, you will have to miss a portion of the future season at your new school.
Joe Palazzo of Grove City
Note from the editor: School-based athletes? Athletes playing for many teams each season; athletes turning down opportunities to play because they fear injury; players taking endorsement deals at one school and leaving before ever playing a game; sign-stealing espionage; and coaches with impressive resumes probably losing their jobs are all examples of this phenomenon. It is, in fact, contemporary college football. Furthermore, a conference
