COLUMN: An apology to Paul Rhoads

[NATEizKING]

I agree, man I would be embarrassed to be associated with Baylor or PSU.

I'd still be a bag man though.

 

[cyclones500]

Chris - I don't think you were wrong to question what CPR has done over the years with the lack of branding and trying to relate to kids of today. Just because Briles appears to be a POS - that doesn't mean it was wrong of you and the fans to expect more out of CPR

That summarizes what I wanted to say.

 

[TBT]

I feel like ISU got the best of both worlds with Campbell. Runs a clean program (allegedly) like Rhoads and brings sexiness to the program (like Briles). To be decided if it will help win games, but I can't help but be extremely happy with where ISU is at right now concerning football.

 

[Supernorwegian]

I really liked PR. But is that where we are at as a society? "Dear Coach, thanks for not being morally bankrupt."

 

[benjay]

Many of us have been saying it Chris - but a school like Baylor does not suddenly get awesome in all sports without serious baggage in tow.

 

[CYISFLY]

Myself, and I'm sure many of Cyclone Nation have thought if Baylor can do it why can't we? Wow, it's disgusting when you learn what the foundation of that program was built on. You recruit that certain kind of player, and you gotta know what to expect. Which we all know now Briles was well aware of, but chose to ignore. I do, and will always cheer as loud as I can for Iowa State. I want our program to be nothing like BU.

 

[50244]

Well done CW

 

[SerenityNow]

Well written article as always, Chris.

 

[Rabbuk]

I feel like anyone with a working brain realized Baylor was crooked, that being said it is crooked in a way different way than I thought. Always assumed they were just straight up paying players... though I suppose it is still possible they did that too.

 

[nickcyv]

Chris - I don't think you were wrong to question what CPR has done over the years with the lack of branding and trying to relate to kids of today. Just because Briles appears to be a POS - that doesn't mean it was not wrong of you and the fans to expect more out of CPR. CPR did the right things when it came to kick kids off the team even it meant losing games, however he did not bring the level of excitement and sexiness to ISU like Briles did to Baylor and HOPEFULLY Campbell is going to bring to ISU.

We are all hoping Campbell can turn the image of ISU football around to attract good kids (both off and on the field). If he has a kids that doesn't meet the standards off the field - hopefully he is gone.

CPR doesn't need a bunch of apologies from us for doing the right thing - he got a big fat check for it doing the right thing off the field.

I feel the same way. No need to apologize to Rhoads. He got incredible support for 7 years from the fan base and administration.

We don't need to thank him for being a decent human.

 

[ribsnwhiskey]

I really liked PR. But is that where we are at as a society? "Dear Coach, thanks for not being morally bankrupt."

Well, you completely missed the whole point of this.

 

[SolarGarlic]

I don't mean to ruin the warm fuzzies, but I wouldn't mind if we never talked about Paul Rhoads again.

"I wanted camo." :dull:

 

[mcfaj0dm]

CPR deserves our respect for not succumbing to the options of lowering himself for wins. We see plenty of coaches and programs who do lower themselves.

We probably deserve his thanks for roughly $500K per win.

 

[Gnomeborg]

I really liked PR. But is that where we are at as a society? "Dear Coach, thanks for not being morally bankrupt."

that's not what Chris wrote.

 

[Trainer]

THank you for writing this Chris!

 

[WastedTalent]

Many of us have been saying it Chris - but a school like Baylor does not suddenly get awesome in all sports without serious baggage in tow.

I tend to agree, but at the same time, what happens if Campbell can start winning 8 games a year, and Prohm continues to be in the top 25? What then will outsiders say of Iowa St?

I don't know every story that came out of Baylor, and neither does the media probably, but even if they properly punished every kid, those were still very good Baylor teams. They still had a Heisman trophy winner, that helped turn the program around.

Briles is still a great coach, recruiting and X and O, but just a scum bag in terms of disciplinary. If he does the right thing and kicks those players off the team, they may lose a few W's, but they would still be a very good program.

 

[LindenCy]

I really liked PR. But is that where we are at as a society? "Dear Coach, thanks for not being morally bankrupt."

Unfortunately, in many ways, yes.

 

[Kurttr]

I feel the same way. No need to apologize to Rhoads. He got incredible support for 7 years from the fan base and administration.

We don't need to thank him for being a decent human.

Completely agree with these points. Just step back and think about this, CW. You apologized for expecting more. In no way did you suggest that CPR break all rules and lose his sense of morality to do so. To suggest that CPR is now redeemed due to the morass of what became of Baylor is way off point.

Baylor/Briles/etc. evidently made some horrible decisions (haven't read the report). But, what does that have to do with expecting even a decent run from our FB program? I don't find it fantasy to hope that we can have a coach that does things the right way and is able to get good results.

 

[carvers4math]

A thank you for not being a deplorable human being is a bit much.

"Thanks McDermott for being a nice guy. Yeah you sucked as a coach but thanks for being nice about sucking."

His treatment of Wesley Johnson makes me question the nice guy part of that one. Just happy he's gone.

 

[VeloClone]

I tend to agree, but at the same time, what happens if Campbell can start winning 8 games a year, and Prohm continues to be in the top 25? What then will outsiders say of Iowa St?

I don't know every story that came out of Baylor, and neither does the media probably, but even if they properly punished every kid, those were still very good Baylor teams. They still had a Heisman trophy winner, that helped turn the program around.

Briles is still a great coach, recruiting and X and O, but just a scum bag in terms of disciplinary. If he does the right thing and kicks those players off the team, they may lose a few W's, but they would still be a very good program.

But isn't that really the point. He sacrificed those young women to gain a few extra wins for his team that would have been good anyway. ******baggery at its finest.