faithinviks said:
Interesting @BroadwayVik @bigskyconf, I didn't know the whole Robin Pflugrad story. Good thoughts but sorry to say I might find myself slipping to the dark side with @Alan on the timing. Can't imagine this administration sticking out their necks during this time in our society. It would be bold and might have great odds of success but I can only imagine the student activists...
But on second thought you never know, any press might end up being good press especially if he turned the program around...
If I may say a few things on this, which is why I linked the article from Ken Goe. There has been a "culture" of such in Missoula, going on even before the hiring of Pflugrad. And, as seen recently, this "culture" did not go away after the firing of Pflugrad. Pflugrad came to Missoula and tried to change this "culture" and encountered resistance. Whenever someone comes in to an established "culture" and tries to change things, he can come across as fairly unpopular, and, even in generating success, he can be let go as a "scapegoat".
What more could Pflugrad have done at Missoula? He made the players attend lectures on drugs, alcohol, behavior, and sexual assault. He ended a freshman hazing ritual that put incoming players through all kinds of atrocious actions. Instead of being applauded for this in Missoula, he encountered pushbacks and resistance, basically being told to let the boys be boys. Therefore, when the feds came to town, direct them to the patsy, let him take the heat and the university emerges unscathed.
Ever since Walsh left, the football team has basically gone downhill. From what I'm hearing, no one cares about the team, from the city to the alums to the students to the fans. Granted, I am not advocating a coaching change, but I can't ignore what I'm hearing. Maybe a desperate coach seeking redemption at his alma mater is what PSU needs to breathe life into the program.
