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- Aug 29, 2011
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Question:
Suppose that Cochran and 4 other key players clearly violated team rules and Diaco suspended them, would you be upset?
If not, why not? I mean, by suspending them, the team would likely lose, thus showing that winning was not priority 1 for Diaco.
Or would you agree that for long term success, the coach sometimes has to focus on learning and development over near-term wins?
Right now, absolutely not, because we have 50+ players on offense alone getting practice and game time reps, as well as the D. (that's a joke)
Seriously, if the players violate rules, to the point where the head coach feels the need to suspend them as a consequence, then I'm truly not going to be upset at all. Because I believe that the fundamental purpose of college football, is to be part of an academic mission for a university. Development of quality young men, through the game of football. Diaco has never waivered from this, has been crystal clear about it as his purpose, and has been consistent about how he's approached it, so far, and that is probably what I like most about him. I would be disappointed to see him cut corners on something like that, away from the field. Winning is important, there is no room for second place, but winning in life, is a lot more important than winning on the football field, and suspending players to help them learn from mistakes to become better people in life, is not in any way, showing that winning isn't priority #1. JMO.
As for your second question, I don't think it's ever a good idea to be making decisions that do not give yourself the best chance you can come up with, to win - now, and later. You can do both at the same time, but it takes experience and practice, just like everything else,and if you find yourself in a situation where you are acutely making a decision in one way over the other (i.e. something you are doing now, that costs you a chance to win games now - vs. losing now, to try to something later? ) That to me - means that you've effed up in your decision making, and need to correct something. You need to find ways to balance doing the best you can to win now - and later. I believe he's trying to do that, but I just don't agree with the method. It's ok, there is no golden standard on how to run a football program, and create a winning football program - the only thing that defines what works for who, where, and when - is the actual wins and loss column.