Fans often want more honesty out of their team’s head coach, but sometimes a coach can be a little too honest, as was displayed by Southern Miss’ Will Hall Monday.
In college football, not every game can be a powerhouse going up against a powerhouse. Every team schedules a “cupcake” game, or a contest against an inferior opponent – for Power 4 teams, a Group of Five or FCS opponent; for Group of Five teams, an FCS opponent. These are known as “buy games,” which are an integral part of the smaller schools’ athletic budget due to them being paid by the bigger school to travel to play them on the gridiron. That’s fine and dandy, but you’re not supposed to admit to that game being all about the money if you’re the head coach of a smaller school.
Hall was asked on a Sun Belt Conference media call by my former boss in college, Heath Hinton, on what his team’s mindset was during the Golden Eagles’ season opener at Kentucky Saturday – a game that was twice delayed due to lightning and eventually suspended in the third quarter.
“We were extremely worried about injuries. That was our number one concern. Nutrition was a concern,” Hall said. “But none of that tops getting that check. And to get that check, we have to play that game.”
Woof.
I respect his honesty, and nothing that he said was categorically false. But that’s something that goes without saying – not something that you convey to the media. Though the reporter who initially published the quote on social media sheepishly deleted his post, it spread like wildfire. And Southern Miss fans had a right to be upset.
It’s all about the message that it sends. Hall, now in his fourth year and in do-or-die mode in Hattiesburg, should be preaching about how important it is to try to win any given game, even if it’s a daunting task on the road at an SEC school. Fans have long criticized his teams during his tenure, and this isn’t the type of message that will do him any favors – especially after a 31-0 defeat in two-and-a-half quarters in Lexington, Ky.
Was that comment a fireable offense like some fans are calling for? Absolutely not. The only way I see this ending is if Southern Miss has another losing season, which is possible with a difficult schedule by Sun Belt standards. I love when a coach is honest, especially since coach speak is so rampant to avoid these types of gaffes, but no comment should be made that comes off like the goal is anything other than to secure a win.
Anyone, any place, any time? As long as they open up their checkbook.
The Pickoff
Fans in Marion County sure were spoiled Aug. 29, as the annual East-West showdown delivered and then some. It went back and forth deep into the fourth quarter where a Trojan touchdown – more on that later – gave West Marion the lead with 23 seconds left.
Both teams are much improved from last year, and that Thursday night was a spectacle, both due to the atmosphere at East Marion and the game that was played. Somebody had to lose that game, and the Trojans gained revenge from last year’s 12-6 defeat.
Play of the Week
There were numerous plays to choose from in the East-West game, but the best one has to go to West Marion’s game-winning touchdown.
On fourth-and-5 at the Eagle 31, West Marion head coach Mason Woodrow dialed up a post pattern for Corjyous Weary. But the Eagles were game for that, causing Weary and quarterback Braxton Albritton to improvise. Weary cut towards the sideline, and Albritton found his man on a sort of fade route to score the go-ahead touchdown.
It was a thriller of a game, and this play was just another reason why.
