Translating Coaching Carousel Speak to English
by Year2 on Nov 22, 2011 4:18 PM EST
in SEC Football
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PrintThe coaching carousel is spinning up, with Rich Rodriguez replacing the fired Mike Stoops at Arizona and Urban Meyer reportedly set to take the Ohio State job. The SEC has one job already open, with Houston Nutt coaching his last game at Ole Miss this weekend.
As this process continues, you'll hear a lot of things. You'll be tempted to call coaches liars afterwards, but much of what they say is not technically false. You have to read these things carefully. Let's dive in.
"Right now I'm only focused on my current job."
At the exact moment the coach was asked about another opening, he might have been only focused on his current job. Plus in terms of hours spent, he probably was far more focused on preparing for his next game than exploring other options. This doesn't guarantee he didn't spend some unfocused time thinking about another job.
"I plan on being the coach here next year."
At that point in time, he might be planning that. Plans can change in the future when a fat offer from elsewhere shows up.
"I have not spoken to anyone about any other jobs."
Maybe he hasn't spoken to anyone, but that doesn't mean his agent hasn't also been putting out feelers.
"I'm happy where I'm at."
He is happy where he's at, but that doesn't mean he wouldn't be more happy some place else.
A coach reportedly has taken his name out of consideration for a job and got a raise from his current school.
Jimmy Sexton strikes again!
"I’ve not been offered any job and I certainly haven’t accepted any job."
He hasn't received a contract or any other legally binding document for that job yet. Perhaps he has even agreed to accept the job, but the actual acceptance hasn't yet occurred.
"I'm not going to be the Alabama coach."
He is going to be the next Alabama coach.
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What are your favorite bits of coachspeak during the annual coaching carousel?
Note: The New York Times' Pete Thamel, who is close with Meyer, is reporting based on sources that nothing is a done deal yet. He reports that Meyer must first talk to his entire family at Thanksgiving and look more into what NCAA penalties OSU is possibly facing from its failure to monitor charge. Meyer issued a statement to ESPN denying that the job was even offered to him yet, and sources inside the OSU athletic department also stated that Meyer had not been offered the job.
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On the involuntary change of job side, how about the dreaded "vote of confidence"
from the AD? Or possibly worse, the “we will evaluate his performance at the end of the season” comment from the AD.
by TexasAUtiger on Nov 22, 2011 4:59 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
"I'll have a decision to make."
= “I’m jumpin’ on this wagon train just a soon as the last regular season game ends and we can schedule the press conference.”
Editor, Dawg Sports.
Go Dawgs!
by vineyarddawg on Nov 22, 2011 6:12 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
"Money will not be a factor in my decision"
Money will be the only factor in my decision
My idea is that every specific body strives to become master over all space and to extend its force (--its will to power:) and to thrust back all that resists its extension.
by Yail Bloor on Nov 22, 2011 6:20 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
"I'm dedicated to winning a championship here."
I am actually trying to win, but I have no problem trying to win somewhere else either.
by AllTideUp on Nov 22, 2011 10:31 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
In defense of coach-speak
none of us have to deal with questions when we are interested in changing jobs. How would you like it if when you were looking a a job with better pay, a better chance to prove yourself, and who was courting the heck out of you you had to answer questions about it from your current employer, and about a million other people as well?
These answers all have the same quality: they have no meaning and therefore are not technically lies. Saban’s direct answer which he later changed his mind about is a good example why coaches try to never give direct answers to such questions.
All that aside, my favorite is “That school already has a coach, and a good one!” when asked about a position with a lame duck coach so gone he’s already put his house up for sale. It really means “I’m picking out wallpaper patterns for my new office.”
"Difficulties strengthen the mind, as labor does the body."
― Seneca
by NJBammer on Nov 23, 2011 8:33 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
poor guy
I can’t imagine making millions of dollars and then being offered a raise and having to talk about it.
My idea is that every specific body strives to become master over all space and to extend its force (--its will to power:) and to thrust back all that resists its extension.
You can't give the impression thta you are not loyal to your own program.
If the coaches were completely honest about their desire to look at another job they’d be lambasted for that in the media and behind closed doors. Not to mention your players are going to be pissed at you as well.
While that’s true, it’s not difficult to take a position of “I do not comment on any jobs other than my own” and sticking to it.
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I commented on this above, but there is a difference for coaches
You can’t ever give the impression that you aren’t totally committed to your current team and players. It’s a lose-lose situation for guys who may be interested in switching jobs.
"We're going to do things The Right Way."
Translation:
“We’re going 3-9.”
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GTHTSUN
by CoastalCowbell on Nov 23, 2011 5:13 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
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