Yahoo, Tattoos, and tOSU (1-year bowl ban, 82 scholly limit for 3 years)

[OH10]

Not baffling at all..as he is far from the least culpable.

I must have missed the part where he gave athletes extra benefits; where he lied to the NCAA about knowledge of athletes receiving extra benefits.

I'm not going to hold him to the same level of accountability as those people that intentionally broke NCAA rules - because he didn't. That makes him less culpable than any of the people that have. That's not up for debate. It's a fact.

There's no evidence that he failed to report any improper benefits. In fact, he and the compliance staff have gone out of their way to ensure that NCAA violations have been reported - TO THE EXTENT THAT HE WAS WILLING TO TURN IN A CHAMPIONSHIP COACH when it would have been easier and (possibly) less painful to try and cover it up.

He didn't create this scandal. He's been trying to mitigate its damage amidst a mob media and continued transgressions on the part of players/boosters that have been educated to fucking know better.

The Failure to Monitor charge is basically saying that he failed to properly babysit the adults that did intentionally break the rules. It's sad they needed babysitting.

 

[jwinslow]

He's been trying to mitigate its damage amidst a mob media and continued transgressions on the part of players/boosters that have been educated to fucking know better.

He's done a terrible job at mitigating the damage, and personally ramped it up on multiple occasions with sloppy handling.

What would you say he did well?

"Other people stink more" is not a ringing endorsement.

p.s. Evidence and facts are two very different things. There isn't any "evidence" that Cam took money from Auburn either.

 

[OH10]

I don't know Bobby D., but I do know former players that worked for him back in the early 1990's. What they have told me about him fits much closer to what Max has described. In fact, what I have been told is that Bobby D. made them work...real work and it was hard work. One told me of the time he and a couple other teammates were hired to help move his family to a new house over a weekend. He actually bitched that he felt they were hired because they were ultimately cheaper labor than hiring a moving company.

People are more willing to come to the defense of a jock-sniffing booster that admits intentionally breaking NCAA rules and costing Ohio State student-athletes games than the AD that's been trying to clean up the sorry mess he created.

You know what? I'm not even mad. That's amazing logic.

 

[buckeyebri]

The Failure to Monitor charge is basically saying that he failed to properly babysit the adults that did intentionally break the rules. It's sad they needed babysitting.

Unfortunate as it is, if he has to change their diapers then so be it....it is his job to ensure total complicity of the program.

 

[buckiprof]

People are more willing to come to the defense of a jock-sniffing booster that admits intentionally breaking NCAA rules and costing Ohio State student-athletes games than the AD that's been trying to clean up the sorry mess he created.

You know what? I'm not even mad. That's amazing logic.

Listen obtuse one, I did not post that as a defense for Bobby D., but you can't process simple things apparently. I posted that as information from people who actually know him and actually worked for him.

But hey, go ahead and believe whatever you want, who cares what some who know and worked for him have to say. Again, I am not offering up a defense, just facts from some who know and have worked for him....and those facts are close to what Max stated than anything you have posted.

 

[OH10]

What would you say he did well, OH10?

"Other people stink more" is not a ringing endorsement.

p.s. Evidence and facts are two very different things. There isn't any "evidence" that Cam took money from Auburn either.

At this point, I'd say he did a damn fine job of avoiding FTM and LOIC from the beginning. He NEVER got any credit for that. If this new stuff (much of which I still believe was beyond his control) didn't come out, then he would have saved Ohio State from any serious institutional sanctions. And he still yet may pull off that miracle.

I applaud Gene Smith and the compliance staff for immediately turning over the Tressel email when they found it. That's like calling a two-stroke penalty on yourself in the Masters. And neither the media nor the fans have ever given him credit for that.

I give him credit for maintaining his composure during this firestorm. It's not his fault Gordon Gee can't keep his damned foot out of his mouth. He's made some PR errors, but for the most part, when he's been on camera, he's been careful not to give away any embarrassing soundbites.

The only serious error I see Gene Smith having made up to this point is not firing Jim Tressel right away. But I doubt that was his call. And if he had done it, he would have received even more unjustified venom than he is now.

What specifically (no more vague accusations) do you think Gene Smith has done so wrong?

 

[OH10]

Unfortunate as it is, if he has to change their diapers then so be it....it is his job to ensure total complicity of the program.

I agree with that, but I think we should also have enough perspective to say that much of what happened was well beyond his control. If he loses his job, I'm not going to complain. I just think people are all too willing to place a disproportionate amount of blame on his shoulders for the actions of others - including inaction on the part one Jim Tressel.

 

[MaxBuck]

I don't know Bobby D., but I do know former players that worked for him back in the early 1990's. What they have told me about him fits much closer to what Max has described. In fact, what I have been told is that Bobby D. made them work...real work and it was hard work. One told me of the time he and a couple other teammates were hired to help move his family to a new house over a weekend. He actually bitched that he felt they were hired because they were ultimately cheaper labor than hiring a moving company.

Thanks, prof. This only underscores my main point: the NCAA makes good men look venal, makes athletes into unpaid cash cows, and does little good for anyone.

I'll also add that I'm extremely troubled by commentary from "fans" who are ready to judge harshly some generous, relatively selfless individuals who have run afoul of the labyrinthine rules of this corrupt organization. I think people would do well to avoid throwing stones at people who are likely better than themselves.

 

[HINYG8]

I must have missed the part where he gave athletes extra benefits; where he lied to the NCAA about knowledge of athletes receiving extra benefits.

I'm not going to hold him to the same level of accountability as those people that intentionally broke NCAA rules - because he didn't. That makes him less culpable than any of the people that have. That's not up for debate. It's a fact.

There's no evidence that he failed to report any improper benefits. In fact, he and the compliance staff have gone out of their way to ensure that NCAA violations have been reported - TO THE EXTENT THAT HE WAS WILLING TO TURN IN A CHAMPIONSHIP COACH when it would have been easier and (possibly) less painful to try and cover it up.

He didn't create this scandal. He's been trying to mitigate its damage amidst a mob media and continued transgressions on the part of players/boosters that have been educated to [censored]ing know better.

The Failure to Monitor charge is basically saying that he failed to properly babysit the adults that did intentionally break the rules. It's sad they needed babysitting.

Let's not get too frustrated here..it is a matter of opinion, and IMO it is the responsibility of the AD to ensure the players and administrators act within NCAA rules. IF you don't see it that way..no worries..we are each entitled to our opinion. In your response you are lacing the facts with your opinion..and positioning the package as fact.

My opinion is that the poor decisions made by the players, the cover up conducted by the HC, and the phantom pay checks provided by boosters and kids getting paid at charity events all fall within the auspice of the AD. Those are his resources and it is his responsibility to make sure everyone knows and acts within the rules (Also a fact).

From there both he and Gee have botched the PR side of this...which is also part of the AD's responsibility.

If you don't want to hold the AD accountable for the players, coaches, and boosters breaking the rules on his watch and then watching the media burn us to the ground while he just threw gasoline on the flames rather than extinquishing them that is your prerogative, but IMO he is absolutely culpable in this mess..and I am pretty sure you will see that OSU agrees when he is no longer the AD after the NCAA gets done with the investigation and closes the NOA.

He won't be getting a raise as a result of how he has handled this..but i do think he will provided with the opportunity to...you know..retire.

But no worries..we disagree on this and there is nothing wrong with that.

 

[OH10]

If you don't want to hold the AD accountable for the players, coaches, and boosters breaking the rules on his watch and then watching the media burn us to the ground while he just threw gasoline on the flames rather than extinquishing them that is your prerogative, but IMO he is absolutely culpable in this mess..and I am pretty sure you will see that OSU agrees when he is no longer the AD after the NCAA gets done with the investigation and closes the NOA
.

And therein lies the rub for Gene Smith. People hold him accountable for the frontpage SI story; for the numerous Outside the Lines exposes; for the over-the-top columnists covering the story. And for the termination of Jim Tressel.

I can agree with the "buck stops here" position you take with the AD and his job security. But I can't agree that he deserves the venom (of which there has been plenty) for it.

 

[ORD_Buckeye]

I agree, but Delaney probably wants to keep OSU as a possibility for the inaugural Big Ten Title Game. I would personally rather have the post-season ban for this year. I just think next year's team has a chance to run the table with a favorable schedule.

Personally, I think that he'd rather have Wiscy in there over Ped State or Ohio State, so there is no talk of off-field issues.

Though I think he'd want to avoid Wiscy backing in because we were banned from the game.

 

[jlb1705]

Thanks, prof. This only underscores my main point: the NCAA makes good men look venal, makes athletes into unpaid cash cows, and does little good for anyone.

I'll also add that I'm extremely troubled by commentary from "fans" who are ready to judge harshly some generous, relatively selfless individuals who have run afoul of the labyrinthine rules of this corrupt organization. I think people would do well to avoid throwing stones at people who are likely better than themselves.

Where did you find a rule-breaking booster that was actually selfless? The next one I see that was in it for philanthropy rather than access will be the first. The fact that he hid in a closet to hear a pregame speech tells me all I need to know about what he was around for.

 

[cjmik_75]

Not baffling at all..as he is far from the least culpable.

As I said in the thread here about him:

His post...his responsibility.. his title, his job and the reason he makes a good amount of coin: and this mess has been allowed to burn rampant under his watch.

Isn't it his job to manage the circumstances, perception, and bring control to the situation? Isn't he the AD? Doesn't that mean he is responsible for the actions of his staff and the various athletic programs that he leads?

I think so...and IMO he has botched that beyond repair.

Publicly we clearly rolled over and were flogged. Behind the scenes FTM and LOIC, IMO, should never have been on the table..yet here we are holding our breath for the final decision and truly embarrassed about our program. Maybe I have a different view of the AD's job than I should..but to me he is responsible for making sure neither the public or the NCAA sharpens their knives on the athletics of my alma matter.

*AFTER* our problems it was revealed that boosters at Miami were providing whores and abortions..but even THAT couldn't bump OSU from the headlines or replace our name as the face of NCAA corruption and cheating.

Yeah..the media burned us down to the bottom of our wick....because the AD did nothing to get in front of the false accusations or take the steps needed to put that fire out.

$8K in trades and some unearned pay..and we lost our HC, forfeited a season, had multiple players suspensions that extended in length beyond what was served for similar violations at other places, and now we drop some scholarships and have FTM on our calling card. If you don't hold the AD responsible for that then I'd like to have that job...big pay check and no accountability..sweet gig.

GPA

I must have missed the part where he gave athletes extra benefits; where he lied to the NCAA about knowledge of athletes receiving extra benefits.

I'm not going to hold him to the same level of accountability as those people that intentionally broke NCAA rules - because he didn't. That makes him less culpable than any of the people that have. That's not up for debate. It's a fact.

There's no evidence that he failed to report any improper benefits. In fact, he and the compliance staff have gone out of their way to ensure that NCAA violations have been reported - TO THE EXTENT THAT HE WAS WILLING TO TURN IN A CHAMPIONSHIP COACH when it would have been easier and (possibly) less painful to try and cover it up.

He didn't create this scandal. He's been trying to mitigate its damage amidst a mob media and continued transgressions on the part of players/boosters that have been educated to fucking know better.

The Failure to Monitor charge is basically saying that he failed to properly babysit the adults that did intentionally break the rules. It's sad they needed babysitting.

Lots of excuses.

Nonetheless, still a babysitter.

Watching your fans turn on eachother is quite entertaining....You were so arrogantly optimistic just a short time ago. Now the Big Ten is about ten minutes away from being irrelevent thanks to the moral high ground facade PSU and OSU have perpetrated and have been exposed for.

Oh ya...Miami stomped ur face in. Da U!

3, 2, 1...

 

[stowfan]

Thanks, prof. This only underscores my main point: the NCAA makes good men look venal, makes athletes into unpaid cash cows, and does little good for anyone.

I'll also add that I'm extremely troubled by commentary from "fans" who are ready to judge harshly some generous, relatively selfless individuals who have run afoul of the labyrinthine rules of this corrupt organization. I think people would do well to avoid throwing stones at people who are likely better than themselves.

I just can't help myself from throwing this one out: Bobby D. was born into a family with astronomical wealth. Based on my own life experiences, I have always found myself and a lot of other people always ready to guys like that the benefit of the doubt. Being from a background like that, if you are pleasant to people, throw a good party and pick up the tab for lunch you will receive great reviews. I'm not surprised that most people who have actually met him, have favorably commented.

I also want to add, that IMHO even if Bobby D. knew he was doing something wrong I don't think he ever imaged it would turn into the trouble it did. I can understand Buckeye fans being pissed about the trouble his generosity has caused. Bobby D. does not fit the profile of the Miami booster with the coke, hookers, and abortions.

 

[Jake]

People are more willing to come to the defense of a jock-sniffing booster that admits intentionally breaking NCAA rules and costing Ohio State student-athletes games than the AD that's been trying to clean up the sorry mess he created.

They aren't defending the jock sniffer. They are trying to rationalize his actions as no big deal and therefore no reason to punish Ohio State.