Is that Lou Holtz isn't saddled with a far sleazier reputation than the one he enjoys. Those of us with a sense of college football history have grown used to hearing certain coaches' names associated with NCAA trouble. Mention "Jackie Sherrill, Danny Ford, Rick Neuheisel," and people talk about investigations and violations, calling them "dirty coaches."
Jackie Sherrill landed two of his programs, Texas A&M and Mississippi State on probation. Danny Ford's Clemson program ended up on probation, although he was later cleared. Rick Neuheisel put Colorado and Washington in hot water with the NCAA. Charley Pell got the Gators in trouble after being at Clemson with Ford. Barry Switzer had players in constant trouble and his Sooners served probation. They all have a shady rep.
Meanwhile, Holtz has left every program he coached just before they were hit with NCAA probation. Five of them – N.C. State, Minnesota, Arkansas, Notre Dame, and South Carolina – were all found to have violated NCAA rules while he was at the helm. By all rights, he should be considered the biggest dirtbag that ever coached a collegiate team.
So why isn't he? Namely because he was able to woo media. CBS courted him as a talking head after he left Notre Dame, despite the circulating rumors about his time under the Golden Dome, stories that eventually led to NCAA probation. ESPN helped launder his reputation when he left South Carolina, propping him up as a near caricature on their college football scoreboard desk for 10 years. He played the role of the humorous old coach, including in a weekly skit that had him arguing his side of disputes in front of someone playing a judge, with no apparent sense of irony.
He's not the only one. Bobby Bowden also had a runaway program in Tallahassee. His players were in trouble about as much as Switzer's and he had to vacate two seasons' worth of wins as a result of transgressions. But he deployed a folksy manner, could charm reporters and gave good soundbites so it was kid gloves treatment for "St. Bobby."
While college football is admittedly a dirty business, the idea that someone like Holtz has earned NCAA trouble as much as he has and still doesn't bear the tarnish is another testament to the outsized influence broadcast media has on the sport.
Jackie Sherrill landed two of his programs, Texas A&M and Mississippi State on probation. Danny Ford's Clemson program ended up on probation, although he was later cleared. Rick Neuheisel put Colorado and Washington in hot water with the NCAA. Charley Pell got the Gators in trouble after being at Clemson with Ford. Barry Switzer had players in constant trouble and his Sooners served probation. They all have a shady rep.
Meanwhile, Holtz has left every program he coached just before they were hit with NCAA probation. Five of them – N.C. State, Minnesota, Arkansas, Notre Dame, and South Carolina – were all found to have violated NCAA rules while he was at the helm. By all rights, he should be considered the biggest dirtbag that ever coached a collegiate team.
So why isn't he? Namely because he was able to woo media. CBS courted him as a talking head after he left Notre Dame, despite the circulating rumors about his time under the Golden Dome, stories that eventually led to NCAA probation. ESPN helped launder his reputation when he left South Carolina, propping him up as a near caricature on their college football scoreboard desk for 10 years. He played the role of the humorous old coach, including in a weekly skit that had him arguing his side of disputes in front of someone playing a judge, with no apparent sense of irony.
He's not the only one. Bobby Bowden also had a runaway program in Tallahassee. His players were in trouble about as much as Switzer's and he had to vacate two seasons' worth of wins as a result of transgressions. But he deployed a folksy manner, could charm reporters and gave good soundbites so it was kid gloves treatment for "St. Bobby."
While college football is admittedly a dirty business, the idea that someone like Holtz has earned NCAA trouble as much as he has and still doesn't bear the tarnish is another testament to the outsized influence broadcast media has on the sport.
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