A Painful Change in Culture
by Paragon SC on Sep 29, 2010 8:00 AM PDT
in USC Football
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PrintAs DFW linked in the comments the other day, Scott Wolf reported that USC President Max Nikias and AD Pat Haden took a little side trip to the the NCAA.
While the reason for the trip was reported as a "getting to know you" visit, one can deduce that it was also a strategic move as well. With USC in the middle of the appeals process from the NCAA's near death penalty sanctions a little bit of going out of your way to placate your masters probably doesn't hurt.
I don't buy for a minute that the appeal didn't come up in some fashion. Haden is a smart, successful businessman who knows the art of getting the deal done so it should surprise no one that he and Nikias reaching out is all part of the new face that USC is trying to paint for itself.
This is the new touchy feely USC.
Like it or not this is the by product of the near death penalty sanctions that the NCAA handed down this summer.
The problem is that the penalties punish the fans when the fans had absolutely nothing to do with this. This wasn't a rogue booster or a rogue fan this was the actions of two players and a compliance office that was understaffed and asleep at the switch. Yet the people who pay the bills are the ones affected.
Case in point...Why I Was Banned From Tweeting at USC’s Monday Morning Quarterback "
Last year and this year I regularly attended MMQB and live tweeted for the benefit of those unable to attend. This week I was at MMQB and was told to stop tweeting. I wasn’t identified by name but right before Lane Kiffin took the stage (after John McKay and John Jackson made their remarks) a comment was made by the host to the effect of "We know that there is someone tweeting from here right now, we’re monitoring it and we know who it is. So stop tweeting."
So from now on I won’t be tweeting from MMQB.
The reason given at MMQB was that Lane Kiffin can speak "more freely" if he knows the info won’t get out. But anyone who’s a regular at MMQB knows that’s just not true. The vanilla questions are all answered by Kiffin — same info that shows up in the media. But if you ask a sensitive question that could help an upcoming opponent Kiffin will not answer that. That happened this week, Kiffin refused to answer a question because he was afraid it would get out and give Washington a competitive edge. So the people attending MMQB do not get access to any special information. Kiffin would be crazy to assume what he says at MMQB will stay at MMQB. But Kiffin’s not crazy so he doesn’t say anything he doesn’t want getting out.
This is the unfortunate by product of the NCCA's actions. I am not saying that SC didn't deserve some punishment but USC's paranoia because of the sanctions really has gone overboard.
I agree with Psycho that if Kiffin didn't want anything to get out he simply wouldn't answer the question. I also agree that 140 charter bursts of information hardly paint a a clear picture of the event. Psycho's Tweets are snapshot that paint a general picture not a detailed plan.
It's a real shame that this is what it has come to...of course when sanctions hit any program the fans always end up taking a bit of a hit, but this is more than may of us expected or think we deserve. I hope that Haden and Nikias' meeting with the NCAA is part of a much grander plan in not only getting the sanctions reduced but in also restoring some of the positive culture that we have built over the past ten years...
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I love uscpsycho but in my opinion he's being a little glib
When asked why UCLA gets away with big celebrations while USC draws a flag for anything more than mild enthusiasm, Coach Kiffin suggested that maybe the refs feel sorry for the Bruins because they hardly ever score.
"I have a commanding voice." - Ed Orgeron
Ah dammit, I made some sort of horrible formatting error, hang on
What I typed was,
I love uscpsycho but in my opinion he’s being a little glib. Last week at MMQB he tweeted out this gem:
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When asked why UCLA gets away with big celebrations while USC draws a flag for anything more than mild enthusiasm, Coach Kiffin suggested that maybe the refs feel sorry for the Bruins because they hardly ever score.
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That’s something that Kiff wouldn’t have said in public and was definitely just meant for the people in the room, and probably shouldn’t have been tweeted.
"I have a commanding voice." - Ed Orgeron
It was standard operating procedure under Pete that people were asked to keep things off of the internet when you got to interact with the staff. Of course they are going to be able to speak more freely when they have some confidence that statements are not going to be pulled out of context and thrown up on the net willy nilly.
The argument that the tweets devalue the exclusivity of the event has a little merit too, but I suspect that would be a secondary (at best) reason for the tweet ban.
Los Angeles is like Manchester. There is a red team that wins championships and a blue team that doesn't.
In Psyco's defense (misspelling intended)
I doubt that he fully realized the ramifications of his posts. The vast majority of his followers are USC fans. However, in today’s world, one sensational quote retweeted to a member of the media, and well, you have the Mike Garrett “they’re all jealous of Trojans because they won’t to be us” all over again.
Psyco sure didn’t have any malicious intent. Just as Ghost of McKay didn’t either with his practice reports.
I too believe we are bowing down to kiss the ring as a plea for leniency, and hope that some of these austere rules will be loosened a bit when we come off of probation.
You can't put sanctions on the fkn endzone! Death to the NCAA!
I agree Rabbit, that is a joke and it will become bulletin board material.
As I told Syco, I don’t like functions like MMQ and other stuff like that. Being a coach most of my Career it is bad enough dealing other people unwanted opinions.
35-TO Nothing---------Yep the LA Monopoly is a changing------
Oh and Duckies you might quack but I throw bricks back---so don't come here empty handed
by so.cal.native1952 on Sep 29, 2010 9:20 AM PDT up reply actions
We ARE, U- S- C! Fight On!
Just. Fight. On!
"Fun fact: My grandma actually had 7 carries for 79 yards and one TD last year against Stanford. The (Oregon Ducks) spread option just works like that, but it helped that she’s pretty scrappy" (JShufelt- Addicted to Quack)
Like it or not
a change in culture was necessary. But the change in culture is only as “painful” as you choose it to be. Personally, I think its a good thing. In the case of tweeting at MMQB, I think we all agree that the things that are said in a room full of Trojans might sometimes be different than the things that would be said to the general public. As someone who is not in that room, I’d rather not know what was said in that room if the broadcasting of it would embarrass or hurt Trojan Nation. In this world, successful management of information will give you an edge in an type of competitive situation.
I submit that the sanctions are painful, but the change in culture doesn’t have to be.
What about access to practices and the reduction of sideline passes?
It’s all a part of it…and access to practices and the sidelines had absolutely nothing to do with the infractions that we were punished for. Part of what made the USC experience unique was thrown out like the baby with the bath water…
I get it that MMQB is pseudo off the record but they didn have a problem with the Tweeting last year…so why now?
"What have they figured out?" "NOTHING." Lane Kiffin
"Mention USC to a Bruin and they get angry; mention UCLA to a Trojan and they laugh."
Went to practice once last year it was boring, plus it is their show and their ground rules.
Look at it this way it is kind of like that scene from Hoosiers when they all show up at the barber shop for an intro to the coach. They were telling him how to do this and that, a good coach just leaves the room as did Norman Dale and a bad coach stays to long. Like today USA pro tennis players To Many Different Coaches thats why we don’t have a top player anymore. Jimmy Conners had his Mom and Jose Sugera, Mac had the Laver Academy and his Dad, etc
35-TO Nothing---------Yep the LA Monopoly is a changing------
Oh and Duckies you might quack but I throw bricks back---so don't come here empty handed
by so.cal.native1952 on Sep 29, 2010 9:30 AM PDT up reply actions
You are right
The issue isn’t nearly as black and white as I described. With any change, some pain is inevitable. And its easy to find valid examples.
That said, my understanding is that the reduced access to practices and sidelines are largely part of the sanctions. I do not believe the sanctions to be reasonable or rational. They are vindictive and painful…exactly as they were intended to be from the start.
It’s impossible to complete separate all the changes as being due to the sanctions or the change in culture as many are both. As a broad generalization, the culture was too loose before. Now its tighter, hopefully for the better.
To someone like you who covers the Trojans, I can appreciate that the change in culture must be particularly irritating. But I still believe that Haden and Nikias are pursuing the correct course in restricting the flow of certain types of information and access. Take the Mike Garrett “nothing but a lot of envy” comment, which was made to a room full of boosters. I don’t fault the booster who reported this blunder, as it was a very newsworthy quote. But it wasn’t helpful to USC. As I see it, Haden and Nikias can either leave these types of comments to the discretion of the people who would report them, or try to control them. Not much of a choice, even if its painful at times. JMO.
I don't agree that a "change in culture" was necessary
The fact of the matter is that USC’s culture — It’s embrace of the concept of family, tradition of success, and positive attitude are some of the best things about the Football program and the school. I’m not sure that Hayden is trying to change USC’s culture. In some ways its like being polite to a Highway Patrolman who just pulled you over — frankly you wish he would just go away, but you are polite so you don’t make the situation worse. To one degree or another you can’t fight city hall, Mike Garrett tried and look where it got him. In my heart I agree with Garrett, I honestly believe that the sanctions against USC are based on regional hatred and envy. I do not believe that any compliance department in the nation would have caught Reggie’s Stepfather (and most would have done even less). However, Hayden is doing the right thing — make nice to the cop, so he will let you go.
When you are going up against an organization
that makes up its own rules, and breaks its own rules when it suits them, there is only one way to react. Bend over, and say “thank you sir, may I have another.” The NCAA doesn’t want to follow its own precedent that it set with the Charles Woodson scandal, and it made up a whole new set of rules to govern compliance. Oklahoma got their scandal in just under the gun. They were lucky.
Its a whole new ball game, and things like truth, and proof, and being able to confront your accuser, are not part of it.
And you called it too, before they even handed down the sanctions!
I’m man’in-up and saying I was WAYYYYYYYYYYY wrong in thinking that the NCAA wasn’t going to go on “public perception”. But you TOTALLY NAILED IT!
I’m not the hugest rah-rah out there, but these sanctions killed it for me. I’m not disillusioned and depressed anymore. I’m not even pissed off. (‘cept for Reggie! G’ahhhh!)
I don’t know what’s going to happen with the sanctions- I’m not entirely sure anymore? I like what Haden’s doing, and I think Nikias is far more “hands-on” than our previous leader, Sample. But, I’m totally with ilium55 and JAG. It’s the dawn of a new era, and we’re going to come out of this faster and sooner than everyone thinks. We (USC) had a great foundation and as best a transition as one could hope for. I think we have the right guy in Kiffin, but. . . .we’ll see. I love him thus far. And I’m on board the Lane-Train for as long as he doesn’t mess things up.
Did you see any of the Seahawks game this past weekend, frak? Those ’Hawks played like Trojans circa 2003! Wow, what a game against San Diego!
"Fun fact: My grandma actually had 7 carries for 79 yards and one TD last year against Stanford. The (Oregon Ducks) spread option just works like that, but it helped that she’s pretty scrappy" (JShufelt- Addicted to Quack)
by BixBeiderbecke on Sep 29, 2010 1:35 PM PDT up reply actions
Yeah, Pete hasn't changed.............
he left 3 points on the field at the end of the first half………….just like against Stanford 2 years ago, only this time it didn’t hurt him. LOL
"Understanding is a virtue, hard to come by"
J. Airplane
Thanks a lot Gnossos!
You made me REMEMBER that day? I think my toenails just curled on me. BACKWARDS!
Yikes!!!!!!! (Tavita Pritchard. . . . for the win. . . . .awwwwwww PHUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!)
"Fun fact: My grandma actually had 7 carries for 79 yards and one TD last year against Stanford. The (Oregon Ducks) spread option just works like that, but it helped that she’s pretty scrappy" (JShufelt- Addicted to Quack)
by BixBeiderbecke on Sep 29, 2010 7:53 PM PDT up reply actions
Mike Williams is back
I’m happy to see BMW making those corners miss.
Everything depends on the appeal. If we get them to cut it to 15-20 schollies, then that is a huge victory. We can survive at 65-70, and the NCAA knew that before we got hit. They knew that they would have to cut over 15 schollies to make it really hurt USC. The big question is are they doing this for show, or are they for real.
I say we just go get them and ?
35-TO Nothing---------Yep the LA Monopoly is a changing------
Oh and Duckies you might quack but I throw bricks back---so don't come here empty handed
by so.cal.native1952 on Sep 29, 2010 5:45 PM PDT up reply actions
The Beektor Chavez or Almadeenajad?
Paul Dee is a despot in the COI, and that makes for a tough cookie to crack. He’s unfrigginpredictable. WRT your previous post- didn’t OK get back WINS too? You had a great write-up on the Bomar “non-work-&-get-paid” scandal. So, they got their sanctions reduced, Bomar got the boot, and the football team got some/most/all wins back? I forgot.
And then right after that, the NCAA amended the rules for the appeal process- that much I DO remember. Fuckin-A! What a joke and a riddle.
What are the chances (I’m sure it’s based on the procedural- and evidence-reviews) we get the 2004 season wins back? That’s the part that severely depressed me WRT punishing us. It was very hard to be happy after feeling the effects of that one. I felt like SoCal feels in his above comment. (not anymore, but still. . . . . ?)
I’m hoping when the appeal occurs- that our legal team properly utilizes any and all ability to reject or accept “suitable” committee members overseeing the process. I think, for the most part, AD Garrett might have overlooked our (USC’s) ability to reject/accept certain members from participating. How else to explain ALL THOSE RIVALS who were allowed to participate in/on the COI membership committee. It’s my understanding that- as part of our discretion- we could have or should have been able to vet committee membership on the COI from reviewing our case. I’m not entirely sure that’s the case, but I think I read that in one of the PDF “Selections Process” for committee members on the NCAA website? Why, if he had the ability to do so, didn’t Garrett get Conboy removed? That is just insane!!!!!
Anyhow, – right, seeing BMW get some passes thrown his way and shake off some defenders was a welcome sight to see. On another slant, he bulldozed his way for extra yardage AND he even stayed in bounds (4th qtr) to let the clock keep running. It was a “heads-up” play of yesteryear. He was an incredible badass as a college receiver. Man among boys, back then. He looks fit and trim. Agile, even. (at the Raiders. . . .???? OMIGOD! LAWDY, did he look like a major tub-a-lard!)
"Fun fact: My grandma actually had 7 carries for 79 yards and one TD last year against Stanford. The (Oregon Ducks) spread option just works like that, but it helped that she’s pretty scrappy" (JShufelt- Addicted to Quack)
by BixBeiderbecke on Sep 29, 2010 7:46 PM PDT up reply actions
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