Heavens - who said Harbaugh didn't represent the University well?!?Â
I don't need a gentlemanly Wooden clone following Emily Post rules of etiquette in a vested suit. Particularly if his teams top out with the dial hovering at "Luke Warm/Mediocre".Â
What I do want is a coach who doesn't publicly disavow our values (ala Davis), disparage our students (ala Walt) or fail to drive for excellence on and off the field (ala Teevens). Graduating students matters. Convincing parents their kids will excel and graduate when they work hard matters. Rough edges don't matter. Respect does. The football guys I know loved Harbaugh because he didn't compromise.
I've seen what "Just win baby" can do. I grew up in the Central Valley and was a hard-core Bulldog basketball fan growing up. I dropped them when Tark came along with his NCAA appearances, high winning percentage and cheating ways. So, no, I don't think I would root for USC were they my local team.Â
For a football program, knowing who you are has its uses ESPECIALLY when you are different - And that doesn't make us self-righteous.
P.S. Somnambule may have the right synthesis of your position and mine. Seeking excellence in coaches inherently covers both winning and standards.
I don't need a gentlemanly Wooden clone following Emily Post rules of etiquette in a vested suit. Particularly if his teams top out with the dial hovering at "Luke Warm/Mediocre".Â
What I do want is a coach who doesn't publicly disavow our values (ala Davis), disparage our students (ala Walt) or fail to drive for excellence on and off the field (ala Teevens). Graduating students matters. Convincing parents their kids will excel and graduate when they work hard matters. Rough edges don't matter. Respect does. The football guys I know loved Harbaugh because he didn't compromise.
I've seen what "Just win baby" can do. I grew up in the Central Valley and was a hard-core Bulldog basketball fan growing up. I dropped them when Tark came along with his NCAA appearances, high winning percentage and cheating ways. So, no, I don't think I would root for USC were they my local team.Â
For a football program, knowing who you are has its uses ESPECIALLY when you are different - And that doesn't make us self-righteous.
P.S. Somnambule may have the right synthesis of your position and mine. Seeking excellence in coaches inherently covers both winning and standards.
In 1938 Neville Chamberlain declared "Peace in our time", Superman first appeared in Action Comics, Seabiscuit beat War Admiral ....... and C.a.l last won the Rose Bowl.