Yeah, about that
Morning.
Creighton coach Greg McDermott stepped on his tongue recently. When trying to make sure his team was working together and still on board with the plan, McDermott’s word choice was poor.
After losing to Xavier over the weekend, McDermott tried to circle the wagons with this: “Guys, we got to stick together. We need both feet in. I need everybody to stay on the plantation. I can’t have anybody leave the plantation.”
Yeah, we all know the issue. (Side question: Anyone remember the Six Flags ride ‘Monster Plantation’ back in the day?)
McDermott even said he offered to resign because of what he said. His apology statement was overflowing – that said, apologizing through a released statement is rarely a good idea, in my opinion.
“I immediately recognized my egregious mistake and quickly addressed my use of such insensitive words with the team,” he said in a statement. “I have never used that analogy and it is not indicative of who I am as a person or as a coach. I am deeply sorry Over the last 72 hours, I have engaged in multiple difficult conversations with student-athletes, staff, parents and university administrators and I realize the pain that my words have caused. For that, I sincerely apologize. I am committed to ensure that this will never happen again and am using this as a learning experience. While there remains work to be done and trust to earn back, I appreciate student-athletes’ honesty and will maintain an open dialogue as we grow and learn together.”
Thoughts? Is that a fireable offense? Should it be?
Hello and good-bye
Two eye-popping details emerged from the practice rounds at the Arnold Palmer Invitational this week.
First was the noticeable presence of fans. Welcome back. You were sorely missed – by the players and by those of us who tune in.
(Side note: There has not been an announcement about the number of patrons allowed to roam the hallowed grounds of Augusta National next month. And in truth, the longer they wait to announce that, the better considering the positive steps we’re making in our fight against COVID.)
Second was the next chapter in the ever-long debate about distance, especially off the tee box.
We’ve discussed the length factor in professional golf before.
And maybe it’s fitting that at the tournament named for the first true rock star of the sport, the full details of the full-blown overpowering of the sport are clear.
Bryson DeChambeau believes, if the wind is right, he can reach a 555-yard par-5 off the tee. Yes, the sixth hole is measured in points in the fairway and the huge dogleg left requires a drive that flies more than 350 yards in the air.