Home > The Bear Blog > Archives > 2007 > November > 08 > Entry
Where there’s smoke …
You don’t have to hit me over the head more than once.
When two newspapers reported Thursday night that Guy Morriss is done, I didn’t doubt that it was true. My problem is that not one of the stories names a source. I’ve written my share of stories with unnamed sources, but I think it’s a bad policy for the most part and one that our paper has all but eliminated.
This might sound like a jealous writer who got scooped, but my question is why the regents (or whoever the “high-ranking university officials” were) picked now to leak the story to newspapers in Dallas and Houston? My guess is that Joseph Duarte and Brian Davis weren’t just going through their rolodexes calling all their Baylor sources to try to dig up the story.
Remember, the Chronicle (along with CBS Sportsline) jumped the gun on Monday when it said Texas A&M was already working on a buyout plan with coach Dennis Franchione. They had to come back later and print a retraction. Do you think they could be wrong twice in four days?
Since a 58-10 loss to Kansas on Oct. 13, my guess has been that Morriss probably wouldn’t survive. But I never believed it was a “done deal,” like so many were saying. Maybe it is now, but Ian McCaw has never wavered. His response then, now and seemingly forever is, “We will evaluate the program at the end of the season.”
Which, honestly, is how it should be. I thought one of the worst things Baylor ever did was fire Kevin Steele with three games left in the 2002 season. “Yeah, Kevin, did you get the memo? Listen, we’re going to go ahead and fire you. But about that, we’re going to need you to go ahead and come back in and coach these last three games. K?” What idiot thought that would be a good idea?
Could it be that some power-happy, micromanaging regents just made this call on their own and decided to get back to Ian, Guy, Baylor president Dr. John Lilley and any other parties when the time and mood suits them?
Comments
By Drayton
November 9, 2007 8:52 AM | Link to this
You say that “My guess is that Joseph Duarte and Brian Davis weren’t just going through their rolodexes calling all their Baylor sources to try to dig up the story.” Well, that’s what reporters are supposed to do. If you had done that, you wouldn’t have gotten beat on the story.
By MO
November 9, 2007 12:09 PM | Link to this
Jerry, gotta be straight up with you. You make the comment, “This might sound like a jealous writer who got scooped …” then proceed to sound like a jealous writer who got scooped. It’s your beat. And you got beat by the big boys. Unfortunately, that’s what we have come to expect with anything relating to Baylor football.
By Matt
November 9, 2007 12:17 PM | Link to this
I agree with you. Journalists these days do not name sources in their story, and it is terrible ethic/lazy reporting.
By Jimmy
November 9, 2007 12:43 PM | Link to this
It’s not lazy reporting. It’s just reporting. Woodward and Bernstein didn’t name sources, either.
By No Name
November 9, 2007 1:23 PM | Link to this
His wife is the brattiest of them all. Word of advice to everyone—do not get within 1000 feet of their house of the creek that DOES NOT belong to them that runs in front of their house—they will call the cops. And no I am not a teenager—I am a mom that was with her young son and daughter—letting them wade in the creek. She will call the cops and scream “Do you know who’s house this is? This is Guy Morris’ house- get away from here.” PS- We live in that neighborhood and it’s a PUBLIC creek! NICE.
By Stephanie Lambring
November 9, 2007 2:48 PM | Link to this
Does this surprise anyone? It should’t. The fact that he lasted this long is the surprise.
By Trey Willis
November 9, 2007 4:34 PM | Link to this
I agree with your a lot of what you said Jerry, especially the last paragraph. It’s one reason I’m a big fan of Baylor reducing the number of their regents. I mean, what do we have 40 of them or something? Geez Trey
By Time to get on the Harley and Ride
November 9, 2007 5:21 PM | Link to this
Jerry, Sorry they called the other reporters but that is to be expected. They are most likely still upset about the Trib “leaking” the story of Coach Eric’s potty break at Scruffy Murphy’s. (No pun intended)
Let Mo ride out of town, and bring in the next sucker who is ready to ruin his career by coaching at Baylor. I agree, they will never win in Big 12 play. They barely won in SWC.
By James A. Moyers, CPA BU Class of 1971
November 9, 2007 5:45 PM | Link to this
Prospects of bringing in Coach Mike Singletary has been the only thing to keep my interest in the ‘07 Baylor football season.
‘Tis time for Coach Singletary, and I look forward to welcome #63 home!
By Spurlover
November 9, 2007 6:08 PM | Link to this
Obviously, Baylor is in need of a change. If you describe Coach Morriss’ record as a success, then you have set your standards and expectation too low. A winning attitude dictates that you not be happy with anything that smacks of winning less football games than you win. For the people that say Coach Morriss has done well and deserves more time, you aren’t setting the bar high enough. Or better put, you aren’t holding the coaching staff accountable for their performance. I don’t buy mutual funds because the fund managers don’t get paid based on performance…they get their money regardless of how they perform. I invest with brokers that are paid based on their performance. They make me money, I pay them more…they lose me money, I pay them less. This is the type of accountability Baylor football needs. Don’t settle for a football regime that makes excuses (not taking responsibility and being held accountable) and is comfortable, happy, or satisfied with a losing season. It has to hurt when you lose…that way you will do all in your power to correct the deficiencies that caused you to lose. Unfortunately, I don’t see that type attitude from this coaching staff. I hear lip-service and excuses, but nothing remotely tangible being done to solve the problems. I see more of the same, with a few different players plugged in here or there, but nonetheless the same old predictable offense, defense, and decision-making. It’s like the coaching staff is stuck in neutral and nothing they try can put them into drive. A coach with a winning spirit would insist on being held accountable and insist on the same from his players.
By Jason
November 9, 2007 7:11 PM | Link to this
How can people be so excited about Mike Singletary? He was a great defensive player, and one of the few recognizable names in Baylor football history. But the man has never been a coordinator, never been a head coach, and has never assembled a staff. His coaching experience is limited to a couple of extremly mediocre NFL teams. Why can’t we slow down and actually think about who might be the most qualified person for the job? How does anyone know if he will be able to handle the pressure of coaching in the Big 12? How do we know if he can recruit any better than Guy Morriss?
Have any of you Singletary sheep wondered how you will react if the team continues to lose with him as the head coach? How will you treat good old #63 then? Will you be leaking stories to the Houston Chronicle or the Dallas Morning News about his job status two days before playing OU on national TV? Please understand I really want Baylor to win.. but I also think it would be funny to watch the “self-righteous regents” squirm when Singletary goes 0-8 in the Big 12.
Congratulations BOR… you are finally going to get your wish. Bring back good old #63. You deserve it!
By Jon
November 9, 2007 8:02 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the well wishes Jason (sarcasm intended). I don’t know that we deserve Mike Singletary, but we (meaning the university and our football program) will undoubtedly be blessed by his return.
Only a cynic who believes the world revolves around his own opinion honestly believes that by hiring MS we are making a poor decision. This is not just some BU has-been, he’s one of the greatest players of all time and one of the most respected members of the NFL coaching community, period. This is a coach who has been interviewed for the Top position with 4 NFL team in the last 12 months. BUT SOMEHOW JoeWaco thinks he ain’t good enuf for ol BU.
Ridiculous.
Jerry- You’re kidding right? How can you be so close to the team and yet so clueless? The players don’t like GuyMo, the recruits are coming despite him, and the fans certainly don’t think much of him. The “sources” did what they did because for those of us who aren’t in GuyMo’s pocket this serves as a breath of fresh air and hope for the future.
Ridiculous.
By Jason
November 9, 2007 9:49 PM | Link to this
Jon— I’m not saying that Mike Singletary isn’t the right man for the job. Maybe he is.. but only an inward thinker would believe that there is no one else capable of turning this program around. You are so right, he has been interviewed to be an NFL head coach. But apparently his “respectability level” wasn’t enough to land him the top position. NO MATTER! Full speed ahead!
Like I said, let’s bring him in and give him everything he wants… no need to even interview another candidate. Then there will be no more speculation as to whether or not he can do the job. If it works.. great. If not, then what’s another five years of losing to let the Baylor blue-hairs relive the glory days? Maybe Walter Abercrombie will be the offensive coordinator, Darrell Gardener can be the Defensive coordinator, and Cody Carlson will coach the quarterbacks.
Sorry Jon. I apologigize for my cynicism. How dare I question the hiring of a coach with limited experience? How dare I think that there might be others more qualified for the position? How could I possibly want to see an interview process like other Division-1 programs, or other professions for that matter? Let me go now and repent of my sins… and count my many blessings. I offer this prayer..
Save me, Lord Mike! Forgive me, for I have sinned against you and your people! Forgive me for my unbelief! Please bless us with your presence.. only Christians like you are capable of leading us into the promised land (a.k.a the Ft. Worth Bowl). You are all-knowing, all-seeing, and worthy of our praise (give or take $3 million)! How I long for a .500 record and three wins in the Big 12. Come into my heart.. and let the world around me fade away. For far too long, I have been focused on worldly teams such as Oregon, Boise St., Navy, Kansas, Florida, Auburn, Wake Forest, Louisville, West Virginia, and countless other infadels who have sold their souls to satan for a birth in the BCS. I am reminded that in losing, your word says ‘the last shall be first’. It’s not about winning, but rather what is best for your children. Bring me back into the Baylor bubble, and help me to be a more cooperative alumni Wash me clean.. make me whole again… and renew my joy… All these things I ask in Mike’s precious name… Amen
By rodger w b
November 10, 2007 10:52 AM | Link to this
Hire a high profile coach,dig into those deep zipped up pockets,I know it kills you to do it. This aint the 70s. Go steal a good coach from someone that winning,someone that is a magnet for these kids.By the way you are not going to get a better coach than the one you just ran off. He was just not a high profile guy that could get kids to come here. Dont go and get Singletary,he will just hang around 4 or 5 years and leave here with his chin hanging too,that would be ashame for him. Go steal a Butch Davis type. Are you really committed to winning or has this become the Texas Rangers of college football. Just look what a promising high profile gal did for basketball. Come on connect the dots.
By Why I love This Blog
November 10, 2007 11:06 AM | Link to this
Jason’s last blog has got to go down in Waco Trib history as the “greatest prayer blog” of all time. I have e-mailed his blog to over 100 people who are all rolling on the floor laughing. Is there anyway to get Jason on the sports beat for the Trib? He and the guy who broke the urination story have become my new heros.
Why would anyone be surprised at BU only looking at Mike. BAYLOR LIVES IN THE PAST !!! Look at all the Cablevision ads with Grant and his gold Rolex we get in the mail every week. (BU and Waco make a hero out of someone with a record under .600……go figure.)
At 5:30 another * whipping begins. Bad News Bears
By blass2906
November 10, 2007 11:14 AM | Link to this
This coaching change is pointless. Seriously, who really wants to come to Baylor and in saying that I am a HUGE Baylor fan and have been my whole life. Who wants to come and play for Baylor…really? Especially when two of the oldest, winningest traditions of all time are just an hour and a half away. I have the upmost respect for Guy Moriss and wish him the very best and he has done a very, very good job with what he’s got. It’s really hard to turn a program around in the shape that this one was in and still in. Especially since Waco doesn’t really support them like they should and everytime I go to a game there is about 15,000 people there. So in saying all of that…who wants to come to Baylor and play basically for a Div II program and when a coach doesnt get “the job done” with a program that the odds are stacked against them. Let them man do his job. It’s funny last year whenever we were giving everyone good games…subjects like these were not popping up but when you have a down year according to Baylor, you decide to run your coach off. It’s pointless.
By Spurlover
November 10, 2007 11:58 AM | Link to this
Lets not be happy with a losing spirit…Baylor needs an attitude adjustment. Business as usual is no longer good enough for this football team. Baylor can win football games without having to recruit thugs(as UT has)…Baylor can win football games without having to recruit supposed “top ranked” talent (which in many cases equates to thugs)…Baylor can recruit kids with character, heart, and talent (the high school player rankings don’t measure two of these)…Baylor can hire a coach that leads these kids with a focuses on academic excellence and winning on the field…Baylor can expect to win more than half of their games and instill that fact (not opinion) in the players…Baylor can insist on excellence in the football program and get it…Baylor can hold all parties accountable (coaches and players) for their performance on the field (the administration doesn’t play or coach)…All Baylor needs to do is to expunge this attitude of being happy with mediocrity (a 5 and 6 season can no longer be looked at as a good thing). We need an attitude that says, “I expect to win all of my football games…” Find me a coach that subscribes to this thinking and I will show you a winner…Go Bears!!!
By Dreamer
November 10, 2007 12:06 PM | Link to this
What you are dreaming or will require a Genie in a bottle, they maybe you will get your three wishes. Better yet start throwing salt over your left shoulder….you will get the same result. It is a pipe dream. If you can get good enough players to have a 5 - 6 season, then the football gods have smiled on BU, but that ain’t gonna happen. It over dude, let the fat chick sing and head over to Scruffys.
By dddd
November 10, 2007 3:45 PM | Link to this
first off, the bu admin and the athletic dept need to get their head out of each others a*******ses and revamp this death of a program…second alumni need to speak louder than words….third we need boosters….fourth we need to shell out for a coach like spurrier, brown, stoops, etc, then the players will come….fifth bull doze floyd or sell it to waco isd and build a stadium on campus….will all of this happen….no..will our program be different in 10 years…probably not….will we be in the big 12 within 10 years…probably not
By John
November 11, 2007 7:15 AM | Link to this
When I see things by dddd and others like her or him that call for more boosters, shelling out for a coach like spurrier, building a new stadium, etc. I wonder how many of the people who have submitted a comment to Jerry’s blog have given $100 or more to support the athletic department. My hunch is, the collective giving of the people here is less than $1,000. Until you’re willing to be part of the solution, please consider how you criticize how other people spend THEIR money just because it isn’t working out for your ego.
By T. Collier
November 11, 2007 10:28 AM | Link to this
Mr. John I resent your comments and feel that is precisely the problem why the Waco community does not support Baylor athletics because of smug comments like yours. Our family has supported Baylor athletics for years and we don’t have anything to do with the university except wanting to see a good team on the field. So keep your pompus know it all opinion to your self. With the way you sound your probably one of the band wagon fans any ways and would jump on the hire Singletary bandwagon. loser!!!!!!!