Hey, I coach a football team.

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My favorite word is growth.

Friday, August 24, 2012

What will it take?

The other day I had just finished 18 with the boys and was settling up at the bar chatting about the upcoming football season.  I had a few and starting ranting a bit about Riley and how he's handling this camp.  The boys at the table are a mixture of the pac12 and of course all love Riley, who wouldn't win he never beats UO or anyone by that matter.  So the conversation went on about who is going to do what in the pac12 this season and I am spitting my logic about how OSU will only win 3 games and UO will battle for yet another pac12 title (normal shit) when a fella from another table (I know him and he knows me and he's a huge Beavers fan) chimes in, "What will it take for you to like Riley?"  I couldn't answer at the time because my post golf birdie juice was kicking in and I was clearly not making any sense.  So I have thought about it and came up with a short list:

1.  Learn to have an edge.  It is acceptable to to tell a reporter that you don't want to discuss the last two season and the team is past it.  Or simply say "I don't need to discuss that anymore."
2.  Don't use "growth" so much.
3.  Get pissed at your coaches and hold them accountable.
4.  Show the fans you care.  Laughing on the sidelines when the team is getting their ass kicked isn't a good message to the fans.
5.  Quit scheduling non-winnable OOC games. It makes more since to be 3-0 going into the season in hopes of a bowl birth instead of getting the shit kicked out of you by PSU, Wisc, Louisville, etc.
6.  Close practice.  Let the media sweat for a bit and send a message to the team that it is "us against the world"
7.  Make doubters like me eat crow.

The season is close.  8 days until Nichols State rolls into Corvallis.  Riley better have the team ready.  Sac State is still haunting the fan base.

email me @ fire_mikeriley@gmail.com
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Go Beavs
 

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Hen house operation

For the past 16 years I always touch base with my good friend's father before the season starts.  He played 4 years for Dee Andros and was on the 1967 Giant Killers team.  I enjoy getting his perspective on the team and where he thinks the season is heading.  This year was a different conversation.  It went something like this:
(picking up after the pleasantries)
Me:  Hey Bill, how  we looking this season?
Bill:  Before we even go into this I have to tell you a story...
Me:  Sounds good
Bill:  I called the ticket office because my 4 season tickets didn't arrive in the mail.  My buddy down the road got his, so I called.
Me:  Interesting...
Bill: The gal on the phone said I never renewed my season tickets.  I, of course said, "yes I did and have for 35 years"  She then proceeded to tell me my tickets had been reallocated to another season ticket holder as an upgrade.  I said, "What are you talking about?  How does something like this happen?"  She repeated
that I didn't renew my tickets and I do not have season tickets, but would I be interested in buying a mini package of games.  I immediately asked to speak to a manager.  10 minutes later, Scott gets on to tell me that after researching my account there is nothing he could do.
Me:  YOU'RE FUCKING KIDDING ME
Bill: Just wait.  I usually don't like doing this, but I explained that I am a Varsity O member and was on the Giant Killers.  He interrupted me and said, "You were on the team that beat #1USC with Mark Sanchez on ESPN?  I was at that game."
Me: (Interrupting) YOU'RE FUCKING KIDDING ME
Bill:  (laughs)  I replied calmly, Scott, I played for Dee Andros when we beat OJ Simpson.  Scott then says "Oh, that must have been before I was born."  So I then asked to speak to his supervisor, which he said was not around.  I told Scott that I expect my tickets to be reissued immediately to me.  He then says, "I can't they have already been mailed out to the new owners."  I hung up
Me:  Bill, I don't know what to say. 
Bill:  Well about an hour later Scott called back and let me know that he can issue me new seats in a new section but I have lost my grandfather status.  I said to him "Scott, the boys down there aren't winning many games.  Is this really how you want handle my situation?"  And he actually said to me, "Well this year will be different and you don't want to miss any home games."  I then said, you tell Bob DeCarolis I called and I will be expecting a phone call shortly, only then will I decide if I am going to continue supporting OSU.
Me:  Did he call?
Bill:  Nope.  I am done with OSU. 

The call pretty much ended there.  If this is happening to a Varsity O member, member of the 1967 Giant Killers, an alumni, and a 35 year season ticket holder, what the hell is going on in Corvallis?