Category Archives: Tom Jurich

Paying The Price For On Field Issues

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If anyone needed evidence that new defensive management was necessary, it came early in the first quarter in game twelve. Rutgers’ Ray Rice scampering 10 yards untouched to the end zone, the U of L defense running the other way. Just another glaring error in a season of defensive lapses.

Also during the season, a once proud offensive unit was reduced to relying solely on the arm of Brian Brohm to keep games close or from getting out of hand. One is forced to credit senior leadership for the inexplicable turnaround in the come-from-behind win over Rutgers in the final game.

They needed to go — Mike Cassity and Charlie Stubbs, the coaches with the immediate responsibility for the defensive and offensive units. They were obviously ill-equipped for the challenges they encountered. Other dismissals are sure to follow as their successors assume control.

Steve Kragthorpe gets more time to shape the program in his image. He promotes Jeff Brohm to offensive coordinator, tapping into a mind shaped by offensive geniuses like Howard Schnellenberger and Bobby Petrino. Kragthorpe also finally has the opportunity and time to secure a decent defensive coordinator.

Kragthorpe pointed out during the news conference that out of the past four recruiting classes, there are 43 players no longer associated with program. Where did all these players go? We will probably never know because the local sports media didn’t follow up on this revelation, probably missing their Sunday afternoon naps.

Nor are we likely to learn much more about the extent of the “off the field” issues. Tom Jurich and Steve Kragthorpe will never tell us because they aren’t the sort to point fingers. And there are no “insiders” close to the program willing to shed any light on the issues. Fans will just have to take the coach’s word for it in these litigious times.

That’s a challenge that’s difficult for many to comprehend, especially among those who elevated the players to unprecedented levels after the Orange Bowl victory. Some are simply unable to differentiate between a program that produces solid citizens and good football players and a program that wins without doing both.

Kragthorpe, meanwhile, will continue to pay the price for the losses on the football field.

Tom Jurich: Blame or Credit?

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The environment surrounding the U of L football program is a painful reminder that many sports fans are woefully shortsighted. The same fans who were calling for Rick Pitino’s head a few months ago now want Steve Kragthorpe gone. Some are even questioning Tom Jurich’s abilities.

Nothing unique about this situation. Fan bases are pretty much the same everywhere, including many duplicitous, selfish and unforgiving people. Win, they’re with you. Lose, they doubt you. Winning, it’s us. Losing, it’s them and the piling on is malicious.

Less than a year ago, the U of L basketball team lost consecutive games to Kentucky and Massachusetts and another one a few games later to Notre Dame. Even an NIT invite was in doubt. The criticism of Pitino was so great that Tom Jurich felt compelled to defend him. It all went away when the team got back on the winning track.

Football season, and here we are again. Fans are up in arms, demanding explanations. Never mind that seven starters, including three now in the NFL, are gone. Never mind that several players have been dismissed for disciplinary problems. They argue that U of L had a Heisman Trophy candidate at quarterback and deeper talent than any team in the school’s history.

I saw the Orange Bowl game in person. U of L did not trounce Wake Forest. In fact, the Wake Forest defense kept us bottled up most of the game. Without a trick play and a last minute interception, the outcome could have been far different. But U of L won. The struggle is a distant memory.

Would Petrino have done better this year? Maybe so, maybe not. I can guarantee, however, that the very same people would be outraged. With some fans the way they are, small wonder Petrino treated the fan base they way he did, and John L. Smith before him.

The important thing to keep in mind is that Tom Jurich is the same person who made all the Liberty Bowl, Gator Bowl and Orange Bowl appearances possible. He’s the guy who hired a baseball coach that took U of L to the College World Series in his first year. His foresight made entry into the Big East Conference possible. He has made great coaching hires and delivered an incredible number of first class athletic facilities to Belknap Campus. And don’t forget the new downtown basketball arena that will symbolize just how much this community treasures U of L athletics.

Tom is not going to come out and detail the problems in the football program, some of which may have been festering during the Petrino years. Just not going to happen. He endures these concerns day after day, dedicating his life to the athletic program. He feels it in his gut in disappointing times, even more so in football because that’s his first love.

Someone said we as a fan base will ultimately be judged by how we conduct ourselves during times of adversity. Lot of truth in that. Meanwhile, now is the best time for fans to appreciate Tom Jurich for everything he has done for the athletic program. He will do what is best for football. You can count on that.

Tom Jurich: Blame or Credit?

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The environment surrounding the U of L football program is a painful reminder that many sports fans are woefully shortsighted. The same fans who were calling for Rick Pitino’s head a few months ago now want Steve Kragthorpe gone. Some are even questioning Tom Jurich’s abilities.

Nothing unique about this situation. Fan bases are pretty much the same everywhere, including many duplicitous, selfish and unforgiving people. Win, they’re with you. Lose, they doubt you. Winning, it’s us. Losing, it’s them and the piling on is malicious.

Less than a year ago, the U of L basketball team lost consecutive games to Kentucky and Massachusetts and another one a few games later to Notre Dame. Even an NIT invite was in doubt. The criticism of Pitino was so great that Tom Jurich felt compelled to defend him. It all went away when the team got back on the winning track.

Football season, and here we are again. Fans are up in arms, demanding explanations. Never mind that seven starters, including three now in the NFL, are gone. Never mind that several players have been dismissed for disciplinary problems. They argue that U of L had a Heisman Trophy candidate at quarterback and deeper talent than any team in the school’s history.

I saw the Orange Bowl game in person. U of L did not trounce Wake Forest. In fact, the Wake Forest defense kept us bottled up most of the game. Without a trick play and a last minute interception, the outcome could have been far different. But U of L won. The struggle is a distant memory.

Would Petrino have done better this year? Maybe so, maybe not. I can guarantee, however, that the very same people would be outraged. With some fans the way they are, small wonder Petrino treated the fan base they way he did, and John L. Smith before him.

The important thing to keep in mind is that Tom Jurich is the same person who made all the Liberty Bowl, Gator Bowl and Orange Bowl appearances possible. He’s the guy who hired a baseball coach that took U of L to the College World Series in his first year. His foresight made entry into the Big East Conference possible. He has made great coaching hires and delivered an incredible number of first class athletic facilities to Belknap Campus. And don’t forget the new downtown basketball arena that will symbolize just how much this community treasures U of L athletics.

Tom is not going to come out and detail the problems in the football program, some of which may have been festering during the Petrino years. Just not going to happen. He endures these concerns day after day, dedicating his life to the athletic program. He feels it in his gut in disappointing times, even more so in football because that’s his first love.

Someone said we as a fan base will ultimately be judged by how we conduct ourselves during times of adversity. Lot of truth in that. Meanwhile, now is the best time for fans to appreciate Tom Jurich for everything he has done for the athletic program. He will do what is best for football. You can count on that.