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Posted January 1, 2007
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Hiring Glen Mason a Mistake
I
have closely watched University of Minnesota football and Big Ten
Conference teams since the 1950s. I first started writing about the
Gophers in the 1960s. Ask my closest friends and they will tell you I
said from day one it was a mistake to hire Glen
Mason as Minnesota’s coach.
Mason
had coached for nine seasons at Kansas before coming to Minnesota in
1997. His record of mediocrity and inconsistency was documented.
Mason’s records in his last four seasons at Kansas were 5-7, 6-5, 10-2
and 4-7. “He’s just good enough to get you beat,” a Jayhawk fan said in
the late 1990s.
He
followed the same pattern at Minnesota. His 10-3 record in 2003 was
followed by two 7-5 seasons and a 6-7 record, and those records included
some of the softest non-conference opponents to be found on any Big Ten
school’s schedule. His overall record at Minnesota was 64-57, but he
was 16 games below .500 in the Big Ten.
Mason
couldn’t sustain or build upon success at Minnesota. He beat No. 2
ranked Penn State in 1999 and the Gophers finished the season in fourth
place in the conference, their best showing in the Big Ten standings
since 1986. The 2000, 2001 and 2002 seasons produced fourth, 10th
and seventh place finishes.
He
had other potentially program turning games such as a win against Ohio
State in Columbus in 2000 and the famous blown opportunity in 2003 when
the 6-0 Gophers led Michigan 28-7 in the second half only to lose before
a rocking, near capacity Metrodome crowd that wanted badly for the
Gophers to make a statement performance. The next week, instead of a
full house, about 38,000 showed up to watch the Gophers tank against
Michigan State in a 44-38 loss.
Not
only should Mason never have been hired, he should have been fired after
the 2005 season when only one season remained on his contract. No doubt
the Gophers’ embarrassing Insight Bowl game loss to Texas Tech Friday
night prompted soul searching by the University administration. That
defeat and resulting public unrest met head
on with the Mason 10 year track record and low expectations for the
future.
The
Mason buyout will cost the University about $2 million, plus deferred
compensation. Still, the administration is counting on bettering itself
financially with fund-raising efforts for the new on-campus stadium and
increased revenues from football games by hiring a new coach who will
initially excite the public and long term producing winning teams (not
only did Mason never have a conference champion, but none of his teams
played in a New Year’s Day bowl game).
On
Wednesday the University has scheduled a gathering before the regents to
unveil plans for the stadium. There will be a sweet breeze of relief
and renewal blowing through campus.
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The
administration is counting on bettering itself financially with
fund-raising efforts for the new on-campus stadium and increased
revenues from football games by hiring a new coach who will initially
excite the public and long term producing winning teams.
Glen Mason
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Bowl Game Ignited Fan Fury
The
Gophers’ record setting bowl game melt-down against Texas Tech set off
intense criticism. With a history of blowing big leads, Mason and his
staff added to their reputation when Tech rallied from a 38-7 third
quarter deficit, pulling off the biggest comeback in college football
bowl history with a 44-41 victory.
Asked for a reaction by e-mail last Saturday (prior
to Sunday’s new conference announcing Mason’s termination), Athletic
director Joel Maturi replied, “I don't think
any of us have words to describe what happened or how we all feel."
Stunned and angry were words that described the
feelings of Gopher loyalists. An influential alumnus said it was the
“worst” coaching job in University history. Another prominent alum
called for Mason’s dismissal. Yet another fan and alum talked about
discouraging future support for the new on-campus stadium.
Five fans watching the game at a home in Burnsville
turned off the telecast after Tech sent the game into overtime with a 52
yard field goal. They refused to suffer anymore. “It’s tough being a
Gopher fan,” one fan said as the group headed for a bar.
Among the questionable strategies by the Gophers
was the consistent use of a three man defensive line in the fourth
quarter that produced no pressure on the Tech quarterback. That
strategy was totally ineffective late in the game as the Red Raiders
scored every time they had the ball.
The game added to Mason’s resume of late game
collapses that included puzzling home losses against Northwestern,
Purdue, Michigan and Wisconsin. From a Gopher perspective, the
embarrassment is certain to remain in the now if ESPN Classic
replays the game multiple times.
KFAN’s Dan Barriero described the Insight
Bowl collapse as “capturing the essence” of the Gopher program under
Mason. He also said on his Sunday program the defeat is “the single
most humiliating, stupefying, transcending, absurd, choking, pig like
loss in the history of this program, or under Glen Mason.”
Criticism of Mason reached a high point in
intensity earlier this season when the Gophers’ were 3-6, including an
embarrassing loss to Wisconsin and awkward win against North Dakota
State. After winning three straight games to qualify for a bowl game,
the program had taken one huge step backward until Mason was fired. |
“I don't think any of us have words to describe what happened or
how we all feel."
Joel Maturi on the Gopher bowl loss
Joel Maturi
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“Bulldozer” Throws His Weight Around
On a
team desperate for rebounding, inside scoring and subs, rookie forward
Craig Smith has been a major contributor to the Timberwolves
during the first two months of the season. In limited minutes (less
than 20 per game), Smith has produced numbers that exceed the
expectations many people have for someone who was the 36th
pick in the NBA draft.
Among
a league rookie group that is far from dazzling (Charlotte’s Adam
Morrison is the only player averaging double figures), Smith was
third in rebounds per game at
5.1 and was
averaging 7.3 points through games in late December. Playing at
power forward, the 6-foot-7 Smith is under sized by NBA standards but is
a wide body (240 pounds) who may remind old-timers of Boston’s
Paul Silas, or make younger fans
think of Charles Barkley.
Smith
has a right handed hook shot he uses near the basket and he continuously
launches the shot with success against taller players. “I guess I use
my body well. . . guys are much taller but I am much wider,” Smith
said. “My girth, my size, I try to use that to create space.”
Although he can hook with either hand, Smith prefers his right hand. “I
am trying to get the left one down,” he said. “Hopefully, I will get it
down this summer.”
Smith
talks about “attacking” the ball for rebounds. He uses his bulk
effectively and combined with his aggressiveness “there’s no letting go
(of the ball).” He averaged almost 10 rebounds per game playing for
Boston College last year.
Collecting fouls too quickly has sometimes been a problem. The NBA that
allowed more contact a few years ago would have been a better fit for
Smith but he is adjusting to what the referees will allow.
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Craig Smith
Playing at power forward, the 6-foot-7
Smith is under sized by NBA standards but is a wide body (240 pounds)
who may remind old-timers of Boston’s
Paul Silas, or make younger fans
think of Charles Barkley.
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Worth Noting &
Quoting
KFAN
radio’s Dan Barriero told listeners after returning from
Christmas vacation that Ophra Winfrey indicated on her TV show
that she doesn’t wear underpants.
Former Gopher basketball coach Jim Dutcher said the University
will honor his 1982 Big Ten championship team at the Gopher-Ohio State
game on Sunday, February 18. Former players expected to participate in
the recognition include Gary Holmes, Zeb Howell, Darryl
Mitchell, Trent Tucker and Barry Wohler. Former
assistant Flip Saunders may attend, too, since the NBA will have
a break in its schedule for the All-Star game on February 18.
Viking kicker Ryan Longwell can look forward to playing golf with
former Packer teammate Brett Favre during the off-season.
Longwell lives near Orlando and Disney World where Favre brings his
family for vacation. In addition to playing golf in Florida, Longwell
expects to play in Favre’s annual golf tournament in Mississippi.
Vikings’ linebacker Chad Greenway, who married in July, will
honeymoon in February for 10 days in Hawaii with wife Jenni.
Vikings’ coach Brad Childress answering a question about being
intensely criticized: “If I don’t win enough I have no illusions.”
The
Vikings have three players invited to participate in the Pro Bowl in
Hawaii on February 10 and although all have been Pro Bowlers before none
of them is close to former offensive guard Randall McDaniel’s club
record of 11 appearances. Center Matt Birk has been named to
five Pro Bowls, offensive tackle Steve Hutchinson four (three
with Seattle) and defensive tackle Kevin Williams two.
Rookie tackle Ryan Cook has been a late season starter on the
right side of the Vikings’ line and might be part of the solution as the
team rebuilds its offense next season. Cook, a center at New Mexico, is
playing tackle for the first time and
admitted his new role is a learning process. During the off-season he
plans to work on “athleticism” and strength while studying film.
Mewelde Moore is a born again Christian and talked earlier this fall
about fellowship and chapel gatherings attended by him and other Vikings
players. “We would love to have everyone come. … There’s no pressure,"
Moore said.
"If you want to come in fellowship, then anybody, player, coach and staff
is more than welcome.”
Minneapolis native and Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry
Fitzgerald Jr. flew to Chicago for Christmas where he gathered with
family including father Larry Sr.
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Brad Childress
Former Gopher basketball coach Jim Dutcher said the University
will honor his 1982 Big Ten championship team at the Gopher-Ohio State
game on Sunday, Feb. 18.
Viking kicker Ryan Longwell can look forward to playing golf with
former Packer teammate Brett Favre during the off-season. |
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