Shafer v. Podium

[Cuse4ever]

Our amazing local scripes emblished a little when saying Shafer destroyed the podium after the "are you disappointed how the season has gone" question. I'm sure we'd all do this if not much worse if we had to answer questions from local d-bags like this

 

[orange79]

Podium +3.5

 

[xc84]

Is Axe the guy who asked the question? It was a really dumb question to ask after he said the season was a disappointment because they didn't reach their goals.

 

[City of Cuse]

I used to really like Axe on the radio. Now that he has come back I don't find him very interesting. His "H0T Takes" segment is the worst segment in all of radio. He uses super awful music and Paris Hilton drops from 15 years ago. I have to turn the dial when it comes on, it's unlistenable. I wish they would take a chance on a new guy fresh from school or give it back to beyond further review.

 

[13mike13]

I watched the video of the question and answer. Shafer's reaction to the question is so bizarre. How many of these "is he really doing this?" moments to we have to endure. you Dabo, the Isis press conference, all the sideline visor throws, etc. His behavior is not only extremely odd, it's embarrassing to watch. He's the captain of the ship, and gets so rattled so easily and by so many different things. I was an officer in the Army, and know enough to know that real leaders just don't act like this. I miss Marrone.

 

[Orangetradition44]

Marrone had plenty of public tantrums, especially after the honeymoon was over. No, he didn't hit the podium. He BANNED guys and refused to talk to them if they hurt his feelings. Marrone is not a good example of a leader who is above the fray.

I'll give you this... Marrone never threw a visor. He just stood there, win or lose.

I watched the video of the question and answer. Shafer's reaction to the question is so bizarre. How many of these "is he really doing this?" moments to we have to endure. you Dabo, the Isis press conference, all the sideline visor throws, etc. His behavior is not only extremely odd, it's embarrassing to watch. He's the captain of the ship, and gets so rattled so easily and by so many different things. I was an officer in the Army, and know enough to know that real leaders just don't act like this. I miss Marrone.

 

[007]

The gates to the conference room were shut and locked. That podium never had a chance. I hope it's mother was not watching.

I understand why so many here enjoy Shafer's passion and fire. I agree that there is a time and a place and benefit to his intensity. He is also a coach who clearly cares about the program and his players. Commendable. But, leadership, and title, and million dollar salaries comes with higher standards of accountability.

Shafer is the face of the program. These tirades, IMO, project a sense that he cannot effectively deal with the stress. That may not be fair or even accurate. But, the HC must be much more conscious of perception, even in the face of the monumental frustrations that SS has had to deal with. Leave the podium alone. Leave Isis out of your presssers. Put the hard nose rhetoric aside and lead the program.

The learning curve continues...

 

[Orangetradition44]

I disagree with everyone that says Shafer needs to stop with the rhetoric and/or stop showing emotion.

Great leaders, transformational leaders not only walk the walk... They know how to talk the talk. The talk is JUST as important in most cases. Leaders have vision. Leaders are able to articulate that vision and get others to buy in. You do that by creating a culture. And ALL human cultures since the dawn of time were built through LANGUAGE.

As far as showing emotion... Teams emulate their leaders. Football is an emotional game. Losing SHOULD hurt. It SHOULD piss you off. It SHOULD make you want to go back to the drawing board and get better. So I disagree that Shafer shouldn't show emotion or tell Dabo to go himself.

We need more talent. He needs more time. We need less injuries. I'm as tired as anyone after over a decade of losing. But there are no saviors out there. We need some luck, some talent, the right formula, and good leadership. I'm hoping the leadership is the LEAST of our concerns... Because the other three are just not easy to attain.

Put the hard nose rhetoric aside and lead the program. The learning curve continues...

 

[tbonezone]

the leader is losin' it

shafer is in over his head.

 

[007]

I disagree with everyone that says Shafer needs to stop with the rhetoric and/or stop showing emotion.

Great leaders, transformational leaders not only walk the walk... They know how to talk the talk. The talk is JUST as important in most cases. Leaders have vision. Leaders are able to articulate that vision and get others to buy in. You do that by creating a culture. And ALL human cultures since the dawn of time were built through LANGUAGE.

As far as showing emotion... Teams emulate their leaders. Football is an emotional game. Losing SHOULD hurt. It SHOULD piss you off. It SHOULD make you want to go back to the drawing board and get better. So I disagree that Shafer shouldn't show emotion or tell Dabo to go himself.

We need more talent. He needs more time. We need less injuries. I'm as tired as anyone after over a decade of losing. But there are no saviors out there. We need some luck, some talent, the right formula, and good leadership. I'm hoping the leadership is the LEAST of our concerns... Because the other three are just not easy to attain.

I appreciate your point and agree with much of what you posted.

However, the distinction here is not with "showing emotion" or walking the walk, or articulating the passion. The issue is with having the leadership chops to understand that there is a time and place. Part of leadership is projecting an aura of confidence and control; and demanding absolute accountability. Attacking the podium in a presser is not going to translate to increased passion on the field. I am not in the locker room, but I would guarantee this, the players are acutely aware of SS emotion and passion behind the scenes.

 

[BKCuse]

why are people so uptight about out HC showing emotion?

Are people really complaining about visor throws???

I agree the ISIS comment was a mistake but I have zero issue with SS screaming at Dabo, yelling at refs, throwing visors or breaking the podium.

As a fan it's refreshing to see that out head coach cares as much if not more than me.

Plenty of issues with this team but lack of passion and effort is NOT one of them. The kids play hard for Shaf but when it's 3rd stringers and Big East recruited players facing ranked teams you can't pin losses on coaching

 

[CuseLegacy]

I appreciate your point and agree with much of what you posted.

However, the distinction here is not with "showing emotion" or walking the walk, or articulating the passion. The issue is with having the leadership chops to understand that there is a time and place. Part of leadership is projecting an aura of confidence and control; and demanding absolute accountability. Attacking the podium in a presser is not going to translate to increased passion on the field. I am not in the locker room, but I would guarantee this, the players are acutely aware of SS emotion and passion behind the scenes.

I guess it was a good thing he was just pounding his fist on podium and not throwing chairs.

 

[CanadianSU]

Axe and Poliquin are such blockheads.

 

[13mike13]

why are people so uptight about out HC showing emotion?

Are people really complaining about visor throws???

I agree the ISIS comment was a mistake but I have zero issue with SS screaming at Dabo, yelling at refs, throwing visors or breaking the podium.

As a fan it's refreshing to see that out head coach cares as much if not more than me.

Plenty of issues with this team but lack of passion and effort is NOT one of them. The kids play hard for Shaf but when it's 3rd stringers and Big East recruited players facing ranked teams you can't pin losses on coaching

look...I hear 'ya. And I respect your perspective. As a general rule, I tend to despite "coach bashers," and I hate that I am sounding like one here. But I can't help but have a reaction to these repeated antics that make me cringe. I appreciate that the players have his back, and play hard for him. But if you will recall, the players were strident in their support for Robinson, and expressed great displeasure at the decision to fire him. Did that mean that Robinson was the right guy for our program? Of course not. Repeated instances of seemingly irrational behavior in public cannot be simply ignored. I'm sure he is doing his best. I cannot recall the last time I felt good leaving the Dome, and refusing to at least debate whether that might be due to a managerial problem is a mistake.

 

[ORANGEsPHK]

I don't have a problem with Shafer showing emotion, he should be upset at how this season has played out. Whether its at himself, his staff, the players - the offense struggled mightily this season and the head coach should be pissed.

On another note, I seem to recall a lot of Marrone bashing because he never showed any emotions ... can't please everyone, I guess.

 

[Opus]

I admit the ISIS presser was bizarre but overall I don't have a problem them. I just hope nobody ever messes with his strawberries.

 

[CuseOnly]

look...I hear 'ya. And I respect your perspective. As a general rule, I tend to despite "coach bashers," and I hate that I am sounding like one here. But I can't help but have a reaction to these repeated antics that make me cringe. I appreciate that the players have his back, and play hard for him. But if you will recall, the players were strident in their support for Robinson, and expressed great displeasure at the decision to fire him. Did that mean that Robinson was the right guy for our program? Of course not. Repeated instances of seemingly irrational behavior in public cannot be simply ignored. I'm sure he is doing his best. I cannot recall the last time I felt good leaving the Dome, and refusing to at least debate whether that might be due to a managerial problem is a mistake.

Tell the Harbaugh boys that a head coaching position is no place to show emotion...then run like hell.

 

[tbonezone]

this hammy over reaction came well after the game was over. and well into the post presser.
no single bad call or question to trigger it. just total theater.
do us all a favor SS and punch yourself in the face next time. that's where the blame lies.

 

[orange79]

this hammy over reaction came well after the game the over. and well into the post presser.
no single bad call or question to trigger it. just total theater.
do us all a favor SS and punch yourself in the face next time. that's where the blame lies.

Because, of course, it is physically impossible for a human being to be frustrated more than 30 seconds after the cause of the frustration ends.

 

[tbonezone]

maybe he can do us all a favor and channel his anger into more fruitful purpose.

 

[orange79]

maybe he can do us all a favor and channel his anger into more fruitful purpose.

I'm down with that, too.

 

[bevosu]

 

[Cheriehoop]

I think all these mini complaints disappear if we start winning. I really don't think reactions after losses in a press conferences reflect whether someone is a bad/good coach. We've had coaches break microphones, throw chairs, swear, freeze out the press etc and all's been forgiven if we win. People like to pick the bones after losses.

 

[xc84]

Shafer was fine answering a really dumb question after Shafer already answered it once. Gets a little frustrating when the reporter eggs him on.

 

[Crusty]

I have been, and continue to be, a big Shafer booster. That said, I am genuinely concerned about his ability to handle the stress. I could care less about the visor/clipboard tosses. When it rises to the level of getting an sportsmanship penalty, it becomes a problem. Refs give coaches wide leeway on that sort of thing.

It really is simple - in a game, if you can't control yourself, you can't do your job. If there is one area where he gets universally poor marks its his game management coaching. Coach needs to grow into the job and the first step is to get his emotions under control. I dn't mean being a statue, just under control and thinking about the next play and not the last. Control the controllables coach.