Class of 2023 WR Johntay Cook (TX) TRANSFERRING TO SYRACUSE (5/1/25)

[wfschrec]

It’s your perspective which is fair. I have to ask, Do you believe JW made the right hire for our head football coach? Because if we had a cookie cutter coach that climbed the traditional ladder, I don’t think we would even look at these guys no matter what the current state of the program was at the time. It’s for sure a risk, it was a risk to hire Fran given that he didn’t match all of the ADs requirements (power conference coordinator). This is for sure a crossroad moment. I’m trusting Fran.

Bridges at one point in 2023 was being courted by Utah … even cookie cutter coaches like Willingham kick tires on players like that.

 

[23Zone]

From my perspective each one of these instances of players with a criminal background of any sort needs to be looked at on a case by case basis, as it is important to avoid sweeping generalizations as there may be extenuating circumstances. Having said that, repeat offenses should raise the red flag and increase the likelihood of a bad outcome with deleterious impact on the team as a whole...which we differently don't need

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

Is drunk driving a violent offense? Or reckless driving?

Every person and situation is unique. The older I get, the more I understand that and the more absolutes bother me.
I was charged with DWI when I was 19 or 20. It was ultimately dismissed (Alcohol evaluation, no need for counseling, clean record, etc.). I got a second chance an have been an attorney for 40 years.
My oldest son got caught doing some things he shouldn’t have been doing while in college. He got a second chance. He will likely be promoted to Chief in the navy this year, and has multiple commendations, including the Joint Services Task Force Medal for his work when he was assigned to the NSA at Fort Meade.
.

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

Dasher - do you wish the University would wash their hands of McNabb and Carmelo, both of whom have had legal run troubles, including driving under the influence? After all, at some level they represent SU.

 

[David321]

I mean, Fran doesn't even let players wear a hat indoors. If someone is going to have an attitude problem or be a trouble maker in the locker room, he's going to catch it early on.

 

[dasher]

Dasher - do you wish the University would wash their hands of McNabb and Carmelo, both of whom have had legal run troubles, including driving under the influence? After all, at some level they represent SU.

No Apples and Oranges. I would feel the same way about that as I do about stripping wins for a team or a school. Let's see if I can make myself clear. I might give a student a second chance that was already at the University and had a clean record before their infraction. . I find a difference between them and a potential student that does something wrong and they are applying to be a student at Syracuse.

 

[dasher]

Every person and situation is unique. The older I get, the more I understand that and the more absolutes bother me.
I was charged with DWI when I was 19 or 20. It was ultimately dismissed (Alcohol evaluation, no need for counseling, clean record, etc.). I got a second chance an have been an attorney for 40 years.
My oldest son got caught doing some things he shouldn’t have been doing while in college. He got a second chance. He will likely be promoted to Chief in the navy this year, and has multiple commendations, including the Joint Services Task Force Medal for his work when he was assigned to the NSA at Fort Meade.
.

Good for you and for him. I don't think we want to count all of the people that after their first offense, committed worse offenses after. I don't drink and drive. I think our society has been much too soft on drunk drivers. It's one of the reasons we have so many dead on the highways. I don't want to be on the road with drunk drivers.

 

[sufan59]

No Apples and Oranges. I would feel the same way about that as I do about stripping wins for a team or a school. Let's see if I can make myself clear. I might give a student a second chance that was already at the University and had a clean record before their infraction. . I find a difference between them and a potential student that does something wrong and they are applying to be a student at Syracuse.

It’s a difference in philosophy. If you feel you provide an environment setting up a kid to mature and do great things. If they mess up that opportunity, a second chance in the same environment probably means the environment wasn’t good for them to begin with. On the other hand, you feel you can provide an environment setting up a kid to mature and do great things when they’ve made some very bad mistakes in other environments. Maybe you can make the difference. I guess I feel more comfortable and confident because I feel Fran has control over his program. That if something did happen while he was here, that opportunity for that kid will be gone immediately.

 

[dasher]

It’s a difference in philosophy. If you feel you provide an environment setting up a kid to mature and do great things. If they mess up that opportunity, a second chance in the same environment probably means the environment wasn’t good for them to begin with. On the other hand, you feel you can provide an environment setting up a kid to mature and do great things when they’ve made some very bad mistakes in other environments. Maybe you can make the difference. I guess I feel more comfortable and confident because I feel Fran has control over his program. That if something did happen that opportunity for that kid will be gone immediately.

Obviously, I am not as confidant as you. This is Fran's second year as a Head Coach. We really don't know all that much yet on how solid his environment is as of yet. We hope it's as good as we want it to be. Time will tell. It looks to me, that we are cutting corners to match the talent level that we need it to be at with this schedule. I hope it works out great.

 

[Windyfly]

Obviously, I am not as confidant as you. This is Fran's second year as a Head Coach. We really don't know all that much yet on how solid his environment is as of yet. We hope it's as good as we want it to be. Time will tell. It looks to me, that we are cutting corners to match the talent level that we need it to be at with this schedule. I hope it works out great.

Are we cutting corners or are we just looking at all of our options and making the best decision on who to pursue based on what’s available and the needs of the team?

It’s only been a year, but does Fran have a history of bringing kids in that are a cancer to the team…it seems like Fran deserves the benefit of the doubt here based upon what’s he’s shown us in his short tenure.

There’s nothing wrong with bringing kids in to assess them in person and see who’s possibly redeemable from a prior mistake, who can commit to DART and who should be avoided all together.

It seems like Fran is ten toes in on building a culture of DART and everything that that represents.

I think we should all allow Fran to do his job annd trust his judgement ans the leader of our program until he shows a pattern of making questionable decisions on players characters and proven otherwise.

I’m personally indebted and grateful for the people who awarded me second chances in my life and so I can relate with Fran being open to doing the same for others, especially considering his Camden and South Jersey background.

 

[JRHEETER]

So Syracuse University should never admit a student that may have some of these offenses either right?

At the end of the day, these players are kids and are very much still learning.

And generally when a student at this age is having repeated offenses, it’s usually a call for help some how and there is deeper issues.

I have respect for Fran for having the confidence he can help these kids. A lot of times they just need a hand and some guidance.

But of course, for some in this thread, they should be cast to the side forever for this and can never be a changed person.

Such a shame to view the world in this light

 

[dasher]

Are we cutting corners or are we just looking at all of our options and making the best decision on who to pursue based on what’s available and the needs of the team?

It’s only been a year, but does Fran have a history of bringing kids in that are a cancer to the team…it seems like Fran deserves the benefit of the doubt here based upon what’s he’s shown us in his short tenure.

There’s nothing wrong with bringing kids in to assess them in person and see who’s possibly redeemable from a prior mistake, who can commit to DART and who should be avoided all together.

It seems like Fran is ten toes in on building a culture of DART and everything that that represents.

I think we should all allow Fran to do his job annd trust his judgement ans the leader of our program until he shows a pattern of making questionable decisions on players characters and proven otherwise.

I’m personally indebted and grateful for the people who awarded me second chances in my life and so I can relate with Fran being open to doing the same for others, especially considering his Camden and South Jersey background.

I don't have any influence who Fran brings in. So I am not taking that away from him saying I don't want kids that have a certain background at the University. You are entitled to your own opinion. I'm sorry that I don't just drink the Fran Kool Aid and say whatever he does is A Okay with me.

 

[23Zone]

Any news on Cook or is the wrong thread lol

 

[bnoro]

So Syracuse University should never admit a student that may have some of these offenses either right?

At the end of the day, these players are kids and are very much still learning.

And generally when a student at this age is having repeated offenses, it’s usually a call for help some how and there is deeper issues.

I have respect for Fran for having the confidence he can help these kids. A lot of times they just need a hand and some guidance.

But of course, for some in this thread, they should be cast to the side forever for this and can never be a changed person.

Such a shame to view the world in this light

But Fran is a football coach, he is not a behavioral psychologist.

If we bring this kid in (Cook) I can tolerate it. Same with Rice. Not thrilled with either option but the offenses seem a little more minor.

I'm more concerned about Bridges (and Omar White visiting last year). It's a concerning trend, even if it is kicking the tires to see if they fit.

 

[JRHEETER]

But Fran is a football coach, he is not a behavioral psychologist.

If we bring this kid in (Cook) I can tolerate it. Same with Rice. Not thrilled with either option but the offenses seem a little more minor.

I'm more concerned about Bridges (and Omar White visiting last year). It's a concerning trend, even if it is kicking the tires to see if they fit.

But we haven’t brought any of those guys in.

It’s not disturbing. Just because people have done something wrong at one point in their life does not make them a pariah that everyone must avoid and never speak to again.

 

[Windyfly]

I don't have any influence who Fran brings in. So I am not taking that away from him saying I don't want kids that have a certain background at the University. You are entitled to your own opinion. I'm sorry that I don't just drink the Fran Kool Aid and say whatever he does is A Okay with me.

Could you be possibly jumping the gun and going to places that haven’t even been reached yet?

I don’t really see it as drinking Fran Kool Aid, as much as it is our head coach has so far earned trust and respect going into year 2 and many on this board are giving him the benefit of the doubt based upon what he’s shown and the results he’s produced.
He certainly put emphasis on leaving here a better person than you came.
To many fans perspective he’s set a precedent of doing the right things the right way well beyond football.
Uplifting the community and stressing the importance of how you do one thing is how you do all things…as part of his mantra.

All I’m voicing is Fran has shown legitimate leadership qualities and so I see no reason to not trust his better judgement and to captain this ship and put together the best football team he can while representing Syracuse University in good faith

Edit: certainly my opinion and I respect yours

 

[javadoc]

And I'm not making any commentary on Fran, but some if not most of the guys that make it to the height of this profession are major weirdos.

Fran has spoken to the guy directly and he’s in a much much better place to discern what’s going on than I am. I’m good.

 

[sdhall01]

Every person and situation is unique. The older I get, the more I understand that and the more absolutes bother me.
I was charged with DWI when I was 19 or 20. It was ultimately dismissed (Alcohol evaluation, no need for counseling, clean record, etc.). I got a second chance an have been an attorney for 40 years.
My oldest son got caught doing some things he shouldn’t have been doing while in college. He got a second chance. He will likely be promoted to Chief in the navy this year, and has multiple commendations, including the Joint Services Task Force Medal for his work when he was assigned to the NSA at Fort Meade.
.

It's a truism, but people are rarely defined by the worst things about themselves and by their worst day. I've represented a lot of people charged with really serious crimes who are otherwise very nice people who had a really bad day, month, year, etc.

Having said that, there's a definite difference between those who take responsibility for their actions and those who don't. If I was building a football team, I'd honestly take a felon who served their time, matured, and took responsibility for their actions over someone charged with a petty offense who blames everybody but themselves.

 

[javadoc]

Cook has a checkered past. Not ideal, but I’m sure Fran has a plan. Hey, it’s not like morals and character mean much these days.

And Fran is in a better position to judge the morals and character of this young man than any of us are.

 

[dasher]

And Fran is in a better position to judge the morals and character of this young man than any of us are.

After all, he did win 10 games. I don't think we would give Red this same benefit of the doubt. I joke that if Red was to walk across Lake Onondaga, the board headline would be Red can't swim. would we have given Dino the same respect of his judgment? Or would we give Gait? I'm not so sure. And you are giving Fran this benefit o the doubt because he met this kid for a few days. Because we can all read what he has done off the field for ourselves.

 

[javadoc]

and it may end up being that for every 3 kids with questionable pasts that Fran brings on and ends up turning their life around there's 1 who doesn't and continues the behavior. The question will be what's the tolerance level for those swings and misses? Nobody is perfect.

Turning around 2 out of 3 kids? Hypothetical sure, but that would be a great success rate.

 

[javadoc]

How do we feel about stealing. Of stuff. Not off a person.

Should I ask Valjean or Javert?

 

[dasher]

Should I ask Valjean or Javert?

Tough to do since they weren't a real person. And no one is making a judgment on
anyone for stealing bread to feed their family.

 

[baggerbob]

But Fran is a football coach, he is not a behavioral psychologist.

If we bring this kid in (Cook) I can tolerate it. Same with Rice. Not thrilled with either option but the offenses seem a little more minor.

I'm more concerned about Bridges (and Omar White visiting last year). It's a concerning trend, even if it is kicking the tires to see if they fit.

That is one that I do agree with you and dasher on. A home invasion with a gun, is not someone to have on your football team.
That is one second away from someone dying.

 

[ezbeezy214]

You don't have to blindly trust him just because he's a good football coach and won 10 games last year.

When it comes to personalities he wants to manage, we kinda do have to blindly trust him.