Just how inappropriate is this coach's behavior?

[hifigator]

There has been a lot of discussion down here over an incident at the end of the Florida-Georgia game. As Chas Henry was preparing for a potential game winning field goal against Georgia in overtime last week, the Georgia Defensive coordnator made the choke signal by placing his hands on his throat and then leaned out onto the field and yelled something in the direction of the Gator kicker. He repeated this 4 times. The story is that he was saying, "you're going to choke." I honestly don't know, but that would make sense. My question to you all is how inappropriate that behavior is? I am just not that worked up about it at all, but apparently, I am in the minority. Tony Barnhart wrote a piece today and he was livid. He was almost calling for Coach Brantham's head. He said that he should be fined a significant amount and should be suspended without pay for this weekend's game. He also thinks that he should be told that he is now on a very short leash and any future infraction will result in his dismissal.

While I agree that such behavior is childish at least, I just don't understand all the furor. Maybe I would feel different if Henry had missed the kick. I honestly don't know. But I just don't see it as much of a big deal. Does it seem like that big of a deal to any of you?


One vocal critic, Larry Vettel, descibed it as an adult coach trying to intimidate a college kid on the other team. His key seemed to hinge on the "intimidation" angle. I hadn't really thought about it that particular way, and as I think about it more, I guess I can see that argument. But I still just don't think it's that much of a big deal.

Hypothetically, suppose a Maryland or Syracuse coach had done the same thing with a Georgetown player on the receiving end: what would you all think? Now suppose the offending player were on the Hoya sidelines, would that change your opinion at all?

just curious

[GUHoya07]

I actually kind of agree with you, I don't think this is deserving of all the attention it's gotten. While I certainly think the coach looks like an idiot, I don't see the need for a suspension or fine. The guy looks like a dumbass, and the kicker is probably feeling great knowing he stuck it to the opposing team's defensive coordinator.

I don't buy the intimidation angle, but I guess it's worth considering. Still, I don't think the kicker believed the guy was actually threatening to strangle him. This is a well known symbol in the sports world and if the kicker did see it he probably used it as extra motivation. I honestly don't think a grown man playing D1 football is going to be intimidated by some middle aged coordinator making gestures at him.

If a Syracuse coach had done this I wouldn't be surprised and would just laugh at him for being an idiot, but I wouldn't be calling for his head. If a Georgetown coach did it I'd be disappointed, but also don't believe they should be fired.

Now, if this was pop warner football, little league, or something similar, I'd fully support relieving that person of their duties.

[hifigator]

GU, that's pretty much my take as well. And maybe you are alluding to a larger point which I would agree with also. Maybe we do treat college aged athletes like kids a bit too much. I mean, they are almost as physically developed as they are ever going to be. And from the emotional standpoint, while age and experience will certainly prepare them to handle a wide variety of situations which will come up down the road, I don't think we should coddle them like we would young children.

I guess I think that maybe this cutoff age for when "disappointing" behavior would become "unacceptable."

[GUHoya07]

I do think there is a difference between college and pro athletes though, so I don't like it when I see people bashing college athletes on message boards. However, I think a college athlete is old and mature enough to understand when someone is just behaving like an idiot and should be able to handle the experience accordingly, which is what I see happening here.

[hifigator]

Yeah GU2007, I think it is reasonable to distinguish between the college kids and professional athletes. If you voluntarily work, and receive more than reasonable compensation, then you should expect to take the bad with the good. And maybe, such antics by the opposing coach would fit in that category. But for what it's worth, most seem to think that it has no place in college ball, let alone any levels below that.

[hifigator]

THey had a little piece about that in today's paper. Apparently, when Georgia took a timeout to try to freeze Henry, he glanced over at the Georgia bench and saw Brantham giving the choke signal. The story is that Henry raised his helmet up a bit and blew him a kiss back. I don't know if that's true, but it is funny for sure.