By Jay Jones
December 3, 2008
The University of Oregon does a lot of things in collegiate athletics really well. But there is one thing it does better than any other school: Oregon is great at getting attention.
Unfortunately, it’s not always a good kind of attention.
Yesterday’s announcement that offensive coordinator Chip Kelly will be the next head football coach, following current head coach Mike Bellotti’s move to Athletic Director, has set off a bit of a firestorm regarding diversity, or the lack thereof, in the collegiate ranks of head football coaches.
In addition to some comments made on ESPN Radio, PTI’s Michael Wilbon made some pointed comments regarding this sudden (not really) trend of naming a “coach-in-waiting” on Wednesday’s show.
Take a look (at around 8:22 - thanks, pjones7):
Over the last couple of years, a number of schools have set up “succession plans” including Kentucky, Purdue, Florida State, and Texas.
So, here’s my question: why is this an issue now? How did Oregon’s actions propel this issue into the mainstream for the talking heads? Why is Oregon all of a sudden the face of the “diversity” issue? Why is Chip Kelly’s face all over PTI? Why not Mack Brown’s? Was it a problem when current Kentucky, and former Oregon, head football coach Rich Brooks named Joker Phillips as his successor? Why wasn’t this “trend” addressed when it first started happening?
Here’s why. On the field of collegiate competition, the University of Oregon may not always be considered a “big boy” program. But when it comes to off-the-field issues, Oregon’s actions command attention because of its self-promotion.
In the background on my computer desktop, I have Slingbox open and on AMC. And this is no Joker. “Kelly’s Heroes” is on.
If Oddball had a chance to talk to Mr. Wilbon, this is what I’d imagine he’d say to him:
“Why don’t you knock it off with them negative waves? Why don’t you dig how beautiful it is out here? Why don’t you say something righteous and hopeful for a change?”
Coach Kelly, kind of makes you want to duck next time, doesn’t it?
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Ducksilly Says:
December 4th, 2008 at 1:52 am
What a crock!
duckdoc1 Says:
December 4th, 2008 at 5:37 am
Oregon knew they had a good thing with Kelly and did not want to lose him to another university’s program. That was the only reason. Race had nothing to do with it. In this case, an interview process would have been for looks only. Why does race have to always be an issue. Let the best man be hired whether he is black, white, yellow, brown, pink, green……….Oregon got the coach they wanted and race had nothing to do with it. Wilbon needs to get the chip off his shoulder. Did race have anything to do with his hiring? If it did that is sad!
Geoff Says:
December 4th, 2008 at 8:08 am
This is complete garbage, just the media looking at two current issues: lack of minorities in coaching and naming a replacement from within and mixing them. Oregon needed/wanted to keep Kelly and had to act fast, race a no influence here.
Todd Says:
December 4th, 2008 at 9:18 am
One has nothing to do with the other. While it’s a shame that there’s a lack of diversity, I wonder why (as a society) we’re still trying so hard to be PC about it, instead of trying to find the best candidates?
Hank Hosfield Says:
December 4th, 2008 at 9:33 am
I haven’t heard Wilbon’s comments yet because this thing is taking forever to load, but I think I know what’s coming, and while I believe it’s true that this deal to lock up Chip Kelly is motivated purely by a desire to hire the very best candidate, I’m somewhat surprised that the ultra-politically-correct UO didn’t anticipate this issue being raised. Black head coaches at the D-1 level seem to be having a tough go. I think there were a high of five at one point, and now it’s down to what, one in the BCS? Is this true? I dunno, I’m like Stephen Colbert, I don’t see color. But if it is, that’s not really progress, my brothers. And deals like this that bypass the hiring process ARE structurally discriminatory. I know Oregon’s hearts are Kool-Aid liberal, and that they’d be wetting themselves even more to hire Chip Kelly if he were some differently-abled minority, but they’re instead on the spot to defend the hard truth that the finest football brain yet discovered is walking around in the inconveniently pasty white film-room body of someone not from a protected class. The unique situation the UO found itself in having to scramble at the last second to keep Kelly on the farm cut due process off at the pass, and the UO was unable to go through the whole dog and pony show they would have done to demonstrate their commitment to social justice and meritocracy. That’s too bad for the UO and sadder still for minority candidates whose names don’t get tossed into consideration. The truth is this wasn’t an open process, and Oregon deserves to be called out for that–if open process is something we truly value. It’s hard to imagine how a more inclusive process would have changed Oregon’s desire to hire Kelly, but when opportunity isn’t even offered, the doors to advancement are already locked. Just because Obama won doesn’t make all the other equal opportunity efforts moot. The bottom line is, though the slight may be inadvertent, the UO bypassed the open hiring process, and deserve the brickbats Wilbon and other will throw. (Can Jesse jackson be far behind?) Luckily, Oregon is getting pretty used to ducking and covering as of late.
James Says:
December 4th, 2008 at 10:32 am
Simply a joke. Why Oregon? Because they’re not threatened by Oregon. Call out Texas for the same thing and see what happens. They’re cowards for not taking up the issue with everyone.
As for the the point they’re trying to make; well, diversity in coaching, as in life, is important. Chip Kelly was the hottest commodity out there. It’s not his fault he is white. The guy can coach and Oregon wanted to keep him. Period.
Mr. H. Simpson Says:
December 4th, 2008 at 10:39 am
So, what would Wilbon rather have, a token interview process? I think that’s more offensive than locking up the guy you know you want.
More than any other sport, football coaches are fired for lack of production. Maybe if Willintgham hand’t gone 0-11 (soon to be 0-12) he’d still be a head coach.
Rob Hartsock Says:
December 4th, 2008 at 10:57 am
The only “diversity” I care about is the ability to mix the pass with the run.
Duckfan Says:
December 4th, 2008 at 10:59 am
I hate the media so much. Hey i got a question ESPN. How many Black executives work at ESPN? Is ESPN racist?
Dukks Says:
December 4th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
The concern about the lack of African American coaches in D1 College football is legitimate. However, leading the story with Oregon’s coach-in-waiting move with Chip Kelly is way off.
First, 2 of the 4 defensive FOOTBALL coaches are African American and 1 o the 5 offensive coaches are African American. Could this be even more balanced. Does this balance warrant Oregon being the lead on this. Absolutely not.
Second, the head coach of the Oregon Basketball team is African American and three of the four basketball coaches are African American. The two major programs in college are Football and Basketball and Oregon has a very healthy balance in these programs. Again, this does not warrant Oregon being the lead on this topic. It’s a legitimate topic, but Oregon should not have been on the hit list.
Third, Chip Kelly truly is an excellent coach that is a proven commodity in the Oregon program and Oregon did the right move to retain him. For all intents and purposes no one (other than this tv commentary) has questioned the move. It made sense for the individuals, the players, and the program.
Again, it’s an important story, but Oregon was the wrong program to lead with.
joe Says:
December 4th, 2008 at 2:27 pm
“The University of Oregon is an Equal Opportunity Affirmative-Action institution committed to Cultural Diversity…”
that statement is printed on every official university document. I guess someone if pissed because four white men decided to make some career decisions without observing typical university protocol. I am sure we have not heard the end of this yet. this is a red-meat issue for local university athletic haters to grab on to.
Diversity for the sake of diversity is absurd and prejudice. Coaches, just like players, are judged on performance, not the color of their skin.
Robbie G Says:
December 4th, 2008 at 4:54 pm
Give me a break! I like how Oregon is whipping boy for this. How about you go after the school that doesn’t have a black head coach in one of the two major, televised, revenue generating sports. If Oregon is racist, as Wilbon is implying, then why have they kept around a black head coach who has been on the hot seat, has had off-the-court issues, and (from what I have heard) isn’t the most liked man around the Athletic Department?*
Also, we know that Chip Kelly is also a racist because all white people are. Though, he gets along well with, and is able to coach black and Samoan players, that’s besides the point, he is clearly racist.
*Note: I am a huge Ernie Kent fan and want to see him around for a while, but I know that I do not share the same opinion as many.
conspiracyzach Says:
December 4th, 2008 at 6:16 pm
How do you commit your institution to “cultural diversity” as you build a segregated athlete learning center for NIKE? “Cultural separatism” is more like it.