Glasper vs. O'Brien
Eagle In Atlanta has an interesting post today about some controversy involving former BC and current NC State coach Tom O'Brien. The story, as detailed in this ESPN.com piece, is that O'Brien promised safety Ryan Glasper that he'd redshirt him last year while Glasper recovered from hip surgery. In the middle of the season, just after BC lost that heartbreaker to the Wolfpack, O'Brien went to Glasper and told him that he needed to play; O'Brien would NOT grant him a redshirt, so unless he wanted his career to be over, he needed to play then, injured or not.
Now, on the surface, the story sucks, especially as presented in this article. Coaches shouldn't go back on their promises to their players and they shouldn't put their guys in the position of possibly suffering a career-ending injury. But keep in mind that all of the information in this story comes from Glasper (and a few short quotes from some assistants) and remember that TOB probably hurt a lot of feelings when he bolted Chestnut Hill for another school in the same conference.
Another point to consider is that this sort of thing probably isn't that uncommon, at least not the part about playing guys who were planning on redshirting. You hear it every year with teams that are struggling. Invariably, they have a few freshmen studs that they are hoping to redshirt, but under the pressure of losing, they put those guys on the field in the middle or even late in the season. Basically, those kids get an abbreviated and rushed start to their career, maybe playing in just a couple of games but burning a year of eligibility. Is that unethical, or is that just a coach doing whatever is in his power to win? Which is greatest, the obligation to the program as a whole, the obligation to a particular team or the obligation to an individual player? It's a tough situation. Most coaches will tell you that they never sacrifice the present for the future, but the truth is that they do it all the time. The future isn't guaranteed to any coach. Redshirt too many guys today and your predecessor may reap the benefits next year.
It's an interesting story. If it went down exactly as described (and I bet it didn't), then O'Brien is an asshole. But then, aren't most football coaches assholes?
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44 (unregistered) on
05/01/2007 11:48 pm You are missing the main in that he was INJURED .. Freshman they try to preserve because of their lack of maturity in the game, whereas Glasper ought to have stayed out because he was physically unable to perform.
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Dave on
05/02/2007 09:29 am | 44 wrote: |
| You are missing the main in that he was INJURED .. Freshman they try to preserve because of their lack of maturity in the game, whereas Glasper ought to have stayed out because he was physically unable to perform. |
I think I addressed that. Maybe I should have stressed it more. Clearly O'Brien was taking the risk that playing might cause Glasper more serious injury. On the flip side, Glasper did finish the season without further injuring his hip and as he says, was 100% by their bowl game. So maybe O'Brien DID have good medical advice.
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BCSteve (unregistered) on
05/02/2007 10:49 am There are no hurt feelings about O'Brien's departure amongst BC alumni and fans. In fact, most of us are ecstatic that he's gone. Yes, TOB got the program back on its feet, but ultimately he was a poor game coach and terrible motivator. Worse, in light of how he left for NCST and how he handled Glasper's injury, he is nothing more than a hypocrite in terms of the emphasis he put on character. Glasper was a team leader on and off the field and a solid student. He exemplified the BC tradition of underappreciated players who use hard work and personal perseverance to acheive success on and off the field. TOB should be ASHAMED of himself for compromising the well being of one of the teams most exemplary players and people. He's all yours NCST fans. Good luck!
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PeeDub (unregistered) on
05/03/2007 09:24 am Thanks, BoCo fans!
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basshole8117 (unregistered) on
05/03/2007 10:08 am BC Fans we are glad that he is here. I think you guys missed the part where the Dr. cleared him to play. the HC does not have to redshirt him if the Dr. clears him to play. and after BC lost to us he apparently needed him. that away to go there team player. glad that kid is not a NCSU.
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toblows (unregistered) on
05/03/2007 11:14 am The TEAM doctor cleared him to play, NOT the doctor who performed his operation. I don't even want to get into my opinion of Dr. English, but I would most certainly trust the opinion of a specialist who has no dog in the hunt, rather than a general practicioner who has something to gain by rendering her opinion.
Had O'Brien run down the clock on the offensive series prior to NCST getting back the ball, and employed more than 4 DBs in the obvious passing downs to end the game, BC would not have lost. Glasper was a true warrior for BC, and TOBs absolute reluctance to take responsibility for any loss (blaming Glasper for not being out there) is the reason why people are upset at this situation.
Enjoy the excuses!!!
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PeeDub (unregistered) on
05/03/2007 02:48 pm Almost every team doctor will clear a player before a "real" doctor. That's not unusual. It's the difference between playing hurt and playing injured.
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BCSteve (unregistered) on
05/04/2007 11:34 am NCST fans, I don't blame you for taking TOB's side in this, as he is your new coach. But the point here is not that the team doctor cleared Glasper. Rather, it's that O'Brien broke a promise to one of his players and pressured him onto the field before he was 100%. An admirable man would not do that. But the Glasper issue aside, get in your loyalty to TOB now, because once you see him action, I guarantee your support will fade. When your team comes out flat and listless against lesser opponents, completely collapses against higher ranked teams, and your offense shows all the creativity of a Pop Warner team, you'll be singing a different tune.
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me and Jimmy V (unregistered) on
05/04/2007 03:02 pm I have never heard so much crying in my life. What do you want a coach to do? Hold his hand? Give him a Hug? Wipe his A$$ for him? Move on. You are all embarrassing yourselves.
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PeeDub (unregistered) on
05/04/2007 04:54 pm The evidence is just simply not *there* that TOB "promised" him a redshirt year. Only in that one article, according to the player only, which he has since backed away from. All other articles cast that in much less clear light. Why would they bring a player to preseason media day if they were planning on redshirting him that year?? And the fact that they brought him back before he was "100%", oh please. There's not a coach in this land that would wait for that "100%" if the alternatives were killing you on the field. Honorable mention ACC after playing only 8 games while hurt. And he's fine. *Clearly* playing hurt did not hurt his ability to play, nor did it hurt his future ability to play. The only thing it hurt is his ability to showcase his talents to the NFL. And I certainly wouldn't give a player a redshirt for that.
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me and Jimmy V (unregistered) on
05/04/2007 06:17 pm Wooooo!!!
Right on.
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jkju (unregistered) on
05/10/2007 12:02 am I'll tell you this will seriously impede Tommy O's ability to recruit at BC. The worst thing a coach can do is put his players' health in jeopardy. Do you really think a top flight recruit who thinks he has a future in the NFL is going to play for a guy that is willing to risk his players? Coach's need to understand that you get on players you coach to win, but you need to put health above everything else.
Posted by Dave at May 1, 2007 05:20 PM
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