In sad news for old school MAC fans, Don James has died

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Wikipedia link

James was a GREAT coach. There was something about those old school Ohio guys like James and Bill Mallory. They had/have a decency that transcends coaching football. RIP Mr James.

"The program we built at Toledo and here at Missouri is Don James' program, it's a tribute to how he developed men and built football teams," [Gary] Pinkel said.

(10-21-2013 08:46 AM)MacLord Wrote:  "The program we built at Toledo and here at Missouri is Don James' program, it's a tribute to how he developed men and built football teams," [Gary] Pinkel said.

I have a lot of respect for Pinkel, but I think this is gratuitous. James didn't care about developing his players, or treating them like students. He ran good football programs, but that was what it was all about.

Truly, one of the best.

(10-21-2013 08:48 AM)DrTorch Wrote:  

(10-21-2013 08:46 AM)MacLord Wrote:  "The program we built at Toledo and here at Missouri is Don James' program, it's a tribute to how he developed men and built football teams," [Gary] Pinkel said.

I have a lot of respect for Pinkel, but I think this is gratuitous. James didn't care about developing his players, or treating them like students. He ran good football programs, but that was what it was all about.

This morning, I've read a half dozen quotes from James' former players. All discussed the impact positive he had on their lives. Think all of them would disagree with your comment.

(10-21-2013 11:09 AM)FlashFan Wrote:  

(10-21-2013 08:48 AM)DrTorch Wrote:  

(10-21-2013 08:46 AM)MacLord Wrote:  "The program we built at Toledo and here at Missouri is Don James' program, it's a tribute to how he developed men and built football teams," [Gary] Pinkel said.

I have a lot of respect for Pinkel, but I think this is gratuitous. James didn't care about developing his players, or treating them like students. He ran good football programs, but that was what it was all about.

This morning, I've read a half dozen quotes from James' former players. All discussed the impact positive he had on their lives. Think all of them would disagree with your comment.

6 out of how many players did he have?

Oh, and didn't the Pac 10 address his methods? Pretty sternly?

What is with this forum and people that like to tarnish the RIP threads? Take it elsewhere!

Quote:"This is a sad day," said Herb Page, who served as the Flashes' kicker during the James era. "Don James was a great coach and a wonderful man. I had the best seat in the house for two years and didn't even know it at the time. He took a lot of young men and turned them into champions. A lot of the lessons he taught us about coaching and life are models I use today. He was a great influence on me. I have nothing but fond memories of him."

I prefer to listen to people who actually knew Coach James speak of his character. That group includes many from the University of Washington today.

This board seems to have reached a new low when people, at the time of their death, are trashed by fools who can't control their ignorance.

(10-21-2013 02:10 PM)FlashFan Wrote:  [This board seems to have reached a new low when people, at the time of their death, are trashed by fools who can't control their ignorance.

Feel free to refrain from posting then.

(10-21-2013 02:05 PM)Polish Hammer Wrote:  What is with this forum and people that like to tarnish the RIP threads? Take it elsewhere!

I said he had good football teams. My other comments were based on truth too. Don't canonize someone who doesn't deserve it. It's an insult to the ones who do the right thing.

And you said so to claim as if somehow he couldn't care less about the players and coaches when it couldn't be further from the truth.

Quote:James's letter of resignation was read by Washington's athletic director, Barbara Hedges, at a news conference on the Seattle campus. James Wanted to Cross-Examine

"I have decided I can no longer coach in a conference that treats its players and coaches so unfairly," the letter said.

(10-21-2013 04:07 PM)Polish Hammer Wrote:  And you said so to claim as if somehow he couldn't care less about the players and coaches when it couldn't be further from the truth.

I have no doubt he cared about himself.

James was disliked in the Pac 10, and with reason. Even people like Bill Walsh didn't care for him, and I think Walsh's football legacy is pretty secure.

For me, I just don't see Pac 10 alumni disliking other coaches as much as James. Kush, McKay, Kelly, Robinson, Smith: people respect them. Even Neuheisel...people don't dislike him as much as James. Pete Carroll may get as much criticism, but even then it seems like it's from U$C haters, not really from around the league. Mention him and you still get some enthusiasm.

James? Mention him and you get alumni of 9 teams just turning away saying nothing b/c they have nothing good to say.

Your "research" is crap, Doc. Unless you cite sources, I'll presume that these grumblings are from a few sour grapes who never knew Coach James, don't know squat about running a big time football program, and perhaps don't know much about football. If they exist at all, maybe they just got tired of losing to James in the PAC 10. Prove me wrong. Cite your sources and where they can be found on the record.

In the meantime, I'll listen to two of the best head coaches in the game today, Nick Saben and Gary Pinkel, go on the record about the positive influence Don James was in their lives. I'll listen to former players such as Warren Moon, now enshrined in Canton. I have a hunch they know more about coaching and influencing lives than a few anonymous "sources" . The bonus is that they actually knew Coach James.

I've given you my sources. You give me yours and we'll see who is more credible.

Head coaches are public figures subject to all manner of opinions, well informed or otherwise. But the practice of posting anonymous, ill defined rumors about someone's character the day after they die is disgusting.