Being nice and being realistic aren't always the same
It hasn't happened in a while, but I think I've been accused of being mean.
One of the "Gimme Five" items on our home page this week riled up fans who said I was being insensitive and unprofessional. The offense: One line that questions whether there might be a change among the football coaching staff at Sikeston High School next season.
One of the anonymous comments that showed up in my e-mail today:
"Being a high school coach is a tough job in today's society. Sikeston's quarterback broke his leg and their best running back had to be released ... Dealing with a lot of adversity is a tough job but the coaches make no excuses. It would be very professional of you to remove your comment on the front page."
I don't envy coaches. It used to be bad enough that the hours were horrific and the pay was lousy. Now a coach has to worry whether the whacko dad of a third-string tailback might whip out a pistol over his kid's lack of playing time. It's a wonder anybody even wants to be a coach.
But the pitfalls of the job will never qualify any coach for a free pass. A coach, like any other educator, is hired to achieve a defined set of standards, no matter how real or irrational they might seem, regardless of whether he's coaching Penn State football or summer league softball. And as high school sports become even more exposed and scrutinized through live ESPN coverage, TV shows like "Friday Night Lights" and online message boards, a coach's job won't get easier.
If Sikeston or any other local high school has started to seriously talk about a coaching change, nobody's saying it out loud. Maybe they won't discuss it at all this year. Maybe it's pure speculation. But you can bet it's been the topic of conversation among fans, parents and students at several local schools, not just one.
And unfortunately, all of our conversations won't be nice. But they also don't have to be.
3 comments:
I totally agree Jamie. This isn't a lollipop world anymore, and we can't continue to pretend it is. If we are worried about being professional in the "media" world then first we should take a look at the live local news each night at 5,6, and 10 o clock. Forget speculation about a coach being fired, it's the least of the media worries.
If coaches can't handle being scrutinized, then they shouldn't have the job. And if you, as a reporter, are afraid to express opinions that may cause a few people to throw up their hands in disgust, then you shouldn't have a job. Don't listen to these people telling you its "unprofessional." Tell them to take it to the TV reporters, and to the President of this nation - they're the ones being unprofessional.
Keep going baby. I love the site.
Amen to Jamie Hall. I see absolutely nothing wrong with the comment on the front page. Actually, I think that's what makes this site unique -- you guys write stuff that many other reporters would shy away from. Apparently some fans can't handle the truth, which is that Sikeston's football team is spiraling downward. I love this site. Keep it up!
I'm not so sure I agree. I don't mind the edgy comments, but basically calling for somebody's job, particularly high school coaches, is not very professional. I realize it was formed in a question, but all it's geared to do is generate talk for a new regime.
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