Strange things are afoot at Minne

[MelroseHawkins]

A team culture of accountability/discipline will always require team members to give up some individuality, and to some, that is always an affront. To make it work, it has to be more carrot than stick, and the leader needs to be genuine and likable. That is, the players need to believe the coach is as team-first as he/she is asking them to be. I think KF has survived because he is genuine and likable, and he has been willing to change (albeit slowly) over time.

I think Fleck has done a good job at MN, and while his persona is not for me, I do think he is authentic and understands the foundation of a good program. I think this blows over, but if not, his penchant for self-promotion will be his downfall. That can rub enough people the wrong way to tip the balance from "internal investigation then move on" to "this amount of bad publicity isn't worth it" territory.

Good post.

 

[thedukeofearl]

 

[Northside Hawk]

When a strange dude is rowing the boat, strange things will happen.

 

[JoeyLabasForPresident]

Front Office Sports (FOS) is the source. Lol. Nothing to see here.

I thought this initially as well, but pretty much every legitimate sports news source has picked it up as well. Whether that means others did their research or this is just a race to the bottom is to be seen.

 

[hawkdrummer1]

I don't like Fleck but....

Man being a coach today in the social media/cancel and get you fired era.

It exists at all levels from elementary school, high school and now its made its way into college.

If someone doesn't get some playing time or whatever other ax to grind they have they will come after your ass.

Your racists, you intimidate, you are sexist.. you have a "toxic culture"

all someone has to do is basically put it out there and let it flow through the media system and quite often it will work.

Combine that with a generation+ of everybody gets a trophy and there are no wrong answers conditioning. Words like accountability or responsiblity are being cast as some horrible, oppressive code.

Instead of a spirit of service, putting others first, looking to add value rather than extract it (phrase it how you will) it's me...me...me... for far too many. Not all, but certainly too many.

 

[ChosenChildren]

My God. Schembechler, Woody Hayes and Bear Bryant would not have lasted two years in today's college football world.

Football is a brutal game. There are some similarities to military training. It is a game of intimidation, collisions and moving a person from point A to point B against his will.

Fleck's teams are physical and they usually don't beat themselves. That is the job of a football coach in the Big Ten. Fleck is a good coach.

 

[NorthKCHawk]

The "Iowa Way" was never about race. They tried to make it about that, but it never was. It was about presenting yourself as a player at Iowa and how you trained and prepared. Was never about the color of one's skin. The fact that that can be lost now due to the mentality of the young players now is telling. The fact that young men and women are not held to a certain standard to a program is disturbing.

I understand your point, and I certainly agree that the Iowa Way was not intended to target black players. But, in setting policies about hair length, jewelry, hats, etc., there was more of an impact upon the individuality and culture of the minority players. Most of us grew up in an era where we were taught not to discriminate against someone based upon their race, ethnicity, gender, etc. If you just did that, you were doing the right thing. KF grew up in that era. Things change. Now, unconscious bias is a thing, and teaches us that seemingly neutral policies and ways of doing things can impact minority kids differently.

Overall, I think what Iowa and KF went through a few years back was ultimately a healthy and needed reset of what the Iowa Way was and was not. KF loosened the reigns a bit and let the kids be themselves a bit more, and I personally think it has shown dividends. This is a close nit team whose defense could have easily turned on the offense the last two seasons, but did not. They played as a team and that starts with a culture that is inclusive, focuses on the team, but let's players be themselves.

 

[MelroseHawkins]

I thought this initially as well, but pretty much every legitimate sports news source has picked it up as well. Whether that means others did their research or this is just a race to the bottom is to be seen.

Yea, I'm sure there are legs to it.

 

[MelroseHawkins]

I understand your point, and I certainly agree that the Iowa Way was not intended to target black players. But, in setting policies about hair length, jewelry, hats, etc., there was more of an impact upon the individuality and culture of the minority players. Most of us grew up in an era where we were taught not to discriminate against someone based upon their race, ethnicity, gender, etc. If you just did that, you were doing the right thing. KF grew up in that era. Things change. Now, unconscious bias is a thing, and teaches us that seemingly neutral policies and ways of doing things can impact minority kids differently.

Overall, I think what Iowa and KF went through a few years back was ultimately a healthy and needed reset of what the Iowa Way was and was not. KF loosened the reigns a bit and let the kids be themselves a bit more, and I personally think it has shown dividends. This is a close nit team whose defense could have easily turned on the offense the last two seasons, but did not. They played as a team and that starts with a culture that is inclusive, focuses on the team, but let's players be themselves.

Yes. Great points and valid post. Objective.

I thought about the same thing that "The Iowa Way" eventually got outdated and they didn't evolve. I also thought about conforming means losing some identity for some individuals. Look at George Kittle. He was pretty suppressed while at Iowa and completely came out of his shell once at San Fran. Ironically, he is a white male. Again, I think The Iowa Way was always about conforming to Iowa standards and some didn't like it, black or white. I'm kind of in the middle as I think people need to be able to live and express themselves who they are, but, I also appreciate young individuals having to conform to structure as it is a valuable life lesson.

 

[NorthKCHawk]

Yes. Great points and valid post. Objective.

I thought about the same thing that "The Iowa Way" eventually got outdated and they didn't evolve. I also thought about conforming means losing some identity for some individuals. Look at George Kittle. He was pretty suppressed while at Iowa and completely came out of his shell once at San Fran. Ironically, he is a white male. Again, I think The Iowa Way was always about conforming to Iowa standards and some didn't like it, black or white. I'm kind of in the middle as I think people need to be able to live and express themselves who they are, but, I also appreciate young individuals having to conform to structure as it is a valuable life lesson.

Great thought on Kittle. He came out of his shell both as a player and a person in the NFL.

It is a balancing act that gets harder each year. A coach has to set a culture. That culture has to fit the times though. When KF started at Iowa in 1999, his approach was accepted by that generation of player. But, that was before smart phones, twitter, social media, etc. 20 years later, his approach needed a refresh. As with most things, he was slow to address the issue, but eventually he made the tweaks and it seems to be the right balance between team culture and all individuals, minority or not, being themselves.

 

[hawkdrummer1]

I understand your point, and I certainly agree that the Iowa Way was not intended to target black players. But, in setting policies about hair length, jewelry, hats, etc., there was more of an impact upon the individuality and culture of the minority players. Most of us grew up in an era where we were taught not to discriminate against someone based upon their race, ethnicity, gender, etc. If you just did that, you were doing the right thing. KF grew up in that era. Things change. Now, unconscious bias is a thing, and teaches us that seemingly neutral policies and ways of doing things can impact minority kids differently.

Overall, I think what Iowa and KF went through a few years back was ultimately a healthy and needed reset of what the Iowa Way was and was not. KF loosened the reigns a bit and let the kids be themselves a bit more, and I personally think it has shown dividends. This is a close nit team whose defense could have easily turned on the offense the last two seasons, but did not. They played as a team and that starts with a culture that is inclusive, focuses on the team, but let's players be themselves.

I agree in principle with everything above. The caveat is this. When you choose to be part of a team/organization/etc, you agree to sacrifice some of your individuality for the collective mission. That's the piece that so many today reject (frequently under ridiculous premises). The idea of being part of something bigger than yourself doesn't resonate with many of the self-focused.

 

[NorthKCHawk]

I agree in principle with everything above. The caveat is this. When you choose to be part of a team/organization/etc, you agree to sacrifice some of your individuality for the collective mission. That's the piece that so many today reject (frequently under ridiculous premises). The idea of being part of something bigger than yourself doesn't resonate with many of the self-focused.

Agreed, but part of that is full disclosure. These kids are heavily recruited to come to a school. As part of that process, I would hope the coaches and existing players would be fully transparent as to what Iowa's culture is. Maybe that is your cup of tea, maybe it isn't. Some kids like discipline, some want a freer hand. Don't bullshit about what sort of program you are running and you won't get as many bad fits. I think KF is pretty strong on that front.

If a kid commits to Minnesota without understanding that Fleck is a carnival barker dressed up as a snake oil salesmen to cover up that he is really a wanna be male cheerleader from the 1980s, then said kid has his eyes and ears closed during that visit.

 

[Hawkfnntn]

My God. Schembechler, Woody Hayes and Bear Bryant would not have lasted two years in today's college football world.

Football is a brutal game. There are some similarities to military training. It is a game of intimidation, collisions and moving a person from point A to point B against his will.

Fleck's teams are physical and they usually don't beat themselves. That is the job of a football coach in the Big Ten. Fleck is a good coach.

Yeah if we only knew the half of what all was going on throughout sports back then... Just a different world. Coaches and athletes weren't choir boys. Anyone that puts them on those kinds of pedestals needs a reality check

 

[Fryowa]

A lot of people, especially non-sports people, don't realize that there are a TON of disgruntled players in just about every level and for just about every reason. I have no idea what Fleck might have or might not have done, but I do know that any team in any sport has people who want to see the program crash and burn, and nowadays with social media they'll say anything to make it happen.

I'm just a low rent high school coach and even I tell parents every year they're welcome to come watch any practice or team activity as long as they don't interact with coaches or players, and I NEVER have one on one contact with any player who's upset about something. Ain't gonna happen. Baseball is a little unique in that we don't have a locker room or indoor stuff that's cordoned off from outsiders, either. We couldn't hide from the public if we tried.

 

[Fryowa]

Here's a rebuttal by Gopher players in support of Fleck for context...

https://www.si.com/fannation/bringm...pond-after-anonymous-former-players-rip-fleck

 

[NorthKCHawk]

A lot of people, especially non-sports people, don't realize that there are a TON of disgruntled players in just about every level and for just about every reason. I have no idea what Fleck might have or might not have done, but I do know that any team in any sport has people who want to see the program crash and burn, and nowadays with social media they'll say anything to make it happen.

I'm just a low rent high school coach and even I tell parents every year they're welcome to come watch any practice or team activity as long as they don't interact with coaches or players, and I NEVER have one on one contact with any player who's upset about something. Ain't gonna happen. Baseball is a little unique in that we don't have a locker room or indoor stuff that's cordoned off from outsiders, too. We couldn't hide from the public if we tried.

My oldest son's varsity soccer coach said he would speak with any player or parent about any issue they were upset about, but there had to be a 24 hour waiting period between the event (usually a game where a kid didn't play much) and the phone call. Good rule.

At least in Nebraska, coaches are not allowed to have 1-1 texts or phone calls with players. They also cannot meet players off campus 1-1. Has to be a parent or second coach involved. Times have changed.

 

[NorthKCHawk]

Here's a rebuttal by Gopher players in support of Fleck for context...

https://www.si.com/fannation/bringm...pond-after-anonymous-former-players-rip-fleck

Until specific players or ex players come forward to the school or NCAA to corroborate the allegations of misconduct in a credible way, this is just internet bullshit. If a credible player comes forward, it has to be investigated. My instincts say there is no fire to this story.

 

[Hawkfnntn]

A lot of people, especially non-sports people, don't realize that there are a TON of disgruntled players in just about every level and for just about every reason. I have no idea what Fleck might have or might not have done, but I do know that any team in any sport has people who want to see the program crash and burn, and nowadays with social media they'll say anything to make it happen.

I'm just a low rent high school coach and even I tell parents every year they're welcome to come watch any practice or team activity as long as they don't interact with coaches or players, and I NEVER have one on one contact with any player who's upset about something. Ain't gonna happen. Baseball is a little unique in that we don't have a locker room or indoor stuff that's cordoned off from outsiders, too. We couldn't hide from the public if we tried.

Smart... Anytime you turn on the news and see a story about kids getting abused and or coaches being accused of stuff I just think to myself as an adult coach why even put yourself in the position. Cover your own. That's all you can do anymore.

 

[Hawkboys]

Football is a brutal game. There are some similarities to military training. It is a game of intimidation, collisions and moving a person from point A to point B against his will.

I don't think think the military can train anywhere near how they used to either.

 

[Fryowa]

At least in Nebraska, coaches are not allowed to have 1-1 texts or phone calls with players. They also cannot meet players off campus 1-1. Has to be a parent or second coach involved. Times have changed.

There’s no rule like that in Iowa, but the only player I communicate with via text/phone is my son.

Everything else is 100% done on the Remind app. What I like about Remind is that nothing can be deleted. Every single announcement or private message from any party is archived. If there’s ever a question or discrepancy from a parent or player there’s no grey area or accusations about something getting deleted etc. It also makes coaches/teachers think for a bit before they hit send because once you send it there’s no eraser on that pencil.