Mailbag question: Feagin and fighting on campus. This is not good.

Hey guys,

I know you guys are a no hold back kind of blog so what do you guys think of the Feagin deal?

Also, what about the reports of a fight this past weekend that involved football players?

Is this a good thing right when the practices are going to start?

I am sure Coach Rod will be asked a lot of questions about these issues along with Michigan getting a lot of negative press as well.

Tim D.

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Thanks for the question.

From a coaching and team welfare standpoint, every team and staff wants the fewest number of possible distractions. Veteran coaches, who have experienced the downside of such events, hold their breath and plead for no distractions that impair focus and preparation.

This is one of the many reasons teams move into hotels, or solitary dorms, during doubles and the nights before games.

The negative type of behavior that is all too frequently reported by the media is becoming more common with college athletes. Ohio State also had a player involved in an off campus fight, with a very unfortunate ending. It is getting to the point where athletes must be very cautious and selective concerning where they go, even on campus.

Everyone knows the old expression that there are two sides, or more, to every story. Some will summarily blame the fraternities and some the football players.

A veteran coach soon comes to the conclusion that some players are attracted, like a magnet, to “trouble written all over it type of situations,” while other players will never get themselves in situations that are clear trouble. Are there some fraternities that get into it with athletes, especially when alcohol is involved? Yes, of course, but there are athletes that do not help the situation and “invite” themselves” to parties and events where they were not invited. Some ASSume, since they are athletes, that they can just walk on in, spurred on by plenty of females at the party or event. There are bad mixes in this world and one such example is when: (1) a frat boy’s girlfriend starts talking to a football player; (2) alcohol is involved, and (3) the players (interlopers) were not invited in the first place. This is not a good combination of events.

Remember and analyze: these “events” have young men who want to show that they are the top dog. Now mix in alcohol, women, and some people who do not like each other, and this does not present a good situation.

No matter who started an incident, or who finished it, this does not bode well on the Michigan football program, especially immediately before the start of fall practices. Sometimes athletes need to remember that they are in the limelight and represent a team, fan base and university that they represent. Athletes are held to a higher standard compared to the “regular student” on campus. And this is all right, likely the way it must be.

According to The Detroit Free Press, Feagin was released for failing a drug test.
Detroit Free Press

We have heard there were other things involved besides the cocaine incident that would make relationships on the team strained. The cocaine deal is a bad deal for several reasons. This occurrence provides an opportunity to take a shot at the current coaches who recruited Feagin, which dominoes into another opportunity for the media to continue its negative quest regarding the Michigan football program. It seems Appalachian State may have turned down Feagin. Schools do not want their fans, school and the media to believe their institution condones this type of behavior.

Please keep in mind that fairness to an exiting player is a necessary gesture and consideration. No one on this site was present when any of the above incidents occurred. This commentary only involves a reaction to what others have reported.

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