Joe The Coach; My View Of Sports

Here we are in another year. They seem to go by so fast that I almost lose track of them. Let's hope our area schools are in for a good year now because the taxpayers have passed the levy. Now let's see how we can make up for lost time. I am sorry to say to those who have graduated that they have missed out, but it was not their fault. Maybe they could have afforded to play this year. I hope that people will remember it will take time to rebuild teams, but I would like to say to those who could not play or participate, that you will always be #1 in my heart and thoughts. I would like to tell you that Mr. Pat Semary will celebrate his 50th year of high school coaching tonight at Parma Field House against his last coaching assignment, Valley Forge. Pat went to Kent with me and we wrestled together for a couple of years, because I was on a football scholarship I had to put in football time and Pat was on a wrestling scholarship so he had to put in wrestling time. He was quite a wrestler and gentleman and still is. My two sons wrestled for him at Forge and both went on to college, the oldest to Mount Union, football and wrestling. The younger, Tony, went to Slippery Rock State of Pennsylvania and was two time captain. Both are now coaches: Joe at Medina, Buckeye area, and Tony in the Westchester area, a suburb of Philly. I believe Pat's time rubbed off on them. I hope your coaches play a positive influence in your lives.

Now let’s move on to the college coaching ranks, and I am sorry to say what a mess, with exception of Akron University hiring Bowden Jr. For their program, I believe we will see results very quickly. He's a top coach. Now on to the big ones. Ohio State, I see that a lot of blame is being pushed the ad way and maybe it should be. Eugene Smith didn't seem too very active with players to settle the problems and maybe he should have been. Many seem surprised at the sanctions the NCAA came down with. D don't know why they should be shocked. Why would an inclusive  governing organization accept what the university did? That would indicate the NCAA has little or no power to govern. The loss of the ability to go to a couple of bowl games and the loss of scholarships from 3 up to 9 will be a real punishment. Who I feel sorry for is the new coach and his recruiting. I really feel sorry for those on team now that will be denied a big ten championship game and possibly another bowl game, and I am sure there are many who are innocent of any wrongdoing. Just take a look at USC, and the coach moved on to the pros and is making thousands. What about those young men left behind?

Now we can move on to Penn State and the young lives that have been potentially ruined by a sex nut. I feel for Joepa but if he knew action should have been taken by him, especially when one of them saw this happening. How would that young assistant feel if it was one of his own kids being molested? He should have really blown the biggest whistle he could find. And, Joepa would maybe have taken more action. I feel that Joepa didn't do enough and he and Woody Hayes have been my idiols. I have personally talked to both men and they were down to earth. How can a man like Joepa not pursue it? I think age may have crept up on him but that doesn't free him. One of my biggest concerns is Jerry Sandusky’s  wife hearing the screams of a little one and doing nothing, yes nothing. What can the NCAA do with someone like this? It's far beyond me.

Now how about our Browns, are they prepared or are they more inferior players than their opponents? Personally, I would never have left McCoy go back in the game. Now Seneca Wallace will finish the season. If someone doesn't hurt him. I don't want anyone else hurt. My take on this is that we do not have an offense line to protect these guys. There better be some real good drafting and free agency pick-ups or we will have two more gun-shy couch qb's on the team. And as for Hillis, is he really hurt or waiting to be released to another team!!!!!!!

That’s all from Coach Joe today. Merry Christmas and happy New Year. Let me hear from you. Coachjoe61@cox.net

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