Desmond Howard tells newspaper that Ohio State has tarnished the Big Ten's image (and much more)
The good folks in Nebraska are getting ready for life in the Big Ten, and former Michigan star Desmond Howard is helping.
In a Q & A feature called “Interview with an Icon,” Omaha World-Herald reporter Dirk Chatelain asked the Heisman Trophy winner his opinions on a number of questions. Howard, now an ESPN college football analyst, wasn’t bashful in his replies.
In one of the more intriguing answers, Howard claims that the recent scandal at Ohio State has damaged the Big Ten Conference’s image that “used to be Midwest values, good morals, blue-collar, hard-working people.”
“But now, with what happened at Ohio State, that whole image has been tarnished. I think there's some people in these other conferences that are like, ‘Wow, what the hell was going on in Columbus? And for how long?'”
Some other highlights:
On Ohio State’s Jim Tressel: “I'm always happy, like anyone should be, to see anybody who cheats the system get caught and get out of the game.”On Brady Hoke being hired at Michigan: “You want someone there that pretty much wants to die there. This is like their end game. I believe that's how Brady Hoke feels about the Michigan job. He was a guy who said he would've walked from San Diego State to Ann Arbor. That's kind of what you want in that position.”
On Rich Rodriguez’s tenure: “Nothing went well. Name something that went well. You can't. It was raggedy from day one. Bill Martin, who was A.D. at the time, did probably the worst job of any athletic director searching for a coach that we've seen.”
There’s much more at the Omaha World-Herald site. Check it out here.
Comments
Blu n Tpa
Fri, Jun 24, 2011 : 2:44 p.m.
tsio (aka the osu) Did DH lie about wanting to win the Heisman? Wasn't he standing in the endzone vs his biggest rival? Didn't he play his last year (for him) instead of getting run off for lying stealing cheating his way thru his first years of college? Here let me show how each will be seen in the press guide: Desmond Howard*1 Terrell Pryor*2 *1 Heisman trophy winner University of Michigan *2 All stats removed by ORDER of NCAA When you find yourself in a hole, quit digging. TiM Go Blue!
The OSU
Thu, Jun 23, 2011 : 7:12 p.m.
Desmond Howard? He's your authority on tOSU? Isn't he the showboating punk that flashed the Heisman pose BEFORE he won the award? Arrogant then... arrogant now!
Blu n Tpa
Wed, Jun 22, 2011 : 3:18 p.m.
Anyone want to bet, if it already hasn't happened, that the first time the red light goes on DH during a ESPN college show that someone asks him about this interview? Anyone? It's timely, it's provoking, and it's true.
Lorain Steelmen
Wed, Jun 22, 2011 : 2:43 p.m.
I think DonAZ hit the nail on the head, and his post pretty well sums up the situation. RR was not the devil, as many here, would like to imply. RR needed a defense to go with his O. Had RR brought Bill Stewart along with him, the transition may have worked in 3 years. We'll never know. And I agree, the physical nature of this league makes it tough to survive. Speed, however, is the great equalizer. Conversely, RR's offense, may well have put UM back in the top five each year, nationally. But DB cut RR off, after only 3 years of his 6 year deal. So now we'll go back to square 1. My comments over the past year highlight the fact that LC had allowed the program to degenerate from about '01 on. Couple this with the fact that LC encouraged Mallett to leave, when RR came in, and in general, worked to undermine the new program, did not help. Howard didn't win any friends by attacking Denard Robinson a couple of weeks ago. I don't know DR personally, but from what I have heard and observed, DR is a class act, and unlike Mallett before him, choose to stay and remain a Michigan man. Say what you will about RR, he is the reason that DR came here. Howard has a platform now, so we must expect these off the wall comments to continue. If DH had any 'stones' at at all, he'd go after Gene Smith & Gordon Gee, who both looked the other way, as 'the vest' went about 'winning'. Similarly, I'll now expect DH to teeoff on Jim Delany, if the Big Ten does not 'vacate' the last 4 league titles! (or possibly all the way back to '01--that would be 7 of 10.) We'll see if DH is as tough as he wants us to believe.....my hunch is, we should not hold our breath!
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Wed, Jun 22, 2011 : 3:52 p.m.
Nice post, Lorraine. Way to support a Michigan Man who, unlike the WCiMFH, has never done anything to embarrass his alma mater. And then Bo rose from the dead . . . . Good Night and Good Luck
Stephenb1707
Wed, Jun 22, 2011 : 10:45 a.m.
I like what Desmond says but I do not agree with paying the players. Only 2% go past college and into the pros. That means 98% get to play their dream sport for another 4 years and earn a degree. I just finished paying for the last of my 4 kids and can tell you it is worth 30K a year minimum. Another quick point is I have friends who played and their opinion is only the high paying sport players should get paid, not the ones who play non profitable sports. There is a good place to start a fight. What ever happened to paying your dues?
GoBlue1984
Wed, Jun 22, 2011 : 8:57 a.m.
Desmond Howard lost all credibility when he dissed Denard Robinson. It's no wonder he has to go to Nebraska to get a paper to talk to him.
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Wed, Jun 22, 2011 : 11:57 p.m.
"Only the fetishists who are in love with the idea of someone with ties to Michigan (regardless of anything else about them as a human being) thinks Howard did NOT dis Denard. " This describes a null set. Good Night and Good Luck
GoBlue1984
Wed, Jun 22, 2011 : 7:48 p.m.
Only the fetishists who are in love with the idea of someone with ties to Michigan (regardless of anything else about them as a human being) thinks Howard did NOT dis Denard. The rest of us can comprehend the written word. Good Luck with that guy from San Diego State haha!
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Wed, Jun 22, 2011 : 11:28 a.m.
Only the fetishists who are not yet over the firing of the WCiMFH think Howard "dissed" Robinson. The rest of us can read and can take meaning from the written word. Good Night and Good Luck
OldBittyBates
Wed, Jun 22, 2011 : 7:59 a.m.
RR put all his eggs in one basket. He put Denard Robinson's football career in jeopardy by making him handle the ball far too much. Denard could have been permanently injured because of RR wrecklessness. I'm glad Rich Rod is gone. Tressel and Pryor have done much to hurt OSU. TSIO has little chance to fully recover. They've lost 2012 football commit Kyle Kalis and Bri'onte Dunn is flirting with the idea of leaving as well. And I hate to say it, but I truly feel sorry for the mess coach Luke Fickle has inherited. He appears to be a nice man who must make impossible decisions.
truebluefan
Wed, Jun 22, 2011 : 2:28 a.m.
"Nothing went well. Name something that went well. You can't. It was raggedy from day one. Bill Martin, who was A.D. at the time, did probably the worst job of any athletic director searching for a coach that we've seen." OK. The Rodriguez teardown continues. Desmond, please tell me what Hoke has accomplished at Michigan at this point in his tenure that RR didn't at the same point in his tenure.
David Vande Bunte
Wed, Jun 22, 2011 : 4:41 p.m.
Brady Hoke and his staff introduced the phrase "Manball" to the Michigan lexicon. That in and of itself makes him better.
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Wed, Jun 22, 2011 : 4:36 p.m.
Oh, and one last thing. I suspect in four years we will be able to add this to the list of things that Coach Hoke has done AT THIS POINT in his career that the WCiMFH did not: Hoke did not go out of his way to recruit a player of questionable personal attributes who, on arriving at another so-called "institution of higher learning", participated in one of the largest scandals in recent NCAA football history. Good Night and Good Luck
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Wed, Jun 22, 2011 : 4:23 p.m.
What has Coach Hoke done at this point in his tenure that the WCiMFH had not done at this point in his? Is this a trick question? Oh, wait. One can never underestimate the willful blindness of the MCC. He has recruited 4- and 5-star athletes being sought by other major football powers rather than 3-star athletes who would have played in the MAC but for the efforts of the WCiMFH. He didn't try to lie his way out of his contract with his previous employer, thereby embarrassing himself and his new employer while bringing into question his lack of integrity. He hasn't lowered expectations upon arrival by immediately commenting about the lack of talent on the team he has inherited. He hired a staff of uber competent assistant coaches rather than firing a staff of uber competent assistant coaches. He went out of his way to contact quickly his prospective starting QB, rather than the other way around, to insure that he stated with the team. Any other questions? Good Night and Good Luck
UKWolverine
Wed, Jun 22, 2011 : 4:03 p.m.
"please tell me what Hoke has accomplished at Michigan at this point in his tenure that RR didn't at the same point in his tenure" Kept the Starting QB from transferring. Understan Michigan tradition. Not split the fanbase in 2 Enough for you?
DonAZ
Wed, Jun 22, 2011 : 4:54 a.m.
Look ... I was not a fan of Rodriguez and I certainly did not like what transpired under his watch. But he was not the devil. His offensive scheme was very interesting and would have been quite something if he had a decent defense to match. And if he would have adjusted for Big 10 size and speed and -- this is key -- had a running game to compliment Robinson -- he could have had something special.
truebluefan
Wed, Jun 22, 2011 : 3:44 a.m.
Again, please tell me what Hoke has accomplished at Michigan at this point in his tenure that RR didn't at the same point in his tenure. Hint: there's a really easy answer to this question.
heartbreakM
Wed, Jun 22, 2011 : 3:16 a.m.
How about not embarrassing the university with a petty lawsuit (outcome was as obvious to any first grader as to the legal community, and former coach was in the wrong and did not need to sue). How about actually recruiting players who fit into the Big Ten (though it is way too early to know how that will pan out) How about actually Hoke fitting into the culture of Michigan and reaching out to the former players and the current team. Former coach did not do that. It is night and day, and if you don't see that by now, nothing I can write will convince you.
heartbreakM
Wed, Jun 22, 2011 : 1:58 a.m.
Does Desmond plan to continue his relationship with ESPN and broadcasting? I think it's fine to have and voice opinions, but as a broadcaster, I'd have to think he has to watch it a bit and at least appear a bit neutral. His comments about OSU are something I would think his employer would not like.
David Vande Bunte
Wed, Jun 22, 2011 : 2:24 p.m.
I disagree. Had he made these comments on national television, as part of E$PN's college football coverage, I would agree that he stepped over the line. However, Desmond Howard gave this interview as a former Michigan player and supporter of the program, not in his capacity as an E$PN employee. They are simply different. When he is on E$PN talking about college football in general, yes, he needs to try to be neutral. However when he is talking just for himself, as a former player, he should be able to say whatever is on his mind. I compare it to when Bob Griese was calling games for ABC in the 97-98 year. On TV, he had to pretend like he wasn't Brian's dad, and try to be neutral. Yes, he slipped a few times and still occasionally called Brian Griese Brian, but generally, Bob Griese, the father of the QB leading his team to the NCAA national championship is allowed to gush about his son, while Bob Griese, employee of ABC wouldn't. Different hats, different responses.
DonAZ
Wed, Jun 22, 2011 : 4:51 a.m.
Exactly correct ... Howard has stepped over the line in his opinion and commentary. For his own good he should reel it back in.
1st Down
Wed, Jun 22, 2011 : 12:28 a.m.
Theo and company now hate Desmond.
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Wed, Jun 22, 2011 : 12:47 a.m.
And Lorraine claim he never really won the Heisman. Good Night and Good Luck
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Wed, Jun 22, 2011 : 12:27 a.m.
"Guess the Fab 5 never happened, UofM fans are the biggest hypocrites in college athletics." Really?? You, apparently, were not paying attention to the reaction to the ESPN documentary on the Fab 5. No support for their antics, no one offering excuses for what happened. Buckeye Nation, by contrast, is in total denial that they have not won an honest football game since November 11, 2000--the last game won under John Cooper. So it has been 3873 days since Tosu won a football game without cheating. Good Night and Good Luck
missionbrazil
Wed, Jun 22, 2011 : 12:17 a.m.
On Rich Rodriguez's tenure: "Nothing went well. Name something that went well. You can't. It was raggedy from day one. Bill Martin, who was A.D. at the time, did probably the worst job of any athletic director searching for a coach that we've seen." Spot on and very well said Desmond.
SW40
Wed, Jun 22, 2011 : 12:03 a.m.
Guess the Fab 5 never happened, UofM fans are the biggest hypocrites in college athletics. There have been guys who played football for Michigan who could not spell their name. Ask any of the coaches or writer's who have covered the team over the years and you'll be surprised at how UofM skates around NCAA rules and regulations. But guess what so does every other Division 1 program. Rich Rod got cought just a few years ago, I don't like Jim Tressel and I'm glad he got fired but the hypocrisy amongst UofM fans is out of control. Really Ohio State has tarnished the big ten what about Minnesota's basketball program in recent history or any number of different violations at Michigan State over the years. UofM needs to stop pretending they are the Harvard of the Midwest when they allow athletes to attend UofM that couldn't spell Harvard or Midwest.
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Wed, Jun 22, 2011 : 1:24 a.m.
"There have been guys who played football for Michigan who could not spell their name." Wow. Talk about the pot calling the kettle "black". Good Night and Good Luck
ferdcom
Tue, Jun 21, 2011 : 11:41 p.m.
We old timers can remember a few "slip-ups" at Nebraska.
KeepingItReal
Tue, Jun 21, 2011 : 11:20 p.m.
It's time for Desmond to put a lid on it. I hope that some influential UM supporter pull his coattail.
DonAZ
Wed, Jun 22, 2011 : 4:50 a.m.
Agree 100% ... tone it down, Desmond ... for your own good.
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Tue, Jun 21, 2011 : 9:25 p.m.
Tell it like it is, Desmond, though the MCC won't like what you have to say. Good Night and Good Luck
mun
Tue, Jun 21, 2011 : 9:20 p.m.
On Rich Rod's tenure, I second that, Desmond.
Atticus F.
Tue, Jun 21, 2011 : 9:15 p.m.
Ohio State has shamed the entire sport of football. Not just the Big Ten.