Oklahoma coach resigns

If his comments were as reported, and there is nothing to suggest they were not, this is not a "slip up" IMO. He made similar comments on two separate occasions within the same interview.
He might be a "great guy" and "great coach" but I don't think comments of the type he made can be tolerated.

You do not have to be a rocket scientist to know that there was nothing voluntary about his resignation. His comments were as if they were reported not appropriate. Unfortunately in the PC world we live you can apologize about just anything else but not in such matters described.

quote:

Apparently I guess he made some inappropriate racial remarks. I would agree that is not the right thing to do but I think we are getting a bit too sensitive when a guy loses his job over a verbal slipup. JMHO

What are some appropriate racial remarks?

IMO, the guy's position was one where he represented his state's higher education system and had a direct influence on the minds and attitudes of young people. This was more than a verbal "slip-up"; it was offensive language, which he repeated by the way.

How is it ESPN's job to report this to the school? What a bunch of garbage!!
That's what the major media has become nothing but a tattle-tale, overhyped, bunch of witch hunters.

Not that the comments are any kind of appropriate but com'on ESPN what's next? Reporting what is said between friends in bars all across America?

This comment was off camera and should have remained off the record...PC...BS!!!

I don’t know much about the coach or the situation but it is amazing that for many, many years this guy has lived a very successful, high profile, public life and now all of a sudden he is “Bad News”.

Pioneer Dad reminds us that, “The guy's position was one where he represented his state's higher education system and had a direct influence on the minds and attitudes of young people.” That sounds like a description of all professors at colleges. So why do left wing radical professors get a free reign bashing the USA, organized religion or whatever other counter-culture theme they can come up with and hide behind free speech?

If this is the new standard at Oklahoma, I look forward to seeing them enforce it across the board.

I’m not condoning whatever happened but let’s not throw too many rocks at the guy for doing what most people have also done…. That is say something you wish you hadn’t.

PDad - ya say "What are some appropriate racial remarks?" & "it was offensive language"

maybe you can clear it up for me -

the clear characterization from the article was:

"Cochell used racial epithets as he praised freshman outfielder Joe Dunigan"

if there's no doubt that praise was his intended point, then a percieved or even a real "slur" in that context could only be a mis-speak, or bad use ? eh?

a straight up reporter would have brought it to his attention and then it should'a been handled by a brief & sincere "sorry guys I **cked up - let's try it again"

...no such thang as a "straight up" reporter in Oklahoma.

....and they wuz likely some other issues.............

OK?

I just have one question.. Did Joe Dunigan complain about this statement?? Or was it said in a loving and caring way about a player the coach truly has admiration for? I don't know the circumstances but, I hear minorites use racial slurs to each other everyday in loving ways. Why does it seem that if a person of another race uses a slur it's a racial thing all of a sudden. I saw a clip from the Chapell show the other day with so many slurs it was'nt funny. But, because it's a black man saying these things it is funny. I guess if your a white man and say the same things it costs you your job and reputation. I don't know what was said..but I do think if a black coach said the exact same thing he would still have a job! (Just my opinion)

Moundmaster

Great observation !!!

I hear you loud and clear

If it might help in assessing all of this I found one source on the internet that set out the quote of the coach's statement as to his player which was: "He doesn't have any n****r in him".

Apparently the context was the Coach explaining that the player was a "good" black kid (apparently as opposed to being a "n****r").

Reported as intended as a "compliment" by the coach, I think the problem lies in that the statement has some very serious and inappropriate connotation and implication as to the coach's perceptions and generalizations as to race and racial stereotypes.

"I think that statement has some very serious and inappropriate connotation and implication as to the coach's perceptions and generalizations as to race and racial stereotypes"

guess that pretty much clears it up

Heybatter,

According to espn radio, you are correct in your summation.

He was wrong. period. He shouldn't be leading young men and representing an instituion of higher learning.

BUT...would a black coach be reprimanded for saying the same thing? Would he be reprimanded for calling a white player a racial slur? I would hope so but you never know.

By the way, what is up with espn being a tattle tale in all of this?!?

Bee> what did you want me to clear up?

The coach was discussing that there are good and bad (African American) people (is that even a necessary discussion ). His apparent grotesque generalization is that there are "bad ones" who are - and apparently are to be referenced as- "n****rs" and that this kid didn't have any "n****r" in him.

My comment was just directed to my impression that this is not simply just a choice of words but seems to be an indication of general views this coach holds regarding groups of people. I think it would have been more than sufficient for the coach to say this was a good kid (whether he was black, white, green or purple). "complimenting" this young man by drawing a comparison to the derogatory characterization of others of his race

quote:

verbal slipup.

That's pretty funny. I am surpised that racist lasted as long as he did before he "slipped up"

He was flat wrong. I cost him his career, as it should have and probably set back minority recruiting of OU baseball 10 years, as it should.

Whether they want it or not, and most do, baseball coaches are held to a higher standard than the general population.

The N word is NOT a term of endearment, no matter who uses it. It just flat creeps me out. Period.

Enjoy retirement, Coach Bonehead.

There's no doubt he made a mistake.

Costing him his job is way over the top.

Suspension, sensitivity training, apology, all three, more.......yes. Costing him his job.......never.

Except where it is easier to do that than stand up for a man who made a mistake. Where is the support he deserves?

We have to put up with Latrell Sprewell, Elton Floyd (president of U of Missouri) Dusty Baker and a very long list of others who get 2nd, 3rd, 4th chances. But, this guy gets no second chance. * the U of Oklahoma.

* all you calling for his job.

* ESPN.

* this PC country.

batter, I was just looking for your point in some "plainer" english, thanks - I got it

now if teach will just say what he means without being pc & beating around the bush

....and they wuz likely some other issues.......

For those of you having a little trouble reading between the lines.

I knew this thread would be telling.

If the context of the coachs statement is what was reported on the boards then I disagree with what he said. But adapt any of the following in a simular statement and I think he does'nt get fired.

REDNECK
WHITE TRASH
TRAILER PEOPLE
WETBACK
HONKY
SLUM DWELLER
RED HEADED STEPCHILD
PORCH DWELLER
Tell if I'm wrong

OH YEA.. ONE MORE THING . No one answered my question.. Did Joe Dunigan complain about the statement???

I think we all agree that the coach should not have used "the word". Not a very smart thing to
do. I guess we can all agree that Robert Byrd-Senator from WVa-also made a stupid statement
when he said "I've know some white n*****s in my time". He's still a senator-wouldn't you all
say he should be setting a good example for our youth? If-in his mind-he's know some white ones then he must have known some black ones as well. Stupid statements by both but because Byrd is a liberal Democrat he gets a pass.

I'm tired of the PC BS as well.

Either give them all a pass or dump them all but at least stop being hypocritical.

BTW both black players on Oklahoma have come out in support of the coach.

Hard to believe a college coach can make a statement like he did, though.

quote:

BTW both black players on Oklahoma have come out in support of the coach.

Apparently the Black Community was more worried about the statement then the players themselfs and ESPN just stirred the pot

The idea is not to sound as ignorant as you can without getting fired.

The point is that a dumbass will usually just atrit himself out of a job. He was too stupid to keep the job, so he lost it. It's the "Peter Principle", in action, as we speak.

Why the guy felt he needed to try to positively characterize a (fill in the blank here) player, student, professor, opponent, etc., to a stranger using the worlds most infamous racial epithet, is beyond me.

This is what I read in the newspaper:

According to ESPN, Cochell made two separate racist remarks about Joe Dunigan III to ESPN’s Gary Thorne and Kyle Peterson prior to the Oklahoma-Wichita State game Tuesday night.

ESPN reported Cochell told Thorne: “There are honkies and white people and there are n——— and black people. Dunigan is a good black kid,” in reference to the African American freshman.

In addition, the sports network said Cochell told Peterson: “There’s no n——- in him.”

I have no idea what was in his heart and mind...but it does sound like a stupid thing to say....

quote:

but it does sound like a stupid thing to say....

....just so far this century.

quote:

ESPN reported Cochell told Thorne: “There are honkies and white people and there are n——— and black people. Dunigan is a good black kid,” in reference to the African American freshman.

Exactly my point!! If Dunigan were a good white kid after the statement would the coach still be there??

quote:

Exactly my point!! If Dunigan were a good white kid after the statement would the coach still be there??

If Dunigan was white, we never would have heard of Coach Cochell.

Uh, but he is not white.

Moundmaster,

Dunigan said he didn't think his coach should be fired. Dunigan's father was upset but felt the same. (According to reports)

quote:

If Dunigan was white, we never would have heard of Coach Cochell.

So where's the Real Discrimination??

quote:

Originally posted by Teacherman:
There's no doubt he made a mistake.

Costing him his job is way over the top.

Suspension, sensitivity training, apology, all three, more.......yes. Costing him his job.......never.

Except where it is easier to do that than stand up for a man who made a mistake. Where is the support he deserves?

We have to put up with Latrell Sprewell, Elton Floyd (president of U of Missouri) Dusty Baker and a very long list of others who get 2nd, 3rd, 4th chances. But, this guy gets no second chance. * the U of Oklahoma.

* all you calling for his job.

* ESPN.

* this PC country.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Another poor analogy Teach...as usual, you take the low road with the * word...that's why you get no respect! Maybe you can yell at them!

Redbird...there is a moral high road in this that ESPN had to take...Imagine them doing nothing and it gets out...another mistake on top of another. IMO, He was wrong, he's gone, and it's not only the statement, it's the lack of maturity and the lack of regard for the University. After all, they, and the future coach/players are the one's that will suffer for years to come. A good BASEBALL coach, but he could have never survived this...and shouldn't have.

"So where's the Real Discrimination?"

Did you miss Dad04's point? If the player had been white the coach would never had said anything about his skin/national origin.
The issue is measuring the qualities of one of his players by the color of his skin. Did the coach measure the qualities of any other player on his team by the color of their skin? And then he makes the same comparison to 2 different reporters. The player can control a lot of things but not the color of his skin and he should never have his skin color considered by his coach.

Be honest for one minute guys. Have you ever made a comment like this one? Ill bet you the coach had no idea that what he was saying would ever be made public , do you? He in his own way was paying this kid a compliment. The coach was guilty of speaking about things that he should have kept to himself. Its one thing to think something its another thing to say it in a public forum. There is no doubt that if he were speaking about a white player and said "That kid doesnt have any red neck trailer trash in him". No one would have thought anything about it. I understand where the coach was coming from and I would be willing to bet alot of you do to. The problem with him using the N word is , is that it calls into question wether or not he is a racist. It opens a door that you can not close. There is a double standard and we all know it. But the history that we are dealing with demands that there be one. Does that make it right? Life aint fair. Coach had to leave. Its the right thing because all of the attention would have lingered and hurt the program and the team. I hope he gets another chance to coach. Its my understanding that he was a very good coach and his players loved him. He learned a valuable lesson one that he is having to pay a dear price for. Know who you are around before you open your mouth. And leave the N word out of your vocabulary because there is no place for it. Especially for a person in his shoes.

Coach, with all due respect, this isn't about leaving the word out of your vocabulary, it is about leaving it out of your life. IMO, if it is part of your vocabulary, then it can't be too far out of your life.

I agree with many of you on the fact that Coach Cochell should not have said what he said.

My question is if the "n" word is such a disgraceful word, why do they use it in referring to each other?

And why is our country so "two-faced", they say it is wrong to use racial slurs if it comes from a white person directed towards a person of color but if a person of color uses a racial slur it is deemed okay and just. I honestly believe if that had been a black coach talking about a white player, it would have been construed as funny and in good nature.

Example: it is okay for black comedians to talk about and downgrade other races but if you let a white comedian start talking about or downgrading the black race, All hell breaks loose. It is wrong for the white person to do it but it is funny for the black person to do it. To me that is very two faced and if we want to start changing the use of racial slurs, then we need to start making every race responible for their actions and languages not just make it wrong for one and right for the other.


Scooter P

quote:

Be honest for one minute guys. Have you ever made a comment like this one? Ill bet you the coach had no idea that what he was saying would ever be made public, do you?

I can't see any way to rationalize the statement without jumping into the mud with Cochell.

Yet one after the other continues to try.

I just want to throw up.

I said leave it out of your vocabulary. You said if its part of your vocabulary then its not far from being a part of your life. How does that mesh with me saying leave it out of your vocabulary? People can think whatever they want to. You can not controll what people think. Saying it is another thing. We are all products of our environments and our upbringings. We are molded by are past experiences and are current situations. I dont know this mans heart. And neither do you. All we can go on is what he said. And like I said he might have had no ill will or bad intentions what so ever when he made the comments. But the fact is once he used that word he opened himself up to doubt. And thats all it takes in his posistion.

quote:

Originally posted by Scooter:
I agree with many of you on the fact that Coach Cochell should not have said what he said.

My question is if the "n" word is such a disgraceful word, why do they use it in referring to each other?

And why is our country so "two-faced", they say it is wrong to use racial slurs if it comes from a white person directed towards a person of color but if a person of color uses a racial slur it is deemed okay and just. I honestly believe if that had been a black coach talking about a white player, it would have been construed as funny and in good nature.

Example: it is okay for black comedians to talk about and downgrade other races but if you let a white comedian start talking about or downgrading the black race, All hell breaks loose. It is wrong for the white person to do it but it is funny for the black person to do it. To me that is very two faced and if we want to start changing the use of racial slurs, then we need to start making every race responible for their actions and languages not just make it wrong for one and right for the other.


Scooter P

Scooter, this player did nothing to introduce the color of his skin as an issue for his coach to discuss. Attempting to rationalize that it might be okay for his coach based on what certain comedians might do is ingenious...but I think is a real distortion of the issue.

Infeilddad,

I never said I thought the comments were right. I think they were very insensitive. I am saying, our country goes crazy when a white coach or person says something out of line regarding another race but in the same breath nothing is done if it is reversed. It is viewed as funny when another race makes fun or uses racial slurs towards a white individual.

Do you think a minority coach would have been asked to resign if he would have said a white player was a good kid and not a honky or cracker? Do you think there would have been an uproar about him using those racial slurs directed towards a white player?


Scooter P

quote:

Originally posted by Scooter:
Infeilddad,



"Do you think a minority coach would have been asked to resign if he would have said a white player was a good kid and not a honky or cracker? Do you think there would have been an uproar about him using those racial slurs directed towards a white player?"




Scooter P

Scooter, the fact that it has not happened might be an indication that minority coaches do not find it acceptable or tolerable.