Osborne Not In Top Five Because He's Bland? - Such Stupidity Should Be Ignored

by Jon Johnston on Jul 8, 2009 4:55 PM CDT in Nebraska Husker Football

I normally don't mention Stewart Mandel here, mostly because he doesn't need any more attention than he already gets. I don't mind most of his stuff, except for the 'crush' thing he does, which I find really creepy. It makes me wonder if he's ever kissed a girl, something I normally equate to the real Trekkies in my life.

Anyway, then today comes this bit of drivel when he decides to make a list of the top five coaches of all time. You can find the whole list on his article, but what strikes me is this pair of entries:

4. Woody Hayes: He was the Bryant of the Midwest, a coach whose program's consistent dominance ceased only when Bo Schemebechler, a worthy rival, emerged during Hayes' latter years. Obviously, his legacy was to a degree forever tainted by that ghastly, final image.

Woody Hayes - I'm not sure I'd put him in the top five, and I sure as hell wouldn't put him ahead of Tom Osborne. He was a great coach, but he deserves to be dropped for how it ended, not elevated.

Mandel elevates him above Osborne, though, for reasons that are beyond reason:

A few notable exclusions:
• Tom Osborne: On paper, one could argue he was every bit as accomplished (.836 winning percentage, three national titles, 24 top 15 finishes) as the five names above, but unfortunately, his more bland personality made it harder to leave a lasting impression on most non-Nebraskans.

So, basically what Mandel is saying that if Tom Osborne wanted to get ranked in his top five, he should have punched an opposing player. By this way of thinking, Osborne should have sworn more in public, been caught cheating on his wife, accused other coaches of cheating, or got drunk and shot up a hotel room. All of those would have made Osborne less bland, and therefore more acceptable, more memorable?

You'd think that going for two in 1984 when he could have tied the Orange Bowl against Miami and won a national title was memorable enough, but maybe Mandel forgot about this as he was thinking more about what model or actress he's going to be stalking this season.

In the end, such trash deserves to be ignored. So if you're feeling a need to send Mandel an email telling him about his errant ways, remember that you're only playing into his dirty little hands.

Tweet Comment 2 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

EDSBS replies..

http://www.everydayshouldbesaturday.com/2009/07/09/oh-bland-is-just-fine-with-me/

Hi. Tom here. Happy to talk with you today. I’m honored that after so many years, so long after I got my first chance to coach that special team in red and white, people still come up to me and want to talk Nebraska football. It’s a special thing, and I want you all to know how much I appreciate that.

I know that outside the borders of our fine state, this is not the case. Some people might say I’m too bland to be included in the discussion of great coaches. That is just fine with me. You know, doing all that winning could get kind of boring for those not fortunate enough to live here. Perhaps they’re right: hard work and planning aren’t always interesting. We as coaches do all the boring things you do. We do the fun things, too, though. We go to parties with friends.

This is ridiculous

Hayes is on there because of ESPN’s Michigan-Ohio State love affair.

One time on “good-call, bad-call” the call was “Michigan-Ohio State is the biggest rivalry in college football.” The result was like 67% NO. Herbstreit only said “This is a bad call, UM-OSU is the biggest rivalry in college football if not in all of sports!” Yeah, that’s analysis for you. Yell louder.

by Horn Brain on Jul 10, 2009 7:21 PM CDT reply actions