Today, I fully understand what it means to be a Coug
by Jeff Nusser on Mar 30, 2009 9:09 PM PDT
in Cougar Basketball
47 comments
Over the past two years, I told anyone who would listen that Tony Bennett was different.
That he meant it when he said Pullman was a wonderful place for him and his family.
That he was being truthful when he said was grateful to AD Jim Sterk for the opportunity and wanted to repay that the faith by sticking around.
That, because of his faith, he just operated with a different set of values than all those other upwardly mobile coaches.
And every time I did, I got that look. You know, the one that says, "You can't possibly actually believe that, can you? You're so naive." That, of course, was followed by the inevitable condescending conversation that always began something like, "Every coach is looking for the next big job, and Tony Bennett is no different -- you'll see," and usually ended with, "C'mon, you're Wazzu. Nobody stays there by choice."
And that right there is what makes this feel like a swift kick in the nuts. We have to admit that everyone else was right -- on both counts.
Tony Bennett is just like every other coach.
And Washington State always will be a place where successful coaches come to build a resume and move on.
There's really no other way to explain what happened today. We gave Tony everything he asked for -- and even some things he didn't -- and it still wasn't enough to keep a guy we wanted to keep, a guy who professed wanting to be here. We thought we could escape our history, convincing ourselves this was a different era in Cougar athletics as we bought Tony's schtick hook, line and sinker.
Yes, he lied to us, but it's our fault for believing him. You might find that language harsh or too strong, but he's the one who said all those things about Pullman, about Sterk, about the program ... and then bolted today with only a short players' meeting. Those were his words, not ours.
However, we are the ones who were delusional enough to believe all of it. We are the ones who fooled ourselves into thinking if we just did enough -- gave enough of ourselves and our resources -- that an outsider, a non-Coug, could come to Pullman, fall in love with it the way we all have, and actually want to stick around long enough to truly build something special.
I guess that's the lesson here. As a relatively recent WSU grad (1999), I've had the pleasure of seeing some awfully good times in my years as a Coug, watching the team I love go to two Rose Bowls and two NCAA Tournaments. Because of that, I honestly never fully understood the angst of those Cougs who graduated long before I did, as they always waited for the other shoe to drop no matter how good times got.
Today, I think I get it.
Today, I think I finally fully understand what it means to be a Coug.
It means that things can never get too good. It means that you better live in the moment, because something terrible is right around the corner. And it means that we better cling to each other, because each other is all we've got. When Jim Moore, one of those angst-ridden old Cougs, talks about how Pullman and Washington State are with him everyday, it reminds me that we truly are the only people who understand what it means to be Cougs, and to expect anyone else to get it is just ignorant.
I feel like I've passed some kind of initiation. So, if I happen to say "Go Cougs!" with a little more gusto than before, well, now you know why. It will be my mantra, because I know that you all are the only ones I can truly count on.
Look, none of us realistically thought Tony was really in this for the long haul. But we thought he was here for at least another year, and probably two or more simply because of the things he said. He could have just said he'd take it year to year, but he didn't; nobody forced him to say the things he said. Maybe someday, there will be a coach who truly is as good as his word. But I doubt it, since he'd be the first.
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.
I will never be fooled again.
GO COUGS!
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I believed
I donated $20 at the end of the last two years to the AD basketball excelence fund, even though I am a poor college student. I would have done anything to keep Tony around. I want my money back.
by peaty411s on Mar 30, 2009 9:18 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Go Cougs is right
As of this second we return a young group of studs and have a decent class coming in. Hopefully this group comes together and busts their asses to prove Tony made a mistake. We grab a good new coach and keep this thing rolling. We all knew we were dating the hot chic who was going to leave us…it just stings a bit more when you find out she left you for some dusch when you least expect it. This is much different than when Price left.
And good point Peaty…I can tell you this, tony isn’t going to have students chipping into his coaches fund at VA. Don’t think Don Munson doesn’t wish he’d never left GU….Tony could be walking into a similar situation.
Go Cougs
by donkeyjon12 on Mar 30, 2009 9:22 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Go Cougs
That post couldn’t sum it all up better. Its why we’re cougs: not because we have the money to buy championships, but because we occasionally live, and too frequently die, with our team. This actually made me feel a little better, thank you Nuss.
by displacedcoug on Mar 30, 2009 9:25 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
You are welcome
I was worried it might be just a little too much since I’m kind of emotional right now. But it was cathartic for me, which is what I love about writing. Tomorrow, I will be ready to dive headlong into who the next guy is going to be.
by Jeff Nusser on Mar 30, 2009 9:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Tonight...
I’m pouring one out for my Coug Homies everywhere. Tomorrow, we wake up and have something to talk about. Coach Bone or Coach Bennett v2.
by 02Coug on Mar 30, 2009 9:29 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Um...Not effing kidding
I just grabbed a beer and said that to my boyfriend.
by MLips on Mar 30, 2009 9:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I just can't look back on storming the court
against Gonzaga and Arizona the same. Those were so special to me, along with the tournament appearances, seeing our name pop up on CBS as a 3 and 4 seed. Now, I can just think about the players that got us there. I can’t think about the coach that defied logic and rebuilt our program in the face of tough odds. We have some advantages, but man, it feels like we are back at square one.
by peaty411s on Mar 30, 2009 9:31 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
We are not back at square one, not even close.
Go back and look at that roster Dick Bennett inherited. We are far from square one, if the new coach can keep everyone here.
by Jeff Nusser on Mar 30, 2009 9:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I said "feels like", I know in my heart we are not
but based on the fact that we might lose some guys to transfers, Its hard to feel to comfertable about the future at this moment. I want to get a head coach, and see who goes or decommits. After that, optimism will once again take priority.
by peaty411s on Mar 30, 2009 9:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
whoa whoa whoa
what do you have against shami gill and justin bellgarde?
by BigWood on Mar 30, 2009 9:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think you mean "J-ROC"
the ONLY WSU player ever to be on AND1 mixtape tour.
This is where per game statistics go to die.
CougCenter
by Dancing Football on Mar 30, 2009 9:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
My favorite player of all time??
Craig?
by MLips on Mar 30, 2009 9:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Please tell me you saw that episode
I thought it was legendary at WSU. Justin Bellegarde as J-ROC. Wow that guy sucked. And he played some SIGNIFICANT minutes in Dick’s first season.
This is where per game statistics go to die.
CougCenter
by Dancing Football on Mar 30, 2009 9:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes...
The weirdest looking white guy ever…and I was asking you to name my favorite Coug player of all time
by MLips on Mar 30, 2009 9:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Only room for one white guy...
The Professa
by MLips on Mar 30, 2009 9:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Is it TK?
This is where per game statistics go to die.
CougCenter
by Dancing Football on Mar 30, 2009 10:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ohhh...
Randy Green!
This is where per game statistics go to die.
CougCenter
by Dancing Football on Mar 31, 2009 10:56 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
It's like a kid wanting something nice for Christmas
When he gets his expensive toy he explodes with joy. The next week, the kid comes home crying. The toy was stollen by the bully. The mom, very unsympathetic of her child’s situation, says “You see Timmy, This is why we can’t get you nice things, they always end up broken or taken.”
You see, my fellow Cougs, This is why we can’t have nice things. They will only end up being taken by the bigger, more prestigious bully across the country.
by GoCougs on Mar 30, 2009 9:33 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
What's awesome is that WE'RE the victims, yet we blame ourselves
Like I said, I now know what it means to be a Coug.
by Jeff Nusser on Mar 30, 2009 9:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
indeed
i was reading some of the posts over on cougfan, and some of them really have battered women’s syndrome. they’re blaming themselves because of attendance?
if we had only sold 10,000 seats to see us lose to the beavs at home, we might’ve kept bennett….ugh.
by BigWood on Mar 30, 2009 9:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Go Cougs!
I live and breath this school.
It’s kind of crazy, but I feel like I’ve already moved on. I was sad and had to see our players at work looking kind of dazed, but I’m looking to the future (I’m starting to think I was born to be a Coug at this point lol). A UW homer actually threw out a great name for the next coach: Ken Bone. He’s the head coach at Portland State so he already knows where to recruit and he runs an offense that would be better suited for our players.
by james_WSU on Mar 30, 2009 9:38 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I still don't fully get it
I can’t picture anyone else on the sidelines next year.
by peaty411s on Mar 30, 2009 9:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
We'll talk more about coaches tomorrow
But in a nutshell, Ken Bone is probably the best coach available who would have interest in the job. On the downside, he’ll be gone in 3-5 years, too — either fired because the team wasn’t good, or hired by a bigger program. If he was content to just coach, he’d still be at SPU.
by Jeff Nusser on Mar 30, 2009 9:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
True that he would leave
But at the same time, he’s not that young. He might be getting close to finding a school that he wants to retire at.
TB was young enough that he can afford a few more mistakes. Coach Bone is not quite as young. And I really like the name Coach Bone.
by 02Coug on Mar 30, 2009 10:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
man
talk about overly optimistic. Tony’s plane hasn’t even landed in VA yet, I’m justifying that a coach we haven’t hired isn’t going to jilt us like Tony. I have issues.
by 02Coug on Mar 30, 2009 10:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
We all have issues
That’s how Cougs think. It’s the WSU way.
by GoCougs on Mar 30, 2009 10:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Offering a different perspective here...
Coaches know that they are loved only as long as they win at a school. Let’s say hypothically WSU lost all their games last season (I know, not possible…but stick with me). Many (most) WSU fans would be calling for Bennett to be fired. So these guys know that they are not loved for who they are, but ultimately how much they win. It’s that simple. It’s really just a business decision at the end of the day. These coaches want to manuever themselves to better their overall situation. I think Tony’s team was going to struggle next season to finish above seventh place. He would no longer be considered a hot (or even lukewarm) “commodity”.
I know, this whole thing sucks, but these guys know that fans will turn on them so fast and call for their head. WSU fans would certainly be more patient, but these guys ultimately need to look after their own situation.
That’s the cold reality of big-time college athletics. I will never look at a coach in any other way in the future. The crimson-colored glasses are off permanently.
Did I say how much this thing sucks? I feel betrayal despite what I wrote previously.
by westsidecougar1 on Mar 30, 2009 9:50 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I disagree that fans turn on them at WSU
I was a freshmen at WSU the year after Price and Leaf went to the Rose Bowl. My first two years in Pullman our football team was awful. Not awful by last years standards, but still.
While attendence was down, and there were some people saying he should leave…overall Price was still well loved by WSU faithful. Coaches may expect that fans will turn on them, but if you give WSU a taste of success, you get a big cushion.
So any coach that uses that type of excuse to leave WSU, I have a problem with. Price never would have been fired. Tony needed one more sweet 16 run, which was entirely possible, and he would have been untouchable.
by 02Coug on Mar 30, 2009 10:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
onward
so Bennett’s gone. If he doesn’t get it, his loss. We get it, we know it, we know what it was like to walk past Friel Court. We graduated in that building, we come back to it, we see it as HOME.
If he doesn’t get that, his loss.
I thought he was different. I met him and his wife, I thought he was real. That was two years ago, and clearly, we were wrong.
So here we are. We can find a coach. We have a name now. We’re in a good league, we have a history to build on. That’s new. We’ll be OK.
And we’re all Cougs, we’re in this together.
That said, go Virginia Tech.
by AJCoug07 on Mar 30, 2009 9:52 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I've been a side V-Tech fan
For random reasons. My old boss went there, she rooted for the Cougs, I rooted for the Hokies. I’m now officially a V Tech fan.
by 02Coug on Mar 30, 2009 10:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Time to Man UP, Cougars
CTB may have been a person who walked the walk and talked the talk, in his own opinion, but who among us has not had a defining moment that simply changes our universe ?
I thank Coach for what he has done for our team and program. I wish him the best and I hope he never loses the part of him that will always be a Cougar. He has made a “business decision” – he doesn’t hate the Cougs, how can I hate him ??? Like the rest of us, I am sad and disappointed, but this too will pass. It has to for those of us who are Cougs and I have been one for a long time ( 67 & 75 ).
You yong ones, mostly, are the most visibly upset – it’s OK, I understand. Get up tomorrow and lets move on – I am excited that Coach has left our program at a level that gives us respect from our next candidates and the chance to keep the building, building ! We will keep the players and assistants we are meant to keep and then KEEP on going.
Do any of you think that Cougar nation can NOT get an even better coach ? I don’t and CTB was a very good one !
He has left, now lets work on what we have to do !
by Steptoe Fan on Mar 30, 2009 9:55 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
See, THIS is what I'm talking about!
This is what it means to be a Coug. You learn to weather the storms, get up the next morning, and move on toward the next thing. You’re right — there’s a lot to like if we can keep our players around.
by Jeff Nusser on Mar 30, 2009 9:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
GOOOOOO
COOOOOOOOOUGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Seriously, coaches will come and go. Unfortunately (and I hope it’s not the case this time), some players will go too. But “go Cougs” does not hinge on one man or woman at WSU. Hey, if the man leaves, fine, let him go. But you know what he loses? When a loyal Coug sees TB walking down the street, they will not say “go Cougs”. Taylor? Aron? Kyle, Derrick, Gesser, Darling, the third string TE that never started but was a Coug his whole college career???? They’ll always get a “go Cougs” from me. We’ve proven time and again – mascot challenges, Pontiac Game Changing Performance, the WSU flag EVERY FRIGGIN’ WEEK on College Gameday – you can’t put that kind of loyalty in a contract, attach a monetary value to that little perk (lookin’ at you, Virginia). Good luck, Tony. The grass isn’t more crimson in Virginia.
by TrueCoug on Mar 30, 2009 10:18 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Great thoughts Nuss
Spot on without a doubt. I bought into Bennett being different and not looking for the next big gig. I grew up a Coug so I was around for Jackie Sherrill and Warren Powers bolting after a year. I don’t remember because I was probably 6 at the time. Raveling left after finally climbing the mountain. Erickson left after giving us a glimpse of the good life. I was among all the suckers in Beasley chanting “Stay, Stay, Stay” when the ink was already dry on his Miami contract. It had been since Christmas. Kelvin checks out as well.
After it all I still bought into Bennett’s talk. I remembered all the things Dick said coming in and Tony has said since taking over. There it is. I only have myself to blame.
Still, I never have felt so burned than I do today. I honestly did not see this coming for a couple years. I did with Price, understood it when Raveling left, and was surprised Kelvin was around for as long as he was. This one really hurt but I’ll get over it again but I won’t believe again. Never again. All I care about are the players. The coaches are all on the take.
Go Cougs!
by BornCoug on Mar 30, 2009 10:22 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
One image keeps coming to my mind
Thank You Pullman!
Taylor and his family got it. And for that, I love them more every day.
by 02Coug on Mar 30, 2009 10:22 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Definitely :)
I saw Harmeling talking with Klay and I think Harthun at dinner and I think he was telling them about this kind of stuff.
Once a Coug. ALWAYS a Coug.
by james_WSU on Mar 30, 2009 10:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I wish I was still there....
If the ZZU crew or any other organization could organize a rally in support of the current players, I would be there. I just want those guys to know how much we appreciate them.
Time for Gesser, Bledsoe, D-Low, and Kyle to make some calls to the new Cougs.
by 02Coug on Mar 30, 2009 10:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'll go if they do something like that.
Whoever the new coach is, I hope everyone will rally around him and show him what it means to be a Coug!
by james_WSU on Mar 30, 2009 10:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
We have to move on....
Everyone’s comments are perfectly justified. Everytime something like this happens it makes us stronger. There are so darn many thoughts racing through my head right now. First and foremost, I am so proud to be a Coug! Never ever been prouder and all of you should feel that way too.
Whoever comes in to take over this program is going to inherit something really special, and I’m not just talking about a roster full of great kids with some great recruits on top of that. I still think this is the beginning of a great new era in Coug athletics and it’s the support from people like us that makes it so, just as much as it’s the athletes, the coaches and the administration. Wait and see. Sterk’s next hire is in for a special treat. Wazzu is a special place. We’re just getting started. This is the perfect situation for someone to come in and make a real name for himself. We are on the basketball map. We’re not some has-been program. Let’s keep the momentum going.
I’ve been through this before. I’m not going to let some outsider like Tony get me down. He’s replaceable. Believe it or not, he’s replaceable. Very much so.
I wish Tony well. More power to him. It will be interesting to see how it all works out for him. I know we’re going to be fine. Not so sure about him.
Go Cougs!!!
by SW WA Coug on Mar 30, 2009 10:45 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I need some of that optimism from a longtime Coug like you
Like I said, I feel like I’ve been welcomed into the club of true Cougars today. Tomorrow, we will look forward — the future is still bright.
by Jeff Nusser on Mar 30, 2009 10:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I tried to put it all in perspective before I said anything....
I’m a pretty emotional person. Reading all the stuff by all Cougs helped me tremendously. It kept me grounded. This is something I need to digest for a while. It’s easier to handle a death than it is to handle something where someone just jilts you without explanation. It was very mean of Tony to handle it this way.
Go Cougs!!! Always!!!
by SW WA Coug on Mar 30, 2009 11:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agree about the way Tony handled this...
We all were blindsided which hurt all the more.
But on the other hand, why should we be surprised that other schools saw what we all know…that Tony is one of the best young up-and-coming coaches in college basketball.
I think UVA was very smart…and that Tony will be quite successful at his new school.
It still hurts big time though.
by westsidecougar1 on Mar 30, 2009 11:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
For what it's worth....
I slept very little last night, getting up about 2 hours earlier than normal. I just couldn’t get this ‘jilting’ out of my mind. Am very curious what he’s going to say at his next press conference.
Actually, after all the dust settles, I’m happy if he’s happy. Why would I want someone coaching these kids who wasn’t totally committed to them, the school, and the fan base?
Just the fact that he traveled to visit for an interview bugs me to no end. Whatever his justification, good luck to him.
It’s time for all of us Cougs to rally around the program, especially the kids in it and coming in, and make this the best experience they could ever hope for. Like I said before, I am so proud to be a Coug. Wouldn’t have it any other way.
Go Cougs!!!
by SW WA Coug on Mar 31, 2009 7:13 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I'm already starting to come to grips with it
Although I’m upset by the way it was handled; everyone is right, this is simply the way things are…we will never be that destination school, and we all knew, in our heart of hearts, that Tony was going to leave someday, regardless of what he said. All coaches do this.
I think, at the end of the day, we have to look at what the Bennetts brought to this program, be happy with how far they took us, and look forward to the next coach possibly being able to continue that. I will follow Virginia with interest next year and beyond, and at this point I’m honestly not even sure if I’ll be rooting for or against the guy.
As far as our new HC is concerned, count me in as a vote for Bone. Guy’s got a good resume and he strikes fear in the hearts of the Pups. The transition, I feel, would be smooth with him at the helm.
by Omerta on Mar 31, 2009 10:52 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
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