November 12, 2007
Wyoming coach thinks Utah is #1
Wyoming Coach Joe Glenn - who had promised a Cowboys victory over Utah - didn't take kindly to Utes coach Kyle Whittingham's decision to go for an onside kick despite a 43-0 lead.
Glenn looked over to the Utah bench, made eye contact, and flipped Whittingham the bird. The moment was captured in perpetuity by the CSTV broadcast team. (pic)
In the wake of the one finger salute, Whittingham has since said that he regrets going for the onside kick and that some of the emotion between the two teams may have spilled over into the decision.
"My emotions got the best of me, and after thinking about it, I wouldn't have done it in hindsight" he explained. "But emotions were running high as you could tell — both from what we did and the reaction on the other team. That's the nature of sports, I guess. At times your emotions get in the way of sound decision-making."You've got to guard against that," Whittingham continued. "I'm not making excuses. I'm just saying that was what happened."
I give Whittingham props for being man enough to admit that he got too into the game and made a poor judgement. I probably would have ripped him otherwise.
On the other hand, Glenn had instant amnesia when asked about flipping the bird.
"Honest to God, I can't even respond to it," Glenn said. "Maybe, I don't know.
"I don't remember that. Honestly I don't. It's what it was."
According to the Casper Star-Tribune, the Mountain West Conference will review Glenn's gesture and -- at a minimum -- he will be subject to "a public reprimand" for the first-time offense.
Hat Tip: The Wizard of Odds
Comments:
Cowbell05 said:
posted on November 12, 2007 8:34 PM — 70.144.211.186 — link — abuse?
#1,
Are you serious? You can't be serious right? "Dont call off the dogs until sometime in the 4th quarter"? Dude, it was 43 to 0 in the 3rd quarter and the game was already over. Even the coach admitted he was wrong. No disrespect but come on man...I know you've got better sense than that.
posted on November 13, 2007 1:52 PM — 150.176.192.1 — link — abuse?Ben Prather
said:
This reminds me of the Ron McBride era Utes. This makes sense because Whittingham was a Ron McBride era assistant. I have seen onside kicks as opening kicks at Utah several times, usually to start the second half.
Why not go for 2 while your at it?
Five years ago McBride got chased out of town after a mediocre season. This season is already better than the 4-7 2002 season. I wanted Whittingham to get the promotion, and was leary of this Bowling Green guy they hired. I was wrong. Utah needed a breath of fresh air, and excelled while they had it. Now they are back to where they were.
Who cares about Wyoming? Utah has the third best traveling fan base in a conference with four bowl bids. Once they got their sixth win they were almost assured of a bowl. Maybe this win will allow BYU to look past Wyoming and stumble, opening the door for a BYU Utah MWC championship game.
Maybe it will make Wyoming decide to throw next weeks game, assuring Utah will lose the conference title to BYU regardless of the game next week.
BYU will go to the Las Vegas Bowl, unless they lose two games, one to Utah.
TCU will likely go to the Armed Forces Bowl in Fort Worth Texas, if they win another game to be bowl eligible. Air Force would be the second pick.
Air Force is a better team than this bowl picture paints, but if my premise about fan base driving the decisions is right they need some help.
Wyoming only gets a Bowl if no other MWC team is available or they win the conference outright.
New Mexico is likely going to the New Mexico Bowl regardless of what happens the rest of the season.
This leaves Utah with the Pointsetta Bowl vs. Navy. (BYU would be here if they don't win the conference.) Utah fans travel very well to California.
BYU and the Bowl game. If Whittingham loses one of these he will start next season on the hot seat.
Riding emotions to kick teams when they are down and fold when you face difficulties are not the hallmarks of a well coached team. This is certainly not how Florida is being run now.
Zac said:
posted on November 13, 2007 7:04 PM — 64.12.116.136 — link — abuse?
I don't know. When you're leading 43-0 in the 3rd qtr, it seems to me you substitute liberally in order to get some other kids valuable playing time. Arguably, pulling an on-sides kick under those circumstances might be considered rubbing salt in the wound.
On the other hand, back in 2003, MN led MI 35-14 in the 4th qtr, and lost 38-35. In 2006 NW led MI St 38-17, and lost 41-38; later that same year, MN led TX Tech 38-14 and lost 44-41. This past Saturday, Navy scored 35 pts in the 2nd qtr and was still down by 3 at the half. The point is it ain't over till it's over. Therefore, coaches can only be expected to play their teams to their level of paranoia.
Cowbell05 said:
posted on November 13, 2007 9:37 PM — 72.147.210.150 — link — abuse?
Zac,
You can say what you want, but everybody, including Utah coach Kyle Whittingham knew that game was over. It was 43-0 in the 3rd quarter. Not 35-14, not 38-17 but it was 43-0, if your trying to make and excuse, then your not making a very good argument
Zac said:
posted on November 16, 2007 10:24 PM — 205.188.116.136 — link — abuse?
Cowbell05 (Post 6) it's tough enough to make a good argument, let alone to make a good argument from an excuse. I was doing neither. I don't condone running up the score. I much prefer a coach win with honor, as opposed to style, glamour, or audacity. That's why I finished my comment as I did, and I quote.
"...coaches can only be expected to play their teams to their level of paranoia."
If a coach believes in his team and his staff, not to mention in himself, then, there's absolutely no need for such nonsense.
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War Eagle Atlanta 
said:
posted on November 12, 2007 5:00 PM — 64.12.116.136 — link — abuse?There was still plenty of time left in the 3rd quarter. Why not try an onside kick? You have nothing to lose, being up 43-0. You don't call off the dogs until sometime in the 4th quarter