I'll let it sit for a bit and then press "SEND." These hypocrites pi$$ me off.
Dear Brian,
I noted the self-righteous complaints in the Dispatch Mailbox feature of March 6 concerning Illinois basketball coach Brad Underwood's ejection from the Illini's game v. the Buckeyes on February 24. You replied that such a "display" is "not unusual for him."
Really? Mr. Underwood has been an extremely successful Division I head coach for nine seasons and was an assistant for many years before that. He’d never been ejected from a game until 10 days ago. During his five seasons at Illinois, I struggle to recall when he has drawn a technical foul. Illini fans are generally sympathetic to Underwood's unusually vigorous, principled objection to the ridiculously one-sided officiating of Illinois center Kofi Cockburn during that game.
I had the pleasure of growing up around Ohio State in the '70s and early '80s, and attended the University of Illinois from 1984-90. I recall well the genteel manners of Fred Taylor, Eldon Miller, and Illini coach Lou Henson as vividly as I do the routine, unseemly behavior of Woody Hayes, and Coach Taylor's former player Bob Knight. I also recall Gary Williams' animated outbursts toward officials when he helmed the OSU basketball team in the late '80s, and Thad Matta's years later.
Then there’s the disgraceful acquiescence of OSU and its fans toward Urban Meyer, who was found to have continued employing an assistant after he learned of that coach's documented recent history of domestic violence. And the ethically-challenged Jim Tressel. Strangely, I rarely heard local indictments of any of these OSU coaches over many years for anything other than losing.
Coach Underwood runs an exemplary program from all available evidence. While he may not display the comparatively drawing room-like demeanor of Chris Holtmann at all times, I can't find a single fault with his stewardship of the Illinois basketball program or the development of the young men in his charge. He is indeed a passionate advocate for his players and the program, which we admire. I challenge you and your readers to substantiate your claims that he behaves badly.
Finally, reader Jimmy Ryan's conflation of Underwood's ejection with the physical assault that Juwan Howard perpetrated on a fellow coach several days earlier is ludicrous, and a dire failure to understand what "analogy" means.
The Buckeyes occupy an extremely fragile ethical glass house. Their fans' projection toward Illinois is amusing.
Kind regards,
Altgeld88
Well said Altgeld88