When coaches take this approach (particularly trying to make the reporter or person in her ear out to be scum) to handling tough–but legitimate–questions from reporters, it really only speaks to their ego.

Certainly not all, but several coaches at major programs (which usually seem to be located in mid to small town in cases like this one) are used to having tremendous control. When someone outside of that culture doesn’t play the game the way the coach seems fit, that person becomes the bad guy.

Harmless one one level, I suppose. But perhaps dangerous in another. Here’s what I hope is a “ficticious” scenario.

TV station or newspaper learns stud athletes from the “U” were caught drinking and driving, but the young men were let off with a warning. Oh, yeah. There can only be one driver. But some of the kids in the car were under 21 (legal drinking age). And they appeared to be under the influence.

News agency seeks comment from coach, AD, whomever. Next thing you know, the small town’s major car dealer is calling the station’s/paper’s sales department and threatening to pull all his ads if the media reports the story.

The story goes away…

Think it happens?