Why am I supposed to hate Craig James?

[FWMustangGirl]

It ALWAYS completely amazes me when people say.."..I only met him once and he was a complete jerk..." Really? Once? Complete jerk? Wow..what were the circumstances? This holds NO water for me...I met him once and thought he was cool..so.......glad he is a Mustang...LOVED what he did and will do for this program....GO Ponies!!

There is a reason people put stock in the importance of first impressions, but whatever. The reason I qualified my opinion of him with the fact that I only met him once was to say that I don't have a lot of experience. Just what was provided in one meeting. When I worked in HR, we made hiring decisions on one meeting often. He was a great player, but I disagree with the way he handled this situation by taking it to the media. And I still think he's an arrogant schmuck and am entitled to that opinion based on my first impression.

[jtstang]

He was a great player, but I disagree with the way he handled this situation by taking it to the media.

It's in the media, but what have you seen that makes you say James "took it to the media?" My understanding is that he took it to Tech and Tech took it to the media in the form of a suspension of the coach.

[ontheedgeofmyseat]

I appreciate that, but your response to the question sort of jumps all over the place. Were you looking to hire Craig? I think he has handled the situation like any parent would. Your opinion of him is not based on this most recent incident, is it? First impressions...sort of cliche', but I see what you are saying, must of been one HECK of a first meeting...Go Mustangs!

[huskerpony]

Correct me if I am wrong--as it was before my time--but wasn't Craig James connected to the guy that ran the slush fund? I know he was never named as a player who took money, but I thought the SI article said he was working for that guy during his offseasons with the Patriots when the death penalty came down. I guess I always drew my own conclusions from that. I always assumed he was using an "it's only holding if you get caught" defense and ran with it. Not that it matters.

[FWMustangGirl]

He was a great player, but I disagree with the way he handled this situation by taking it to the media.

It's in the media, but what have you seen that makes you say James "took it to the media?" My understanding is that he took it to Tech and Tech took it to the media in the form of a suspension of the coach.

It has been my understanding (please correct me if I am wrong) that Tech refused to release the name of the player involved even after they suspended Leach. Craig James went on TV and announced that it was his kid. As a parent, I would prefer my children's names stay out of the media so they aren't dragged through the mud as his kid has been (with reason or without).

[jtstang]

I recall that the statement from the James family came after his kid's name was leaked to the media, no doubt by one of those intelligent Tech types that are coming out of the woodwork.

[RGV Pony]

I recall that the statement from the James family came after his kid's name was leaked to the media, no doubt by one of those intelligent Tech types that are coming out of the woodwork.

you are 100% correct. The early reports were "a player's parents," not unlike the way it was at Kansas. If CJ had declined comment and hadnt gone in front of the ESPN cameras, I'm sure the dumba$$es from Raiderland would be calling him a chickenshxt because he wouldnt man up and do an interview.

which raises another point...notice Leach released a "statement." CJ couldve just as easily released a statement "from the family's attorney."

[huskerpony]

The name was given out on message boards.

[FWMustangGirl]

I stand corrected. I did not hear the name until I saw CJ on TV making his statement.

[Phxfan]

He was a great player, but I disagree with the way he handled this situation by taking it to the media.

It's in the media, but what have you seen that makes you say James "took it to the media?" My understanding is that he took it to Tech and Tech took it to the media in the form of a suspension of the coach.

It has been my understanding (please correct me if I am wrong) that Tech refused to release the name of the player involved even after they suspended Leach. Craig James went on TV and announced that it was his kid. As a parent, I would prefer my children's names stay out of the media so they aren't dragged through the mud as his kid has been (with reason or without).

Just my take.

It was pretty obvious this story was going to be a pretty big story. CJ originally went to the school and the original story broke when TT suspended Leach. I assume CJ is a pretty smart guy and saw where this was going. He knew the kid in question was his son AJ. So, might as well get the news out there as it was going to happen anyway. Had he not gotten out in front of this, the questions would be, why didn't you say something? What are you and your son hiding from? So in my mind he did what was best for his family and AJ. He was in a tough spot. There was no way to keep it under wraps.

The lessons that may unfortunately come out of this? If you have an abusive crazy coach, keep your mouth shut. If you are hurt, keep your mouth shut. This goes for all levels of sports and programs. Just because you are a highly paid, respected coach, does not mean you are not crazy/abusive behind the scenes.

[deepellumfrog]

Question about Craig James. I know he has not been particularly nice about SMU as an analyist, which I understand would make alums unhappy. But that is part of his job. My question is during those dark years, what did he do as an alum and friend of the program? Make any donations or appearances?

[smupony94]

Question about Craig James. I know he has not been particularly nice about SMU as an analyist, which I understand would make alums unhappy. But that is part of his job. My question is during those dark years, what did he do as an alum and friend of the program? Make any donations or appearances?

nothing of course I don't think we really reached out to him. Maybe distancing from each other

[FrodgieBoolatz]

Ok, can someone please explain to me why I'm supposed to hate Craig James?

Have you read his new book?

I downloaded an excerpt for my Kindle just to see if, maybe with the help of a co-author, the guy came across as being any smarter than the 5-year-old he sounds like on ESPN. Nope. It read the exact same way he sounds on air.

"One time I was talking to ______. He said ______. That's what's great about college football. That reminds me, a good quarterback is critical to winning in college football. I'm telling you, it's really important. I own a ranch. Colt McCoy is a good kid. Which brings me to one time when I was playing for the Patriots... Coach ________ told me, "Craig, you gotta run the ball to win in college football. Good running games are key." I've never forgotten his words. Which reminds me of the time..."

It's really pretty awesome. In a Craig James is a complete [deleted] kind of way.

[lwjr]

Because of his line of work, Craig James lives in the spotlight. We all have good days and bad days. Unfortunatly, for those who live in the spotlight, they are not allowed to have bad days. When they do it is magnified and then they become a jerk. I have never met Craig James, I know several dads who's sons play football at Tech. They pretty much all say Craig seems like a nice guy but has a pretty good size ego. They do not mean that one way or the other.

As for the handling of the Tech situation, I don't think anyone on this board would wish that on thier own child. Once the name of the player had been leaked, I personally would have told the media the family is handling this matter privately. I thought it was a little odd that Craig was out there talking about the situation even though he is employed by ESPN, almost like working both sides of the story. That is just my opinion from the outside looking in. Bottom line, I feel sorry for the James kid and the family. Hopefully, this thing is resolved and over with sooner than later for the family sake and all those involved.

PONY UP!!!!

[FrodgieBoolatz]

It's in the media, but what have you seen that makes you say James "took it to the media?"

ESPN first reported that "sources" were alleging Leach had abused a (unnamed) player. Pretty obvious who their "sources" were.

First, there were "sources" who told ESPN about Adam James' "mistreatment." Once it became known that Adam James was the player in question, those "sources" became Craig James being interviewed on SportsCenter by an anchor who threw fatter softballs than my daughter's baseball coach.