What reception did you get with the boosters? "I answered every question, there's all kinds of things that people want to know. I'm committed to being here and I'm going to be here for the end of my coaching career. When these things happen, I've had some unbelievable conversations that I probably wouldn't have had... [with people] excited about getting it done here that can make the decisions to help us get it done. That's the byproduct of these things. We also, I think, through adversity, find out who your friends are. I got some of the nicest emails from certain people, calls, thank you, this and that. There's always going to be some people you have to win over, it doesn't matter what it is. Until we win a Big East title the next three or four years, then we can go from there.
Understand why there are skeptics? "I know, and that's why I'm saying it to you. I have voiced that I thought this would be my last job, but I'm more convinced of it now because by my faith I live and I believe the thing didn't work out. I have so many things I know we can do here as a team and me individually, deeper than just winning football games. I couldn't do that at a public institution. And I'm speaking about my commitment to inner-city kids and ministry. If I was at another school, I couldn't do that. This is a really unique place, and I really feel that's why I'm here."
Yup. Written transcript for folks who didn't want to watch the video. Choices are good in life. Thanks to Kate and PonyPride for providing said choices. And Kate for her persistence.
Thanks for posting this. I particularly like the venomous comments at the end. They would make Mitch proud. Regardless of the hurt feelings of fans, in the end if he has reconciled with the players, boosters and the admin (based on the practice report it sounds like the players are ready to move on; doubt we'll ever really hear how SO, RGT & COC folks feel publicly), then let's leave it as it was and look ahead. Only thing that matter right now is whooping up on PITT.
"I don't think anyone around the country has any idea how good we are going to be." - Coach Justin Stepp
What does any coach learn from this? .....keep it as much of a secret as possible and don't anyone say the job is accepted until signed on the dotted line and lawyers from both sides concur. That way a coach always has the opportunity of "removing his name from consideration" and saying he is happy where he is at even if the job was or wasn't offered. If that would have happened instead of coaches announciong they are "leaving" and contacting recruits to switch pledges and coaches looking for new homes in AZ then feelings would be better and less damage control. Kind of like leaving for another woman and then her dumping you and you go back to your wife and family saying you are happy there and God led you back to them....after the mistress dumped you! Can your family ever trust you again? Nothing you say will ever be believed but time will help heal some of the wounds.
Not that I want to keep this going but I feel compelled to comment on the quote "adversity lets you know who your friends are". JJ created this adversity and what he did makes me wonder if SMU is his friend.
Go Ponies!!
Beat whoever it is we are playing!!
@PonyGrad
