by Earlier today, the Oregonian’s John Canzano and Ducks’ Coach Chip Kelly engaged in some witty, uncomfortable and entertaining verbal sparring. The full segment is a little over 20 minutes long. It’s a 5/10 on the CGB offseason fodder list, so I’ll talk about it.
All along Canzano asserts that Kelly is showing favoritism when doling out discipline to his players. He cites how Kelly handled the similar situations of Kiko Alonso and LaMichael James. Both were charged with serious crimes and are exercising their right of due process. Kelly suspended reserve linebacker Alonso for the 2010 season two days after being charged with a DUII. However, Third Team All-American tailback James who was charged with assault in a domestic dispute is awaiting the Court of Kelley to return from deliberation.
Oregon’s 2010 kickoff uniform via @OBNUG
Kelly maintains that he is still gathering the facts. James isn’t currently involved with the program and seems confident that when the truth comes out his actions will be justified.
When this whole thing shakes itself out…When the final truth comes out, put me on the air again and then you apologize.
In my opinion, even if Kelly thinks he’s being consistent there’s an inherent favoritism and more of a want to believe James, because his success correlates to his.
Credit both Canzano and Kelly for an intelligent, albeit cold, debate that didn’t devolve into a pissing contest like so many other heated radio spots.
H/T @quizzandquon or for you Interweb traditionalists visit My QB Has Moxie.
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1DUXFANZ on Feb 24, 2010 at 11:51 am:
There is no favoritism…Kelly has a player who is claiming innocence and there is no evidence to the contrary that he has access to to make an educated decision regarding LMJ. The police are not going to hand over evidence just so he can make his decision. In regard to Kiko, a DUII is in most cases and certainly in this case, “cut and dry” 1. did you blow over a .02 (minimal requirement for a minor unlike .08 for an adult) answer – YES COACH… Done! No more info needed.
It’s really that simple. In a major case like LMJ the coach has no access to info other than talking to LMJ. If the kid says he was defending himself, or something that could lead to his being found innocent, what can you do. Especially if the kid is one of the nicest, most respectful, most adored kids in the entire program and the allegations are completely out of character, unlike the issues with Embry or Holland.