Pat Fitzgerald responds to criticism of sideline antics

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November 12th, 2012 at 6:02 PM
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unWavering
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Pat Fitzgerald responds to criticism of sideline antics

This ESPN article details what Pat Fitzgerald was thinking when he displayed that embarrassing behavior on the sidelines on Saturday.

"Our tone and our attitude on the boundary wasn't very good," Fitzgerald explained Monday. "It got pretty negative, we had some stuff go against us. So as a motivator, you've got a couple options. Sometimes, you've got to be a disciplinarian. Sometimes, you've got to be a guy who's going to give somebody a hug and be there. And sometimes you've got to be a clown and a knucklehead."

Personally, I think his explanation is a pretty weak one.  Being a motivator doesn't mean you have to be a knucklehead, especially since they were losing at the time and were benefitting from a personal foul call.

Bonus:  The article features this gif of Danny Hope, which is pretty hilarious.

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November 12th, 2012 at 6:07 PM | It wasn't a big deal, IMO (Score:5 Normal)
Erik_in_Dayton
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I was annoyed when I saw him celebrating what I thought was a crap call, but being annoying is not the worst thing...If anything, it made Northwester look small - "we celebrate bad calls that help us win games against Michigan, because hey, we don't win games against Michigan very often." 

It's tough to make predictions, especially about the future. -- Yogi Berra

                         

November 12th, 2012 at 6:07 PM | This (Score:5 Normal)
mgoDave
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I thought it was a little odd and somewhat anoying but then I moved on.  It is not a big deal and it had literally no impact on the game whatsoever, for better or worse.

November 12th, 2012 at 7:28 PM | Especially since (Score:2 Underrated)
MGoBrewMom
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M Won.  Its easier to let knuckleheadedness go, and move on.  I've done dumb stuff too (I know, shocker)--thankfully not on TV...unthankfully some on MGoBlog.

Mom, MGrad and life long fan living in So Cal

November 12th, 2012 at 6:11 PM | I'm not saying any action (Score:3 Normal)
unWavering
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I'm not saying any action should be taken, and clearly it wasn't that big of a deal, but I still found it unprofessional and unecessary.  This will be forgotten in a matter of weeks, but I thought people would like to know what exactly he was doing.

November 13th, 2012 at 1:58 PM | I agree with the (Score:1)
xxxxNateDaGreat
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I agree with the unprofessional vibe but this will be around forever. It was one of the funniest things I have seen this year. I was into the game and I still laughed at him hopping up and down like a giddy schoolgirl.

 

"Oh no, no, I'm not in the group yet. No, I'm afraid I just blue myself."

November 12th, 2012 at 6:25 PM | Just my opinion..it was a (Score:5 Normal)
MichiganMan_24_
Joined: 12/31/2008
MGoPoints: 909

Just my opinion..it was a bonehead foul by Beyer and a Bonehead response by Fitzgerald..and it almost had a huge impact on the game.

November 12th, 2012 at 6:07 PM | Right (Score:5 Normal)
Blazefire
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Because every coach ever wants their players clowning around on the sidelines. That's how you get it done in a tight game.

"This is the EMU game, not the emo game."
November 12th, 2012 at 6:51 PM | Case in point (Score:5 Normal)
Njia
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After Devin scored the go-ahead TD in OT, he danced toward the sidelines and Hoke gave him a chest bump, then they really started to whoop and holler. I was completely okay with it, including when Hoke did the breakdancing twirl-on-your-head move. Totally cool.*

*(Actually, Hoke grabbed his arm and had a word with him. I don't read lips well, but it was pretty clear he was reminding his QB that the game wasn't over and to cool it.)

"If life is the road, then Ohio is simply a place to stop for gas." -- Scott Burgess, Detroit News, 9/16/2010
November 12th, 2012 at 6:09 PM | He was in a big game. He was (Score:5 Normal)
michfan6060
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He was in a big game. He was frustrated over not getting calls he thought they should have gotten. Did he act kind of dumb? Yes. Should this be that big of a deal? No. It's football. People take it seriously.

Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.

- Vince Lombardi

November 12th, 2012 at 6:12 PM | Maybe I'm reading it wrong, (Score:5 Normal)
Magnus
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Maybe I'm reading it wrong, but that quote seems to me like he's basically calling himself a clown and a knucklehead - in other words, he's admitting that it was an inappropriate way to act.

Twitter - Recruiting Update: May 20

November 12th, 2012 at 6:14 PM | No, he's saying that (Score:5 Normal)
TheGhostofYost
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No, he's saying that sometimes being a clown and knucklehead is the appropriate way to act.  

November 12th, 2012 at 6:17 PM | Yeah, I clicked through and (Score:2 Normal)
Magnus
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Yeah, I clicked through and read the article.  The rest of the quotes make it seem like he's okay with it.

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November 12th, 2012 at 7:00 PM | I took it as (Score:4 Normal)
FrankMurphy
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I took it as self-deprecating. He seems to acknowledge that the behavior is goofy and a little childish, but he just chalks it up to "that's just the way I am". 

November 12th, 2012 at 8:44 PM | Had that same play happened on the opposite sideline... (Score:2 Normal)
Section 1
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Had that same play happened on the opposite sideline, the tv cameras aren't trained on Fitzgerald, and nobody even thinks about it.

It is really interesting, how the television broadcasts affect post-game discussions.  There's a lot of power in the decisions of a director, and the suggestions of broadcast announcers.  Did the announcers say anything?  Because honestly, the people sitting on the east sideline didn't get excited at all about anything Pat Fitzgerald was doing.  If he was really being a dick, you just know that the crowd would be yelling; he's right in front of everybody including all of the folks around the tunnel entrance.  It didn't happen.

 

 

November 13th, 2012 at 9:30 AM | Look, I'm not saying it's a (Score:4 Normal)
chitownblue2
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Look, I'm not saying it's a big deal. I thought iwas weird, nothing more. The director didn't "make a choice", Fitzgerald was standing right where the hit occurred, and the camera caught him jumping up and down with his hands in the air, immediately, when the flag went in the air. The announcers didn't say much, just sort of had a chuckle. The TV did nit exaggerate or enlarge his reaction - his reaction was what it was. Ifmyou didn't see it, it's likely because there were 30 players between you and him, or you simply weren't concentrating on him.

wolverineliberationarmy.com/blog

November 13th, 2012 at 10:47 AM | That's pretty much all true. (Score:-1 Trolling)
November 13th, 2012 at 11:34 AM | I agree with your point about (Score:2 Normal)
Schmoe
Joined: 10/06/2008
MGoPoints: 25

I agree with your point about TV affecting things from a high level, but I was at the game and when I saw the college football coach act like that (like a bitch, best way to describe), I was immediately happy we had not hired him and said so in my area.  People were asking what he was doing.  We were not watching TV.  We were loudly discussing what an idiot he was.  The call was marginal, but I cannot complain it was made.  I just expected more from him.  I did get texts immediately from friends watching on television commenting on the antics (again, he was acting like a bitch).  Not a big deal in the scope of the game.  A big deal to me if he was my coach (I have some high standards maybe).  It was weird and made the announcers laugh.  It was unbecoming of a coach, a coach I used to like and respect.  If this is his largest transgression, then he will be ok in my book I bet eventually.  But right now, he is a bitch.  Plain and simple.  Especially since he lost.

November 13th, 2012 at 11:42 AM | Television (Score:-1 Flamebait)
November 13th, 2012 at 2:36 PM | Interesting point... (Score:1)
Section 1
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So the tv announcers laughed?  I didn't know that.  I wonder if that is part of the perception.  Law profs in evidence classes love to do stuff like that.  Have a guy run into the class and grab something and run out, and then say to the class, "What did that guy with the curly hair just take?"  And then debate what was taken, and at the end have the guy return to the lecture hall and discover the guy had straight hair.  One of the older demonstrations of witness perception. 

So by the way, were you on the west side of the Stadium?

I once had the privilege of talking to Gary Moeller, before the the Stadium renovations were finished.  And I asked him about his possibly sitting on the east side, if he were asked to entertain University donors, in the Jack Roth Stadium Club to watch a game.  I asked him how weird would it be for him, sitting on the opposite side from where he coached and where he had watched all of the games from the old press box.  At first, he hadn't considered it.  Then he thought how odd it might feel.  I said to Gary that one of the things I like about the east sideline was getting the unfettered view of Michigan coaches along the sideline.  But the other thing with that is that they are so far away by comparison.  Being close to the visitor sideline, you can just about lip-read everybody on the opposing team.

 

 

November 12th, 2012 at 6:19 PM | Nope, also (Score:2)
ChuckieWoodson
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from the article,

"I'm a really good knucklehead. I pride myself in that."

"Like I tell [my wife] Stacy all the time, you'll have to excuse my passion. Get over it."

Personally, I don't think it's that big of a deal.  Did it make him look dumb?  Sure, but it's not like he went over to Beyer and was all like "yaaaaahhhh booooooiiiiiiiii"!!!!!!

 

"Touchdown... No flags!!"

Founder and current Commisioner of the ITGPD - Internet Tough Guy Police Department, est. 2012

November 12th, 2012 at 6:13 PM | My problem is basically (Score:1 Normal)
emozilla
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My problem is basically there's only two ways of interpretating it

  1. He's excited because he knows it was a bad call and the refs are possibly handing hime the game unjustifiably, or
  2. He's excited for the free first down, even if it comes from a player safety penalty that could potentially mean one of his players was seriously hurt

Either way it seems sorta D-bagish. I guess the takeway is I'm glad we have Brady Hoke.

November 12th, 2012 at 6:14 PM | On the one had people here want to get all het up (Score:-1 Normal)
November 13th, 2012 at 2:37 AM | What. (Score:2 Normal)
Keith
Joined: 03/10/2010
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What.

I compulsively downvote any usage of "lol".

November 13th, 2012 at 10:37 AM | Yeah... (Score:2 Normal)
Blue in Yarmouth
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That was a pretty difficult post to both read and interpret. I have no idea what he is saying or spelling.

November 12th, 2012 at 6:15 PM | I question why he thought a (Score:1 Normal)
BigBlue02
Joined: 06/29/2009
MGoPoints: 1853

I question why he thought a personal foul for a late hit on the most important player on his offense was a good time to celebrate. He could have at least faked like he was concerned for his quarterback. Or he could act like all he cared about was the 15 yards and winning the game. He chose the latter and looked like a dickbag doing so. Face the consequences Fitzgerald.

November 12th, 2012 at 6:16 PM | Post worth it for Danny (Score:5 Normal)
Captain
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Post worth it for Danny Hope's imaginary E Honda.

Colors That Float

November 12th, 2012 at 6:18 PM | Not going to lie, that's (Score:4 Normal)
unWavering
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Not going to lie, that's about 60% of the reason I made the post.

November 12th, 2012 at 6:22 PM | ESPN didn't do a very good (Score:5 Normal)
MaizeAndBlueWahoo
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ESPN didn't do a very good job of crediting the creator, though....

http://mgoblog.com/content/more-danny-hopedoken 

"We've beaten Michigan the last four years.  So where's the threat?"

- Mark Dantonio

Blogging the Virginia Cavaliers at http://fromoldvirginia.blogspot.com/<

November 12th, 2012 at 6:50 PM | About normal (Score:3 Normal)
The FannMan
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MGoBlog has something up and, in a few weeks, it shows up on ESPN as if it just happened.

"Nobody cares what you think!"

November 12th, 2012 at 11:54 PM | Rittenberg lurks Mgoblog (Score:2)
Lutha
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Rittenberg lurks Mgoblog quite a bit.

November 12th, 2012 at 7:16 PM | 'salright (Score:5 Normal)
Blazefire
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But seriously, from now on, all of my gifs are getting watermarks, LSUFreek style.

"This is the EMU game, not the emo game."
November 12th, 2012 at 9:02 PM | You, sir, deserve a free (Score:3 Normal)
Captain
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You, sir, deserve a free dinner on ESPN's tab...or a beer on mine.

Colors That Float

November 12th, 2012 at 6:18 PM | He could have just said it (Score:4 Normal)
evenyoubrutus
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He could have just said it was an intense moment in an important game and his emotions got the best of him. If he actually wants US to believe that his celebration was tactical he be crazy.

Not that I loved Rich Rod less, but that I loved Michigan more.

November 12th, 2012 at 6:22 PM | Eh... I personally like (Score:5 Normal)
FrankMurphy
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Eh... I actually like Fitzgerald's sideline demeanor. He expresses every emotion that passes through his head. There's something strangely refreshing about that (especially coming from a dude who looks like a drill sergeant). And at least he doesn't publicly humiliate his players like Bo Pelini or Brian Kelly. 

November 12th, 2012 at 9:06 PM | I completely agree. Pat (Score:4 Normal)
MadtownMaize
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I completely agree. Pat Fitzgerald is far and away my favorite leader of young men in college football outside of Hoke. I could care less that he got excited about a first down by penalty in the 4th quarter of a 4 point game.

November 12th, 2012 at 6:21 PM | I thought he looked like a (Score:5 Normal)
WolverineHistorian
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I thought he looked like a massive tool.  But I'm not going to lose any sleep over it. 

Go Blue!  Always!

http://www.youtube.com/user/WolverineHistorian

November 12th, 2012 at 6:22 PM | Didn't notice it before...but (Score:1)
Well...Well...Well
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Didn't notice it before...but his team doesn't respond to the antics on the sideline, just a few people calling for a penalty.

November 12th, 2012 at 6:25 PM | I'm just glad he isn't our coach (Score:2 Normal)
michchi85
Joined: 09/04/2010
MGoPoints: 131

Imagine if we would have hired him instead of Hoke...Michigan fans would be up in arms if a coach acted that way on our sidlines.  

November 12th, 2012 at 6:27 PM | No we wouldn't. We would find (Score:5 Normal)
FrankMurphy
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No we wouldn't. We would find a way to spin it as a positive. 

November 12th, 2012 at 6:27 PM | Bush League (Score:2 Normal)
Mon-L
Joined: 01/04/2011
MGoPoints: 150

It was a chump move and he should know better. You don't celebrate personal fouls on your QB like you just won the game. You shouldn't celebrate that stuff at all.

I have so much more respect for a guy like Tuberville who owned up to his sideline incident and said it was the result of getting heated and that it was unacceptable behaviour.

November 12th, 2012 at 6:29 PM | Yeah, but there is a little (Score:1 Trolling)
michfan6060
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Yeah, but there is a little difference between physically assaulting someone and jumping up and down moronically..

Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.

- Vince Lombardi

November 12th, 2012 at 6:48 PM | It was a personal foul in (Score:2)
FrankMurphy
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MGoPoints: 2499

It was a personal foul in that it was a late hit, but it's not like the hit could have injured Colter or knocked him out of the game. If it had been a dirty play or if Colter had been hurt, I don't think Fitzgerald would have reacted the way he did. 

November 13th, 2012 at 10:43 AM | Did you see the play... (Score:3 Normal)
Blue in Yarmouth
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Colter could have easily been hurt on the play. I am with the majority here in that I think it was a silly reaction, but couldn't really care less about it now. I do think however, that Colter could have easily been hurt on the play. He fell awkwardly into the players on the sidelines and injuries often happen as a result of such an occurrence.

November 13th, 2012 at 9:32 AM | Wait. You have more respect (Score:2)
chitownblue2
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Wait. You have more respect for a guy that hit an employee than a guy who acted annoyingly, simply because the guy that hit his employee admitted it was wrong? Are you nuts?

wolverineliberationarmy.com/blog

November 12th, 2012 at 6:32 PM | anyone have a video showing (Score:1)
Bb011
Joined: 09/02/2010
MGoPoints: 1745

Its a little odd the way that he celebrated about it. I don't personally care, nor does it even bother me. The way in which he did it did make him seem like a little kid though.

November 12th, 2012 at 6:33 PM | Pat Fitzgerald or Danny Hope? (Score:3 Normal)
unWavering
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In any case, here's both (in gif form):

November 12th, 2012 at 6:32 PM | What he wanted to say but (Score:5 Normal)
tylawyer
Joined: 02/10/2010
MGoPoints: 47

What he wanted to say but couldn't without getting fined/reprimanded: "I was kind of upset at this point by the fact that we'd been called for a lot more penalties and been penalized for a lot more yards than Michigan.  This was my sarcastic reaction to this state of affairs."

Don't agree with his assessment or his reaction, but that's what's probably going on here. 

November 12th, 2012 at 6:44 PM | I wouldn't argue that, but it is just conjecture. (Score:2)
LB
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Since we don't know for sure, and he is an opposing coach, I'll assume the worst. It is my right and duty as a fan.

May you have a strong foundation
When the winds of changes shift

November 12th, 2012 at 7:01 PM | Totally (Score:2 Normal)
JMEISTER
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MGoPoints: 39

agree with that.  Said it yesterday.  It was simply a Bronx Cheer from a guy who thought nothing prior to that had been called his way.  He's still a class act compared to many other BIG football coaches.  (Pelini, Meyer, Dantonio)  Not to mention Kelly.

If there's an exceptionalism to Michigan—the school and the sports—it's a focus on being exceptional over whether we appear to be so.   MGOBLOG

November 12th, 2012 at 7:01 PM | Frankly, I find a lot of this criticism/outrage to be peculiar (Score:4 Normal)
ThWard
Joined: 07/10/2008
MGoPoints: 2631

When I saw it, I thought it was 100% that; Fitz reacting sarcastically to getting a PF call after an earlier Pf flag against UM had been picked up and after a few close penalty calls went against NU.



He looked dumb, but man, big deal.

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