Oregon and Michigan: Violence, Discipline, and Codes of Conduct

The leadership and values coaches instill in their players reflects on themselves and their universities.

In turn, players’ actions often reflect those coach’s values.  Nick Saban has quietly brought discipline as well as new talent to Alabama, which left no room for those who did not behave as he expects.

The responses to two incidents in this young college football season are illuminating.

Oregon

We all watched replays of Oregon’s top running back, LaGarrette Blount, sucker punch Boise State’s Byron Hout.  Hout had yelled in Blount’s face, tapped him on the shoulder, and turned away.

Blount was apologetic after the game: “I just apologize to anyone watching that.  I just apologize to all of our fans and all of Boise’s fans.  That’s something I shouldn’t have done.  I lost my head.”

Oregon’s first-year head coach and long-time offensive coordinator Chip Kelly said, “I did not see anything.  I will see it on tape and make a decision on what we need to do with him.  There is no place for that.  I do not condone that.  I will make that decision if that is the case.”

The next day, Kelly suspended Blount, a senior, who set an Oregon record of 17 TDs last year.  “Football at the University of Oregon is a privilege, and with that privilege goes responsibilities.”

Pac-10 commissioner Larry Scott said, “we commend the University of Oregon and its leadership for taking swift and decisive action in response to this incident.  The Pac-10 strongly emphasizes sportsmanship and fair play in all its athletic competitions and expects high standards of sportsmanship from all participants, including student-athletes.”

The University of Oregon’s President Richard Lariviere said, “We do not and will not tolerate the actions that were taken by our player.  Oregon’s loyal fans expect and deserve better.”

Kelly made it clear he was not taking away his scholarship so Blount could achieve his education.  Oregon would provide Blount with support, calling it a “teachable moment.”

“We will provide him with instruction necessary for him to succeed.  He’s going to practice with this football team, he’s going to student support services, he’s going to class.  We’re going to make sure LaGarrette gets the goods.”

Michigan

After the second week’s games, video evidence surfaced that Michigan linebacker Jonas Mouton sucker punched Notre Dame center Eric Olsen during the second quarter of their game.  Olsen was on his knees after the play was over.

Michigan coach, Rich Rodriguez, denied the incident happened to reporters.

“What are you talking about?  I know they were talking about one incident on film, and I didn’t see anybody throw a punch or anything like that.  The little bit I saw on the clip, I saw guys got tangled up together, and Jonas tried to free himself.  There’s a whole lot of officials out there, and I’m sure if there was an infraction, then they’d call it.”

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