- October 21st, 2015, 4:55 pm
#496415
Jackson State's Statement Concerning Recent Clarion Ledger Article
"The Jackson State University Division of Athletics appreciates the coverage that it receives from the Clarion Ledger. Jackson State has allowed more than adequate access to the Clarion Ledger over the years and we look forward to a continuation of this productive relationship as we move forward through the years.
Previous football coaches have had open and closed practices at various times throughout the seasons. In addition, each of the last two prior coaches decided if and when they wanted assistant coaches and/or players to be accessible to the media during the week of practice. The decision to have open or closed practice, as determined by the head coach, is not limited to the football program. All JSU head coaches have the right to make that decision and have traditionally made those calls.
The decision to close football practice and to not make assistant coaches and players available to the media throughout the week was not undertaken lightly and is done in respect to the JSU football program, the coaches, players and to local and regional media outlets.
JSU football practice has been closed since the first week of this season. We decided to not make assistant coaches and players available to the media for the last two weeks so that the team can adjust to and work with the new coach on putting a quality product on the field - without too many outside influences.
During recent interviews coach McCall has not avoided answering any questions about the football team and been very open and honest about the state of the team. Following his first game as interim head coach, McCall and the players that were requested by the beat writer in attendance, were made available after a 10 minute cooling off period. While serving as head coach, McCall will be the main voice of the Tigers football program.
Coach McCall will continue to make himself available to talk to media members. Thank you for your interest and support of JSU athletics."
Chris Lang wrote:What is there for the local press to dig into? Honest question. Practices are closed. Wagons are circled. No one will tell you anything for fear of repercussions. Short of having a mole inside the locker room giving you stuff, there's not a whole lot you can do. Even then, how can you believe what you're hearing is true if you're only hearing it from one or two voices? What if those people have an agenda and aren't telling the truth? Gill has put huge walls up around that program. It was incredibly frustrating to get anything of substance out of there.Sometimes it's wise to close practices.
Jackson State's Statement Concerning Recent Clarion Ledger Article
"The Jackson State University Division of Athletics appreciates the coverage that it receives from the Clarion Ledger. Jackson State has allowed more than adequate access to the Clarion Ledger over the years and we look forward to a continuation of this productive relationship as we move forward through the years.
Previous football coaches have had open and closed practices at various times throughout the seasons. In addition, each of the last two prior coaches decided if and when they wanted assistant coaches and/or players to be accessible to the media during the week of practice. The decision to have open or closed practice, as determined by the head coach, is not limited to the football program. All JSU head coaches have the right to make that decision and have traditionally made those calls.
The decision to close football practice and to not make assistant coaches and players available to the media throughout the week was not undertaken lightly and is done in respect to the JSU football program, the coaches, players and to local and regional media outlets.
JSU football practice has been closed since the first week of this season. We decided to not make assistant coaches and players available to the media for the last two weeks so that the team can adjust to and work with the new coach on putting a quality product on the field - without too many outside influences.
During recent interviews coach McCall has not avoided answering any questions about the football team and been very open and honest about the state of the team. Following his first game as interim head coach, McCall and the players that were requested by the beat writer in attendance, were made available after a 10 minute cooling off period. While serving as head coach, McCall will be the main voice of the Tigers football program.
Coach McCall will continue to make himself available to talk to media members. Thank you for your interest and support of JSU athletics."
Last edited by TH Spangler on October 21st, 2015, 4:59 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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