Maturi: Dungy Not Coming to Coach U; doesn't want Brew to change enthusiasm

[glovedgopher]

rumors are fine, but rumors that could be damaging to another person's reputation are a problem.

I think most people on the board are very good about not posting malicious rumors. These rumors are far from damaging. I remember a few people posting in the summer that there might be some bad news about Trevor Mbakwe in the near future. Some people labeled these poster as liars and attention whores. I think they were just trying to curb the enthusiasm that people had about the young man because they knew he was in some hot water. Remember most of the posters on here support the program.

 

[harrys ghost]

It could if it cost your organization hundreds of thousands of dollars.

In this case, the firing is not the issue. The original hire was. Since the higher ups would have approved the hiring and the buy out terms, they would likely be quite unhappy it did not work out, but the firing itself is largely a non-issue.

 

[andy]

I hope Brewster is well-liked by A) potential recruits, B) his current roster, C) high school head coaches, and D) big-time program boosters.

I couldn't care freaking less if people around the Bierman building don't like the guy. It's probably better if they don't. Most effective managers aren't buddies with their staff anyway.

 

[Schnoodler]

Amen Andy. Just another fine example of haters clutching at whatever they can, even if it is as immaterial as this it. And that's why certain people are on ignore.

 

[GopherNation5]

I have also heard these exact same rumors about Brewster in terms of being rather rude at times from a former equipment manager at the U. He pretty much told me the exact things that others have posted in this thread and kind of stressed to me that Brewster has a tendency to be extremely blunt with people if they don't do what he asks of them.

I personally don't see anything wrong with a head football coach at a D1 school being rude to someone if they don't accomplish what he asks them to do because he's the one that is going to look bad if something isn't done correctly. And according to my source, who worked for both Brew and Mason, Timmy B looks like a god compared to how Mason used to treat people around the University.

But honestly whats the difference if the coach is a dick or not? By all accounts Lou Holtz was a pretty big a**hole and he we all know how his coaching career turned out...

 

[EG#9]

This is the type of comment that makes me think Maturi is NOT a Big Ten caliber A.D.:

His program can do better, Maturi said. He believes it’s reasonable to expect the Gophers to be in late season pursuit of a conference title every six years or so. Acceptance of the program by the public will also be contingent on playing in more prestigious bowl games than the ones regularly visited by Mason's and Brewster's teams. “I think that’s the hope and expectation (top January bowl games) of getting to the next level,” Maturi said.

Reasonable to expect to be in "late season pursuit" of a conference title every SIX years? That's what we're striving for? Programs like Iowa and Wisconsin (programs we should be exceeding) are doing much more than that currently. If that is Maturi's goal, he should be the A.D. at Vanderbilt or Baylor. A coach could be 4-2 in the Big Ten and be in "late season pursuit" of a Big Ten Title...what a joke.

 

[Schnoodler]

I think that's the going measurment. You kind of have to link things to reality at some point. That's basically Iowa, and Wisconsin, which is the next step. Once we get there, then we look for the OSU, pre dickrod mich, and PSU level.

Really, we can't have it both ways, blast Brewster for optimism, and then Maturi for realism.

If you read into the quote he also says better bowls which means a standard of 8 wins with an occasional shot at a title.

 

[Iceland12]

I think that's the going measurment. You kind of have to link things to reality at some point. That's basically Iowa, and Wisconsin, which is the next step. Once we get there, then we look for the OSU, pre dickrod mich, and PSU level.

Really, we can't have it both ways, blast Brewster for optimism, and then Maturi for realism.

If you read into the quote he also says better bowls which means a standard of 8 wins with an occasional shot at a title.

"Shouldn't" for sure Schnoodler, but "can't"? There's been a lot of people asking for exactly that for three years now.

 

[stevedave23]

I've been very critical of Maturi over the years and I still don't think he's the right guy for the job, but I did like a couple of comments he had in this interview.

1) Kudos to Maturi for putting the ridiculous, pie in the sky Tony Dungy stuff to rest. Gopher fans need to move on.

2) I love how someone FINALLY mentioned the negative local media contributing to the struggles of the program. People can just chalk it up as an excuse but public sentiment is a critical factor in recruiting local kids. The media here loves to talk out of both sides of their mouth. On one hand they complain that the gophers can't land all of the big, local recruits. Meanwhile they write article after article about how much of a joke the program is.

 

[Demi]

I've been very critical of Maturi over the years and I still don't think he's the right guy for the job, but I did like a couple of comments he had in this interview.

1) Kudos to Maturi for putting the ridiculous, pie in the sky Tony Dungy stuff to rest. Gopher fans need to move on.

2) I love how someone FINALLY mentioned the negative local media contributing to the struggles of the program. People can just chalk it up as an excuse but public sentiment is a critical factor in recruiting local kids. The media here loves to talk out of both sides of their mouth. On one hand they complain that the gophers can't land all of the big, local recruits. Meanwhile they write article after article about how much of a joke the program is.

Chicken and egg. They aren't going to be positive when there isn't anything to be positive about! There has been plenty of positivity about the Basketball program. Why? Because they hired a competent coach who improved the on court product. Neither of which were done on the football side.

And yes, that Dungy stuff was insane. He settled for the U after his first choice turned him down!

 

[UST82Gopher]

Maturi was upset and embarrassed about the whole Twitter thing Brewster posted about Reusse.

Absolutely true and was quickly addressed. Seen Brewster do it since?

Maturi was humiliated after being scolded by Brewster in front of the team.

This needs context. The incident I heard was a heat of the battle comment made about an administrative screw up that was heard by a few players. Unless there is another one out there, this is a little overstated as a "scolding in front of the team".

Maturi was incensed after the KFAN dust-up caused by Brewster made Maturi look like a liar.

I have no first hand knowledge so I can't comment.

Maturi has warned Brewster about the way he talks to and interacts with athletic department staffers.

Correct. This was an improvement issue in Brewster's performance review. Brewster is demanding and does not tolerate poor performance. He has been told to be less blunt in his comments.

All of the above are true unless Maturi himself lied to the person he made these comments to.

So, while I basically agree, within the context, is this "fireable" stuff? Has it poisoned their relationship? I don't think so.

 

[zman]

Brewster is demanding and does not tolerate poor performance.

I don't disagree with anything you've said but I find this comment funny. Hopefully he watched the offense perform this year.

 

[TCF=UnitedWeStand]

Well, I am late to the party here!

I enjoyed the first-hand account here from Maturi. I don't even know who David Shama is, but when has a local media person been willing/able to have as in-depth and insightful of a conversation as what took place here? I think it was great.

I respect Maturi. He has responded to nearly every email I have sent him (one exception being one sent during a moment of illogical thought immediately following the timeout taken in the Iowa game following the end of the quarter timeout (or whatever it was) - that email did not warrant a response). I have been as upset and disappointed as anybody in the last two debacles (SDSU and Iowa - please sit down Weber for his own sake!) and have tried to be open-minded to Brewster either staying or going. I could be persuaded either way.

However, I do agree with Maturi's assessment that we have never had a person like Brewster locally - either professionally or at the collegiate level. Some people compare him to Wacker; that is a very "easy" comparison, but I would say inaccurate comparison. Wacker was goofy; I've heard an incredibly nice guy, that the players who played for him loved. However, that "goofiness" doesn't appeal to all players and to those it didn't, they didn't come here. I wouldn't classify Brewster as goofy; eternally optimistic, yes, but not goofy.

One difference I see in Brewster, that I have bought into is that he truly, truly WANTS to win. Wacker and Mason certainly wanted to win as well I'm sure, but Mason, for example, seemed to want to win from August until late December; I don't know what he did between December and spring practice, but I know he spent a lot of time playing Spring Hill thereafter. Brewster is seen and heard from year-round and certainly gives the impression of being a tireless worker.

I want Brewster to succeed. I appreciate his passion; I appreciate his competitiveness; I appreciate his "passion" (I get tired of him using that word, but I can't think of another word to describe it).

With regards to his standing with the Administration and within the Athletic Department - if people don't like him, or if he has been "rude", well, get over it! When has this not happened with any boss? I like my boss, but he certainly has his faults and my co-workers and I certainly talk about them. The difference is, my job isn't subject to the opinions of the general public where anything negative someone may have to say about me is circulated via the media, message boards, etc, etc.

Keep in mind too that as the head coach of a D1 football program in the Big Ten, Brewster is one of the most highly paid state employees, and paid vastly more than every other coach within the Athletic Department (except for Tubby). Trust me - as a former relative of a college football coach, the issue of pay is definitely a touchy subject and sometimes source of incredible jealousy. I wouldn't be surprised if this plays some part in peoples feelings towards Brew.

Also, if these people have worked in the Dept. for decades, they may be great people, but they haven't been associated with a winning football program! How much stock should we put in their opinions?

Again, I WANT Brewster to succeed. I don't doubt his work ethic; I don't care if people within the Administration like him or dislike him; I don't care what Justin Gaard or Barreiro say (if I am listening and they bring up the Gophers, I turn the station because I can't stand their immaturity, eagerness to attack, and complete lack of professionalism in the way they have approached their coverage of the U).

What I care about is beating Wisconsin, beating Iowa, and making a statement that we are for real. I want a team that walks out on the field legitimately knowing that they are better in every sense - better talent, better coaching, better-prepared, and no mistakes.

I haven't seen this yet. I'm not saying it won't happn or that Brewster can't make it happen. I don't know how much I (and everyone else) should have to wait, but right or wrong, my patience is wearing thin (I HATE that I have to wait ANOTHER year to even have a chance to beat those D-bags from Madison!).

So, kudos to David Shama (whoever he is) for doing the interview! Kudos to Maturi for being so candid! And kudos for all of us for taking the time and caring enough to read it.

 

[Bo Darville]

I have it on good authority that Brewster takes the last of the coffee and never makes another pot.

 

[Schnoodler]

I have it on good authority that Brewster takes the last of the coffee and never makes another pot.

I hadn't heard this. This is really, really damaging info. I am now wavering.

Another note, I second the Kudos to sharma. Most of our local boys already think they have the answers and going directly to the source is beneath them. Wouldn't want their more important opinions get in the way of the real news, and real persons of interest.

Note to Doogie, this is what happens when you actually take your questions to the source. You get clarification. You enlighten the reader rather than obscure and muddy.

 

[MNCH]

Well, I am late to the party here!

With regards to his standing with the Administration and within the Athletic Department - if people don't like him, or if he has been "rude", well, get over it! When has this not happened with any boss? I like my boss, but he certainly has his faults and my co-workers and I certainly talk about them. The difference is, my job isn't subject to the opinions of the general public where anything negative someone may have to say about me is circulated via the media, message boards, etc, etc.

Also, if these people have worked in the Dept. for decades, they may be great people, but they haven't been associated with a winning football program! How much stock should we put in their opinions?

Again, I WANT Brewster to succeed. I don't doubt his work ethic; I don't care if people within the Administration like him or dislike him; I don't care what Justin Gaard or Barreiro say (if I am listening and they bring up the Gophers, I turn the station because I can't stand their immaturity, eagerness to attack, and complete lack of professionalism in the way they have approached their coverage of the U).

The problem is the people I know in the Athletic Dept. don't work for Brewster or the football program. They have watched him publicly belittle and yell U of M employees who have nothing to do with the football program. The same people said they had issues with Mason because of his ego but that just meant he was aloof in the Athletics office; he didn't stomp around and barge into people's office and berate them like Brewster has done. Other Gopher coaches, like Robinson or Tubby, don't act like this and its very unprofessional in my opinion.

 

[UpnorthGo4]

I hadn't heard this. This is really, really damaging info. I am now wavering.

Note to Doogie, this is what happens when you actually take your questions to the source. You get clarification. You enlighten the reader rather than obscure and muddy.

You are making a big assumption, Schnoods. And that is that Joel holds Doogie in any higher regard than the other Gopher critics in the local media, and would actually grant him an interview. Doogie is a Barreiro and Reusse wannabe who tend to substitute easy ridicule for genuine analysis and criticism.

 

[Schnoodler]

True that.

 

[maxwellsmart]

Maturi was upset and embarrassed about the whole Twitter thing Brewster posted about Reusse.
Maturi was humiliated after being scolded by Brewster in front of the team.
Maturi was incensed after the KFAN dust-up caused by Brewster made Maturi look like a liar.
Maturi has warned Brewster about the way he talks to and interacts with athletic department staffers.

All of the above are true unless Maturi himself lied to the person he made these comments to.

Thank you. Citations, even of a general nature, are helpful. They make it a lot easier to take a post seriously and give it some thought.

 

[maxwellsmart]

Not an assertion, just a what if. Can we accept the premise that most people generally resist change, especially in work routines and policies? Football coaches aren't office managers. I doubt most of them worry first about decorum and secondly about task completion. Lots of room in that interaction for hard feelings.

Here I am toward the end of my work life and that's certainly the way it is with my construction trades clients. Their talk is blunt, with priority placed on task completion and little value placed on accommodating others' sensitivities. It's one reason they don't get along well with "bean counters" (their term, not mine).

 

[TCF=UnitedWeStand]

The problem is the people I know in the Athletic Dept. don't work for Brewster or the football program. They have watched him publicly belittle and yell U of M employees who have nothing to do with the football program. The same people said they had issues with Mason because of his ego but that just meant he was aloof in the Athletics office; he didn't stomp around and barge into people's office and berate them like Brewster has done. Other Gopher coaches, like Robinson or Tubby, don't act like this and its very unprofessional in my opinion.

If true, then yes, "unprofessional" is a great word to describe it and I wouldn't condone it of anyboy. However, I have not heard Maturi say these things and not that he would, but I also think Maturi is a man of character who would not make a point to openly praise Brewster's treatment of others if he did not believe that.

So, I can believe that there are people who have seen a bad side of Brewster and that would be disappointing, but I know there have been others who have testified on this board to good qualities.

I don't know Brewster; have never met him. One thing I do know is that as long as a d-bag performs and is successful, people will tolerate the d-bagness. However, that d-bag better keep performing because if he/she does not, there tends to be a shorter leash for a d-bag than for a person people like and respect.

 

[zman]

One thing I do know is that as long as a d-bag performs and is successful, people will tolerate the d-bagness. However, that d-bag better keep performing because if he/she does not, there tends to be a shorter leash for a d-bag than for a person people like and respect.

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