GMac: Message boards hurt recruiting . . .

**mwitt** · 01-21-2009, 12:39 PM

The reactions in this thread is exactly why coaches and athletes give happy BS answers during interviews. When someone gives an honest one, there are people out there who shred him for it.

He was asked about negative fans on message boards. He said it doesn't help. That's common sense. He said he wishes they would just criticize him instead of his players. That's him being an adult. What is there to complain about?

**htownclone** · 01-21-2009, 12:40 PM

Originally Posted by CycloneWanderer

I sure as heck wouldn't, even if it were Iowa State.

Well the negativity on this board after games is ridiculous. Calling for GMAC's head and bashing players. I don't get on here after football or basketball losses cause I know the whole first page will be littered with meltdown threads.

**CyValley** · 01-21-2009, 12:40 PM

Originally Posted by woodie

if greggie boy can't stand the heat in the kitchen in coaching of d-1 basketball,he had better go back and coach jr high basketball
where it would not effect his alter ego--greg-one simple message-you were hired to put a good product on the floor at iowa state-my question is ,"DO YOU THINK YOU HAVE COMPLETED THAT TASK?'

You don't think Greg can handle the heat . . . did I miscommunicate what he said or do you not interpret well what you read?

Greg said he can handle anything thrown at him. He is protective of his players -- as a fan, I would expect nothing less from him.

Walk up to Greg, man-to-man, tell him he can't handle the heat. I'd be curious about what he tells you.

**ISUFan22** · 01-21-2009, 12:42 PM

Originally Posted by mwitt

The reactions in this thread is exactly why coaches and athletes give happy BS answers during interviews. When someone gives an honest one, there are people out there who shred him for it.

He was asked about negative fans on message boards. He said it doesn't help. That's common sense. He said he wishes they would just criticize him instead of his players.

+100

Originally Posted by mwitt

That's him being an adult.

If he would've proclaimed that he is a man and noted his age, I would respect him more.

Originally Posted by mwitt

What is there to complain about?

Apparently, a lot.

**jahfg** · 01-21-2009, 12:44 PM

Some posters will take any opportunity given to pout and rip GMac.

**CyValley** · 01-21-2009, 12:44 PM

Originally Posted by brianhos

Maybe GMAC should worry more about fielding a team that is competitive.

You believe, because a fan asks him a question and, as an honest man, he responds truly and fairly, that Greg is not concerned about the state of his program? One relates to the other? . . .

**ISUFan22** · 01-21-2009, 12:46 PM

Total, complete non-issue.

Do you think the ISU message boards are the only ones with negativity after a loss or losing seasons? HA!

Check out some of the other sites, while we have some classic meltdowns, it's rather mild compared to some of the other stuff I read on the interwebs.

**4429 mcc** · 01-21-2009, 12:47 PM

This site needs an all out fight. Just like sports when things aren't going good there's bound to be a fight....once the fight occurs things tend to get back to normal.

So have at it.

**Cyclonepride** · 01-21-2009, 12:48 PM

I've been saying this stuff for a while......even if there is a 1 in 50 chance that what you say is read by a player or recruit, why would you do that to your team? It's your team, right? You want them to get better? You don't have to wear the rose colored glasses and drink the koolaid all the time, just stop and think before you post. Pretty easy.

**clones_jer** · 01-21-2009, 12:52 PM

Originally Posted by CyValley

Monday night, an irate caller complained about invective spewing, ill-natured, program-complaining defeatist fans and asked Greg how he's able to bear such malcontents as he goes about building the Cyclones' mbb program.

Greg was gracious and low-keyed with his response, but he went on at length, evidence that he considers message board sewage (my word) a serious hurdle for down athletics programs fighting to make a comeback. (The caller said that he's not a violent guy, but if he were, he'd like nothing better than to slap around such fans. Greg didn't bite, never said a bad word about the fans.)

The coach said he has broad shoulders (figuratively, in addition to literally) and he can take anything that is dished out and march on without a second thought about it. It hurts him, though, when his players are singled out for rash criticism, he said; he asked that fans use him rather than his players as a pincushion (my word).

Importantly, Greg said he does not read online forums (iirc, said he doesn't have time to do that), but he knows for a fact that the players and recruits -- products of the internet age and as nimble-fingered as anyone -- are all over the Web.

Greg said the unfounded, vile (my word) criticisms and fan defeatism found on internet fan forums hurts Iowa State recruiting. Greg did not ask fans to stop that behavior, he asked only that fans duly consider what they're writing before posting.

Reading between the lines, imho Greg was saying, you will do what you will do, but first consider what's most important to you: Helping Iowa State succeed, or adding a nail to the coffin.

As far as I can tell you've just bastardized Gregs answer to mean what you want it to mean.

Were you the caller???

**cybsball20** · 01-21-2009, 12:53 PM

Originally Posted by Clones21

Well id say were pretty damn competitive we stayed right with Texas away. We just had a bad night vs mizzu..we'll be alright

Your view of "alright" and my view of "alright" must be pretty far apart...

**cybsball20** · 01-21-2009, 12:54 PM

Originally Posted by clones_jer

As far as I can tell you've just bastardized Gregs answer to mean what you want it to mean.

Were you the caller???

I'm guessing so...

**The_Architect** · 01-21-2009, 12:56 PM

I agree with the original post and I've been saying it for a long time, anonymous postings online can really hurt the program(s). The "fire <insert coach name here> " posters are doing NOTHING positive for our athletic programs.

Also, I think it goes a long with the "stalking" of players facebook pages as well. They are just kids, let them be kids and enjoy college.

**ISUFan22** · 01-21-2009, 12:59 PM

Originally Posted by clones_jer

As far as I can tell you've just bastardized Gregs answer to mean what you want it to mean.

Were you the caller???

+1

But then seems to be debating the other side in this thread. Odd...

**CyValley** · 01-21-2009, 12:59 PM

Originally Posted by clones_jer

As far as I can tell you've just bastardized Gregs answer to mean what you want it to mean.

Were you the caller???

Like you, I am human. I do not have total recall. Like you, I subconciously filter and evaluate (and skew to match my mindset, no doubt) what I hear. And, as I've often admitted, I am far from the brightest bulb in the room. I used indicators such as "my word" and "imho" throughout the post to let readers know that the post contains my interpretation of what Greg said. Because I am not the brightest bulb, I do not know how better to paraphrase Greg's comments. My failing, I admit it.

Please, provide your interpretation of Greg's comments, that is, if you do not possess a verbatim transcript of them. Others here interested in the topic raised likely would appreciate varying viewpoints.

Have at it.