Another Reason NOT to Read Sports Illustrated

I used to love Sports Illustrated. But their narrow focus, unabashed love affair with the BCS, and shallow coverage of football convinced me that they were not worth my time. I recently picked up the copy with USC on the cover and their latest "you gotta love the BCS title game" BS inside. I was at a doctor's office and was very bored. I began reading an op-ed piece by a guy named Rushin (last name).

He was yet another media guy apparently appalled that Notre Dame would have the gall to fire someone. I reluctantly read on, expecting more of the ESPN-type "was this a racial thing" reporting. Instead, I was treated to an article about how impatient we football fans are. We were criticized for expecting a winning season in only 3 years!!

You see, there were some actors and actresses who didn't win Oscars until they were in their 60s or 70s. There are people in this country who actually find success only after decades of hard work and dedication. College ADs should be more patient and allow their coaches to grow into their jobs.

Comparing college football coaches to Hollywood actors is ludicrous on its face. And it completely ignores the real reason that Willingham was fired. In college football, a coach MUST do two things to be considered successful. They must produce winning seasons, and they must beat (or at least compete with) their biggest rivals. Ty Willingham did neither.

Mr. Rushin believes Willingham should have been given more time. Maybe he's right, but using Hollywood actresses and people impatiently pushing elevator buttons to make his point was shallow and uninformed.

To convince anyone that Willingham should have been given more time, you would to make the case that his recruiting was about to pay off. You would have to point out where he was making progress and give examples of his progress on the field. Instead, SI and Mr. Rushin treat us to this tripe comparing Notre Dame to Driving Miss Daisy. Please!

And not one word about Notre Dame's recent blowouts at the hands of USC, their arch-rival, in consecutive seasons.

SI should stick to snivelling at the feet of the BCS and taking pictures of scantily clad models on the exotic beaches of the world. Real analysis is beyond them.