Hodges: Arrogance at KU?
NORTH DAKOTA STATE COACH CRAIG BOHL RIPS KU AFTER VICTORY, by Wayne Hodges
LAWRENCE, Kan – See, this is why you can’t lose to small, Division I-AA schools on your home turf before capacity crowds. They talk trash. North Dakota State coach Craig Bohl, following his team’s shocking 6-3 victory over the Jayhawks, ripped Kansas University and its fans on Sportsnetwork.com. When asked about his team’s opponent on Saturday (Northern Iowa), Bohl spewed this verbal gem. “I think the environment that we’re going to play in Cedar Falls is going to be much more of a hostile environment than Memorial Stadium in Kansas. That was pretty docile,” said Bohl.
“And the type of team that we’re going to be playing is going to be a much more physical, aggressive football team than KU. And quite frankly I think we’re going to be playing a better opponent.” Ouch! This coming from the coach who won. Hell, what would’ve happened had he lost? Keep in mind; Bohl doesn’t speak in platitudes. So the eruption was totally unforeseen.
“I know one school is in the Big 12 and the other one is in the Missouri Valley,” said Bohl. “I think that gives an indication on how we see Missouri Valley play and the respect we give Northern Iowa.” Wow! Perhaps most depressing is the fact Bohl’s comments are 100% true. Pains me to say that, but I gotta keep it real. Memorial Stadium, even when full, is a graveyard.
Hell, I’ve experienced more excitement reading at the public library. Kansas, in my humble opinion, has by far the worst football fans in the Big 12. Not even close. Come on. Don’t act surprised. Former coach Mark Mangino complained about crowd participation on many occasions last year. I get the sense many Jayhawk fans view Memorial Stadium as a poor man’s “Worlds of Fun.”
You know, a place where they can socialize, wear sunglasses, buy cotton candy and enjoy the rides without giving much effort. Wrong. Football arenas are not meant to be friendly and social. Stadiums are supposed to be hostile, chaotic and down right intimidating. As Kansas fans, we rarely make noise on the gridiron.
I kid you not. Attending a football game in Lawrence is equivalent to having a picnic at grandma’s. Sure, we’re vocal inside historic Allen Fieldhouse for men’s basketball. But we flat suck in football. Here’s more food for thought. Bohl and Kansas coach Turner Gill are good friends. Both served together at the University of Nebraska. And, from what I understand, both men converse regularly. So, there’s no sour grapes here.
The reason Bohl went out of his way to disseminate unflattering remarks about KU has everything to do with Jayhawk arrogance. Yes, you heard me right. Kansas fans, staff, personnel and alum are typically viewed by the public as being arrogant and full of themselves. This is certainly no secret. And it sure as hell ain’t ground-breaking news. Word on the street is KU think it’s all that. And everybody outside of Lawrence is sick of it. Bohl made that point painfully known to the masses.
Yes, I’m a Jayhawk. And proud of it. But my allegiance rests with revealing the truth; regardless the pain. Bohl’s testimony should be construed as a wonderfully painted illustration of what truly happened last Saturday. Kansas players and coaches came out dressed in their sparkling new uniforms, flexing their big muscles before a blue clad sell-out crowd, believing the Bison of North Dakota State would be a cake walk.
Craig Bohl not impressed with Kansas
Bohl and his players noticed the drama, took offense and commenced to shoving those brand new uniforms up KU’s ass. That’s how I see it. And I thank Bohl for providing that perspective. See, the loss had nothing to do with breaking in new players, finding a decent quarterback and adjusting to a different scheme. Blah, blah, blah. Kansas got spanked because the players and coaches took the field believing they were the better team.
Instead of becoming irate, we should thank Bohl for shedding light on the cockroaches. The hoops program, ran by coach Bill Self, is twice as arrogant. I’m serious. This explains why the football and basketball players got into it last year. One program thought it was substantially better than the other. It’s certainly no coincidence since Self’s arrival in Lawrence, Kansas has lost to mid-majors Bucknell, Bradley and Northern Iowa in the NCAA’s.
Former coach Roy Williams would’ve never lost to those schools. Never. Had Stephen Curry not elected to pass the damn ball, Davidson (another mid-major) would’ve spoiled KU’s championship run in 2008. Look, you can get upset with me. But I witnessed the arrogance first hand. During last year’s Mario Chalmers Golf Classic, Self gave the vibe he was too good to grant yours truly a news interview.
Remember, I’m a KU student and a registered member of the local media. Self knew of this. Didn’t matter. The man looked at me like I owed him money. Conversely, Mike Anderson of Missouri and Frank Martin at Kansas State opened their doors and granted me exclusive one-on-one interviews. Both were aware of my affiliation with Kansas. Didn’t matter. Both men are humble and down to earth.
Arrogance, not strategy, is hurting Kansas. Until the fans, administrators, students and alum stop believing their poop don’t stink, we can expect even more disappointment in Lawrence. Thank you Craig Bohl for opening our eyes. We owe you one.
Wayne Hodges, an MBA from St. Mary University, is the Editor-in-Chief of “Mass Appeal News.” He is also a candidate for Kansas Senate District #7, an adjunct professor, and MPA at the University of Kansas. Wayne welcomes your comments at whodges@massappealnews.com
September 9th, 2010 at 1:24 pm
hodges i know it had to be hard but this is your BEST ARTICLE YET!!!
KU peeps think they s*** dont stank
think again
September 9th, 2010 at 1:34 pm
Mr. Hodges good article about the rock-CHOKE-chicken hawks. lew perkins shouldnt be the only one to go. that turner gill guy sucks!
September 10th, 2010 at 11:54 am
Wayne I am mad at you
September 10th, 2010 at 3:44 pm
preach brotha hodges — this iz 100% real