As a 1967 graduate of Oregon, I've seen the best and worst of Oregon football over the past 60 years. Win or lose, it is always entertaining. Other than that, my life has not been impacted in a meaningful way by the success or failure of the team. I seriously doubt that any fan can claim anything different, (unless of course you are betting some serious cash on the outcome of the games.) The same cannot be said for the coaches and the players. What happens during the season is extremely important to their present and future livelihood. It would be wise to keep that difference in mind when you rip into a player or coach, either on the air or on social media.
The CFP caused a sickness in fans. There are 128 FBS teams, and everyone expects their team to be in the top 4. Every. Single. Year.
It's simply not possible. How fans can so quickly eat their own immediately after a loss is losing the forest for the trees.
Coaching should be judged on if they are taking in young adults and giving them an experience that helps them grow into upstanding citizens, which build traits that they carry on to success in other aspects of their lives.
Of course "Walmart" fans won't understand this connection. Looking back at my college athletic career, we're were regional and conference champions... But I barely remember that at all... What I do remember are the values and moments my coaches spent time to make me a better person.
The CFP is a cancer and I am glad it is expanding to 12 teams next year year, maybe some of this craziness will subside.
“the expectation is greater than the appreciation. And that’s the problem.” Once a team starts climbing and making progress and getting close, of course the fans are going to want to keep going and get frustrated when that stalls out. I get both sides. I'm a die-hard Oregon fan, have been for most of my 54 years, but I was just thinking the other day, getting ready to watch the Utah game, how much more fun I had watching the Ducks with Bill Musgrave at QB and just happy to be in a bowl game. When the Ducks are legitimately good, like right now, I expect them to beat the teams they should handily and I'm a nervous wreck when we have to go to war with an entire season on the line with every play.
I wouldn't trade the Ducks' success, but it surprised me to have the thought that this isn't necessarily as fun. Being a fan is definitely an interesting state of existence.
I've had exactly the same feeling...Terry Obee's end around to beat Washington was so sweet, because beating Washington was hard! It's still sweet, but not that sweet! There are something like 130 FBS teams...it has become ridiculous that your season is a bust if you don't win the national championship... I miss striving for a Rose bowl and dare I say, voting for a champion...it sounds absurd, but look what we've created in it wake.
Everyone is passionate. But perspective is necessary. I have no doubt that coaches and players work extremely hard to perform at their best daily and weekly. What they do is difficult and all consuming. And entertainment.
Fans can be consumed by their passion for their team. And they can be consumed by frustration when things don't go their way. For some, those few hours during the game maybe their only release from, whatever. But we must remember, this is entertainment. Albeit, great entertainment.
As one who sat through the Civil War game known as The Toilet Bowl. A 0-0 tie in the rain and seeing the futility on both sides of the ball was, entertaining!
So, are expectations to high? Yes. Across the board. But if we must have some kind of expectations. Fans, coaches and players need it.
Not everyone can be number 1, but we can all enjoy the ride as smooth or as bumpy as it will be. What a great season of college football so far. And I have no doubt, there will be more triumph and disappointment along the way.
The Coaches are ALL ON A “HOT” seat all the time, especially with those of us who scream and holler at the T V and the wife, (at least mine) hollers at me to “calm” down or she leaves the room!!!
But when Coaches like Smith make such a STUPID call as he did, you have to wonder, don’t you? And this IS why callers who call in and TEAR AT THE COACH is OK sometimes, but those who continue to win will have a down year, look at USC as an example. Remember our 20 plus years of not winning, I sure do, and I really appreciate what Coach Smith and staff have done, I sure as heck will yell at he, the players, and the other Coaches, (Lindgren) for what I believe is a “bone head” decision.
So J C will hear a lot of “crap “ from those who wish to vent themselves,
SORRY J C and the Coaches on their talk shows, comes with the territory!!!
Hi John. You’re so level headed. I wish I was. I get to emotional and make to many snap judgements. In this case I have to go with Tyler for the following reasons. Every time he buys a ticket, donates to Clemson, listens to or watches a game, listens to the radio show, or buys anything with a Clemson logo he is helping to put that $11M in Dabos pocket. So he has earned the right to respectfully voice his opinion. I found Dabos response childish. He called Tyler a “kid”. But wasn’t Dabo a kid as well, with that response?
Counterpoint--Dabo works his ass off for everyone of those $11m he earns. All Tyler has to do is sit on a couch or a stadium seat on a Saturday.
Tyler’s also not the one who brought two national championships to Clemson in four years time, which is one more than they ever earned in their entire program history
Tyler needs to shut his mouth. Just because you’re apaying customer doesn’t mean you’re always right or you own the damn joint
Excellent! It is so true that expectations exceed appreciation. As a life long Oregon fan I've seen it all in my 64 years. I can remember going to Autzen back in junior high and seating in the endzone for $2.00 as part of the "Knot Hole Gang." In reality that ticket usually allowed us to "up grade" our seats to nearly anywhere in the stadium as often there was only 10,000-20,000 at the games. Oregon and OSU were frequent flyers in Steve Harvey's weekly "Bottom Ten."
Those of us who suffered through those years have a true and honest appreciation for where both programs are now. However, despite the bandwagon fans hand wringing over every bad call, loss or close game it gives us long time fans a honest perspective. A perspective based on just how hard it is to achieve a conference championship and even more so a playoff spot.
Rich Brooks took the reins from Don Read and made amazing hard earned progress ending in a Pac Ten title and Rose Bowl. It was so far from reality as a kid it was crazy. Belloti, Kelly and even Helfrich continued the excellent with Helfrich stumbling and being shown the door. Lanning and Cristobal have taken it to a higher level due to recruiting ability and thanks to Uncle Phil.
It's irritating and hilarious to read the comments online during a game and after from the unhinged and unrealistic fans. I suppose its to be expected in this day and age with the social media couch coaches. Sadly, all the rediculous comments and expectations are a fact of life in today's world. Regardless, having lived through the best of times and the worst of times in Oregon Athletics- I'm a appreciative fan for life. Go Ducks!
Lots of lopsided losses but always great to watch Pac 8, Pac 10 and Pac 12 football. We sure watched from great players throughout the years. Even the rough years. Go Ducks!
I recall Chip Kelly getting a scathing letter from a fan after the Boise State game (Chip's first). He berated Chip over his coaching that game, told Chip that he, the fan had wasted his money going to the game and even set forth his costs.
Kelly sent the guy a check which the fan, taken aback, would not accept.
I grew up in Springfield (graduated HS in 86). At night you could get KNBR 68 and AM 550 for Vin Scully and the Dodgers. We listened to Ken Dito all the time. "When are the Giants going to get rid of The Disaster (Johnnie LeMaster)"? Seemed like every night he took a LeMaster question.
You want to hear sports talk anger...move an NFL team from a city it had played for 50 years up to LA. THAT was anger.
Once again, a great take and insight into college football and coaching. People jumping on Lanning, Smith, and any other head coach always reminds me of the saying, "A cat may look at a king." As Scott Frost said when he was OC at Oregon, most of these people couldn't diagram a simple play, but they are full of advice for him. I don't think we have the slightest inkling of how hard these guys work and how competitive they are. I would not trade places with any of them.
As a long time Giants fan, I loved Ken Dito on KNBR and caught his show after most of their games. Even after I moved back to Oregon, when the 50,000-watt signal reached Portland I tuned in. He never took himself too seriously (unlike "the Razor," who was one of his inadequate successors). I especially liked the way he would toss off unimportant events ("okay, Milwaukee at Chicago, do you care?") But, unfortunately, he was gone before satellite radio and smart speakers brought reliable access every night.
I think the media today (including all the internet podcasts, blogs, talk shows, tv news, etc.etc.) also help create expectations. Then, failed expectations make us want to blame someone. I confess I’m guilty. I blamed Lanning for losing to Washington. Others here blame Oregon and/or Washington for the demise of the PAC-12.
I love that Lanning took time to express his thoughts about mass shootings and the frustration that nothing is being done. He didn’t blame, he simply said something needs to change. And he’s right! Football, along with every other sport is not the main event.
I hope fans everywhere for every sport will take a harder look at what’s happening in our world right now and realize we all need to figure out and contribute to solutions and a way forward. Maybe stop blaming, for sure stop hating, and do what my dad told me to do every so often…”Billy, once in awhile you need to just shut up a listen!”
I blame AZ, ASU, Cal, CU, Oregon, Oregon State, Stanford, UCLA, USC, Utah, UW, and WSU for hiring and enabling an out-of-control spendthrift and then going back-to-back with hiring a guy with no college administration experience.
I want to blame ESPN, Fox, CBS, and NBC but they are not the entities who decided to take CFB national and capitalize the sport. They capitalized on greed. Shocking!
What's great about sports is the passion for your team. Can't win them all but it brightens you day when they do win. Even when your team loses, there's always the next game.
I absolutely love your show John and get a kick out of your regular callers. And I am pleading, PLEADING with Mark from Portland to pronounce it Wash-ing-ton, and not warsh or worsh-ing-ton. Mark has very intelligent takes too! But it is almost too much for my ears to bear. Lol
Tyler is right to question what is happening. A better approach is to have asked Dabo why he thinks things have gone bad this year. If the coach can then provide a well-thought out explanation then he can help reset the expectations and increase the appreciation. I will agree that every coach will have down years but sometimes a coach is unwilling to change the approach that has worked in the past. Saban continually brings in new coordinators to keep his approach fresh. Dabo does not. That is also what happened with Riley. They program stagnated. I would sit in the stands and call out the next offensive play before it was run and 75% of the time I was right. I am sure the opposing
D-Coordinators did better than I did. The jet sweep was introduced in 2008 and by 2011 defensives knew how to stop it. Name one new wrinkle after the jet sweep at OSU. Add to that issue is the OSU D stopped being the strength of the team and you understand why we said he should go if he would not bring in fresh blood. He was loyal to a fault. I am hearing the same thing has happened at Clemson. Dabo has one approach only and is unwilling to change. Bringing in 5* talent is great unless that talent does not fit your system you refuse to change. You need to recruit the right talent not just the best talent. Look at Coach Smith for an example of how to really lead and coach.
Natures first green is gold her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf's a flower; but only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf, So Eden sank to grief.
so dawn goes down to day, Nothing gold can stay.
Robert Frost.
Love me some Robert Frost. The Road not Taken is my go-to.
And that has made all the difference.
Wonderful, well played, Chip. Charlie
Perfect. Thanks Chip.
Chip, Have you read A Pass and a Prayer?
I've read them all!
Is this a book to read? A pass and a Prayer.
Thanks
Joe
Didn't Frost write some nice and attainable little poems?
As a 1967 graduate of Oregon, I've seen the best and worst of Oregon football over the past 60 years. Win or lose, it is always entertaining. Other than that, my life has not been impacted in a meaningful way by the success or failure of the team. I seriously doubt that any fan can claim anything different, (unless of course you are betting some serious cash on the outcome of the games.) The same cannot be said for the coaches and the players. What happens during the season is extremely important to their present and future livelihood. It would be wise to keep that difference in mind when you rip into a player or coach, either on the air or on social media.
Very well said.
The CFP caused a sickness in fans. There are 128 FBS teams, and everyone expects their team to be in the top 4. Every. Single. Year.
It's simply not possible. How fans can so quickly eat their own immediately after a loss is losing the forest for the trees.
Coaching should be judged on if they are taking in young adults and giving them an experience that helps them grow into upstanding citizens, which build traits that they carry on to success in other aspects of their lives.
Of course "Walmart" fans won't understand this connection. Looking back at my college athletic career, we're were regional and conference champions... But I barely remember that at all... What I do remember are the values and moments my coaches spent time to make me a better person.
The CFP is a cancer and I am glad it is expanding to 12 teams next year year, maybe some of this craziness will subside.
I like this a lot JHC!
Yes I miss the pre-playoff days
Of course them left out teams 13, 14, 15, etc will be going crazy lol.
2026, following the money, it will be fans of teams 17, 18, and 19 who are ticked off.
“the expectation is greater than the appreciation. And that’s the problem.”
Apply this to infinite aspects of life. Gratitude and appreciation are free lunches for those who choose to indulge.
“the expectation is greater than the appreciation. And that’s the problem.” Once a team starts climbing and making progress and getting close, of course the fans are going to want to keep going and get frustrated when that stalls out. I get both sides. I'm a die-hard Oregon fan, have been for most of my 54 years, but I was just thinking the other day, getting ready to watch the Utah game, how much more fun I had watching the Ducks with Bill Musgrave at QB and just happy to be in a bowl game. When the Ducks are legitimately good, like right now, I expect them to beat the teams they should handily and I'm a nervous wreck when we have to go to war with an entire season on the line with every play.
I wouldn't trade the Ducks' success, but it surprised me to have the thought that this isn't necessarily as fun. Being a fan is definitely an interesting state of existence.
I've had exactly the same feeling...Terry Obee's end around to beat Washington was so sweet, because beating Washington was hard! It's still sweet, but not that sweet! There are something like 130 FBS teams...it has become ridiculous that your season is a bust if you don't win the national championship... I miss striving for a Rose bowl and dare I say, voting for a champion...it sounds absurd, but look what we've created in it wake.
Everyone is passionate. But perspective is necessary. I have no doubt that coaches and players work extremely hard to perform at their best daily and weekly. What they do is difficult and all consuming. And entertainment.
Fans can be consumed by their passion for their team. And they can be consumed by frustration when things don't go their way. For some, those few hours during the game maybe their only release from, whatever. But we must remember, this is entertainment. Albeit, great entertainment.
As one who sat through the Civil War game known as The Toilet Bowl. A 0-0 tie in the rain and seeing the futility on both sides of the ball was, entertaining!
So, are expectations to high? Yes. Across the board. But if we must have some kind of expectations. Fans, coaches and players need it.
Not everyone can be number 1, but we can all enjoy the ride as smooth or as bumpy as it will be. What a great season of college football so far. And I have no doubt, there will be more triumph and disappointment along the way.
Rich gets it 👆🏻
The Coaches are ALL ON A “HOT” seat all the time, especially with those of us who scream and holler at the T V and the wife, (at least mine) hollers at me to “calm” down or she leaves the room!!!
But when Coaches like Smith make such a STUPID call as he did, you have to wonder, don’t you? And this IS why callers who call in and TEAR AT THE COACH is OK sometimes, but those who continue to win will have a down year, look at USC as an example. Remember our 20 plus years of not winning, I sure do, and I really appreciate what Coach Smith and staff have done, I sure as heck will yell at he, the players, and the other Coaches, (Lindgren) for what I believe is a “bone head” decision.
So J C will hear a lot of “crap “ from those who wish to vent themselves,
SORRY J C and the Coaches on their talk shows, comes with the territory!!!
Have a great week everyone
Hi John. You’re so level headed. I wish I was. I get to emotional and make to many snap judgements. In this case I have to go with Tyler for the following reasons. Every time he buys a ticket, donates to Clemson, listens to or watches a game, listens to the radio show, or buys anything with a Clemson logo he is helping to put that $11M in Dabos pocket. So he has earned the right to respectfully voice his opinion. I found Dabos response childish. He called Tyler a “kid”. But wasn’t Dabo a kid as well, with that response?
Nah. He hasn’t “earned the right” to disrespect a coach that has accomplished as much as Sweeney, just because he bought a blue n orange beanie.
Counterpoint--Dabo works his ass off for everyone of those $11m he earns. All Tyler has to do is sit on a couch or a stadium seat on a Saturday.
Tyler’s also not the one who brought two national championships to Clemson in four years time, which is one more than they ever earned in their entire program history
Tyler needs to shut his mouth. Just because you’re apaying customer doesn’t mean you’re always right or you own the damn joint
Excellent! It is so true that expectations exceed appreciation. As a life long Oregon fan I've seen it all in my 64 years. I can remember going to Autzen back in junior high and seating in the endzone for $2.00 as part of the "Knot Hole Gang." In reality that ticket usually allowed us to "up grade" our seats to nearly anywhere in the stadium as often there was only 10,000-20,000 at the games. Oregon and OSU were frequent flyers in Steve Harvey's weekly "Bottom Ten."
Those of us who suffered through those years have a true and honest appreciation for where both programs are now. However, despite the bandwagon fans hand wringing over every bad call, loss or close game it gives us long time fans a honest perspective. A perspective based on just how hard it is to achieve a conference championship and even more so a playoff spot.
Rich Brooks took the reins from Don Read and made amazing hard earned progress ending in a Pac Ten title and Rose Bowl. It was so far from reality as a kid it was crazy. Belloti, Kelly and even Helfrich continued the excellent with Helfrich stumbling and being shown the door. Lanning and Cristobal have taken it to a higher level due to recruiting ability and thanks to Uncle Phil.
It's irritating and hilarious to read the comments online during a game and after from the unhinged and unrealistic fans. I suppose its to be expected in this day and age with the social media couch coaches. Sadly, all the rediculous comments and expectations are a fact of life in today's world. Regardless, having lived through the best of times and the worst of times in Oregon Athletics- I'm a appreciative fan for life. Go Ducks!
My first game was in 1975, when UO played UCLA. It was not a pretty game and there were maybe 15,000 people at the game. We just sat where we wanted.
Well said...feel 100% the same.
Mr. DeHarpport,
“Knothole Gang!” We are of the same era, although it’s 71 years for me. Nice comment.
Lots of lopsided losses but always great to watch Pac 8, Pac 10 and Pac 12 football. We sure watched from great players throughout the years. Even the rough years. Go Ducks!
I recall Chip Kelly getting a scathing letter from a fan after the Boise State game (Chip's first). He berated Chip over his coaching that game, told Chip that he, the fan had wasted his money going to the game and even set forth his costs.
Kelly sent the guy a check which the fan, taken aback, would not accept.
I think fair questions are:
Tyler, what do you do for work and play?
Tyler, who is your second favorite team?
Tyler, why do your parents let you stay down in that dark, damp basement so much?
I grew up in Springfield (graduated HS in 86). At night you could get KNBR 68 and AM 550 for Vin Scully and the Dodgers. We listened to Ken Dito all the time. "When are the Giants going to get rid of The Disaster (Johnnie LeMaster)"? Seemed like every night he took a LeMaster question.
You want to hear sports talk anger...move an NFL team from a city it had played for 50 years up to LA. THAT was anger.
Once again, a great take and insight into college football and coaching. People jumping on Lanning, Smith, and any other head coach always reminds me of the saying, "A cat may look at a king." As Scott Frost said when he was OC at Oregon, most of these people couldn't diagram a simple play, but they are full of advice for him. I don't think we have the slightest inkling of how hard these guys work and how competitive they are. I would not trade places with any of them.
As a long time Giants fan, I loved Ken Dito on KNBR and caught his show after most of their games. Even after I moved back to Oregon, when the 50,000-watt signal reached Portland I tuned in. He never took himself too seriously (unlike "the Razor," who was one of his inadequate successors). I especially liked the way he would toss off unimportant events ("okay, Milwaukee at Chicago, do you care?") But, unfortunately, he was gone before satellite radio and smart speakers brought reliable access every night.
I think the media today (including all the internet podcasts, blogs, talk shows, tv news, etc.etc.) also help create expectations. Then, failed expectations make us want to blame someone. I confess I’m guilty. I blamed Lanning for losing to Washington. Others here blame Oregon and/or Washington for the demise of the PAC-12.
I love that Lanning took time to express his thoughts about mass shootings and the frustration that nothing is being done. He didn’t blame, he simply said something needs to change. And he’s right! Football, along with every other sport is not the main event.
I hope fans everywhere for every sport will take a harder look at what’s happening in our world right now and realize we all need to figure out and contribute to solutions and a way forward. Maybe stop blaming, for sure stop hating, and do what my dad told me to do every so often…”Billy, once in awhile you need to just shut up a listen!”
Great take.
I blame AZ, ASU, Cal, CU, Oregon, Oregon State, Stanford, UCLA, USC, Utah, UW, and WSU for hiring and enabling an out-of-control spendthrift and then going back-to-back with hiring a guy with no college administration experience.
I want to blame ESPN, Fox, CBS, and NBC but they are not the entities who decided to take CFB national and capitalize the sport. They capitalized on greed. Shocking!
'We have met the enemy and they are us.'
What's great about sports is the passion for your team. Can't win them all but it brightens you day when they do win. Even when your team loses, there's always the next game.
I absolutely love your show John and get a kick out of your regular callers. And I am pleading, PLEADING with Mark from Portland to pronounce it Wash-ing-ton, and not warsh or worsh-ing-ton. Mark has very intelligent takes too! But it is almost too much for my ears to bear. Lol
Tyler is right to question what is happening. A better approach is to have asked Dabo why he thinks things have gone bad this year. If the coach can then provide a well-thought out explanation then he can help reset the expectations and increase the appreciation. I will agree that every coach will have down years but sometimes a coach is unwilling to change the approach that has worked in the past. Saban continually brings in new coordinators to keep his approach fresh. Dabo does not. That is also what happened with Riley. They program stagnated. I would sit in the stands and call out the next offensive play before it was run and 75% of the time I was right. I am sure the opposing
D-Coordinators did better than I did. The jet sweep was introduced in 2008 and by 2011 defensives knew how to stop it. Name one new wrinkle after the jet sweep at OSU. Add to that issue is the OSU D stopped being the strength of the team and you understand why we said he should go if he would not bring in fresh blood. He was loyal to a fault. I am hearing the same thing has happened at Clemson. Dabo has one approach only and is unwilling to change. Bringing in 5* talent is great unless that talent does not fit your system you refuse to change. You need to recruit the right talent not just the best talent. Look at Coach Smith for an example of how to really lead and coach.