In one of his routines, comedian Jeff Foxworthy said the only thing some men need to be happy are “a beer and to see something naked.”
The same could be said today for college coaches, although it’s no laughing matter for Larry Eustachy and Mike Price. In the past few weeks, both coaches have come under fire for questionable activities.
Eustachy’s trouble stemmed from several recent pictures surfacing of the 47-year-old Iowa State coach fraternizing with college-age girls at an opposing school’s party after a game in January.
Eustachy has since admitted he is an alcoholic and is seeking treatment, though his status as coach is in serious jeopardy. ISU athletic director Bruce Van de Velde has recommended Eustachy be fired, though students and players are calling for him to get a second chance.
Price did not get any second chance and was fired Saturday from Alabama, three months before he ever coached his first game for the Crimson Tide. He allegedly let a stripper charge about $1,000 worth of room service to his credit card while on a school-sponsored trip to Florida. The 57-year-old Price also made several visits to a topless bar, where he reportedly spent hundreds of dollars at the expense of the university.
It’s sad to see two fine coaches fall from grace, but they brought it on themselves and should take responsibility for their misgivings.
Eustachy’s situation is part of a more serious problem he has to deal with, but he has admitted he knew about his alcoholism for some time though he did nothing about it until recently. Eustachy should step down if he isn’t fired, so he can deal with his problem without being a distraction to the team.
Price’s actions resemble a scene from the movie “Animal House” or something associated with a 21-year-old college student, not the behavior of a grown man. It may only have been a one-time incident for Price, who coached at Washington State for 14 years, but its effects may haunt him forever.
Though the coaches have admitted their mistakes, it’s not enough to forgive and forget because the integrity of all NCAA coaches is at stake. Forcing these men to deal with their actions and the consequences of them will have far better results for everyone than a slap on the wrist and a “don’t do it again” warning.
The bottom line is coaches are supposed to be the mature ones. They’re role models for young athletes and lead by setting a strong example. They’ve been around the block a few times and should know better.
These men are in the public spotlight, which means their mistakes are often magnified in the media, and they are subject to a higher standard of conduct. Unlike their players, they are actually getting paid lucrative contracts to do what they do.
When a player messes up in college, his or her coach is often the one to shell out the discipline. Giving a coach a second chance for a violation most players would be suspended or kicked off the team for isn’t right.
After all the dust clears and new faces are brought in to smooth over the wrinkles left at these institutions, let’s hope these events serve as a future warning to every NCAA coach in America — if you screw up, you’ll pay for it.