What Now Stephen A.?

Storyline: Stephen A. Smith has always been an opinionated analyst. But has he gone too far this time? Was attacking Charlie Strong a bit much?

I disagreed with the thoughts of Stephen A. Smith this morning in his remarks towards Texas Head Football Coach Charlie Strong. Much of this disagreement has much to do with the ethnicity of all parties mentioned. I am a proud fan of Stephen A. and see him as an overall great model for young African American males. However, I feel he lacked some self-awareness today as he chose to call Mike and Mike in the morning to make his statement that it is time for Texas to cut ties with Strong.

Courtesy: rantsports.com

Besides my overall difference in opinion that Strong should be terminated, my bigger problem is when obstacles are created by those who fight the same fight. And understand there is a fight to be had. Just as Stephen A. is a great model, so is Charlie Strong. Charlie Strong’s accomplishments have landed him to being the first African American Head Coach of Texas football. Strong is well known for his integrity and his overall relationship with his players.

It is not a problem for Stephen A. Smith to have his own opinion of the job Strong is doing just because he is African American, but consider the following. Stephen A. is a great sports analyst with a wide range of information on a variety of news and sport. However none of us are perfect; we all have our weaknesses for whatever reason. He would be one of the first voices I look for about NBA news. He has deep and long insight on the league and an advantageous bond with many of the players. For NFL news, once again, Stephen A. is a man I enjoy listening to break down what he’s seen throughout the season.

Stephen A. Smith is not so knowledgeable about college football. He, in his own admission, just started paying attention to college football only a few years ago due to his co-host and close friend, Skip Bayless. If we know anything about Skip Bayless it’s that he’s a well renowned writer and opinion holder. However, if you constantly disagree with his opinions of professional football, what makes you think he’s any different when watching amateur? Basically I feel Stephen A. is talking just to be talking.

He knows Texas has a losing record, recently got blown out, and that Charlie is in his second year. Any regular college football observer would at least recognize the waiting of a first recruiting class, installation of a new system, etc.. Unlike Stephen A., high school players now don’t know of Texas being a power house. They don’t know of those hook ’em horns. They reminisce of other Texas schools such as A&M, TCU, and Baylor. Any observer would know that this isn’t a quick turnaround job. This is unlike Harbaugh at Michigan or McElwain at Florida.

Courtesy: hoopmixtape.com

Texas had entitled players, lower ranked recruits, and a coach whose departure was long overdue. Throw that in with all the antics and politics one has to perform in Texas, as oppose to Ohio or Alabama, and it’s hard to create stability. Stephen A. and others should understand that no one is going to go to Texas and turn around the program in a season.

Stephen A. Smith showcased himself as a prop today. Many will be able to use his words in disguise to condemn Strong without the threat of being called racist or skating that line. From the community, I think there are enough people calling for Charlie Strong’s job already. Major boosters didn’t want Charlie and now the athletic director who hired him is gone. Things are a bit shaky for Charlie and I was surprised at who went out of their way to add some ripples.

ESPN’s Joe Schad reported that Charlie’s Job is secure. “Charlie has a lot of breathing room”, one source said Monday. “There is nowhere near the pressure to remove him at this time that there was with Steve Patterson or even Mack Patterson.” Texas at this point is 1-4 with losses against #15 Notre Dame, #23 Cal, #21 Oklahoma St, and finally #4 TCU. All in all, Stephen A. Smith was a bit eccentric this morning. Still much respect.