This is going to be my last football post concerning Fitz's departure, lawsuits, hazing etc. From now on, just the team and football field performance. I've always been a Fitz fan and think he's a principled leader with some blindspots who should have known more. Salty times.
But there are few things I always wondered about, vis a vis the culture of the university: And how much do these things need to "fit"?
a) the military/navy SEAL/flag waving patriotism: I get how intense training and toughness relate to football. But I've personally felt the flag waving came across gratuitous. Not casting shade on vets, but at the same time that doesn't mean that we need to mention and invoke the military constantly. If we're a service academy, sure. But we're a snobby private school with Alums that run Hollywood. What a juxtaposition! It never really seriously bothered me, but in hindsight I wonder, was that a factor in terms of Fitz's friction with faculty? Or is that a minimum requirement for any football program trying to recruit kids from Texas? I really don't know and would like to hear views.
b) The overt expression of religious beliefs - In our case the Christian kind. Same thing - no shade on Christians including those who like to display their religious beliefs. There seems to have been a lot of religiously expressive displays from our players over the years. Not sure if this is just how all of America is, how all of collegiate athletics is, or if there's a higher concentration of that within our football team? To my untrained eye, I've always felt we had more of those things on display versus most other football programs.
All taken together, I can see how the left-leaning faculty (who may not be terribly tolerant) would wonder why they have this NASCAR-type character coaching religious players - as the most visible face of the university. I would personally feel that any faculty with those views are petty - but knowing their type, it wouldn't surprise me. I've never been a fan of all the performative patriotism - but no need to hate on the guy if that's what he and the team want to express.
Not really taking sides on this - but am eager to hear any observations on the subcultural vibes of the program and whether they are unique or different versus other teams. It's also a question of how a coach "brand" might fit with NU in the future. For example, a David Shaw type I can see being a match with the reality of the NU faculty and alumni base. That doesn't mean we'd win with him.
Still, I do fear that there may be a cultural faultline that could make it hard to find our footing - most recently reflected in the "Cat's against the world" T-shirt kerfuffle.
But there are few things I always wondered about, vis a vis the culture of the university: And how much do these things need to "fit"?
a) the military/navy SEAL/flag waving patriotism: I get how intense training and toughness relate to football. But I've personally felt the flag waving came across gratuitous. Not casting shade on vets, but at the same time that doesn't mean that we need to mention and invoke the military constantly. If we're a service academy, sure. But we're a snobby private school with Alums that run Hollywood. What a juxtaposition! It never really seriously bothered me, but in hindsight I wonder, was that a factor in terms of Fitz's friction with faculty? Or is that a minimum requirement for any football program trying to recruit kids from Texas? I really don't know and would like to hear views.
b) The overt expression of religious beliefs - In our case the Christian kind. Same thing - no shade on Christians including those who like to display their religious beliefs. There seems to have been a lot of religiously expressive displays from our players over the years. Not sure if this is just how all of America is, how all of collegiate athletics is, or if there's a higher concentration of that within our football team? To my untrained eye, I've always felt we had more of those things on display versus most other football programs.
All taken together, I can see how the left-leaning faculty (who may not be terribly tolerant) would wonder why they have this NASCAR-type character coaching religious players - as the most visible face of the university. I would personally feel that any faculty with those views are petty - but knowing their type, it wouldn't surprise me. I've never been a fan of all the performative patriotism - but no need to hate on the guy if that's what he and the team want to express.
Not really taking sides on this - but am eager to hear any observations on the subcultural vibes of the program and whether they are unique or different versus other teams. It's also a question of how a coach "brand" might fit with NU in the future. For example, a David Shaw type I can see being a match with the reality of the NU faculty and alumni base. That doesn't mean we'd win with him.
Still, I do fear that there may be a cultural faultline that could make it hard to find our footing - most recently reflected in the "Cat's against the world" T-shirt kerfuffle.
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