I WAS WRONG – Addressing the Saban/Brown Issue
Posted on: December 14, 2013
It’s almost 3:00 am eastern time and I’m on a business trip in Ohio. I’ve got to be at the airport in a few hours to head off to North Carolina. I should be asleep. I talked to the other Brainiacs and apologized about the Saban/Brown story. I told them I’d come forward and publicly let everyone know that the Saban/Brown story was mine and the sources were mine. The other Brainiacs trusted me and obviously I missed hard on this one. But they’re ball players and so they said what ball players say – you don’t have to say anything…we’re a team and we’re going to back you regardless…and if people are going to take a shot at one of us then they can take shots at all of us. JY is one of the most loyal guys I know and he begged me not to post this. He insisted that if one of us makes a mistake we all stand together and take it. So I should be asleep. But as much as I appreciate those guys having my back I felt the need to write this. I’m sure in the course of writing this I’ll say things that I probably shouldn’t or things that a publicist would tell me not to say but in the short time we’ve been on line I’ve always shot everyone straight. I do that in my life and I’ll do it here. So here it is…even if I should be asleep…
I was a boxer for many years. Fortunate to have been trained by a number of talented fighters. I’m used to standing up on my own. I’ve had surgery on my nose and probably still need another. I’ve got permanent damage to my retina. But I don’t regret fighting because I learned so much about myself and what it means to be a man. The first thing my coach told me when I walked into the gym as a wirey teenager was “keep getting up” and “it doesn’t matter how big someone is, everyone’s nose breaks the same”. Perhaps I’ll tell you the life lesson from the second quote another time.
As for the first quote, it’s something we’ve all heard in our life but is easier said than done. I saw a lot of people who thought they wanted to fight come through the gym over the years. After a few months of training they’d start to feel good about themselves so they’d step in the ring. They’d take a good lick and you’d never see them again. That wasn’t me. I was hard to hit but I took my shots. I’ve gone full speed with guys that outweighed me by a hundred lbs, I took straight right in the corner from one of those big boys and almost fell out. I didn’t feel right for 3 days. But after 3 days I got in the ring with him again.
We started this site for fans. We started this site to shine a light on undervalued HS ball players. We started this site to give people inside information into how recruiting works and what the football world looks like. We started this site to bring people closer to the game. To help fans understand coverages, fronts, stunts, twists, schemes and everything else about this great game. And me being wrong about where Coach Saban is going to coach ball next year doesn’t change any of that.
I’ve been wrong about some things but I’ve been right about a lot more things. I trusted my sources and I know they told me what they believed and when one of them tried to apologize to me I told him “you’ve got nothing to apologize for”. There were people all over the country with sources inside both programs that were told similar things and there were people all over the country with sources inside the programs that were told the opposite. And at this point who knows why it went one way and not the other. It doesn’t matter. Many times I’ve criticized corporate recruiting/evaluation websites because I believe their methodology in generating rankings/stars is fundamentally flawed – that while they hold themselves out as evaluators they in fact, to an unacceptable degree, really just modify their rankings/star-ratings based on offers. I don’t care if someone is wrong about a kid – you can’t be right all the time. What I believe is wrong is the process. If you’re saying you’re going to evaluate then evaluate and be honest about your thoughts regardless of how many offers a kid might or might not have.
In this case what I apologize for is my process. I did indeed have two good sources but what I later found out is that it’s standard practice in a story of this magnitude to have three sources. When I found a third source, the source contradicted my first two sources (as I noted in a post earlier this week). I believed the initial information I received so completely that I rushed the information out as fast as I could without checking and rechecking and without even consulting the other Brainiaics. I don’t regret trusting my sources. And there was no deception or attempt to garner page views or twitter followers or anything of the like. I never lie. I’m not afraid of anyone enough to lie to them and I don’t care enough about people’s opinion of me to lie to them. What I regret is not being more thorough and not conferring with the other Brainiacs. I regret posting the original post under “The Brainiacs” as opposed to posting it from me. And I’ll be honest perhaps a part of me did that because I felt it would carry more weight. So I apologize for those things.
But if anyone thinks for a second that I’m going anywhere or any of us are going anywhere you are mistaken. If anyone thinks we’re not going to continue offering our opinions about football or unabashedly offering up inside information about recruiting or anything else related to ball then you are again mistaken. We’ve built a great place for our readers here with plans to make it even better. In the short time we’ve been around I’ve seen a ball player we highlighted go from having 0 scholarship offers to multiple offers within a 1 week of our post. If someone out there reading this site wants to define us by an error in my story checking process then so be it. And if you think I or any of us are never going to be wrong again then you’d be mistaken because everyone is wrong sometimes just like everyone loses a fight sometimes. What I can tell you is that I will be more vigilant about the process that we take when it comes to stories of this magnitude. But God willing, The Football Brainiacs are going to be here for a long time. We aint going anywhere. I’m not going anywhere. Sure I took a straight right last night and got my bell rung. But I will be back in the ring in the morning.
But for now I should be asleep.
89 Comments
Right on man. We missed plain and simple. It was a big miss for sure, but we ain’t even close to bein through. Heck man, we ain’t even started. U my boy and I got your back. Let them come at us. They know where we are.
Heck I read your stuff for player evals and game analysis anyway. You guys do a super job. You guys weren’t the only ones how speculated Saben to UT.
Super, I followed you over to this site right after it fired up because I knew you would be a straight shooter and dish out some knowledge. And it’s been just that and more. Love the insight into recruiting, the evals, JY’s Trench breakdowns…and more is coming, I am sure. The others just talk, this site dishes out good solid info w/o the smart remarks and negativity so pervasive on the others. I got ya, man. You guys are solid and stuff happens and we learn. Who knows what happened behind the curtains at the 40 acres the last 24 hours. Keep up the good work, Super K and all ya’ll here at the Brainiacs.
No big deal man, don’t let people make u think otherwise. Everyone in Texas thought same thing, stories & rumors everywhere. I’m sure even top sources truly believed it would, but perhaps due more to hope than reality. Betting Saban played this the whole way, left Bevo at altar. That’s kind of funny actually. Don’t sweat it dude, doesn’t change a bit about quality content you bring.
Everyone knew Saban was a crapshoot that could fly any way, regardless of any stories.
Don’t sweat it guys, we have a president that said we could keep our health care policy and Dr. period.LOL. This is the best site out there, keep up the great work.
This was a very brave and admirable post, but wholly unnecessary. Situations change. Humans are fickle, weird creatures. We change our minds, even when we think we’re certain about our choice.
Everyone makes a mistake once in a while. Just don’t ever let it happen again, Super K. 😉
Agreed. Let’s all move on to more interesting and entertaining topics.
So Cal, We’ll most likely have the 3rd quarter of Trench Warfare up tomorrow. Thanks!
Do not overly sweat this. The Texas thing right now is a three ring circus…..no one knows for sure what is real. This site has become a ‘go to place’ for very unique and intelligent perspectives on all things Sooner. Thanks.
Who says adults, like recruits, can’t change their mind, for whatever reason, and choose a path different from what they may have led those close to them believe. Thank you guys for sharing the original information you received. I know it was from sources you would still trust today and there is noting to be apologetic about. Please continue to have fun with your site as you guys all have a passion for utilizing your knowledge and experiences in sharing insights a lot of us don’t see. Thanks for taking your time and energy to continue a site most of us truly enjoy reading. Heads up. Move on.
Nobody could see how bad Mack wanted to stay..in hind sight he just saw Bob pass Barry and he has a shot at Daryl…no matter how bad people wanted him out and Saban in, Mack must have had some dirt or heavy pull to get back in…You can tell Saban was tied in because both stories broke at the same time (about them staying)
THIS!!
The fix is in.
There was too much smoke from too many areas. texas is a mess. Mack is in denial, but he has leverage. There was a lot of work done to put things in motion, but unfortunately Mack wouldn’t cooperate. He just wouldn’t go away.
He is the Jason, Mike Myers, Freddie Kruger of the longhorn football.
It was a win/win situation for Saban. Talk about leverage. Let this story percolate for a couple of weeks while an extension sits on your desk unsigned. It’s amazing how that extension grows as long as it doesn’t have a signature. At first glance, common sense tells you that it would be foolhardy to leave a championship caliber program at a destination location this late in your career. It was easy to let these rumors work for him because it would be easy for him to deny their validity if things didn’t work out.
Whether he was playing Bama or playing texas, the truth is that he was definitely playing. Leaving Bama for “El Dorado” could be good timing. Dynasties usually are crushed under their own weight. Saban has done as good of a job as anyone managing and developing talented egos, but history tells us that you can’t stay on top forever. texas offers the ultimate challenge and possibly the ultimate reward. texas can fund a program like has never been seen before. It would be in their best interest to “invest” some of their gains now before those wells dry up. To do that you need a Saban type to lead.
Either way Saban was going to win the lottery. The only question was if it was going to be Powerball or MegaMillions .
Appreciate y’all. Man I hope coach Stoops takes down Bama in the sugar bowl 🙂
We all do buddy. That would be one hell of a way to start out the new year! BOOMER!
No big deal at all.
This is now my favorite OU FB site.
Look forward every day to reading your summaries. So well written and helpful for the “average Joe fan” like myself.
Please keep it up!!
Like u said, everybody is wrong at some point about something. It takes a man to admit when he is wrong, and u might (but I don’t think so) have made a mistake, but in no way will it affect my opinion about u or this site. Hands down this is the best site I’ve been to for information about the wonderful game of football. No other site I’ve been to offers the quality of info you guys do. JY’s trench warfare posts are AWESOME. I’m looking forward to the player evaluation posts from various people who know the game. The knowledge you guys have and share is out of this world. The best part is you guys do this on your spare time and don’t charge for it. You shoot straight and tell it how it is, and I appreciate that more than anything. No sugar coating or BS here.
Super K, ESPN broke the same story you did. They were wrong as well, but they don’t admit to it. Joe Schad is one of the worst at breaking bad info, and he does that stuff for a living. Don’t sweat it bro. Keep up the AWESOME work.
I think you are making a terrible mistake.
You are underestimating what this mistake has cost you.
When your business model relies on credibility, and you miss so badly, it is not easy to recover from.
I will guarantee you this.
The next time you try to break a story this big– you will be met with skepticism and ridicule.
Coming out of the gate, it’s not as if you or your playa playas had built any significant history of breaking stories.
Sadly, and I am guessing you don’t realize it, it’s over for you before it even began.
Please. Every story is met with skepticism until it is finished. Any thinking person takes reports like this exactly for what they are. Until people are ready to go on the record and until the deal is officially announced nothing is ever final. That doesn’t mean that his information was false. It just means that it was fluid. This is a blog, not the Wall Street Journal.
LOL, Sam Diamond. Look at all of the mainstream media sources that have been absolutely wrong on so many breaking stories, but THIS is going to end Brainiacs? You’re funny, but your brother, Neil, that is epic.
I really like Neil, other brother Sam???
Mr. Diamond really? ESPN has reported the same story for days. super K told a week ago that he had heard 2 stories. Also said he wasn’t sure what would happen. Not to mention “real news” folks have reported wrong too. Remember when Bob Stoops was inking that deal at Notre Dame according to ESPN? Oh wait we meant Brian Kelly but both guys have B’s in first name. Also remember when USC was going to hire Jack Del Rio? And let’s be real the whole country thought Mack was gone and was reporting it. I drove from Houston to OKC yesterday and every staition reported Mack was gone. So diamond go troll on another site.
Super K you did nothing wrong and I agree this post is completely not need. Love your work fellas
No disrespect Sam, but what you’re saying would have been the case for any site as relatively new as FB.
And I know for a fact this wasn’t a ploy to simply try and drum up traffic. As the guys here have said, they turned down national interview requests b/c it wasn’t about bringing attention to themselves or the site. Now was that inevitable w/ a potential story this big? Certainly, but that doesn’t change what their intent was and as I’ve said, I know for a fact their intent was pure.
Look, as others here have said, you have sources. Sometimes they’re wrong, sometimes they’re right. That’s the risk you take, but it’s a necessary one if you’re trying to give the people what they want.
I completely disagree.
Sam,
thank you for the post. Positive or negative, we encourage the thoughts of all posters on our site. You’re absolutely correct in saying we made a big mistake. What your discounting however is the toughness, character and work ethic of the men who put this board together. We will work until this is behind us, and we’ll learn from our mistakes. We will stay true to our readers and continue stepping up to the plate. We may swing and miss on a few of em, but we’re not going to stop swinging. Thanks again for your comment and stopping by our site. Boomer!
Well said. That is something that you will NOT hear from other news sources who were wrong about a story. Besides, K said that he had another source that said the Sabans were staying in Tuscaloosa. Where’s the praise for getting that one right? It just looks like some people want to drag others down. Glad you guys have the substance to not be discouraged by this, and to actually apologize when you get it wrong. That’s the real difference.
Business model? Funny you say that without it actually being a business.
Breaking a story? It wasn’t a story. It was information passed along to the readers from a couple of sources. It wasn’t mean to be a “breaking news” piece….as this is not a news outlet.
These guys are professionals in other fields and I almost guarantee you they are very successful in whatever field they work in as their work ethic and great character are evident in every interaction here at FB. You, on the other hand, are more worried about being a jerk to a group of guys that have always been upfront with their intent…an intent you fail to acknowledge. You post on this site from some imaginary pedestal you seem to place yourself on, although I would bet my house that you are wrong with regularity yet I highly doubt you would own up to it WITHOUT making a bunch of excuses like Super K did. You seem to like guarantees up there on your ‘throne’ so I thought I would throw out one of mine.
Do us all a favor next time and spare us what you think. You seem to know the ‘cost’ from experience, yet again, fail to realize this has cost this website absolutely nothing.
Good luck to you in your endeavor to find humility, then you may find success.
I stand with the “THE BRANIACS”!!!!
I support you guys, period. Enough said.
Looks like Saban signed his deal with Bama after Texass decided to keep Mack…this was a down to the wire type thing, for sure. I don’t blame you, I actually appreciate you having the balls to say you were wrong.
You wouldn’t believe how many times I have been wrong when I was absolutely sure that I was right. Yours is just more public than mine were. Tons of respect for all the Brainiacs.
I am a professional journalist and sometimes we miss on things, we trust our sources and write the story and sometimes it’s wrong. We take the heat because our byline is at the top.
It’s something we can live with as long as we are not played by our sources, apparently that did not happen in this case.
It’s part of the business, it is true that journalists have to earn back their credibility to a certain degree but over time, it willl be fine.
Speculation is a large part of what makes sports great. Keep the faith and keep moving on.
Well said, sir
Hey, don’t feel so bad. After all, you got a little national attention and made the top of this list:
http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/12/who_said_that_7_folks_who_were.html
Seriously…this lengthy diatribe is almost more foolish than the original article. Love the analogies to being a team, though. The problem is, you’re like an 0-12 team. Do yourself a favor and find something else to do…maybe you’ll stumble onto something that you’re actually good at.
Of course you’ll be back in the ring in the morning after getting your bell rung. Love that boxing analogy also. It’s how some guys end up as blithering idiots by the time their sixty, having to be spoon fed their dinner. Looks like you’re on the same track, metaphorically speaking, as a journalist. This is what happens when the proportion of a guy’s testosterone level to his number of brain cells is way out of whack.
0-12? Brother you haven’t visited our site obviously.
I’m glad I’m not as cynical as you are. Way to go out of your way to try and put someone down, man.
0-12 is a stretch my man. We were undefeated before yesterday. We lost and lost big on a big stage. We threw down and came up short. You, however don’t know anything about us. In that, we aren’t journalists. We’re old ballplayers who write about ballplayers. We answer to each other and that’s it. We don’t charge our readers(never will), and we don’t owe anyone anything other than thanking people for taking time out to stop by our site. I regret to inform you that we’re not going to slink away into some dark, dank hole in the ground. We deserve everything you can dish out, and I’m going to stand next to my brothers, with a big ol frosty mug of what ever it is you’re dishing. I’m going to embrace it, take it, and relish in it. I love adversity. I’m not as good a boxer as K is by any stretch, but I can damn sure take a punch! BOOOOOOOMER!
BOOM! Enough said!
Sorry guys, just got a little carried away. Just hate it when a douche bag creates a post blasting people he doesn’t even know. Also blasting a site which he obviously hasn’t navigated through. Get lost TROLL!
SOOOONER!! Sic em’, JY!
You are a buffoon of the highest order. None of us will ever know what truly went down. I’ll bet that MB sold his soul for another shot.
Incredible amount of stupid there Roger, the amount I’d expect from someone butthurt. Bama fan perhaps? Saban played the deal, insiders @ Texas wanted & truly believed it was happening. That simple. But please explain how this alters the axis of world. You write off site as joke, yet you seem to be rather engaged with it, to offer such deep thought with far less implication than original story.
This will happen to everyone at some point in our lives so you’re definitely not alone man. I’ve only been coming to this site for a short while now, but an off-base source sure as heck ain’t gonna run me off from the fantastic job each of yall are doing
You guys put out a great product, with tons of pertinent information on Sooner recruiting. Will be interesting to see if Mack stays on at this point. Wouldn’t upset me. Any news on Heupel and Arky St?
I haven’t heard a peep on that one man.
re: Heupel
If he’s on their list, he’s far enough down it that the odds of him being offered the job, at least as things stand today, are very slim.
This is the best and first site i check into when i want quality insight and in depth analysis from guys who know their stuff. Respect what you guys do. Who knows all the back room dealings that take place befoe this situation gets worked out. Went with the info you felt was right, didn’t pan out… Happens all the time.
“when I want […] in depth analysis…” – You’re last name’s not Heupel by any chance is it? Haha
Seriously though, this is the first site I check as well. Keep up the good work guys.
It takes all of 5 minutes to see this site’s insight, especially compared to the cynical, generic, boilerplate discussions that pervade message boards and many other media. And you actually analyze with fresh commentary, which most outlets (newspapers, pay sites) simply do not do. Sites that want publicity or short term twitter followers do NOT offer that.
Anyone feigning indignation about the Saban story is at least a little disingenuous. As if the idea of a situation like this (with some actual smoke) turning into false reports is just so appalling, so shocking to trolls who are so discerning in all their other internet information. Please. You all were wrong, admitted it (which is rare) and that is that.
Keep providing real, quality insight and information, and everything else will take care of itself.
No worries guys. Love this site and all the insight you all bring. Keep up the awesome work! #BoomSoon
Thanks for saying that Blake. Boom!
Okay. Can we all move on to what’s really the most pressing at the moment? Like, when does Jordan get his caricature at the top of the page? 🙂
No doubt man! I’ve been on K about that!
Nobody needs to see this ugly mug, in real-life or the cartoon version!
Super k , no worries my friend… As one of the members of your sooner family i don’t think you need to apologize…. You obviously have tremendous character and will look forward to your info and opinion in the future… #Boomer!!
thank you sir.
Here’s the thing guys.
I am posting this here to respond to many of you who said “Hey, ESPN had it wrong too!”, or “All the national media had this story wrong”.
The truth is. You can find the zero point for this story.
It is either here, or from Chip Brown’s site. Both seem to have been the genesis for the “whisper-down-the-lane” quality of this story.
One person posted it. The rest just copied from it.
Here’s a novel idea. Be better than ESPN. ESPN has become a tabloid sports business. They rarely do original work, they rarely break stories, and when they do– they usually get it wrong.
The best work they do is from Bill Simmons and his 30-30 series, that’s it. Everything else is a joke—-Joe Schad is openly mocked for being wrong time after time.
If you want to copy someone– try Yahoo’s Dan Wetzel. He broke the Miami story, he doesn’t go public unless every source has been vetted, and he simply doesn’t make a mistake. He qualifies stories with appropriate amounts of skepticism.
Be the guy who shorted the 2006 housing market— BE THAT GUY.
Think against the grain– don’t become part of the mob mentality.
It takes someone special to be right when everyone else around them is saying the opposite.
Yet, there were a few guys out there— who maintained all along that Saban was not making the move–
Kudos for admitting a mistake. I hope this was a lesson learned, and it doesn’t happen again.
So, I’m confused.
Out of one side of your mouth you’re saying do something else. While out the other you’re saying do it, but be better at it.
You’ve made your point, I feel pretty confident in speaking for the rest of us here that we don’t need to continue reading you trying it make it again and again.
K addressed it, owned it, not sure what else you’re looking for. To shut down the site or something?
Move on, guy.
Thank you, Jordan.
There’s a really good solutions to this problem, Samuel. Don’t come here to get information.
We’ll see yuh ’round. *Thumbs up*
So, asking a serious question.. What is with the Alabama inferiority complex? I remember when “Sources” were confirming that Bob was signing a contract with Florida. We were notably alarmed. But we did not flame the sources nor were we vindictive after the fact. That’s something I would expect from the Okie State folks… and now apparently Alabama.
Hey. No worries man. No ones perfect.
I used to be SoCal 😉
Where abouts?
San Diego first for us..now Bakersfield.
There is no need to apologize. This is the best OU blog/website on the net bar none and you happen to be one of the many reasons why. Not only the fact that you all have your own opinions contrary to popular thought but that you support those opinions provides your patrons with an insight most other sites fail to offer. The facts are in situations like Saban to UT these situations are extremely fluid and anything can upset the applecart and turn the situation on its ear. We will never know what May have caused Saban to change his mind. I believe you operated with the utmost integrity and just relayed what was being told to you as an insider. Nobody can even claim to know what will transpire at this point with this situation because all of it is speculation. Mack may still leave. He may coach another year or 10 more years. No one can claim to know at this point. No apologies just keep doing what you are doing. Boomer sooner!!!!!!!!!
Boomer brother!
I feel like Nick wanted people to be saying he was going to Texas so that Alabama would offer a big amount on a extension. So I feel if its anybodys fault it would be him and his agent. You did what was right and was giving us fans information on OU’s future. Texas is in OU’s future, and if Saban is going there we would like to know. This site is great and I am thankful my friend told me about it. Keep doing what your doing guys and thank you.
Actually Nick wasn’t ever going to speak to UT while Mack was still coach. He said that last year to those close to him (agent) and he kept that word. They never had contact with UT about Nick as his agent was too busy working on Freeze, Mora and Jimbo’s contract extensions. His agent may have been helped by all of this, but they already has started to speak to Bama and Bama knew the numbers. He knew he could get 2 mm more at UT, but wanted to stay and finish out where he’s at according to what his agent shared with me. There is always a ton of ‘speak’ when dealing with a coach like Saban for many reasons and some of it will be ‘leaked’ when it’s advantageous to them. None of this is on Saban or his agent. This whole deal is typical UT crap. They are a mess right now and there are a few coaches who have no desire to speak with them because of this. They are still concerned about the lawsuits and sexual harassment stuff. This is tip of iceberg as UT has already started to reach out to top head Bball coaches and baseball coaches so those two firings are not that far away either.
good info thanks
http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/12/who_said_that_7_folks_who_were.html#incart_river
Ouch…. Keep your head up though. You guys do a great job.
Oh hell there goes the neighborhood! 🙂
Oh Hell! There goes the neighborhood!! 🙂
Yeah we saw it. Posted it on twitter to let everyone know I’m not running from this.
All I have to say is if this site became a pay site all I would say is how much and do you accept paypal!!! #BoomerSooner
Good to hear, but you won’t ever have to worry about that.
K, the fact that you came out to address this (not that you had to, IMO) speaks volumes on your character. Count me as being down with y’all.
7.4 mil, is a ridiculous figure, by anyone’s standard and I’m sure Saban thought through this one more than most would think.
I could give 2 flips on who Tx picks. we’ll continue to own them either way
Always appreciated Indy!
Classy. Most sites would just never mention they were wrong. Big to stand up and talk about it. Love this site, keep up the good work.
Thanks Kyle!
Let’s say you work for $50K per year and there is a rumor going around (true or not) just
before raise time that you got an offer from the competitor down the street for $70K. Do you deny it and tell the boss you are happy to stay there at your current salary, or do you shut your mouth and hope the boss gives you a big raise to try to keep you?
Anyone who answered the former is either a liar or a fool.
And, if you then got that big raise, the only thing you would say is how wonderful it is there and how happy you are to stay.
That’s exactly what Saban and Jimmy Sexton did.
First time to comment here, but I have always enjoyed The Brainiacs’ and Jordan’s (CCM) commentaries and knowledge.
I don’t think anyone, including Brown and Saban had 100% knowledge of how yesterday was going to turn out – say a week ago. This was obviously a fluid situation with many components operating simultaneously. But there was only 1 of 2 outcomes and you know what, SuperK, you were probably correct when you made the original post, but the situation was not set in stone. Things shifted, changed at the 11th hour.
In the end, I appreciate your commentary and posts and I look forward to more discussions in the future. I grew up in Norman (NHS ftw) and went to OU. I am thrilled that we get Bama in the Sugar and, on the bright side, at least IF we win, we won’t have to hear the downplaying of the victory due to Saban’s move to Texas or other nonsense.
In the end…Merry Christmas to all and I hope we can look forward to Texas being given 6-7 more years of the Mack instead of the coal they deserve.
Merry Christmas Doc! Glad to have you.
K, totally unnecessary to give this to us, but I completely understand if you feel like it was something you needed/wanted to do. Appreciate your integrity.
As for some of the jack wagons flexing their “I told you so…” muscle, screw ’em. They must not have anything better to do. Of course nobody will know the true craziness that actually went down before the Saban extension, but if anyone is being objective here they will admit there was some smoke here and we just have no clue what went on behind the scenes here.
Just remember, those who matter and are coming here for the content don’t mind at all (I feel comfortable speaking for everyone on that), and the ones that seem to be on their high horse and actually do mind, don’t matter whatsoever.
Keep on Keepin’ on boys.
Appreciate it coach! Love having you here!
Super K
As I’ve said, I’ve been in the biz, checked and re-checked with trusted sources, went with the story, with it only going the other way. In this business, it’s going to happen to everyone. Just blow it off. We certainly don’t hold it against you for trusting both your sources and instincts. Keep up the excellent work.
Thanks Cary. You’re a valued member of this place!
It’s odd in this day and age to find journalistic integrity in a blog, and I applaud you for it. We’ve all seen several sites miss on this story and this is the only writer that has came out and said “hey, I got it wrong and I’m sorry. ” Everybody is going to be wrong at some point, it’s how you respond to it that makes or breaks you. I have lots of respect for you now Super K. These haters on this thread have no idea what they’re talking about.
You did the right thing. It would have been a huge mistake not to write this correction. You are certainly allowed to be wrong especially when it is dealing with reporting on speculation and you have no real empirical data to go off of. Nevertheless, if you want to be respected in journalism you issue corrections. Look at any major newspaper across the country and they have a section each day correcting mistakes. If you want to be taken serious as a reporter/journalist/analyst then you have to be willing to admit when you were wrong. Doing so will earn you much more respect than not addressing the issue at all.
I’m not going to lie, this has definitely changed my opinion about the site a little. I still love the insight you guys have into Oklahoma football, but I think in the future, staying away from these kinds of stories is advisable. I don’t fault SK, as I believe he had some sources. However, this story was all over the map (nationally), and it became pretty clear (at least to me) that nobody really knew, and Saban wasn’t talking. Anytime I see reports contradicting each other, in large numbers, it tells me that it’s mostly speculation.
Let me be clear, I will not stop coming here, as I think you guys do an amazing job (SK included). I will just be a little more cynical if any future, non-OU stories develop the way this one did.
One last thing, and this is directed at SK. I appreciate and respect that you don’t lie. In fact, that’s one of my biggest character assessments. However, telling us that “you don’t care about other’s opinions of” you, may not be the best attitude if you want this to be a site people can really respect. We need to know that you do care about our opinions of you, since we want to trust you SK.
The last part of SKs piece seemed a little argumentative. Why? I think most people here already realize the value you bring SK. This was a simple mistake, and it sounds like it was an honest one. Give the great content you’ve all provided us, that’s just a drop in the ocean. We didn’t need an apology (but it’s appreciated), and the last thing anyone wants is to see SK penalized (I don’t think anyone was expecting that anyway). Move forward from this, we’ll all continue to show up and love the content!
Thanks Super K. Love the humility!!! This is my favorite Sooner site, keep doin’ what you’re doin’.
Fairly new to this site, but been lurking for a bit. K, Don’t give it another thought. I’m sure you put more pressure on yourself than anyone out side ever could. As far as those two assbags who were pretty twisted up, don’t give them any more attention….