It didn’t make national headlines. Heck, it didn’t make regional headlines. But something profound happened at Mississippi State University earlier this week. The MSU head football coach Sylvester Croom, former RB coach for the Green Bay Packers and the first black head coach in SEC history, was given a lengthy contract extension. Why is this news? Glad you asked . . .
In a press release, athletic Director Larry Templeton stated the reason: "This contract extension acknowledges the progress the Mississippi State football program has made under the leadership of head football coach Sylvester Croom."
Wait a minute. Progress made under Croom?
The Bulldogs just finished their second consecutive eight-loss season. Two of their three wins were against Tulane and Murray State. The last two seasons have seen the Dogs triumph over SEC foes only three times, while enduring blowout losses to Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, and Florida. Not to mention a 51-0 drubbing at the hands of LSU.
Success? Progress? Let’s put it this way . . . if Donald Trump were this successful he’d be ringing up your groceries at the local supermarket.
A contract extension for Croom? More like a contract buyout, right? Right?
Not exactly.
In an age where college football’s “what have you done for me lately mentality” runs unchecked, MSU’s standard of “progress” is a breath of fresh air. It seems wins and losses aren’t the only measure of success. What Croom is doing off the field counts. And what he is doing is rather impressive. According to an article on the athletic department website, the football team has the highest GPA of any major sport for the last two semesters. For the first time since the 70's. The head coach preaches character and accountability, something previously lacking in the program. In 2002, Jackie Sherrill skipped out of town after leaving the Bulldogs with only 8 wins since ’01. Team talent? Sherrill left the cupboard nearly dry. But worst of all, he left the stink of an NCAA investigation. But Croom takes it tall in stride.
I’m not sure why minority coaches are less prevalent in the NCAA than in the NFL. I believe it may be that Presidents and AD’s are less likely to take a chance on an unproven coach because of the risk of running afoul of boosters and alumni. And let’s face it . . . it’s not fair, but most minority coaches have little head coach experience. It’s an unfortunate Catch 22. Most universities, it seems, won’t risk the chance.
Kudos to MSU for taking a chance on the first black coach in the SEC. And in this latest move, for giving Croom a REAL chance to reshape a struggling program. A chance to build young men into outstanding students, athletes . . . and people. A chance to win more than 3 games in a season.
You can’t imagine MSU always settling for 3 win seasons. Nor should they. But you get the feeling Croom will get a legitimate shot to prove what he’s made of. Which is all he’s asking for in the first place.
In today's CFB climate, race doesn't matter only wins. Gary Barnett signed a deal then was forced to resign only 3 weeks later with 3 losses in a row. MSU does deserve credit, but not for hiring a black coach, but for realizing his success on the field cannot be measured in only 2 seasons. Great programs take time to build.
I agree that wins are the only thing that matter. And I will go a step further and say that for most top 25 programs, conference championships are the only thing that matter. For many of these teams, 9 wins aren’t enough . . . RC Slocum out at A&M after 9 wins . . . Tommy Tubberville and the Auburn Jet-gate fiasco after a 9 win season. That is why I think MSU’s stance is one that should be lauded.
I disagree that MSU doesn’t deserve credit for hiring a black coach, and the only thing I can say is that you have to live in the South to truly understand this. Alabama had the chance to and should have hired Croom when they hired Mike Shula who, the 2005 nine-win season notwithstanding, has not been a popular choice. Croom was more qualified and has real ties with Alabama—he played and coached for Bear Bryant. My point is that Alabama could have gone a long way to ease the still present pain of the state’s sordid racial past by hiring Croom. But they couldn’t pull the trigger.
MSU did. And the day a black man was hired as the head football coach of Mississippi State University was a big, big day.
BTW, I really enjoyed your “Steroids: Hypocrisy in Sports,” piece. Keep it up.
I couldn't agree with you more. I think what State did was great, really showed class on their part. Also, I think they are sending the right message to their students/athletes: character counts. Croom is a good guy.
I live in Birmingham, AL with my wife and two daughters. I work in the sales department of a medium sized, family owned distribution company. I have been here too long . . .
Currently, I am the Assistant Division Sales Coordinator for my region. My "office" is one of about 12 cubicles. The company policy regarding decorations is as strict as the policies regarding "Personal Internet Use." However, I managed to "decorate" my cube with a couple wallet size pictures of my wife and kids and my favorite team's mini-helmet. This is only a mild infraction compared to my blatant Internet usage.
Hopefully, I can entertain folks with my thoughts on sports as well as the goings-on in this God-forsaken wasteland called "my career."
