On Iowa with Marc Morehouse

. . . . all right I'll be the one to ask. What was the "one time" you've been wrong?

Marc, did it bother you that Kirk categorized the whole Ferentz-to-Michigan thing as a media creation? (I don't think that's totally accurate.) But, I'll tell you what does bother me: a coach who has been handed the keys to the State refusing to publicly rebut strong indications that he's leaving the school, at a time when such rumors can (and I think did) have a bad impact on recruiting. His stubborn "I dont address job rumors" policy is just plain stupid in light of its apparent, and I would argue obvious, drag on recruiting. I think he owed it to the school to squash the rumors . . . . if he indeed was not interested.

Hey GoCubs,

Sorry I didn't get right back to you. I was in Green Bay for a Packers game.

A whole bunch of years back, I reported about some academic issues on some players and had one wrong. I've since stopped reporting such issues. Those things tend to come out over time, semester breaks and fall admissions. Every year, a certain amount of players fight the academic fight and make it or don't. My approach now is it's news when they don't make it.

It doesn't bother me that he called it a "media creation." The Detroit New reported that Michigan had some sort of third-party contact with Ferentz. I was told he was on their list. I have no idea how or if any of the stuff manifested itself with Ferentz. Michigan had an interest. How much? What happened? I don't know. Ferentz's interest, no idea, none at all. This stuff just doesn't come out. I think that will be the trend in darned near every college coach search from here on out. You'll know when you see them get off the plane.

A lot of people feel the same way you do about "quashing the rumors." I think the major reason Ferentz handles them the way he does is he doesn't want something he says to come back and bite him in the behind. Does he owe it to the school? I imagine Gary Barta and Ferentz talk about this stuff, so the school probably knows. It knows way more than the public knows. There is a certain faction of fans who demand an answer. It's not happening. It sure would make for a whole lot less sweating by all of us, but as a business practice, it would limit his options.

I wish there was a shorter, smarter answer.

Thanks for writing.

Hey GoCubs,

Sorry I didn't get right back to you. I was in Green Bay for a Packers game.

A whole bunch of years back, I reported about some academic issues on some players and had one wrong. I've since stopped reporting such issues. Those things tend to come out over time, semester breaks and fall admissions. Every year, a certain amount of players fight the academic fight and make it or don't. My approach now is it's news when they don't make it.

It doesn't bother me that he called it a "media creation." The Detroit New reported that Michigan had some sort of third-party contact with Ferentz. I was told he was on their list. I have no idea how or if any of the stuff manifested itself with Ferentz. Michigan had an interest. How much? What happened? I don't know. Ferentz's interest, no idea, none at all. This stuff just doesn't come out. I think that will be the trend in darned near every college coach search from here on out. You'll know when you see them get off the plane.

A lot of people feel the same way you do about "quashing the rumors." I think the major reason Ferentz handles them the way he does is he doesn't want something he says to come back and bite him in the behind. Does he owe it to the school? I imagine Gary Barta and Ferentz talk about this stuff, so the school probably knows. It knows way more than the public knows. There is a certain faction of fans who demand an answer. It's not happening. It sure would make for a whole lot less sweating by all of us, but as a business practice, it would limit his options.

I wish there was a shorter, smarter answer.

Thanks for writing.

I just double posted.

Whoops.