UNM Football Coach Assaults Assistant: Can This be Tolerated?
If a head coach assaults an assistant coach, can this be tolerated? An incident such as this one at the University Of New Mexico will surely bring disciplinary action.
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The University Of New Mexico head football coach Mike Locksley struck assistant coach J.B Gerald in the mouth according to a police report. The incident occurred during a coaches meeting on Sunday September 20, 2009. The cause of the physical confrontation remains unclear, but tensions have been rising on the football team as the Lobos have lost their first four games of the season.
The incident raises the question of whether a coach involved in a situation such as this can continue to coach a team. Would the players still have respect for the coach? It is hard to ask team players to accept discipline for their own actions when the head coach engages in such a serious offense.
Coaches involved in such incidents have seen their careers come to an abrupt end. Legendary football coach Woody Hayes saw his tenure at Ohio State come to an end when he struck a Clemson player during a bowl game.
If the coach commits an act such as this, how can the players be expected to refrain from such antics? Assault in the workplace cannot be tolerated and disciplinary actions must be taken. A high profile position such as a head football coach demands a high standard of conduct. If you are in charge of leading a team, you must set a positive example the players can follow. A coach must be liable for his actions. If he cannot set a positive example for his team, then he or she should step aside. The University Of New Mexico finds itself thrust in the limelight. This time it is for the wrong reason.
