Bring it on, Fringe ….

  • John Sleeper
  • Thursday, October 18, 2007 3:08pm
  • Life

OK, I was bored. So when I’m bored, I write an opinion column about UW football — any opinion, mind you — and wait for the hate mail to come rolling in. Y’all didn’t disappoint. Some of you are pretty darn funny.

You’ve got name-calling down to an art form. Some are even spelled correctly. But I have to give some of you credit. Why did I blog four days ago about the horrible state of Washington football and then defend Tyrone Willingham in today’s column?

I’m tempted to take the low road and say something to the effect that it’s MY column, dammit, and I can say what I want.

I won’t do that.

I stand by both, kids. It’s true that I count sitting in the pressbox at Husky Stadium on Saturdays in the same way that I think of Congress amending the Constitution that gives President Bush four additional years if he wants it. It’s all more horrible than I can put into words. But it’s also true that if Todd Turner jettisons the coaching staff at the end of the season (or sooner), we’ll all have to sit through the same follies for a minimum of five more.

Think I’m a moron? Wait until you get hold of this: If Keith Gilbertson had stuck it out longer than the two seasons he’d spent as the head guy at Washington, he’d have eventually succeeded. Maybe not with the exact selection of assistants, but he eventually would have pulled the program out of the doldrums.

It’s all about continuity, kids. With very few exceptions, football programs don’t turn around in two seasons. Those who have — Jeff Tedford is one who comes to mind — are rare and expensive. Fire Willingham now and you not only have to pay him off, but also spend big-time to hire another head guy.

Patience. Just try it. It feels pretty good.

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