It’s evident that Texas head football coach Charlie Strong’s message of accountability didn’t translate to a few players this summer.
And true to the words he said during Big 12 media days, Strong made sure those who didn’t conform became an example.
Much like Thor with his mighty Mjolnir, Strong slammed down his own hammer of justice last week.
When the dust settled, four Longhorns, including running back Joe Bergeron, were no longer part of the program. Two more players, wide receivers Montrell Meander and Kendall Sanders, were suspended indefinitely as a result of a sexual assault charge filed against them. That charge is a second-degree felony.
It all brings to mind one very simple and real fact — Charlie Strong isn’t going to sit by and allow his players to misbehave.
It’s an ideology I can fully stand behind.
His values of accountability, which include responsibility in the classroom, avoiding trouble, and treating women with respect, aren’t hard to understand.
The severity of transgressions from the four dismissed players hasn’t been released. We may never know what value was broken.
Strong’s decision to remove them, however, is a bold statement. In particular, the removal of Bergeron, who was fighting for playing time, was a tremendous surprise.
It was during Big 12 media days that Strong lauded the running back for his willingness to return to the program. He was kicked off the team during the spring to attend to academic problems.
No doubt, Bergeron’s loss will hurt the ‘Horns on the field.
However, Strong’s message, in my mind, now sends a shockwave across the college sports landscape. His attitude against players misbehaving transcends attitudes across the coaching ranks.
It doesn’t matter how great the player is. If they can’t behave themselves, they don’t deserve a chance on the field.
His handling of the situation highlights many of the problems plaguing college sports at this time.
It’s not difficult to find a headline on ESPN that involves a college athlete facing some sort of criminal charge.
The sad truth is many coaches are afraid to discipline their athletes, in particular, their star athletes.
Strong seems to believe otherwise. We should applaud him for that.
His stance against violence toward women is equally noteworthy. It’s due in part to the discussion that has reached national consciousness.
A 2007 study done by the National Institute of Justice found that one in five female college students was sexually assaulted during her time on campus.
Over the years, several high profile college athletes have been the focus of assault claims and charges. The case of Meander and Sanders adds to that damning list.
It’s why Strong’s discipline of those players is striking. He won’t tolerate misogynistic attitudes.
And, truth be told, neither should our society.
It’s hard to pinpoint what is driving the amount of players behaving badly in colleges and universities.
But Strong may just be the force that begins to right the ship in college sports.
