AJC > Sports > Blog > Archives > 2006 > September > 13
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Inexcusable excuses from N.C. State coach
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Just one man’s opinion:
We now know why N.C. State lost to Akron 20-17 last Saturday.
It wasn’t because, when N.C. State scored to take a 17-14 lead with 1:07 left, the Wolfpack was flagged for an excessive celebration penalty. That gave Akron good field position to start their winning drive.
It wasn’t because, when Akron scored a controversial touchdown on the last play of the game, N.C. State couldn’t challenge the call. The Wolfpack was out of time outs.
N.C. State, who has invested millions upon millions in facilities, lost to tiny Akron, said coach Chuck Amato, because the Zips take academic non-qualifiers. ACC schools do not.
“Do you know what kind of players non-qualifiers are, usually? They’re inversely proportional to what their grade-point average is. They can make a big difference,” said the N.C. State coach at his weekly press briefing.
Well, let’s look at that. Let’s set aside the fact that Amato’s remark was petty and insensitive to kids from tough backgrounds who have overcome a lot to get academically qualified.
It is just not a wise thing to denigrate the credentials of an opponent after they just came to your place and whipped your butt.
When you’re 23-25 in the ACC, 3-5 the past two seasons, it’s just not wise to sit in judgement of anyone.
And when you’ve gone through as many assistant coaches and first round draft choices as Amato, it is REALLY not wise to make excuses of any kind.
What will happen Saturday if N.C. State loses at Southern Mississippi? Will Amato complain because there were no direct flights from Raleigh to Hattiesburg?
Winners don’t make excuses when they lose. Winners say “we got outplayed and out-coached.” Winners take full responsibility.
Give me a break.
