My email to Coach Brandon

FlyingBurrito4 · Post by **FlyingBurrito4** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 7:13 pm

I wanted to write some long paragraph here about how in my 3 years as a student I've been disappointed in the crowd support, but my mind still hasn't cleared from the happenings at the end of the game yesterday.

Now, I don't think he should have said it, but I do agree with where he's coming from. Take away the "Coach" label and it's a very valid point. That's not singling out any one person especially here but overall the fan support is a disappointment.

What would Brandon have said regarding the fans had we won?

gmartin · Post by **gmartin** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 7:14 pm

Saxy? A one sentence reply. At least I got a three sentence one. Simply put mine was thanking me for my constant years of contributing to the athletic departments. And then wishing I could attend more than 10 events per year. But his first line was saying he would not apologize to the BG Community.

Looks like he wants to keep slapping people in the face. Maybe we should stop emailing GB. It may take him too long to reply to the emails and not focus on game preperations for Toledo. Oh wait, I don't think this team has been prepared since week #2. Nevermind, keep sending him emails.

San Diego Falcon · Post by **San Diego Falcon** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 7:27 pm

I think he wants to be fired so he can collect and get out of here.

cw08 · Post by **cw08** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 7:29 pm

San Diego Falcon wrote:I think he wants to be fired so he can collect and get out of here.

I dont' blame him. These fans suck!

michhiker28 · Post by **michhiker28** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 7:45 pm

I bet GB drives around in a yugo, after all, support has nothing to do with the quality of the product..........

And GB if you're reading this instead of game prep, I don't need to defend my support of BG to you, you don't pay me. But many of us on this board indirectly pay your salary. Ya might want to think about that skippy.

--MH

Rightupinthere · Post by **Rightupinthere** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 7:48 pm

ZiggyZoomba wrote:Here's the response I got:

Grant,

I will never apologize for calling out the fans. People need to understand SUPPORT. Support isn’t running a message board that is demeaning and insulting not only to me, but my coaches and players as well. I realize circumstances sometimes dictate not being able to make it to all the games. I never said any of you were not true fans. I said only the true supporters showed up. As you said, thousands of “true fans” will be here long after I’m gone and still not coming to games.

Support and winning go hand in hand. Rarely do we have one without the other- except at BGSU. For six of the last seven years we have won at BG with disappointing home game support. Granted we have struggled at home this season. However, I remember big wins at home through the years with poor crowds. I don’t schedule the games or set the times, but that shouldn’t matter. Those are excuses.

As I said in my post game remarks, our players deserve better. The UB game had championship implications. As far as our players leaving before the alma mater, that is regrettable, and it will be addressed with the team.

GB

My head just exploded.

Hey, Gregg, when you're in a hole the first rule is to stop digging.

Jacobs4Heisman · Post by **Jacobs4Heisman** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 7:49 pm

Yikes. I'm not going to join in the piling-on. I've given Brandon and his supporters a hard enough time over the years.

I just wanted to echo the sentiments of others about this site. We can't thank you enough, Grant. Don't let the words of a misguided coach discourage you from all the amazing things this site has done and will do.

BGGrad01 · Post by **BGGrad01** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 7:57 pm

My wife was really bummed to find out that GB does not think of her as a true supporter. It's too bad her priorities are toward her job teaching pre-school special needs children and taking care of our daughter.

Grant - thank you so much for everything you have done and continue to do with this site. I am so thankful that you have provided this place for the true supporters and the non-true supporters to talk about our beloved BGSU.

Champ009kd · Post by **Champ009kd** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 8:00 pm

Any letter to Coach Brandon (If he can really be considered one) should have more about how our falcons failed, YET AGAIN to finish a team off rather than responding to his criticism of the fans. Maybe add in something about how ridiculous it is that our falcons gave up 3 scores in 3 minutes.

And our HEAD COACH blames the fans. HA!
Why can't this MAN simply take responsibility and admit fault. This poor season has been his fault and his fault alone. When in the history of bg football have there been so many off the field issues (ARRESTS, Suspensions!)? When is bg football history has a team so high touted performed so poorly when it matters most? Brandon can obviously recruit, but he really seems to have a problem managing a winning product on the field. He obviously has trouble maintaining player discipline.

Let me add that I have nothing but respect for our players, being a full-time student taking a full course load is hard enough for a young man.

GB is a good assistant coach and nothing more.

Post by **ZiggyZoomba** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 8:35 pm

I've had a long day for a lot of non-BGSU *gasp* related reasons... but I did send Gregg a response to his reply. And he replied back to me. This will be the end of it. I'm not going to go back and forth with him. Doesn't matter.

And to his defense, he's CC'd Greg Christopher on his responses. He's definitely got a different view of things than I do...

And thank you ALL SO MUCH for your support. I know what I am and who I am in my heart... and what Gregg Brandon thinks of me (or anyone else for that matter) isn't important.

Here's my response to his:

Thanks for the response coach.

I won't get into the merits of my website. I certainly don't run it with the intention of "demeaning and insulting" anyone. I run it in memory of my father, who sat at every single game from his return from the army after Viet Nam until his death from cancer 7 years ago on the 50 yard line, half-way up the east side of the Doyt... with me right by his side. Far more good than bad comes from my website's existence. If it's negative when things are tough, so be it. If it's a place to party when we win, great. I apologize if I, personally have ever said anything demeaning or insulting to you or any player. I try to stay very neutral and, when possible, steer conversations in a positive direction.

If you don't consider my spending thousands of my own dollars to promote and support conversation of BGSU Athletics and BGSU as an institution a form of support, then we have very different points of view. Dozens and even hundreds of people have told me my website has re-introduced them to BGSU athletics. We get together and tailgate before games, I have rented tents along the walk to the stadium that have hosted hundreds of the members of my website. We're the people who DO come to the games, coach. Hundreds of people who had forgotten about how much fun it is to go to a BG game.

I'm as frustrated as you are with the attendance. I don't know what the answer is. I think about the College Gameday experience a few years back and wish every game could be like that. You're right, the student-athletes deserve it.

I still don't agree with your post game comments, but who cares what I think? I didn't ask for an apology, and you don't have to give one. I'm sure of myself and I consider myself a true supporter; through my actions, my love of BGSU, my financial support, my website and hell, even wearing orange and brown to work. But, if you don't consider that support, then we'll never see eye-to-eye on that.

Send Toledo Tom out on a low note, would ya??

Grant

Post by **ZiggyZoomba** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 8:36 pm

And finally, he replied BACK to that... and this is where I'll just let it die:

Grant, I don’t want to get into the merits of your site either. I know there is a lot of good stuff on it regarding recruiting and positive football talk. I don’t read the page . My sons do and have been very upset with some of the negativity. I tell them that is part of the deal. We need to solve the attendance issue. Many people on your site say get rid of the coach. So I’m told. Through the years that has proven only to be a temporary fix. How about getting behind the current program and finding ways to get butts in the seats? As far as the team up north we will do the best we can. Roll along! GB

cw08 · Post by **cw08** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 8:37 pm

You think our fans suck? Look at this http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3719375

Post by **ZiggyZoomba** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 9:15 pm

h2oville rocket wrote:Eeeah- I gotta side with Brandon on this one.

JACKASS!!!

Go climb a rock or something. Or scale the face of the Glassbowl's press tower.

billchase2 · Post by **billchase2** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 9:23 pm

wow, quite the interesting emails and responses....

i'd thought about emailing him, like the others... but decided against it. i still highly doubt i'll be going to the toledo game, though. i was very much considering leaving my family thanksgiving gathering early (including my cousin's birthday the following day) to cheer on the falcons. after last night's comments though, i think my family is more important than cheering on gregg brandon's team.

sorry, guys. go kick some butt, though. i'll be watching it on tv.

PS - has anyone gotten a response about the team splitting on the FMB? i'd like to hear the excuse behind that...

BGGrad01 · Post by **BGGrad01** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 10:03 pm

billchase2 wrote:PS - has anyone gotten a response about the team splitting on the FMB? i'd like to hear the excuse behind that...

GB's emails posted above say that it was addressed with the team. I'm sure it will never happen again.

Half the team was on the field and sprinting to the locker room as Starks crossed the goal line in double OT. One of the captains was leading the way. It certainly looked like getting inside for some warmth was more important than spending 4 more minutes outside to hear the alma mater one last time and thank the band for sticking it out (without space heaters, I assume!).

A big chunk of the on-field garbage last night falls on the coaching staff, but the captains and players need to be held accountable for skipping the alma mater as well.