Mark Mangino: Not being able to say "I'm sorry"

A friend shared a link to the story below and my take on the Mangino situation, based on what I know today, is below.

Keep Rockin and Chalkin,

Mic

On Mon, Nov 30, 2009 at 8:37 AM, friend wrote:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/joe_posnanski/11/29/mangini.mangino/index.html

Starts off talking about Mangini but transitions into Mangino. Interesting
take. I agree that some of the stuff he said may have been over the line,
but then what coach hasn't said something he shouldn't have at some point
in the heat of a game or practice. Heck, which of us hasn't said something
over the line once or twice. I loved Mangino's quote at the end of the
story.


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Mic Johnson

Thanks for passing that on. A great article by Posnanski once again.

The issue is pretty clear for me still on Mangino: IF he said the things about alcoholic fathers and being shot like your homies and IF he didn't apologize or show any contrition (and by the sounds of it, Mangino doesn't think he's done anything wrong or needs to apologize), then if it was my decision, I would fire him. That type of behavior isn't acceptable by anyone....Mangino, your father, your mother, your friend, your children, your boss, the Pope....anyone...as far as I'm concerned. Mangino says that all of his players respect "the effort" he's put in as coach. That is commendable. But will those same players who his personal attacks were directed at say they respect the man himself? I'm guessing the answer is no. And, in the end, isn't the latter more important?

There is a right way to treat people and a wrong way to treat people.....and in their heart of hearts, 95% of people know the right way from the wrong way.....and we probably all have been at or near crossing the line at some point in our lives. That shows we're human. What shows we're adults is being willing to HONESTLY say "I'm sorry" when we've offended someone or personally attacked them or their family.

NONE of this would be coming up if Mangino blasted a player with personal attacks in front of the entire team....and then later came back and explained himself and apologized to that player in front of the entire team. THAT is what being a man is about. And Mangino needs to learn that lesson. For himself...for his family.....and for his players. Maybe losing his job will help him learn that lesson. My guess is it won't. Again, it's a certain personality type. I don't think Mark Mangino thinks he's done anything wrong. I don't think Bobby Knight thinks he's ever done anything wrong. I don't think Bill Belicheck thinks he's ever done anything wrong. And they will keep thinking that until they are consistently called on their bull$hit. Until then, it's actions without consequences...so why would they change?

Mic

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