Parrott Blog: Lee's post-game antics

[Turbine]

Someone posted on my blog that he said on air "to be fair to coach, the reporter asking the question doesn't have the best relationship with coach Lee - hang in there, coach."


igeaux.mobi

If true I wonder about Chuck's source. The ONLY thing I ever heard you question (nothing really) was the sudden unexplained/announced closure of practice last year.

The reason other media types can say "hang in there" is they couldn't care less about doing the leg work of covering a practice.

As I said I don't know CH source but if it came from the Lee I am not shocked as he has shown he can be a bit paranoid.

A few years back (last 2 of Evans and 1st of Lee) I used to sit on press row filming the goals looking for dunks and blocks. In Robert's second year after a couple losses he had the SID come across the court and ask me to stop filming. Pictures were still OK but game play was out.
igeaux.mobi

[SlappyCajun]

Josh -

In no way am I trying to misconstrue what happened, and am not trying to justify what Coach Lee did. I think you do a phenomenal job covering Cajun sports and you need to continue asking the tough questions that others do not ask.

However, sometimes I think we take it for granted on this board how frustrating this season is for Robert himself. He wants this program to be successful more than any of us. Perhaps he can see the writing on the wall, and every loss is another tightening of the screw.

This is a man that has spent his entire adult life trying to become a Division I head basketball coach. He also spent the majority of his adult career in service to the university. He has two young kids, and now it is probably beginning to set in, that this may very well be his last year. This was a man that after winning the league was set to return Tiras Wade, Chris Cameron and Dwayne Mitchell. He also had gone out and gotten Ryan Francis to commit. If those things had happened, the entire Robert Lee era may have been different. But, Tiras left for the draft, and Rick Majerus left Southern Cal, leaving Tim Floyd to take over, and taking Ryan Francis.

Again, Josh, keep asking the tough questions. And by all means hold Coach Lee accountable for all aspects of the program. However, for those searching for an explanation. I think you are watching a man who wears his emotions on his sleeve, who loves this program and this university, seeing his opportunity slip away, and he is reeling.

I hope he is able to find enough success at the end of the year that may make this last season bearable for him.

[MetryCajun]

_ Josh -

In no way am I trying to misconstrue what happened, and am not trying to justify what Coach Lee did. I think you do a phenomenal job covering Cajun sports and you need to continue asking the tough questions that others do not ask.

However, sometimes I think we take it for granted on this board how frustrating this season is for Robert himself. He wants this program to be successful more than any of us. Perhaps he can see the writing on the wall, and every loss is another tightening of the screw.

This is a man that has spent his entire adult life trying to become a Division I head basketball coach. He also spent the majority of his adult career in service to the university. He has two young kids, and now it is probably beginning to set in, that this may very well be his last year. This was a man that after winning the league was set to return Tiras Wade, Chris Cameron and Dwayne Mitchell. He also had gone out and gotten Ryan Francis to commit. If those things had happened, the entire Robert Lee era may have been different. But, Tiras left for the draft, and Rick Majerus left Southern Cal, leaving Tim Floyd to take over, and taking Ryan Francis.

Again, Josh, keep asking the tough questions. And by all means hold Coach Lee accountable for all aspects of the program. However, for those searching for an explanation. I think you are watching a man who wears his emotions on his sleeve, who loves this program and this university, seeing his opportunity slip away, and he is reeling.

I hope he is able to find enough success at the end of the year that may make this last season bearable for him. _

Good post. I think we are seeing a man coming to grips with what he is....a bad basketball coach. In his mind, he probably thought all he neded was another Sr.-laden team like his first year. He now realizes not only was his recruiting job sub-par, but his coaching is some of the worst in D1. This has got to be hard to swallow.

As for Parrott and Lee not getting along, maybe if Lee served up a quality product our beat writer could write some more positive stories. Lee should be thankful anyone even goes to his press conference.

[rgncjn12]

_ In all fairness, your question was not out of line Josh. Lee's behavior was not professional and should be addressed by his superiors. I don't think anyone is blaming you for Lee's reaction to your question. He should understand that media relations is part of the job.

But since you wrote about this incident in your blog, had the question been asked by anyone else in that room would his reaction had been different? I think we both know the anwer to that question. He clearly has a personal problem with you and this goes back to last season. You are clearly upset by the way he addressed your question in the press conference as well or you wouldn't have written about it in your blog. Its clear to me that this has been taken to a new personal level and both of you should sit down to clear the air. This should be about two individuals being able to do their jobs in a professional environment.

Knowing both you and Lee, I have not doubt that you guys will work this out and move on covering the season. _

I have no doubt Josh would have reported it had it been someone else asking the question. It's obvious Lee doesnt like being questioned. I am glad Josh reported it and love how he reported it. It's about damn time we have a reporter that puts a fire to the coaches to get answers and asks the tough questions. For too long Dan McDonald and Bruce Brown let the coaches slide.

thanks josh

GEAUX UL!

[Tiredof theBS]

This is easy.

Coach Lee needs to coach to the best of his ability and then go to the press conference where members of the professional media can ask him about the team's success or failure.

Parrott and the other members of the media need to show up to the games and observe the team, and then ask questions in the press conference. Then the reporters need to report based upon what happened at the game and how coach responded to questions at the press conference.

In what I have observed, Parrott did his job. Coach did his job on the floor (he may not have done it well, but he did do his job), but then chose not to follow the game with a press conference where he behaved in a professional manner.

The two of them do not need to sit down and talk things out. What needs to happen is that Parrott needs to continue to ask the tough questions and report about the games, and Lee needs to do his job, and then agree to being help accountable for his teams play, and his personal actions.

[CajunZ1]

This whole incident seems to me like a golden opportunity for UL's admin to make a move before the next semester starts.

We already know that there's a 99.999925% chance that this team will not make the postseason and Lee will not be retained. Given that fact and this most recent little pity-party, it seems like a natural breaking point.

Make the move.

[MetryCajun]

_ This whole incident seems to me like a golden opportunity for UL's admin to make a move before the next semester starts.

We already know that there's a 99.999925% chance that this team will not make the postseason and Lee will not be retained. Given that fact and this most recent little pity-party, it seems like a natural breaking point.

Make the move. _

Where are you getting the 0.000075%?

Don't leave mad Coach Lee, just leave.

[reddot]

Just a few questions?

Does a broken chair, if replaced, affect our APR?
Does it SIT well with the administration?
Instead of being the General is Lee now the "Chairman"?

[CajunT]

_ I definitely don't agree that Josh would not have written it in his blog if Lee liked him. This is clearly a news worthy event as seen by the fact that other media outlets reported it. I think maybe Josh took more of a op-ed view, as you may see in many blogs, and that can come off as personal. I think jp has every right to report it but they probably should clear the air either way.

Also, chuck huebner can keep his little comments to himself.


igeaux.mobi _

I didn't say he shouldn't have written anything in his blog nor that he did anything wrong. I simply pointing out, that there is a history here between the two and that played a part in this incident. That is fact, not opinion.

[CajunT]

_ I have no doubt Josh would have reported it had it been someone else asking the question. It's obvious Lee doesnt like being questioned. I am glad Josh reported it and love how he reported it. It's about damn time we have a reporter that puts a fire to the coaches to get answers and asks the tough questions. For too long Dan McDonald and Bruce Brown let the coaches slide.

thanks josh

GEAUX UL! _

Again, the question was not that Josh would have reported it had someone asked the same question and gotten the same reaction. But, if someone else had asked the same question, would Coach Lee reacted in the same manner. In my opinion the answer would have been no based upon their history. I never questioned his right to question or line of questioning. In fact, I've stated that he asked a fair question.

[CajunZ1]

_ Where are you getting the 0.000075%?

This was derived from a somewhat complicated algorithm which inorporates our FG%, on-the-court head coach temper tantrums, off-the-court head coach temper tantrums, and the distance that the most recently kicked chair was launched.

[CajunT]

_ BJ, you're making an assumption here that is off base.

I wrote about this incident in the newspaper and on my blog because the public needs to know how he reacts to questions that deserve answers. Lee took the question personal, and we all did our job by reporting the news. That's real journalism. I know that I did nothing wrong. This happened after five minutes of questions - including three previously from me.

As always, I stuck to the facts. In my blog, I added my opinion on the situation - which is perfectly appropriate in that outlet.

I'm comfortable how I've handled the situation for now given my deadline issues Monday and the team traveling Tuesday. I've been an award-winning newspaper reporter in three different markets in three states and know to do my job without advice from the general public. Otherwise, thanks for your input.

igeaux.mobi _

Josh, with all due respect you’re making an assumption that I’m of the opinion you never should have wrote about the incident in your blog. I never questioned it, in fact I stated that you did nothing wrong.

My comments have nothing to do about your credentials or any awards you have won in your capacity as a sports journalist. I’m simply astounded that you are surprised by Lee’s actions to your line of questioning considering the history.

Given the history between you two over the past two seasons and his obvious frustrations with the way this team has played, I’m not surprised the guy lost control. Considering the toxic ingredients of emotions with the way they lost that night and being questioned by a member of the media that he dislikes, its clear he vented on you. Coaches are people too and sometimes react to situations in an unprofessional manner. I’m not in the media and I’ve seen a many of interviews that turned out worst then what happened the other night.

If you are going to post links to your site and comment on your story,then be prepared to receive comments on your story, you invited it. Don’t get so defensive when others give you a different opinion, it’s not all about you or your credentials. Others can have different points of view that are valid. In this case, my point of view is not any different then yours, Lee’s actions were clearly wrong and unprofessional. I’m simply confused as to why you are surprised.