BOP and caller accuse beat writer of "having an agenda"

[zephyr]

_ There are two sides to every story. But Parrot didn't get on the radio and try to compromise the integrity of Jay's profession. I listen to the show pretty much daily. I don't necessary like Jay, nor do I dislike the guy. I appreciate what he does for the University; but in a time a major unstability, and a push for the future, Josh Parrot is an asset. Hell, any good reporter that puts pressure on a hapless Administration is. So for his methods to be thrown under the bus in that fasion, where Jay knows many die hards listen in to get info (because it is one of only few provided to do so), he should have used descretion (you know, the descretion he uses for the coaches he 'works closely with') and kept his mouth shut.

The closed practice ordeal is debatable, I agree. But by no means did he make an outlandesh attempt to paint Lee in a bad light. Furthermore, the kicked chair WAS an issue. For a coach that preaches integrity, honesty, doing it the right way, yatta yatta yatta to act like that was news. Period. If you listen to the Presser, JP, again, did not go out of his way to ask the question; on the contrary, the question was segwayed by a previous question. The guy is employeed to bring news to the fans - The Coach is employeed to bring results to the fans, and OBLIGATED to the Press. Lee was out of line, Josh reported it, Jay interjected unnecessary comments; and he did it on a platform in which he knew he would be heard. Come to think about it, isn't that what he's accusing Parrot of? _

Look, again I'm not condoning what Jay did or said as I have no idea what the situation is. However, it seems that he probably shouldn't have said anything like it. However, Josh did not call Jay out or coach Lee but he did make it an issue on these boards and got into a rather childish argument over the number of phone contact attempts to coach Lee for which he was corrected by both Jay and Cajun T.These missed attempts were broadcasts by JP here on this board before Jay or BJ stepped in with any reaction. I think, to a degree both of them have said things probably a bit out of line through this whole thing. It obviously doesn't help for our team to be in shambles and the fans to be at an emotional high about the state of the program which has helped escalate the ordeal.

However, the kicked chair again does nothing for me. My high school coach did MUCH worse things both in games and outside of them. I've seen very similar behavior by other collegiate coaches and don't necessarily hold it against them to show some emotion when your team isn't playing like you know it can. It was also blogged by Josh to make sure we knew about it when most wouldn't have caught wind if he hadn't.

I mentioned the same thing to JP but yet, don't necessarily find fault with what he did as well. I am pretty much on the fence about this whole mess as it really plays an unsubstantial role in what is truly wrong with our athletic program at this time.

[ManAboutTown]

_ Look, again I'm not condoning what Jay did or said as I have no idea what the situation is. However, it seems that he probably shouldn't have said anything like it. However, Josh did not call Jay out or coach Lee but he did make it an issue on these boards and got into a rather childish argument over the number of phone contact attempts to coach Lee for which he was corrected by both Jay and Cajun T.These missed attempts were broadcasts by JP here on this board before Jay or BJ stepped in with any reaction. I think, to a degree both of them have said things probably a bit out of line through this whole thing. It obviously doesn't help for our team to be in shambles and the fans to be at an emotional high about the state of the program which has helped escalate the ordeal.

However, the kicked chair again does nothing for me. My high school coach did MUCH worse things both in games and outside of them. I've seen very similar behavior by other collegiate coaches and don't necessarily hold it against them to show some emotion when your team isn't playing like you know it can. It was also blogged by Josh to make sure we knew about it when most wouldn't have caught wind if he hadn't.

I mentioned the same thing to JP but yet, don't necessarily find fault with what he did as well. I am pretty much on the fence about this whole mess as it really plays an unsubstantial role in what is truly wrong with our athletic program at this time.

It's EXACTLY what is wrong with this athletic program...
But you are absolutely entitled to your opinion Sir.. I hope the holidays have treated you and yours well

[zephyr]

_ It's EXACTLY what is wrong with this athletic program...
But you are absolutely entitled to your opinion Sir.. I hope the holidays have treated you and yours well _

How is what has transpired between Jan and JP got anything to do with our athletic program? Just curious as to what one bad thing has to do with another bad thing.

My holidays have been fine and I hope yours are as well.

[ManAboutTown]

_ How is what has transpired between Jan and JP got anything to do with our athletic program? Just curious as to what one bad thing has to do with another bad thing.

My holidays have been fine and I hope yours are as well. _

Not necessarily between JP and Jay Walker; but the chummy relationship we all know that Jay has with Robert Lee, the "protectiveness" that he displays for Lee, and the contempt that he has for JP when he does his job, and asks the bothersome questions. It's exactly why Bustle is still here, its why Robe never gets questioned.. This hiarchy of coaches and admin are pals. Josh has no loyalties, thats why he's able to report objectively. And certain people can't stand that.

From a fans point of view, its refreshing, and gives the appearance of change around here.

[CajunRed]

The incident between Jay and JP is pertinent to UL athletics because Josh is asking questions that no one else is asking.

I know that as the voice of the Cajuns, Jay cannot go around attacking a coach he needs to be able to work with. But at the same time, there are at least SOME questions he could ask, whether it be in his post-game shows or as part of the Robert Lee Show that would address some issues. Jay chooses not to do so, which is his business... but he then is open to criticism for not doing so... and will also be criticized if he then decides to attack someone else who does as part of his job.

If he doesn't want to do any heavy lifting, fine. But then he should shut up and let someone else do it.

[zephyr]

_ Not necessarily between JP and Jay Walker; but the chummy relationship we all know that Jay has with Robert Lee, the "protectiveness" that he displays for Lee, and the contempt that he has for JP when he does his job, and asks the bothersome questions. It's exactly why Bustle is still here, its why Robe never gets questioned.. This hiarchy of coaches and admin are pals. Josh has no loyalties, thats why he's able to report objectively. And certain people can't stand that.

From a fans point of view, its refreshing, and gives the appearance of change around here. _

But that's just it. There is no "chummy" relationship with Jay and Robert. As far as I know, they simply speak when its about the program but have little else in common besides their affiliations in their professions. I don't think that Jay is protecting Robert as he simply doesn't press the hard issues to protect a necessary working relationship. As you mentioned, it is the same with his relationship with the other coaches as well. I don't think there is any special relationship that he is fostering with Lee rather his professional boundaries that he is unwilling or unable to cross. Like it was mentioned by a previous poster, I don't blame Jay for keeping his distance as the Cajuns Play by Play guy on these tough issues and letting reporters like JP ask the tough questions, it only makes sense. I also see people's criticism's of him on his radio show as he seems to be overly opinionated at times in only one direction. All points are logical in my eyes.

[ManAboutTown]

Lets please not turn this into another Brad Boyd for HC thread. We have a good topic going fellas.

[CajunRed]

_ Lets please not turn this into another Brad Boyd for HC thread. We have a good topic going fellas. _

Back to the original topic... Jay has an agenda, but isn't man enough to admit it.

Keep up the good work, Josh.

[ShowDog]

_ Now that I'm in Houston, I fully realize how bad sports radio is in both BR and Laf. It's one thing to be a "homer" but Jay brings it to the next level.

igeaux.mobi _

Oh for days gone past: Jay Townsend/Ron Gomez/Don Allen

[Parrott]

Josh did not call Jay out or coach Lee but he did make it an issue on these boards and got into a rather childish argument over the number of phone contact attempts to coach Lee for which he was corrected by both Jay and Cajun T.These missed attempts were broadcasts by JP here on this board before Jay or BJ stepped in with any reaction.

To start, I'm merely offering some explanation to some points that have been made, hoping to add some perspective. As many share their opinions here, I wish to offer mine as well.

For the record, I wrote in my blog that I received two phone calls and one brief voicemail from coach Lee. Then a third party got involved and point out here that coach Lee made four phone calls. (Even though coach Lee later told me that he never spoke with that third party.) Then another third party got involved and backed up that point - after saying he didn't want to get involved.

Along the way, I expressed confidence in my ability to do my job given my past experience after a third party wrote "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." That poorly constructed assumption had nothing to do with how I handled the situation.

I wrote here that I know how to do my job without advice from those outside the business, which could have come across as harsh but was never my intent. Name-calling followed. That third party and I have since spoken, and I've moved on.

However, the kicked chair again does nothing for me. My high school coach did MUCH worse things both in games and outside of them. I've seen very similar behavior by other collegiate coaches and don't necessarily hold it against them to show some emotion when your team isn't playing like you know it can. It was also blogged by Josh to make sure we knew about it when most wouldn't have caught wind if he hadn't.

As a reporter, anything new or out of the ordinary is considered news. In my time covering UL, I've never seen such an outburst by a player or coach, let alone during a press conference. I cannot worry whether it has happened elsewhere. Emotions don't excuse such actions.

The incident was mentioned about halfway through my Tulane game story before I blogged about it the following day. (I didn't have time to rewrite my story due to deadline concerns, otherwise it would have been higher in the story.) Footage of the incident was also run by the two local TV stations at the press conference, so even if I had ignored it the majority of the public would have figured out what happened.

As for this situation, I reached out to Jay around 5 p.m. Monday. Whenever he's ready to talk I'm willing to listen so we can move on to more important issues.

We now return to your regularly scheduled message board. Happy New Year to all.