[Husker] A Supreme effort

[Steve Reichenbach]

For you and Andy to think that because there aren't finanacial
hardships involved, that somehow this must not be an emotional ordeal
for the coaches and their families, shows a remarkably limited insight
into how most people feel and an astonishing lack of empathy.  I was
going to try to explain it, but it's so obvious that I doubt further
explanation cannot make it clearer.

Husker fans may think of themselves as great fans, but what I see right
now, with people such as Dave, on the "party bus", goes far beyond
concern for the success of the program.  In the long run, their joyous
hate is a cannibalistic acid that eats away at the real foundations of
the program.  It is the sort of feeding frenzy that convinced Pederson
he could/should fire Solich.  It has the feel of a modern-day lynching,
in which the unsatisfied vent themselves in tearing someone apart
(figuratively, because now we're so civilized).  And, that the object
of their attack is someone of high position, makes it even more "fun".

I think there is an element of the primitive rituals described by
Frazer in the Golden Bough, that the Huskers are a primitive totem for
fans who set up a God/King as their protector.  When their God/King
fails, as all must, their own place in the universe is threatened and
so the God/King must be killed and another put in his place.  So,
replacing the coach isn't just a rational employment decision; it's a
primitive, pre-rational ritual to protect a superstitous world-view.
So, the most primitive fans vent their fear and rage by yelling:
"You're losers" at the players or chanting an insult at a high-school
boy's football game.

I don't think that empathy for the coaches (or their families) should
be a factor in their employment.  If they aren't doing the job well
enough (for which there is considerable external objective evidence),
then they should be replaced; but it is an unhappy outcome, not an
opportunity for blood lust and a party.  At least, I wish it weren't.


> Steve said
> 
> >Callahan's daughter is a classmate and friend of my daughter.
> >They are a nice family.  This must be a gut-wrenching time for
> >coaches and players.
> >
> OK,  first I agree that we should not hate anyone,  I really do,   but I 
> dont know how it can be gut wrenching for a coach who has a multi year 
> contract to fall back on as well as a good old boys network to get him 
> his next job.   Maybe I am living in a cloud but I can only imagine how 
> it would feel to know that if they dont like me at this job, they have 
> to pay me for the the next 5 years anyway.
> 
> I wish I had a sweet deal like that.  Where I work if they dont like you 
> then an email goes around saying that "Rick has chosen to pursue other 
> opportunities outside of this company."  Now that is gut wrenching.
> 
> 
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