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10-11-2005, 11:17 PM
HA Editorial form Saturday October 8th
There have been several disciplinary incidents on the University of Southern Mississippi football team this year.
But in each case, Southern Miss head coach Jeff Bower has either refused to disclose the discipline he imposed on the players or confirm that disciplinary action was related to a specific event.
We believe Bower should make this information public.
By refusing to do so, the head coach encourages the perception that some players are receiving favorable treatment.
In July, Bower disciplined several players following an incident at the Hi-Hat 2000 club in Hattiesburg. Two players were dismissed from the team and two were suspended for a game. (The suspensions were later lifted.) Two others quit the team over the incident.
When asked about the incident, Bower said he wouldn't confirm that the players' departures and suspensions were related to the event in question.
"I've told the players it's family business," said Bower. "I wouldn't comment on that, and I wouldn't expect them to comment on that."
Last month, Southern Miss placekicker Darren McCaleb was disciplined following his arrest Sept. 17 on a domestic abuse charge.
Again, Bower refused to give any details about his disciplinary actions, saying simply: "I'm not going to discuss that. It was addressed and the discipline was pretty serious."
What does "pretty serious" mean?
And are the penalties imposed by the head coach applied equitably to the entire squad?
The answer to these and other questions is, "No one knows, except the coaching staff and the players."
Following his dismissal from the team in the wake of the incident at the Hi-Hat 2000 club, senior Darrell Bennett said: "All I can tell you is I was kicked off the team for basically nothing."
Bower's refusal to be more forthcoming about his disciplinary actions is a cause for concern - and an issue that must be addressed.
Bower works at a publicly funded university, and transparency and accountability should be expected at all times. It's disappointing that the university is not holding Coach Bower to these standards.
There have been several disciplinary incidents on the University of Southern Mississippi football team this year.
But in each case, Southern Miss head coach Jeff Bower has either refused to disclose the discipline he imposed on the players or confirm that disciplinary action was related to a specific event.
We believe Bower should make this information public.
By refusing to do so, the head coach encourages the perception that some players are receiving favorable treatment.
In July, Bower disciplined several players following an incident at the Hi-Hat 2000 club in Hattiesburg. Two players were dismissed from the team and two were suspended for a game. (The suspensions were later lifted.) Two others quit the team over the incident.
When asked about the incident, Bower said he wouldn't confirm that the players' departures and suspensions were related to the event in question.
"I've told the players it's family business," said Bower. "I wouldn't comment on that, and I wouldn't expect them to comment on that."
Last month, Southern Miss placekicker Darren McCaleb was disciplined following his arrest Sept. 17 on a domestic abuse charge.
Again, Bower refused to give any details about his disciplinary actions, saying simply: "I'm not going to discuss that. It was addressed and the discipline was pretty serious."
What does "pretty serious" mean?
And are the penalties imposed by the head coach applied equitably to the entire squad?
The answer to these and other questions is, "No one knows, except the coaching staff and the players."
Following his dismissal from the team in the wake of the incident at the Hi-Hat 2000 club, senior Darrell Bennett said: "All I can tell you is I was kicked off the team for basically nothing."
Bower's refusal to be more forthcoming about his disciplinary actions is a cause for concern - and an issue that must be addressed.
Bower works at a publicly funded university, and transparency and accountability should be expected at all times. It's disappointing that the university is not holding Coach Bower to these standards.