The world of sports turns at the same speed for everyone, though the Oregon Duck football season seems to spin faster than other seasons. And it should.
You get that in a sport with fewer games, greater risk, and rabid enthusiasm. It goes even further. Oregon football season is sparkle season for fans. They watch the teams twinkle and shine each autumn, watch the superstars until their eyes get scorched with the red circles you get from staring at the sun too long.
The greats (Mariota) disappear into the NFL where they either get good or get injured. Most likely both. That’s part of the human element. The other part is you forgetting how good they were until teams like Washington State remind you. The only comfort for Duck fans this year is Auburn’s 7-5 record after Cam Newton.
Oregon football may not include titles and big bowls this year, but their season is far from over the way it is for a couple of high end coaches. Let’s talk about the Steves.
Steve I
Steve Sarkisian stood on shaky ground before he fell at the University of Southern California. This is a man with personal problems reaching way beyond the region, the school, the field. He may have a substance problem; he may have problems with more than one substance.
Unlike New York Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia, who checked himself into rehab just before the postseason, thus possibly avoiding a drunken spectacle, Sarkisian missed his chance.
Keeping his act together for the football season is the telling factor. When the guys look up to you, the players and fans and alumni, you can’t fall down. You just can’t take a knee. You can’t show up half gassed in August for a team event and expect things to work out.
You either execute the game plan, find an excuse for failing, or leave it to others to sort you out. Steve Sarkisian left it to others. Let’s hope he gets the help he needs and finds his way back.
Steve II
Then there’s the other USC, the real USC of University of South Carolina, and Steve Spurrier. The now Former Head Ball Coach did what no one does: he felt like quitting and left before anyone couild talk him out of it. Or give him a raise.
He retired in the middle of the season, or resigned, or quit, depending on who you listen to. This SEC Heisman winning, national champion coaching king of college football called his own number and gave one last toss. As the only one who knows why, or why now, Steve Spurrier went from passer to runner. And he scored.
It’s an odd time for two Steves to leave the game. You hope one gets another chance, and you wish the other had coached your team.
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