Buckeyes need Holtmann, Browns need Costner
Have more comments, questions? Reach out to me at [email protected].
On Ohio State basketball
To the editor: It appears that coach Chris Holtmann is on the “hot seat,’ which seems short-sighted. Certainly, we all would like to see Big Ten league and tournament champs plus a national championship like 1960, but we also have one of the most competitive, deep athletic leagues in the country. Numerous Big Ten teams make the big dance, including Buckeyes, but few make the Final Four. Why? Because we have exceptional teams across the country.
Coach Holtmann has run a clean, competitive program with a winning record. He has sent players to the professional ranks and recruited top-10 classes and made the big dance regularly. With the exceptions of Mike Krzyzewski and Jay Wright, few other current coaches have any more success than Holtmann out of the top 50 coaches beyond those winning one national championship.
Will a coach’s change now, lead to bigger success? Doubtful. Will those never satisfied continue to criticize? Absolutely.
Than Johnson, Urbana
Rob Oller:The secret to dancing deep into March? Talent trumps all. Just ask Big Ten
To the editor: The Buckeye basketball team provided us with a fun and exciting season with just a few disappointments. Particularly good memories include the caliber of young men, their enthusiasm, hard work and competitiveness. Lost a few they could have won, won a few they were supposed to lose, but never a doubt about their effort or integrity. Watching them play made a tough winter bearable and something to look forward to. Came close to winning the league regular season, made the big dance and lost a tight game to an excellent opponent in the round of 32. Led by an honest, energetic, knowledgeable coach that represents our university well. Memories of E.J.’s smile, Zed’s pointing, Joey’s super-sub performance, Kyle’s give-it-all attitude, Malaki’s coming of age, Meechie’s big shots, Justin’s streaks, Jamari’s hustle, Eugene’s athleticism, Cedric’s timely 3s, Jimmy’s steady play and all the videos after game of off-key singing of “We will fight to the end” will carry me through to next season, which no doubt will be memorable. Love you guys. Go Bucks!.
Louis Nobile, Columbus
To Than, Louis: Again, this was a competitive but flawed team. And not the roster Holtmann expected to coach. He’s a good coach who now must hit it big in the transfer portal to give all the incoming freshmen time to mature.
On the Browns
To the editor: If you walk into a room full of Browns fans and ask them what their favorite movie is, at least half of them will say Draft Day. In the movie, Kevin Costner’s character, Browns general manager Sonny Weaver Jr., ultimately selects new players for the Browns based on a combination of talent plus integrity instead of players with a lot of talent but a lack of integrity. It sure would have been nice to have Sonny Weaver Jr. in the front office of the real Browns this year. I guess I’ll have to buy a Bengals sweatshirt for next season.
Jim Allen
To the editor: Thank you, Michael Arace, for calling out the Browns’ disgusting decision to hire Deshaun Watson and pay him the highest salary in NFL history and do this without any acknowledgement that, at the least, Watson chronically creates situations that result in women being compromised. Leave it to the hypocrites in power in the NFL to allow an owner to pay almost one quarter of a billion dollars to a player with a clear pattern of abusing the trust of women, while Colin Kaepernick, who’s only “fault” was taking a stand for social justice, can’t get a simple tryout.
Pamela Conrad, Grandview Heights
Rob Oller:Browns fans weigh in on Deshaun Watson trade, and they’re not happy
To the editor: My thanks to sports columnist Michael Arace, Andrea and Jim Thome, and The Dispatch for the honesty and support shown for women who put themselves in the public eye. You are all to be commended.
Kathleen Rosati, Westerville
To Brian: Lost in the Browns/Watson controversy is Baker Mayfield. Need I point out he took the team in 2020 to the doorstep of the Super Bowl vs. Kansas City? An unreviewable call late in the game may have prevented a fantastic finish. But in hindsight, the problem last year was the failure of the management to draft a suitable backup quarterback — someone younger, placed ahead of Case Keenum. With that option, coach Kevin Stefanski could rest an injured Mayfield. Baker could then rest (albeit with pride hurt), knowing the he could return a few games later regardless of the draftee’s success. Baker would have some competition entering 2022 but likely finish out the last year of his contract or even be traded.
I think it’s the pay given to Watson, not just the scandal nor his hiatus, that fans object to. I never understand why athletes don’t have to merit their salary, especially at the start. What if Watson has a season-ending injury? All the more reason to draft another QB and divide the pie a bit, instead of placing all the cash on one player, however valuable to the club. But we must give him (and the owners) a chance to redeem themselves and let the chips fall.
Larry Cheek, Dublin