I thought long and hard about whether I would weigh in on the current controversy brewing in Morgantown. By now, fans have heard about the firestorm created by a heartfelt tweet from sophomore safety Kerry Martin<\/strong><\/a>. As a result, I won\u2019t dig too far into those details. Suffice it to say, Martin\u2019s tweet airs several grievances about Defensive Coordinator Vic Koenning<\/strong><\/a> that warrant further investigation, something the Mountaineers are actively doing. And based on comments from Shane Lyons\u2019 office, Head Coach Neal Brown\u2019s<\/strong><\/a> response, and Koenning\u2019s own response, the Mountaineers are hoping for change.<\/p>\n Before figuring out what, if any, change may need to occur, we have to first look at the accusations levied by Martin. In his tweet, Martin raises several issues. First, Martin tells us that Koenning called him \u201cretarded\u201d for using the wrong technique on a play. Second, Martin tells us that Koenning talks often about religion and politics in his position group meetings. Koenning allegedly shares openly that he wishes Trump would \u201cbuild the wall and keep Hispanics out.\u201d<\/p>\n Third, Martin tells us that he (Martin) recently converted religions, and Koenning has consistently offered Martin books on Christianity. Koenning, according to Martin, pulled Martin in his office on several occasions to discuss religion, Christianity in particular. Finally, Martin tells us that Koenning told Martin and others that if people \u201cdid not want to get tear-gassed\u201d that those people \u201cshouldn\u2019t be outside protesting.\u201d<\/p>\n Martin\u2019s allegations raise several significant issues if true. While some still use the word, the majority of people understand that the word \u201cretarded\u201d ought to be retired from common parlance altogether. Prior generations used the word so routinely that it has drawn a direct relationship between someone who is different, often delayed, solely because of genetics and someone who does something foolish. While we all, honestly, ought to find such parallels utterly offensive, Martin makes it obvious why he feels offended. Martin confessed that his family includes some people with special needs. He takes it personally, as should we all.<\/p>\n Koenning\u2019s social policy talk is just that: it is talk. Surely, a player can simply ignore that, right? A person should listen to opposing views as the endeavor to grow, right? To an extent, yes, we can all learn and grow from one another. But there are limits. Telling a position group that includes a Hispanic player that he wants a \u201cwall to keep the Hispanics out\u201d? I think we can all<\/em> agree that this does little to engender the trust of the family Coach Brown seeks to build<\/a>, even if we disagree on the merits of Koenning\u2019s comments.<\/p>\n What about a coach talking to his team about racial injustice in America? He defends the use of police force against those protesting the use of police force. Koenning does not<\/em> just <\/strong>say rioters and looters should be \u201ctear-gassed.\u201d He says that even protestors ought to expect being tear-gassed. At least, that is how Martin and his teammates interpreted Koenning\u2019s comments. Let us get this out of the way right now. Of the 75 scholarship players on the Mountaineers\u2019 presumptive 2020 roster, 59 of them (or just shy of 80%) are non-white. Does it engender the type of trust one would expect for a member of the coaching staff to take positions like Koenning\u2019s and saying them in the team environment?<\/p>\n Koenning\u2019s actions also raise issues on religious freedom. I understand that some want<\/em> to frame the issue as an assault on Koenning\u2019s own religious freedom. However, a public institution, and the people who represent it, cannot <\/em>create an environment that openly favors one set of beliefs over another. Should a coach responsible for the playing time and development of young athletes really use his position to give uninvited religious instruction? Fair questions abound for the players. If I talk back, will I get extra laps? If I question his beliefs, will I get less playing time? Those present real concerns, even if Koenning means well by his players.<\/p>\n One refrain we\u2019ve all heard often is that players should \u201cshut up and play.\u201d The thoughts remain lazy, tired, and extremely subjective. A liberal might say a player with conservative values\u2014Tim Tebow<\/strong><\/a>, for example\u2014should just \u201cshut up and play,\u201d instead of talking about his religious views when given air time. A conservation group might say a player promoting social change\u2014Colin Kaepernick<\/strong><\/a>, for example\u2014should just \u201cshut up and play.\u201d Both are wrong. People are people. Dante Stills<\/strong><\/a> said it best in his tweet on the subject: \u201cSome people don\u2019t understand WE ARE HUMAN and have feelings just like everyone else.\u201d<\/p>\n This noise has dominated the social media fallout from Martin\u2019s tweet. \u201cShut up and play,\u201d to be clear, is a weak response. It overlooks the fact that Koenning, simply, didn\u2019t \u201cshut up and coach.\u201d It also overlooks the power balance in the team dynamic. A coach should command his team. How he does that is a matter of style, but it really boils down to one thing: does a coach have his team\u2019s respect and trust? If not, he can have all the style and knowledge in the world. It will do nothing for the team.<\/p>\n To his credit, Martin said this quite specifically: \u201cNo, Coach Vic is not a bad person<\/em><\/strong>, and he does mean well in many aspects.\u201d Martin does not, by his tweet, take Koenning all the way to the mat and demand his removal. He simply says that the locker room and team culture needs a change.<\/p>\n To be clear, Morgantown is not the only college town with a locker room problem. Players across the country have demanded change at dozens of institutions, including several high-profile Power 5 schools. In many of those places, fan reaction has been similar: \u201cshut up and play.\u201d But I have a novel idea. Maybe it\u2019s time to listen to our players. As Stills said, they are humans. They have ideas, feelings, and thoughts. They have new platforms that prior generations did not.<\/p>\n Some very much fear the idea of change because it antagonizes comfort.\u00a0 Comfort, however, is the enemy of success. Our players in Morgantown and our players across the nation speak loudly. They are telling us, in no uncertain terms, that racial inequality and injustice still exist. They add that the badges and symbolic reminders of it still stand and fly to this day. We should find no comfort in that.<\/p>\n Some react and say, \u201cthat\u2019s just the old school mentality.\u201d They add, \u201cwhen I was a player, we wouldn\u2019t dream of going public with the locker room talk.\u201d They add, \u201cprayer was always in the locker room.\u201d In other words, they tout tradition for tradition\u2019s sake. Bruce Lee once said that \u201ctradition makes the mind a slave\u2014you are no longer an individual, but merely a product.\u201d Indeed, tradition for tradition\u2019s sake is dangerous. Ironically enough, most religious texts, including the Bible and the Qur\u2019an, contain ample warnings about the dangers of tradition. Young players have different ideas about the world, and they have different means to express it. And maybe it\u2019s time to listen.<\/p>\n Martin\u2019s tweet ended as auspiciously as it began: \u201cEnough is enough.\u201d The phrase \u201cshut up and play,\u201d ought to be retired as swiftly as the word \u201cretarded.\u201d We should listen to our players. And we should strive to understand their words and positions. Otherwise, we must admit that we are reducing them solely to their numbers, their statistics, and their athletic heroism. Beyond that, we would be admitting that they are less than human, that their ideas, words, thoughts, feelings, and respect have no value. Assuming we are not willing to admit these things\u2014I certainly am not\u2014then we ought to join Martin and say \u201cenough is enough.\u201d Power wielded properly, does not excuse by any stretch the wielder\u2019s ability to degrade and demean the fears, thoughts, and sensitivities of those he shepherds.<\/p>\n For what it\u2019s worth, Koenning\u2019s own statement shows that he is willing to listen. Koenning started acknowledging and respecting \u201cKerry Martin\u2019s right to share that some of my words and actions impacted him.\u201d He tells us that \u201cthis is an opportunity \u2026 to listen, learn, and improve.\u201d He promises that \u201cwe will get through this together and be stronger as a team for it.\u201d If Koenning is willing to listen, learn, and improve, then perhaps we should all be so willing.<\/p>\n While we listen, we might also take a few more of Bruce Lee\u2019s words to heart. \u201cKnowing is not enough, we must apply. Willing is not enough, we must do.\u201d This is how we effectuate change. And for that\u2014the act of knowing, applying, willing, and doing\u2014we should all, honestly, thank Martin for his courage. Coach Brown already has. So has Shane Lyons. So, too, should those remaining reluctant fans. Either way, Martin\u2019s conclusion is simple but correct, \u201cenough is enough.\u201d<\/p>\nThe Basis for Change<\/h3>\n
The Problems<\/h3>\n
The “R” Word<\/h4>\n
Unwelcome Social Commentary<\/h4>\n
The Other “R” Word<\/h4>\n
\u201cShut Up and Play\u201d<\/h3>\n
Maybe It\u2019s Time to Listen to Players<\/h3>\n
\u201cEnough is Enough\u201d<\/h3>\n