vinism

One of things that is often discussed, but rarely written about is how the Michigan State football coaching job can be as much about politics as it can be about winning or losing. But Joe Rexrode takes a nice swing at it in yesterday's Lansing State Journal.

He (Smith) was asked Friday if he was referring then to one of two things: unfavorable media coverage or the political climate within MSU's walls. "A little bit of both," he said, before adding: "I don't think the media is much tougher here than anywhere else. I think 90 percent of the media is fair." But he also noticed the string of anonymously sourced assertions put forth this summer by a Detroit newspaper columnist: that MSU administrators have set eight wins as the mark Smith must reach to keep his job (a claim they vehemently deny); that MSU administrators have put feelers out to possible replacements should John L. stumble, including former player Pat Shurmur (no one will admit it); that a "power struggle" took place between the Board of Trustees and Lou Anna Simon over a contract extension for athletic director Ron Mason, who hired Smith. That one got the MSU people all fired up. "Nonsense. Flat-out baloney. I went ballistic when I saw that," said Trustee Dee Cook, R-Greenville. "It was a complete fabrication. Who is giving (the columnist) his information? It's bad information. "I wish I knew, but I know this: Someone out there is definitely trying to manipulate something."

The Lansing State Journal also note that John L. is getting along with Joel Ferguson these days.