Insight on our baseball team from a Rebel girl.

[Msudawg985]

She claims she talks to all of Polk's boyz and a few Cohen boyz. that nobody likes Cohen because he curses them, and its a mental strain on their production.

My response, these players are in college kids younger than them are in the pros (minors) if you can't handle the mental strain of a few curse words being yelled at

you shouldn't put on the jersey ever agian.... Im sorry but I'm a huge Cohen fan and I know he is the right man for the job.

 

[Msudawg985]

She claims she talks to all of Polk's boyz and a few Cohen boyz. that nobody likes Cohen because he curses them, and its a mental strain on their production.

My response, these players are in college kids younger than them are in the pros (minors) if you can't handle the mental strain of a few curse words being yelled at

you shouldn't put on the jersey ever agian.... Im sorry but I'm a huge Cohen fan and I know he is the right man for the job.

 

[Msudawg985]

She claims she talks to all of Polk's boyz and a few Cohen boyz. that nobody likes Cohen because he curses them, and its a mental strain on their production.

My response, these players are in college kids younger than them are in the pros (minors) if you can't handle the mental strain of a few curse words being yelled at

you shouldn't put on the jersey ever agian.... Im sorry but I'm a huge Cohen fan and I know he is the right man for the job.

 

[Todd4State]

She said that "they may not like Cohen, but they need to get over it". She then called them "pussies". True story.

After futily hitting on her, I left thinking- "Man, the Diamond Girls have bigger balls than our team."

And I agree with you- like college baseball players have never heard cussing before? Seriously.

 

[Msudawg985]

Todd it makes me sick that our players can't play for someone who wants to win so bad.
Hell there is more people cursing at home at the t.v. or radio. or even in the stands that it would make Cohen look like a Saint in their eyes</p>

 

[Requiem For A Dawg]

I too am friends with a few diamond girls as well as several players. Cussing is not what bothers them. Most of the players I know cuss like sailors themselves. Its just the fact they all think Cohen is a huge dueche. They don't like him because they say he is a prick this is coming from both cohen and polk recruits. I mean the guy doesn't even talk to them after the game, he just packs up his crap and leaves. I have always been a fan of strict coach, but there is a fine line between strict and dick. As gay as it sounds kids are going to play harder for someone they like. I think this is something Mullen does well. I've seen him jump down their throats at practice but every player I talked to loves him. Either way Cohen's Mr. Tough guy style isn't working. Sooner or later the players will get it out to the recruits that they think he is a tool and you will see these 10 ten classes plummet.

 

[MonkeyCheese]

So maybe there's a difference between a coach who is passionate and cussesa lot& a coach who is passionate, cusses a lot, degrades his players, and is a prick.<div>
</div><div>Not saying Cohen is more on one side or the other. But I'm sure there are plenty of cussing coaches in high school sports all over the state. But their players still respect them and love to play for them.</div>

 

[Todd4State]

to play hard.

If someone doesn't like their boss at work, that doesn't mean that they don't perform, or that not perfomring because you don't like your boss is a legit excuse.

I think a big part of our problem right now is that these players are so hung up on whether they like the coach or not, that winning isn't important to them. These players are not about Mississippi State, they are about themselves and how they are treated, and I have a big problem with that.

 

[Woof Man Jack]

Its just the fact they all think Cohen is a huge dueche. They don't like him because they say he is a prick this is coming from both cohen and polk recruits. I mean the guy doesn't even talk to them after the game, he just packs up his crap and leaves. I have always been a fan of strict coach, but there is a fine line between strict and dick. As gay as it sounds kids are going to play harder for someone they like.

This is bs. If not,how do you explain Cohen's success at Kentucky? Mentally tougher recruits at KY?

 

[FlabLoser]

Its just the fact they all think Cohen is a huge dueche. They don't like him because they say he is a prick this is coming from both cohen and polk recruits. I mean the guy doesn't even talk to them after the game, he just packs up his crap and leaves. I have always been a fan of strict coach, but there is a fine line between strict and dick. As gay as it sounds kids are going to play harder for someone they like.

This is bs. If not,how do you explain Cohen's success at Kentucky? Mentally tougher recruits at KY?

...if coming to MSU changed Cohen. Now that he's got his dream job, I wonder if he overestimates his own importance, popularity, and entitlement of respect.

I've seen it happen before - a guy arrives in a certain position in the workplace and suddenly things everyone will swoon over him with respect and hang on to his every word.

 

[SwampDawg]

It all depends on how personal he makes it. If he says "Gdammit swamp, when the ball is over the plate it's your job to knock the **** out of it" thats one thing. But if he says "Gdammit swamp, you are the biggest 17up on the team and swing like a *****" then that's another. In my professional life I put up with a lot of **** from my bosses because that's just the way it goes, but I never put up with personal attacks. That's when you grow a set and say "17 you."

 

[Buford T. Justice]

But if he says "Gdammit swamp, you are the biggest 17up on the team and swing like a *****" then that's another. In my professional life I put up with a lot of **** from my bosses because that's just the way it goes, but I never put up with personal attacks. That's when you grow a set and say "17 you."

I disagree. That is when youhave been challenged and you meet the challenge.Cohen wants player who rise to the challenge andprove him wrong. That is what Cohen is looking for.That is what makes great player great. If a coach called Latrell Sprewell a ***** he would have gotten mad andchoked the coach or walked off the court.If a coach called Michael Jordan or Larry Birda *****, they wouldn't have gotten mad and quit. Instead they would have said "watch this you sumbitch" anddropped 60 pointson somebody andproved their point.

Mentally weak playersget mad and roll-over.
Mentally tough playersmeet the challenge.

 

[jcdawgman18]

If a coach called Michael Jordan or Larry Birda *****, they wouldn't have gotten mad and quit. Instead they would have said "watch this you sumbitch" anddropped 60 pointson somebody andproved their point.

Mentally weak playersget mad and roll-over.
Mentally tough playersmeet the challenge.

But there's no freaking way you're going to be able to find 35 guys to play baseball for us who are as mentally tough as those two. There just aren't many people wired like that on this earth. They're extremely rare.

 

[AdamDawgDude]

She said that "they may not like Cohen, but they need to get over it". She then called them "pussies". True story.

After futily hitting on her, I left thinking- "Man, the Diamond Girls have bigger balls than our team."

And I agree with you- like college baseball players have never heard cussing before? Seriously.

On the John Cohen show before the UM series, he commented on picking up great baseball players that were leaders on their school's football teams (Rea, Henderson, McMahon, Norris, etc.). They talked about the toughness and leadership that is developed playing football and how that helps a ton when making the transition to college baseball.

I feel like the whole problem is that these guys have never been pushed and had pressure applied to them in their lives and they are reacting like pussies to the whole thing. I don't think I've ever met someone that played football growing up that didn't get dog-cussed every once in a while (personal attacks, smacked in the helmet, run until you barfed on the field, bull in the ring). These things make you tough and develop the character to win competitive ball games. If you can't take being called a 'sorry sack of *&^%' every once in a while without crying, then you don't need to play baseball in the SEC.

 

[maroonmania]

I'm sure a lot of them don't necessarily like being yelled at by their coach or anyone else, I mean who does. But really how many college age guys are that sensitive about hearing cuss words. I personally wish he wouldn't swear at our players because I think its unnecessary and there are better ways to get your point across but all this I'm hearing about our players being so sensitive and offended by the language I think is just BS.

 

[maroonmania]

Cohen had been there for 4 years or so and left with what was rated a Top 5 recruiting class at the time. Evidently his KY players didn't get the memo to pass on to recruits how big of a prick he was.

 

[jacksonreb1]

or disliking your boss in itself. if a boss/coach degrades and drives down his subordinates/players too much it kills morale. IMO the best example in the world of demanding physcology properly implimented is by drill instructors in the marine corps. they tear the newbees down then build them up and not just once. its a cycle all through training. its also a skill and craft they are highly trained to execute. as an outsider i don't really have an opinion on cohen, but i can tell you from experience from both ends of the chain, a leader can be tough as nails and demanding as heck and still be loved by his subordinates. but if he JUST beats them down he will lose them and its not a simple question of like or dislike.

i'd also say that as a coach, top players have a choice as to where they play. to recruit the best a coach needs the right balance

 

[TBonewannabe]

He praises their effort and work in every interview now. I don't know if it is too little too late but he seems like he is trying to keep them motivated at least in the media. It just seems he has a different outlook now in his interviews.</p>

 

[8dog]

that he has changed in interviews this year b/c he caught so much **** last year from throwing folks under the bus.

 

[MadDawg.sixpack]

it's not that Cohen cusses at them like we have all been led to believe. It's that he's a complete dick to them all the time. That makes more sense.

 

[Buford T. Justice]

But there's no freaking way you're going to be able to find 35 guys to play baseball for us who are as mentally tough as those two. There just aren't many people wired like that on this earth. They're extremely rare.

I think there are tons of people that step up to a challenge rather than roll over and quit. Hell, I've seen it in all levels. You even see it in 7 or 8 year olds. There are some 7 year olds that you could say "Ibelieve you are too much of a sissy to hit that target with a football 3 consecutive times." Some would try for 5 minutes then quitwhile whining about you calling them a sissy. Other 7 year-olds would stay out there all night trying to hit the target because they intend on proving to you that they are no sissy.

 

[chew1095]

If these players arent man enough to bear the brunt ofa fewexpletives, they need to think about joining a church league softball team. If I have done something so wrong that my superior or my bossdeems it necessary to use expletives to make a point, then guess what? I have more than likely 17ed up.
These little bitches need to pull out the tampons long enough to take the *** beatings they are about the be handed by Auburn, Vandy and LSU and then the need to move the 17 on.
All of this "the coach is mean to me" or "Jet Butler's dad is going to expose Cohen for what he is" or "Coach Cohen cursed at me" needs to come to a halt.
These little fairies need to either grow a pair or get the hell out of here and make room for kids (preferably of the 5 toolnature)that want to play for a coach that wants to win.

 

[olemissbydamn]

there is a breaking point. You just can't take it too far, and cursing isn't a motivator for everyone.

I know you guys hate the Orgeron example, but he was a guy who belittled and cursed his players so much that they receded and revolted.

 

[KurtRambis4]

but this is BS. Cohen is here to do one thing and one thing only: Win. He isn't here to be Jet Butler's best friend. He isn't here to tuck Sneed in at night. His job is to win games. Also, he is here to make these "players" better at baseball. He has had success at every stop so far. It's pretty apparent that these "players" do not want to become better. You don't become a better baseball player by your coach reading you bedtime stories or serving you milk and cookies. Jesus. What a bunch of girls. Is it not the goal of all of these "players" to make it to the majors? Apparently not, because they're more worried about a coach being their friend than getting better. Thanks Jackie.

 

[8dog]

if what you are doing, whether its cussing or coddling, is not working, ADJUST.

Do what you can to get the most out of the team. You can go back to browbeating when all your "mentally tough" michael jordans and larry birds arrive. Im sure they are completely different.

 

[AlCoDog]

there is a breaking point. You just can't take it too far, and cursing isn't a motivator for everyone.

I know you guys hate the Orgeron example, but he was a guy who belittled and cursed his players so much that they receded and revolted.

There is a good chance they just couldn't understand what he was saying, and interpreted itas negative due to the aggression which he delivered it with. Or maybe they were pussies too.

 

[olemissbydamn]

Worse than players...

Fans who ***** about cursing are pussies. </p>

 

[chew1095]

Worse than players...

Fans who ***** about cursing are pussies. </p>

I agree. Some of our fans need to shut the 17 up.

 

[AlCoDog]

nm

 

[MadDawg.sixpack]

to constant beratementand cussing when they can see that they are getting better and that the team is improving. However, when you are getting this constant negative reinforcement, and you NOT getting better and maybe even getting worse, that's a recipe for disaster. As you suggested, perhaps Cohen should tone down his belligerent persona until he has the players in place to actually start seeing some improvement.

 

[paindonthurt_]

too many people are rolling over and quitting b/c their mommies told them they didn't need to work hard or they were better than everyone else. Or their daddies were not around.

When I was in little league baseball my dad coached my teams. When I was 10 (10, 11 and 12 year old age group) we had 10 people on the team. I didn't start but was clearly the one of the best 9. My pops told me that he didn't want me to ever hear that I played or made all stars b/c he was the coach.

When I was 12, I played short stop. One practice he was hitting us infield. Hit a couple of slow rollers around to the other guys and they booted them up (we all sucked really). Hit a rocket to me that took a nasty hop and bounced up into the family jewels. I was able to pick it up and throw out the base runner for the out. The next words out of his mouth were.........."looked like that hurt. get a lap". Meaning run my happy *** around the outside of the field. I hated that SOB when I was a kid, but as I got older, I got the point. Nothing is free and nobody is gonna give you **** in your life. You want something you go get it.

Thats a dying art.

For the record, if Cohen is hard on them for the same reasons, then I respect that M F er even that much more.

 

[chew1095]

I played for a real hard *** in junior highand high school. We had to keep the field up and make sure all of the equipment was put away at the end of over practice. If coach found one ball that we missed, it equaled 5 laps around the field. One day, we came out of the locker room for practice and there were 5 ball sitting in the third base coaches box. Our head coach did not even say a word to us. We ran 25 laps and the coach left. Out of utter fear of what might happend if we just left after we ran, the seniors and team captains made us take BP off the tees and in the cage until dark. We won a lot under that coach. A couple of years later, after that coach retired, one of his assistants took over and there was no discipline whatsoever. Guess what? We sucked. It all starts at the top.

On another occasion under said hard *** coach, a 7th grader was working in a 1st. He missed a routine ground ball and the coach blew a gasket. That kid stood at first and proceeded to get two buckets of balls hit at him, progressively harder each time. For about 45 minutes, the rest of us held our position and just watched. That kid ended up being one hell of a defensive firstbasemen...coincidence? I think not.

 

[RebelBruiser]

Most likely, it's the difference between positive and negative reinforcement. You can't just be negative. I have no problem with coaches that use language. In fact I think it's a part of the game in most major sports.

The question is, does that emotion only come out when things go poorly? To get the buy in of players, if you're an emotional coach, you have to have an equally strong reaction to positive plays, or at least occasionally have that reaction.

I'll give Will Muschamp as an example. It's clear that guy doesn't use clean language, and that's needed, especially for a DC. However, we've all seen the Boom MotherF***er clip on Youtube. That's what I'm talking about as far as positive reaction. His defense did something great, and he was in their faces with his excitement just as much as he is when they screw up.

If you're hard on your players all the time, and you don't reinforce their positive plays with at least some emotion, you'll lose them. Cohen's problem could simply be that he hasn't had a lot of positive going on, but you do run that risk of losing a team if they don't get some positive feedback at some point. I won't use the Orgeron example, but I'll use another one of our coaches, Kennedy, as an example. I think he's harsh all the time with his players with little positive feedback, and for that reason I think his players have tuned him out. They don't enjoy playing for him, and his yelling has little effect on them. That's the fine line you walk as a coach. You have to give some positive feedback if you expect your negative feedback to be able to continue to carry weight.

 

[chew1095]

we we just dont have those gritty, punch you in the mouth, wash the uni twice and leave the opposing pitchers girlfriend knocked up type of players. If there are any of you out there, please send your resume to Mississippi State University c/o of John Cohen...there is place for you at the Dude.

 

[OMlawdog]

If a coach called Michael Jordan or Larry Birda *****, they wouldn't have gotten mad and quit. Instead they would have said "watch this you sumbitch" anddropped 60 pointson somebody andproved their point

When he got to IU, Knight was yelling and bitching at him, and he did get mad and quit, it worked out ok for him, he never credits Knight for making him a man or learning anything from it, bottom line is that life is too short to play for an *******.

I don't have a problem with a coach yelling, I played for one of the more successful basketball coaches in MS now, he wasn't that successful when he first arrived at my high school, and he basically was quoting Gene Hackman from Hoosiers through practice,yet pretending he came up with it. He cursed us, made us practice at 1:00 am after driving back from a road game where we got destroyed by St. Aug. I liked playing him for though because in the locker room he would crack jokes, and just generally seemed like a fun guy, traded stories with us, and was a good guy. Now on the court, he was no bullsh!t coach that would get in your face, and you didn't challenge. He would challenge you in every way possible, but it didn't bother me in the least, because I respected him and I liked him.

If you have a coach that you don't like, and in general don't respect the coach, and he is making your life misearable, time to go.

 

[AdamDawgDude]

This. Not this

 

[maroonmania]

if this were a major league team you were talking about. Cohen is certainly at MSU "primarily" to win games BUT in college, whatever the sport, we are still talking about guys who for the most part aren't even of legal age yet. Given that, there is some responsibility on the coach to be a mentor to these guys and help them develop skill and character both on the field and off. For that reason I am somewhat interested to know that he has at least a decent relationship with the players on his team. It certainly does not make me feel good if its true that the majority of his players just thinks he's a jerk.

 

[Todd4State]

If you watch our team and you watch Cohen and the assistants, they are always trying to get the players to get into the game, and they are usually trying to keep the dugout positive, but they don't respond. They just sit there like bumps on a log.

Most dugouts especially in college- the players are usually into the game and excited. Ours just sits there.

I think part of the problem is probably not that the players aren't getting any positive reinforcement, it's that they don't want to accept it- probably because they are still hung up on the negative reinforcement.

 

[Buford T. Justice]

When he got to IU, Knight was yelling and bitching at him, and he did get mad and quit, it worked out ok for him, he never credits Knight for making him a man or learning anything from it, bottom line is that life is too short to play for an *******.

That isn'tthe way ithappened according to Bird and Knight. Maybe you know more than they do aboutwhat happened.

 

[OMlawdog]

If he thought he might get some emotional support from the coaches, that notion was quickly dispelled as well. One night, while walking down the street with Jan Condra, who had also enrolled at Indiana, at Larry’s behest, and her sister, Larry looked up and saw Knight walking toward them. He stiffened and readied himself to speak to his head coach for the first time since arriving on campus. Knight walked toward Bird; Bird said hello — and Knight blew by without saying a word. “Larry didn’t say anything, but I could tell with his demeanor that his feelings were hurt,” Condra says. “Larry was used to people being a lot nicer to him. He didn’t like Coach Knight’s personality.”</p>

Knight would later regret treating Bird so coldly. “Larry Bird is one of my great mistakes,” he said. “I was negligent in realizing what Bird needed at that time in his life.”

http://www.insidethehall.com/2009/03/05/seth-davis-on-larry-bird-and-bobby-knight/</p>

The point is that you don't have to be a dick to be successful in coaching sports. Of course you can be, but don't be surprised when players, even successful ones, don't want to play for you.