Spokesman Q&A w/ Gubrud

[SaveFerris]

Apologies if this has been posted. It obviously wasn't an easy ride. Seems to use the word "respect" a lot when it doesn't seem like he necessarily means it. Obviously, not an easy deal though.

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2020/jan/02/qa-former-eastern-washington-and-cougars-quarterba/

 

[sellas]

Very guarded interview. Seems he held back much what he wanted to say.

He may say more much later down the road.

 

[M-I-Coug]

Nice. Frequently I was actually curious of what was going on with Gage. The S-R article answered all my questions. Thanks for posting!

 

[ElComanche]

Of course he did not say much. The coaching fraternity does not like players who criticize their coach. The political correct thing to say is what he said.I hope he does try the CFL.He may have success there and perhaps jump to the NFL if it does pan out. i will be surprised if AG ever plays a professional game. I have been wrong before but i do not think that AG is a leader.

 

[Fab5Coug]

Apologies if this has been posted. It obviously wasn't an easy ride. Seems to use the word "respect" a lot when it doesn't seem like he necessarily means it. Obviously, not an easy deal though.

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2020/jan/02/qa-former-eastern-washington-and-cougars-quarterba/

Man, that interviewer was trying so hard. He so badly wanted Gage to say something negative about Leach or the program and just didn't get it.

Notice how the interviewer doesn't really ask questions? It's more just long statements. Pretty obvious what he wanted and Gage stayed professional about it.

 

[dgibbons]

Man, that interviewer was trying so hard. He so badly wanted Gage to say something negative about Leach or the program and just didn't get it.

Notice how the interviewer doesn't really ask questions? It's more just long statements. Pretty obvious what he wanted and Gage stayed professional about it.

That was my conclusion too. And that Gubrud wasn't real excited about re-living that he got beat out.

 

[Glad Cougar]

Man, that interviewer was trying so hard. He so badly wanted Gage to say something negative about Leach or the program and just didn't get it.

Notice how the interviewer doesn't really ask questions? It's more just long statements. Pretty obvious what he wanted and Gage stayed professional about it.

It reminded me of my own experiences as a communications director for a state agency. In recent years, reporters would track down ex-employees of our agency (retired, fired, resigned, it didn't matter) and interview them, hoping to hear something negative or some juicy secret that would expose us. They figured the ex-employees had nothing to protect anymore. Problem was, there was nothing there....so the reporters never got what they wanted. Didn't stop them from trying again and again. Look for the Spokesman to continue these kinds of exit interviews in order to "expose Mike Leach" and atone for Blanchette's hurt feelings.

Glad Cougar

 

[PINGDUDE4]

It reminded me of my own experiences as a communications director for a state agency. In recent years, reporters would track down ex-employees of our agency (retired, fired, resigned, it didn't matter) and interview them, hoping to hear something negative or some juicy secret that would expose us. They figured the ex-employees had nothing to protect anymore. Problem was, there was nothing there....so the reporters never got what they wanted. Didn't stop them from trying again and again. Look for the Spokesman to continue these kinds of exit interviews in order to "expose Mike Leach" and atone for Blanchette's hurt feelings.

Glad Cougar

Really has reached a degenerate situation with that newspaper. That paper has moved from just being critical of Leach to being clearly out to get him. Really have not seen many other situations that blatant and really shows a total lack of maturity and professionalism on their part. Hard enough to build and maintain a P5 program in a remote area. Even more difficult doing it with the closest big town newspaper on a vindictive mission.

 

[BiggsCoug]

Remove their press passes. If they are not going to be balanced and fair, if they instead are going to be tabloid news, deny them entry.

 

[Coug95man2]

I don't like this. Lazy. It was obviously a hit piece. But the interview didn't go well. So what do they do? They publish it anyways? Lazy, rushed or more likely BOTH.

Seems like it actually gives the general public more questions. "Why did such a nice boy not play? I wonder what was really going on in that WSU/Mike Leach football place to not let this good boy play ball, like he wants to."

They wanted a hit piece? Interview other players to bolster their angle. Can't get that done, interviews don't go well there either? Guess what!? Make it a, " 2019 WSU football class goes out hurting with bowl loss but with head held high" or whatever. This is a classic example of, a project that was half-baked, didn't go well and they went with it anyways. Didn't want to invest more time into interviews or wasn't thoughtful enough to bake this thing through. Lazy, rushed, or both. Spokesman Review, at it's best.

EDIT: M-I, what questions did this truly answer for you? Did it confirm stuff or truly shed like on area's that were completely dark to you?

 

[CougPatrol]

I credit Gubrud for the way he handled that interview. He was clearly disappointed that he wasn't the starter, and he acknowledged as much without whining or throwing anyone under the bus. Very professional. Kid has a coaching career ahead of him if he wants it.

 

[cr8zyncalif]

Just a couple thoughts.

First, it was logical for the S-R to do an article with Gubrud, given his long history at EWU. It would be more surprising if they did NOT do an interview.

Second, open ended questions by the guy conducting the interview is the normal way to do something like this, so that is not a surprise, either.

But...the tone of the questions strongly suggested that dirt was being sought. As a result of his EWU time, Gubrud knows as well or better than any of the WSU players what biases exist at the Spokesman, and was smart enough to behave professionally. That is also not surprising. Gage wants to be a professional, and he is smart enough to realize that if that is his career goal, then he needs to behave in that manner. What you saw there was probably his idea of how a pro QB would handle a hostile interviewer. I thought that overall he did very well.

 

[Cougzz]

Remove their press passes. If they are not going to be balanced and fair, if they instead are going to be tabloid news, deny them entry.

This would be the public relations equivalent of the athletic department punching itself in the mouth. With the exception of game coverage from opponents home area newspapers, just what newspaper with paid subscribers numbering over 25,000 would actually send a reporter or columnist to Pullman?

 

[dgibbons]

This would be the public relations equivalent of the athletic department punching itself in the mouth. With the exception of game coverage from opponents home area newspapers, just what newspaper with paid subscribers numbering over 25,000 would actually send a reporter or columnist to Pullman?

Blanchette should take a year or two off from the Martin Stadium buffet line, errr from being issued a media credential. The S-R is the only paper with a beat reporter assigned to WSU, so he/she needs access.

 

[BiggsCoug]

This would be the public relations equivalent of the athletic department punching itself in the mouth. With the exception of game coverage from opponents home area newspapers, just what newspaper with paid subscribers numbering over 25,000 would actually send a reporter or columnist to Pullman?

Who is doing it now?

What good is tabloid news doing for your program?

 

[Coug95man2]

I'm with ZZ on this one. Sure, right now it's Blanchette and it's football.

But that bleeds into the soccer team, the track team, the basketball team. So just in athletics, it wouldn't be smart. Those other sports need exposure and S_R is it.

Second, it also bleeds into the college itself. Petty people have petty ways. It's obvious the paper is sanctioning the "anti-Leach" thing. However soft they think it is, it's happening. And if they are that petty, when the University needs good press, I can see the S_R holding back the positivity and pulling the whole 4th Estate and being as critical as possible. Certainly making sure it isn't in a positive light. I have no doubt this would happen.

Let CML have this battle. He's a big boy and can handle it. Lets not bring the rest of the sports and the University into the battle.

 

[Observer11]

Really has reached a degenerate situation with that newspaper. That paper has moved from just being critical of Leach to being clearly out to get him. Really have not seen many other situations that blatant and really shows a total lack of maturity and professionalism on their part. Hard enough to build and maintain a P5 program in a remote area. Even more difficult doing it with the closest big town newspaper on vindictive mission.

Crazy thing is - the Spokesman is the beacon of truth and integrity relative to The Inlander.

 

[ttowncoug]

He got beat out by Gordo. That simple. He knew what he needed to do to win the job, and didn't win it.

To me it shows the guys on the team that the job is earned with every rep.

 

[CougEd]

Remove their press passes. If they are not going to be balanced and fair, if they instead are going to be tabloid news, deny them entry.

Maybe I am missing something, but what was so horrible about the article? Did you want to ask a starter at Eastern who only transferred to WSU for one reason to start for an FBS team and ask how was the training table food?

I would want to know how far the injury set him back, how hard was it to sit on the bench after starting, what did he learn. And was he surprised when AG struggled with turnovers if he had thought maybe Leach would give him a whirl like he did with Tyler?

I am not sure the general reading public want to know what GG dressed up for Halloween.

 

[Fab5Coug]

I've never lived in Spokane, so I'm not sure what the vi

Blanchette should take a year or two off from the Martin Stadium buffet line, errr from being issued a media credential. The S-R is the only paper with a beat reporter assigned to WSU, so he/she needs access.

Does Blanchette even attend the games and pressers in Pullman? I'm sure Lawson does. But, the "work" Blanchette puts forth doesn't require him to actually BE there. He can write the same drivel by just looking at a box score and watching the post game presser.

 

[dgibbons]

I've never lived in Spokane, so I'm not sure what the vi


Does Blanchette even attend the games and pressers in Pullman? I'm sure Lawson does. But, the "work" Blanchette puts forth doesn't require him to actually BE there. He can write the same drivel by just looking at a box score and watching the post game presser.

Sometimes.

Pretty sure he was at the AC to get the mileage reimbursement.

Edit to add- Grippi does that TV Take article where he watches the broadcast, then writes about the broadcast and the game.

 

[Coug95man2]

Does Blanchette even attend the games and pressers in Pullman? I'm sure Lawson does. But, the "work" Blanchette puts forth doesn't require him to actually BE there. He can write the same drivel by just looking at a box score and watching the post game presser.

Yes.

 

[Coug90]

Just a couple thoughts.

First, it was logical for the S-R to do an article with Gubrud, given his long history at EWU. It would be more surprising if they did NOT do an interview.

Second, open ended questions by the guy conducting the interview is the normal way to do something like this, so that is not a surprise, either.

But...the tone of the questions strongly suggested that dirt was being sought. As a result of his EWU time, Gubrud knows as well or better than any of the WSU players what biases exist at the Spokesman, and was smart enough to behave professionally. That is also not surprising. Gage wants to be a professional, and he is smart enough to realize that if that is his career goal, then he needs to behave in that manner. What you saw there was probably his idea of how a pro QB would handle a hostile interviewer. I thought that overall he did very well.

Well done by Gabe. The fact that he was a good teammate and was professional and positive in this type of environment will pay back greatly. Leach is a well connected individual and a good bridge to keep intact.

 

[GrayOnGray]

I'm so done with the spokesman that I don't even care. Things have changed. Scrawny little paper that needs to own their arrogance before they will ever be with my time again.

 

[M-I-Coug]

I don't like this. Lazy. It was obviously a hit piece. But the interview didn't go well. So what do they do? They publish it anyways? Lazy, rushed or more likely BOTH.

Seems like it actually gives the general public more questions. "Why did such a nice boy not play? I wonder what was really going on in that WSU/Mike Leach football place to not let this good boy play ball, like he wants to."

They wanted a hit piece? Interview other players to bolster their angle. Can't get that done, interviews don't go well there either? Guess what!? Make it a, " 2019 WSU football class goes out hurting with bowl loss but with head held high" or whatever. This is a classic example of, a project that was half-baked, didn't go well and they went with it anyways. Didn't want to invest more time into interviews or wasn't thoughtful enough to bake this thing through. Lazy, rushed, or both. Spokesman Review, at it's best.

EDIT: M-I, what questions did this truly answer for you? Did it confirm stuff or truly shed like on area's that were completely dark to you?

Coug95, I was mainly curious what was going thru Gage's head, since he lost out to AG. We didn't hear from Gage all season long, and he was pretty much silent, except for the few game plays he had this year.

Pre-season, there was so much talk, then Yogi had an exclusive interview from his parent's home on P12N, and so on. All the sudden, after he lost the job, we didn't really hear from him, until now. I was always curious how he's handling the letdown, or setback. The S-R article answered basically everything I was curious about.

 

[sylean]

Dennis Patchin admits he isn't a coug guy and doesn't watch all the sports that he blathers about.......this passes for sports journalism nowadays.....arrogant wannabee's....

 

[ElComanche]

I doubt that Gabrud and leach will anything more than a cordial relationship.

 

[etowncoug]

Dear Diary,

I doubt that Gabrud and leach will anything more than a cordial relationship.

 

[WASH ST A&M FAN]