The 2011 football season for the University of Mississippi Rebels has been one of injuries, protests, and controversy. Injuries have hobbled several players on the offense and defense units of the team. Brandon Bolden, the star running back, sustained an injury in the offenseive series of downs in the games against Vanderbilt University and the University of Georgia. He was the player who player who appeared in several promotions for the football team, such as, billboards, television commercials, and game programs. Enrique Davis, also a running back, has been injured and has not returned to play since his injury. On the defensive side of the ball, linebacker, D.T. Shackleford and Kentrell Lockett, a defensive end, have been limited ( Lockett) or no action on field ( Shackleford). Both were considered by the coaching staff to be leaders of the denfense, both on the field or play and in the locker room.
A protest group has been formed by disenchanted fans of the program called Forward Rebels Foundation. It has purchased newspaper advertisment in several prominent newspapers published in the State of Mississippi such as The Clarion- Ledger and The Commercial Appeal. The headline in Ole Miss red ink indicates that, " Under Boone's leadership, Ole Miss has routinely underpreformed in the SEC. " Boone is paid 429, 000 per year. Boone was part of the leadership team that hired former Coach Ed Orgeron and current Coach Houston Nutt.
Coach Nutt was hired in November 2007 shortly after Coach Orgeron was fired after a loss in the last regular season game at Mississippi State University in the " Egg Bowl." He has won one SEC game after the last eleven games. His first two seasons produced winning records, but the 2010 team produced four victories and eight defeats. A bid to a bowl game afteer the regular season requries a minimum of six wins to be considered by a selection committee. The players on the team now are largely those offered scholarships by Coach Nutt. The players recruited by former Coach Orgeron are no longer on the team. Mnay are in the National football league, such as Mike Wallace, Dexter McCluster and Ben Jarvis Green- Ellis. Coach Nutt is paid 2.76 million per eyar. His contract ends after the 2014 football season. He has been paid 230, 000 for each loss this eyar.
A spokesman for the University's sports infomation department declined to comment on the future of the Boone and Nutt. The former two head football coaches, David Cutcliff and Orgeon, were fired after producing losing teams.
A member of the football team who did not wish to be identified stated that he felt emotionally " pumped up" when he ran out of the tunnel onto Vaught Hemingway Field before more than 58, 000 Rebel Fans. However, he became deflated when the fans started leaving the stadium and at halftime because of the Rebels losing the scoring battle with the opposing team. He said, " The team will continue to give its best effort and play as hard as it can."
No comments:
Post a Comment