How 'bout Them Dawgs?!

I had every intention of posting a political commentary about how the media seemed to have this obcession about President Clinton's heart troubles but I'm in too good of a mood right now (in other words, it'll come tomorrow so watch out!). No, no, Clintoon (kidding) will have to wait.

Sylvester Croom made his debut as Mississippi State University's head football coach in fine fashion, as the Bulldogs went to beat the Green Wave of Tulane 28-7. To give you an idea of how good of a game this was, the scoreboard had goose eggs on it at half time. Wow! I can honestly say that this Bulldog team is the best I've seen in years. Coach Croom has really brought a level of play and discipline that I haven't seen on a Bulldog team in a number of years. Probably the defining moment in the game for Coach Croom was in the first half when he made known his displeasure at a call by the referee and then went to the referee to apologize and shake his hand. If that isn't class, I don't know what is.

I now have a renewed love for my Dawgs. Watching the game tonight really re-ignited the fire that I once had for Bulldog football. Coach Croom proved to this Dawg fan that he will take no prisoners, no excuses, will accept only the absolute best from his team on and off the field and he'll do it with a level of class unlike any seen in any level of sports today.

And, by the way, Coach Croom is the first black head football coach in the history of Mississippi State and the Southeastern Conference.

Before I left Mississippi, I was reading an edition of my high school's student newspaper from Christmas of '03. They published some student's wants for Christmas; one little snot nosed brat wrote "please send MSU a coach other than Sylvester Croom." To that stupid whif I have this to say: I have a great recipe for crow and an even better one for humble pie.

I have a profound respect for Coach Croom. Not only because of his ability at leading the Dawgs to victory, but because he has revealed himself as a person who has values. Yes, I used a head football coach's name and "values" in the same sentence. In various clips that were shown through out ESPN's telecast, I saw a man who believes that God has an important place in his life and a man who values his family. When he said that the only thing that would make his night perfect was having his father there (he died a couple of years ago), that showed me that is is a great human being. Also the fact that he didn't mind wiping away some tears on ESPN showed me a lot too.

I was excited when MSU Athletic Director Larry Templeton announced that Coach Croom was coming to Starkville (just look at his coaching credentials); now I know that Coach Croom was the right choice.

Congratulations to Coach Croom and the Mississippi State Bulldogs. Tonight you made history.

--Jonathan