NEWARK, N.J. — Gonzo Being Gonzo.
It’s kind of like Manny Being Manny.
Except Manny Ramirez just loafed around a baseball field.
Seton Hall coach Bobby “Gonzo” Gonzalez is openly threatening to extinguish the free press unless it bends under his dictatorial will.
Twice in recent days Gonzalez has openly threatened to cut off this reporter and SNY from covering his team because of comments I made during a recent interview with WSOU, Seton Hall’s student radio station, the full transcript of which is available on my blog for anyone to read.
Read the full column at SNY.tv here.
sweetnessCBA / November 17, 2008
Gonzo is ridiculous. Whenever he doesnt get his way he cries about it. I cant believe some of the comments that come out of his mouth. He often likes to put down other teams and players. I cannot wait until he is fired at seton hall. Within the next two years i can see him gone. Adam keep on doing what your doing, this is my favorite blog. Youre a great writer. Gonzo is just losing his mind, and I cant wait until he does something to make him get fired. ‘Gonzo being Gonzo’ is gonna be a reoccuring term I feel like in the future.
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s.martinup / November 17, 2008
What’s the deal with this guy? He should be trying keep things as low key as possible. Instead he curses out reporters? It’s obvious that Gopnzo has no control over his emotions. Question to Adam, was there anything that precluded his outburst besides your comments on WSOU?.
Can you elaborate on your comment ” bending under his dictatorial will “
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piratesfan / November 17, 2008
Zag, I’m a big fan of your blog. You are, without a doubt, the hardest working man in sports reporting. But your hit/revenge piece proves Gonzalez’s point.
You must know that other coaches spread rumors about Gonzalez that actually get reported by “journalists.” Do you expect the coach to politely chalk it up to competition among the coaching brethren?
Meanwhile, “Freddy” down in Piscataway- who was equally embarrassing in a victory over SHU last season- has practically been elevated to sainthood following a last place finish in the Big East last season. Hill’s record last season was 11-20 while Gonzalez had a winning record.
So, you are shocked… shocked… that Gonzalez “unduly pressured” a recruit to sign with SHU. Can you name one coach in the nation who does not try to get players to sign and to “forget those other schools who want you?” It’s grossly unfair to publish that allegation without citing specifics and without detailing the sales techniques/pressures used by other coaches.
Why don’t you write about the elite coaches who constantly push players out of their program to make room for better recruits?
You then mention that Gonzalez blames his “players.” You then cite ONE player. So Gonzalez criticized Brandon Walters. You must be kidding, Zag. You are reaching, big time. I’ve been reading about Rick Pitino’s constant nitpicking at his players in public for years. I never read that you found it offensive that Derrick Caracter was criticized by his coach.
And what about Vivian Stringer being so proud that she works her players so hard that they burst into tears during practices. Oh, I guess that’s OK because she wins games. Her methods are peachy. Can you imagine the uproar if those words came from Gonzalez?
Do you know a coach who yells at his players more than… let’s say… PJ Carlesimo while in college or Geno Auriemma over at UConn? But it’s OK for them because they win.
Regarding the referee that Gonzalez verbally attacked. Jim Calhoun said much worse about the same ref. Yet Calhoun did not get suspended. But it’s OK because Calhoun wins.
You did not mention that Gonzalez is constantly undermined by the his own AD. Is the AD the person who planted the story in the Post? Is the AD the same person who planted a story in the Post that effectively killed Louis Orr’s recruiting.
You did mention that Gonzalez blames his assistants. Yet you never cited an example. Are you referring to the argument with Scott Adubato that was reported last season? Again, Zag, you must be joking. Have you never had a disagreement with a boss or colleague? Are you going to tell me that an elite head coach never had an argument with an assistant?
Gonzalez is not crazy and he’s not paranoid. He perceives reality quite well. That’s why he’s pissed off. There are rules for coaches and then there’s a rule for Gonzalez.
Zag, I’ve never even met Gonzalez nor his assistants and players. But please be fair. You are a pro. No more hit pieces. Gonzalez should not have cursed at you. But a man can only take so much.
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piratesfan / November 17, 2008
Zag, one other point regarding the Seton Hall Prep coach:
Is the Prep coach angry that Gonzalez has not arrived to kiss his ring? Did he ever call Gonzalez to invite him for a meeting before going public with criticism.?
In NJ alone there more than 500 school public school districts. That does not count private and parochial schools. The coach can’t get to every school right away. I imagine they go to the schools of players they’re recruiting.
I’m sure Gonzalez and his coaches would have eventually met with the Prep coach. But to publicly write such a quote establishes an unfair and probably false perception.
Gonzalez and his coaches probably work insane hours. Yet some coach gives you a quote like that and you run with it. I’d also be pissed at you.
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philly803 / November 18, 2008
piratesfan: I agree with you 100%. I have personally seen Gonzalez at prep games over the last year or two. Zags- so he yelled some curse words at you. Big deal. Now all of the sudden you have to rip seton hall basketball? Running this column was the wrong thing to do. i cannot wait to call into hall line to defend Gonzalez on this one. You cover local sports and I’m sure you would like to see the teams excel. Trying to get a coach fired and push recruits away certainly does not help that cause. Tell you boy Tom Lucci I said hi at the next SHU Hater meetings. Rutgers certainly puts our tax dollars to work with you on it’s payroll.
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SHUreBall / November 18, 2008
you could have been a better person but instead chose to stoop low. great. you just proved you are vindictive like him. Zags being Gonzo. everyone already knows he’s not a saint. there is no need for this.
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polkhigh / November 18, 2008
Et tu, Adam? Et tu?
I love the Blog and check it multiple times daily. I respect the work you do and trust your reporting. As a two-time SHU Grad and and a longtime supporter of the program, I was disapointed in your article. I agree with previous posters in that I can’t blame Gonzo for his “back against the wall” mentality when at times, the balance is skued. Piratesfan made some key points that are hard to argue. This appears to be an abuse of journalism to settle a personal score.
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Alessandro / November 18, 2008
To the Seton Hall fans that are still attempting to blame the victim for their head coach’s behavior and performance,
1) What exactly was inaccurate?
2) He could’ve brought up the idiotic Gonzalez remark about landing a recruit that would cause accusations of cheating.
3) Bob Farrell is one of the most respected coaches in the state and his sophomore Gibbs is one of the best players in the state. It would normally be regarded as a dereliction of duty to not have any contact with either of these two.
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lengend / November 18, 2008
Seems Zag has a knack for pissing ppl off and like usual alessandro comes cheerleading in defense.lol Sterling is good but not truly a proven big time D-1
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lengend / November 18, 2008
Hit the enter button by accident. So let me finish, Sterling is not to the D-1
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lengend / November 18, 2008
You would think I am drunk or got shaq hands the way I keep hitting enter by accident. Anyways sterling has potential but needs to improve in alot of areas. Ppl like to act because a local kid is decent he must be recruited by the local teams. Why even recruit him if he is not going to get playing time until he is a junior or senior since they have jordan and some other guys who will be there for some yrs to come. Unless he is a 5 star then all this talk about not going to see him is pointless and not fair to the kid to mislead him.
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Alessandro / November 19, 2008
No one thought you were drunk…simply a low IQ bigot.
Let’s not make this into Mr. Zagoria attacking a Latino.
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s.martinup / November 19, 2008
Message to Adam and Coach G:
You don’t want to get into a pissing contest on a windy day ,invariably both parties gets some blown back at them .
Hopefully you gentleman can resolve your differences in a private professional manner.
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lengend / November 19, 2008
Alessandro please take Zags baby maker from your mouth. You are the only one with a low iq here and most likely the bigot. You calling me a bigot means nothing because any time black ppl speak up and ppl like yourself dont agree they are bigots or race baitors. My previous response mentioned nothing in regards to race so why did you feel the need to bring it up. In case you didnt know, sterling is black and I talked about him so whats your point? Nothing like usual. Plain and simple zag was off base with his posting of OJ, the female reporter with singletary, and Obama on this site. Ppl come to get informed about current athletes, mainly hs and college players, not smear campaigns.
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coach P / November 19, 2008
I am a HS coach who has known Adam for over 10 years . He is extremely professional and is always working to report positive news about my players. If he has 1 flaw its he wants to be the 1st to report on a players choices and what schools the player is considering. Never has he ever suggested to me or any of my players where they should go and has never shown any preference towards 1 school or coach over another.He has also always kept information confidental at my request.
Adam takes his job of reporting very serious and understands and respects both the coaches and the players privacy. Many coaches that I know get their information my logging into ZAGBLOGS to see what and where the best players are going or considering going.
Coaches and reporters do not always agree on everything but in reality with both need each other. All successful coaches in my opinion have egos but we shouldnt cut off our noses to spite our face. This incident between Bobby and Adam hopefully can be resolved in private without the rest of the basketball world being involved. But keep in mind the PEN is mightier than the sword.
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T. Patterson / November 19, 2008
I just wanted to write a short note in support of my old friend Adam. Besides being a great reporter, Adam is reliable source.
He always goes about his business with a cool and calm approach. I have always admired his ability to write the story that most would not! There is nothing different about this scenario.
Adam keep doing what you do brother. The kids in the city of Paterson miss you, and not just because you wrote about them, but also because you were truthful!
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whynow / November 19, 2008
Adam Zagoria is as good as they get in this business – honest, fair and cordial. His article on this issue does not stray from his norm. Keep up the great work Adam.
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sweetnessCBA / November 20, 2008
notice that all the people bashing zags are seton alumni or fans
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speedsk8r27 / November 20, 2008
Pretty bright there, sweetness. He intentionally tried to damage the SHU basketball program. CBA sure turns out some limp-wristed geniuses these days. Maybe you can favor us with some more observations like the color of the sky and whether or not bears shit in the woods. Stupid.
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shu07grad / November 20, 2008
Seriously, that’s some observation there. Who do you expect the backlash to be from, Fred Hill?
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s.martinup / November 21, 2008
Say what you want about Zo the man can coach Seton Hall over USC!!!
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