Justin and Painter recap a busy few days in Auburn — including Bryan Harsin, the second scrimmage, the new football facility, Omari Kelly and Tre Donaldson.
I have a coworker who caught Covid while vaccinated, so I know it’s entirely possible that Harsin and Mason are vaccinated as well. But after Harsin’s comments on the matter at Media Days, I have a hard time believing he is. And I think Painter is cool (Ferg too), but I disagree that this will all be forgotten in two weeks. If we’re losing coaches (players too) now, there’s a good chance we will lose others a month from now - forcing Auburn to forfeit games. I know that’s worst case and I hope it doesn’t happen, but considering Harsin’s approach to vaccinations are, “meh,” it’s not a good sign.
I know a lot of fans preaching “personal freedom” don’t have a problem with what’s happened. (I’ll be interested to hear their thoughts if we lose a game because too many players have Covid.) however, the whole situation has wiped away all the excitement I had for the guy and what’s to come. I have never been a huge Lane Kiffin fan, but even he realizes the importance of having players vaxed and healthy. Meanwhile, Harsin’s approach is already impacting Auburn negatively. Here’s hoping this is worst we endure and Painter is right, that several big wins from now all is forgotten. But I doubt it.
I’m pretty disappointed in how purposefully evasive and insubstantial y’all’s comments are on vaccinations for the team. Even more so given how often you otherwise adopt an insider-y “this might get me in trouble with a few contacts in the biz, but I’m gonna say it anyway” tone for the show.
I’m not saying coach’s vax statuses should be judged based on guesses, but surely just from an Xs and Os standpoint it’s fair to say that coaches who are getting their players and staff close to 100% vaccinated are better preparing their teams to win games (or even just not having to forfeit them.) I can’t imagine y’all using the same hedging language if our Strength & Conditioning coaches had players in inadequate shape because some players thought doing squats or cardio was “a personal choice.”
That’s a completely fair criticism. I don’t want my comments in particular to be viewed as being nonchalant about vaccinations. We’ve made it clear in the past about how we view them and how we want people to get them.
There’s a balance to be struck between laying out the facts about what all this means for Auburn’s season and venturing into territory that will irritate a chunk of listeners. At this point in the timeline of COVID, I really don’t want to preach at people or make assumptions. But during this podcast, after going back and listening to it, I pulled back too far than I even wanted.
You raise a good point about vaccinations and how that makes a team less likely to have to deal with interruptions and absences during the season, not even stretching into forfeit territory. That’s something we should have discussed more in detail here, since we know that Auburn isn’t at the threshold yet. We can definitely achieve that balance without, as your username suggests, pulling a cop out.
Thank you for your honest feedback. We may joke about being so vain that we read positive reviews of the show, but this criticism is truly appreciated.
Glad to see the response, and I admit it must be tough to talk about anything as divisive as COVID-related talk likely is. I appreciate the show otherwise!
The Big Impact is contact tracing impact on the players if not vaccinated. Could really impact season. As far as Schmedding being tapped to step in...DC and OC s need to focus on game plans and getting rosters set...good call for Harsen to work thru Schmedding for practice logistics and communications to the team.
I have a coworker who caught Covid while vaccinated, so I know it’s entirely possible that Harsin and Mason are vaccinated as well. But after Harsin’s comments on the matter at Media Days, I have a hard time believing he is. And I think Painter is cool (Ferg too), but I disagree that this will all be forgotten in two weeks. If we’re losing coaches (players too) now, there’s a good chance we will lose others a month from now - forcing Auburn to forfeit games. I know that’s worst case and I hope it doesn’t happen, but considering Harsin’s approach to vaccinations are, “meh,” it’s not a good sign.
I know a lot of fans preaching “personal freedom” don’t have a problem with what’s happened. (I’ll be interested to hear their thoughts if we lose a game because too many players have Covid.) however, the whole situation has wiped away all the excitement I had for the guy and what’s to come. I have never been a huge Lane Kiffin fan, but even he realizes the importance of having players vaxed and healthy. Meanwhile, Harsin’s approach is already impacting Auburn negatively. Here’s hoping this is worst we endure and Painter is right, that several big wins from now all is forgotten. But I doubt it.
I appreciate Justin and Painter not going there about being vaccinated,
the thing is we don't who is vaxxed and who is not.
Everything else is pure speculation and accomplishes nada.
For what it is worth I am vaccinated and believe others should be.
But I am not going to get on my soapbox and rail away.
Shaming and throwing rocks does not convince people.
Your mileage may vary.
I’m pretty disappointed in how purposefully evasive and insubstantial y’all’s comments are on vaccinations for the team. Even more so given how often you otherwise adopt an insider-y “this might get me in trouble with a few contacts in the biz, but I’m gonna say it anyway” tone for the show.
I’m not saying coach’s vax statuses should be judged based on guesses, but surely just from an Xs and Os standpoint it’s fair to say that coaches who are getting their players and staff close to 100% vaccinated are better preparing their teams to win games (or even just not having to forfeit them.) I can’t imagine y’all using the same hedging language if our Strength & Conditioning coaches had players in inadequate shape because some players thought doing squats or cardio was “a personal choice.”
That’s a completely fair criticism. I don’t want my comments in particular to be viewed as being nonchalant about vaccinations. We’ve made it clear in the past about how we view them and how we want people to get them.
There’s a balance to be struck between laying out the facts about what all this means for Auburn’s season and venturing into territory that will irritate a chunk of listeners. At this point in the timeline of COVID, I really don’t want to preach at people or make assumptions. But during this podcast, after going back and listening to it, I pulled back too far than I even wanted.
You raise a good point about vaccinations and how that makes a team less likely to have to deal with interruptions and absences during the season, not even stretching into forfeit territory. That’s something we should have discussed more in detail here, since we know that Auburn isn’t at the threshold yet. We can definitely achieve that balance without, as your username suggests, pulling a cop out.
Thank you for your honest feedback. We may joke about being so vain that we read positive reviews of the show, but this criticism is truly appreciated.
Glad to see the response, and I admit it must be tough to talk about anything as divisive as COVID-related talk likely is. I appreciate the show otherwise!
The Big Impact is contact tracing impact on the players if not vaccinated. Could really impact season. As far as Schmedding being tapped to step in...DC and OC s need to focus on game plans and getting rosters set...good call for Harsen to work thru Schmedding for practice logistics and communications to the team.
great point on the coordinators