Sports journalists have a tough job. They are tasked with providing accurate and insightful coverage of games, teams, and athletes, all while trying to ask the right questions and get the best possible answers. But one thing that no sports journalist enjoys is “coach speak” – the vague, non-committal responses that coaches often give during press conferences.
It’s frustrating for journalists because they want to provide their audience with the most up-to-date and accurate information. They want to know why a coach made a particular decision, what their thought process was, and what the implications are for the team going forward. But instead, they often get answers like, “We’ll take it one game at a time,” or “We just need to execute better.”
This annoyance can turn into anger if another journalist is the reason why “coach speak” is the only answer journalists get. And that’s what happened during a recent New York Giants game when head coach Brian Daboll didn’t inform sideline reporter Pam Oliver that he was benching quarterback Tommy DeVito for Tyrod Taylor after halftime on Christmas.
Oliver, who was reporting for Fox, revealed during a postgame interview that Daboll had kept the quarterback change from her. This led to speculation that Daboll’s decision was influenced by recent revelations made by other sideline reporters, Charissa Thompson and Erin Andrews.
Thompson and Andrews admitted in separate interviews that they had, at times, made up reports or provided inaccurate information because they didn’t want to throw coaches under the bus or because they were unable to get the correct information in time. These admissions caused a stir and raised questions about the integrity and accuracy of sideline reporting.
The fact that Andrews, who replaced Oliver as Fox’s top sideline reporter in 2014, made these comments only added fuel to the fire. Oliver had previously written about the lack of diversity in sideline reporting and questioned the hiring practices of networks, suggesting that they favored young, attractive reporters over experienced veterans.
In light of these recent events, it’s understandable why some may question whether Daboll’s decision to keep Oliver in the dark about the quarterback change was influenced by these revelations. It’s pure speculation, but it’s a valid concern given the circumstances.
Ultimately, sports journalists want to do their job well and provide their audience with accurate and insightful coverage. They rely on coaches and players to provide them with honest and informative answers. When that trust is broken, it makes their job even more difficult.
So, when Brian Daboll decides who will start on Sunday, it would be a sign of respect and professionalism if he were to break the news to Pam Oliver personally. It would show that he values transparency and honesty in his interactions with the media, and it would go a long way in rebuilding trust between coaches and journalists.
