March 2, 2009 at 2:22 PM
Washington has last chance for regular-season road victory
It was disappointing to read redshirt freshman Mackenzie Argens’ comments about coach Tia Jackson yelling at the team after the Arizona loss on Saturday. I’ve heard Jackson yell at the players during practice several times and thought nothing of it because the players were approaching the session lazily. Yet that was midway through the Pac-10 conference schedule.
To be screaming at them loud enough for reporters to hear outside the locker room is a little extreme. It makes me think of the initial conversation I had with Stephanie Rempe, senior associate athletic director. She said she only becomes alarmed when a coach starts acting out of character. Is this time to be alarmed?
From what I’ve been told, Jackson was calm with the players early on. This screaming lately sounds like a coach trying to prove she’s “doing something” about the losing, instead of truly sticking to the plan and coaching. Now does not seem like the time to start yelling, particularly to a young crop that seemingly needs encouragement to get them mentally ready to be competitive next season.
Washington has one last road game, aside from traveling to Los Angeles for the Pac-10 tourney. I’m guessing the Huskies will be amped to play Washington State, but it’ll be an interesting matchup after last weekend’s letdown in the desert.
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