((HT: Jim Romenesko))
It's a safe play that none of the television stations in Columbia, South Carolina will go into any depth in this story...
On two separate occasions over the last two seasons, the Old Ball Coach has told the assembled media that he won't be answering questions from them- just because... and anything that Spurrier says in his press conferences, currently, has no value other than taking up oxygen...
But the "because" is, according to Romenesko, that The State columnist Ron Morris was negative (in 2011)
Spurrier ranted about it...
((HT: Student Gamecock Television))
And that Morris was suspected of planting questions with fellow reporters so THEY could ask Spurrier questions that he had after an incident in 2012 where Spurrier was criticized by Morris for starting Connor Shaw against UAB...
Six days later, Morris was on Bill King's show on SiriusXM College Sports Nation...
Here was OBC's response with Todd Ellis...
He won't have to worry about it anymore...
Morris has been told by his newspaper that he is not to write any more stories on USC...
From Romenesko:
The State publisher Henry Haitz III wasn’t a Morris fan, though; he wanted his columnist fired, I’m told. Executive editor Mark Lett talked him out of it, though, according to sources. There were no legitimate grounds for dismissal, the publisher was told.
Lett “has basically protected Ron’s job,” says one of Morris’s friends. “He’s had the guts to stand up to the publisher” when Haitz wanted Morris pink-slipped. “This is not a Mark Lett problem; if anything he’s been a protector.”
Morris kept his job, but he was told he could no longer attend Spurrier’s press conferences. He was also ordered by the publisher to write an apology column. That ran last Sept. 26.
The HQ can't say that we're shocked about a high-profile, heavy-handed coach like Spurrier being the pit boss in a college town being able to wield his vocal sword in a manner like this...
But, it also says a lot about the business as it currently exists...
Big business means you have to protect your relationships, and if that means that you divert a long-time, well-respected columnist for the sake of driving content...
Then, so be it...
And "The State" has put its line in the sand...
THURSDAY UPDATE: Unless Haitz backs off entirely...
Deadspin got a holt of an internal memo that backs off the policy- for now... at least in name...
Below is part of a memo written by executive editor Mark Lett today
Please know this today: Ron Morris and other columnists at The State are free to pursue topics and stories as guided by their curiosity, their news judgment, their obligation to readers and our standards for quality journalism. No subject or individual is off limits for examination.
Relationships can be difficult between news makers and journalists, especially those who write analysis, commentary and opinion. You all understand why. Around here, much has been said and written about Spurrier and Ron — in blogs, on the web, on talk shows and in other publications. . As with any relationship, it sometimes helps to step back and allow conditions to cool. In recent months, we asked Ron to draw upon his considerable sports knowledge and experience to produce highly readable, relevant columns and enterprise features.The work has been outstanding and has given sports fans much to enjoy and to think about. During this time, we asked Ron to focus first on coverage other than the USC football program.
Moving forward, all topics — including USC football — are in play. As always, this is a newspaper committed to accuracy, fairness and holding accountable the news makers and institutions that serve our community and our state.
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