Story Poster
Photo by Andrew Kilzer, TexAgs

In Praise of Failure: Baylor's tantrum seals its own fate

September 8, 2011
34,274

Abraham Lincoln once said, profoundly, “It is better to remain silent and be considered a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.”

Which brings us to Baylor. And Kenneth Starr.

The squawking and posturing Baylor initialized over potentially being left on the sidelines as elite programs realign has been heard nationwide. The chest-pounding in Waco has been equally loud.

The Bears and their president Starr have made a lot of noise. They’ve caused much angst.

But have they made a sound?

More important, have they changed the destiny of any program looking to realign —specifically Texas A&M and Oklahoma — or affected the inevitability of so-called, “super-conferences” forming?

The answer is a resounding "no." In fact, the only destiny Baylor has affected may be its own. The exact opposite of the intended result appears to be occurring before BU and Starr's eyes.

businessinsider.com Starr and Baylor's petty and shortsighted antics aren't simply stalling the inevitable — they're harming themselves. {"Module":"photo","Alignment":"right","Size":"large","Caption":"Starr and Baylor\u0027s petty and shortsighted antics aren\u0027t simply stalling the inevitable — they\u0027re harming themselves.","MediaItemID":10302}
They are coming off as bitter bridesmaids, casting darts and pouting but looking only less attractive for it. The national tone is clearly against Baylor’s ploy. And while other second-tier programs in the Big 12 also have fallen in line and refused to sign on the dotted line, the backlash is strongest on those in green and gold who pronounced fatefully, “Don’t Mess With Texas Football.”

It was a huge and costly mistake that should be considered a foreboding sign to any other second-tier programs with similar over-inflated self-worth.

No one likes to be told they’re not good enough, or second-tier, like Baylor was as others moved on to bigger and better things. And it goes double for prideful institutions such as BU and its fans and high-profile administrators.

It was more than understandable that feelings were hurt and anger boiled in Waco when Texas started calling all the shots with its Longhorn Network, Texas A&M found a home in the best league in the country and Oklahoma’s eyes began to wander.

But once Baylor reacted with instinct rather than thought, it forged this path it now cannot leave. It opened its collective mouth and tried to wield the same kind of power as the big boys. When it pronounced itself to be anything but second-tier, the backlash removed all doubt. 

Baylor not only cannot win this battle — it figures to lose more than it ever would have otherwise. Any chance of the Big 12 surviving now is gone. Any chance of Baylor pulling another Ann Richards and sneaking into the back seat on a ride into a super-conference is out of the question.

Baylor was worried it would be left in a lurch and then self-fulfilled that prophecy by throwing its collective body on the floor, kicking and screaming, in essence announcing to the college football world, “But I want an Oompah-Loompah now!”

There were numerous pre-existing differences among Big 12 members, as Nebraska’s and Colorado’s moves, the Longhorn Network’s division and the Aggies’ subsequent and impending move to the Southeastern Conference made evident. But Baylor’s refusal to abide by the Big 12’s initial agreement to waive potential litigation made those differences irreconcilable.

Ultimately, it will be Baylor’s very public and very childish tantrum that will be the fatal blow that dismantles the Big 12. There is no more trust among member institutions. There are no more procedures. There is not a shred of stability.

From the beginning of this Aggie venture southeast, Texas A&M president R. Bowen Loftin took meticulous steps to do things the right way, respect protocol and — significantly — not undermine commissioner Dan Beebe or any other Big 12 institution. It was a slow process and often grueling for anxious Aggies to bear.

TexAgs The foil for Baylor's actions? Loftin himself, having acted judiciously and with respect even for those he sought to separate from. {"Module":"photo","Alignment":"left","Size":"large","Caption":"The foil for Baylor\u0027s actions? Loftin himself, having acted judiciously and with respect even for those he sought to separate from.","MediaItemID":9620}
But it was done right. Loftin took great steps not to burn bridges, even though the move was crucial because of fading trust and stability within the league.
 
When Bowen publicly addressed the move to the SEC, he spoke of a “100-year plan” for Texas A&M and went out of his way to note, “It’s not so much what’s wrong with the Big 12. It’s what’s right for Texas A&M.” 

Baylor then highlighted and underlined all the things wrong with the Big 12 and proceeded to make it all worse. Baylor fans — and fans of Iowa State, Kansas State and Kansas for that matter — should not be celebrating Starr’s misguided attempt to block A&M and Oklahoma.

They should be asking, “Is this our only hope? Desperation?”
 
It’s this exact kind of dysfunction and instability which pushes programs further away, rather than bringing them closer together.
 
Rather than taking control of their own destiny, building relationships and bridges that just might keep Baylor among the elite programs, the Bears took the low road, leading a foolish charge all by themselves.

And ultimately, after the Aggies head southeast and the Longhorns, Sooners, Red Raiders and Cowboys find a super-conference home, that’s exactly where Baylor will be. 

All by themselves.
Discussion from...

In Praise of Failure: Baylor's tantrum seals its own fate

25,540 Views | 66 Replies | Last: 13 yr ago by Buying_time
RAB83
How long do you want to ignore this user?
b.blauser
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
http://www.baylorfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=218691

http://texas.*********.com/Board/21/This-Has-Got-To-Be-the-Very-Definition-of-Butthurt-4139869/1
Chigaroogarem
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
http://d0inw0rk.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/grinch-joint.jpg = http://media3.texags.com/0010302-yavp-203x270.jpg

[This message has been edited by Chigaroogarem (edited 9/9/2011 5:33a).]
Prescient
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Couldn't read past the first sentence. Wrongly attributed quotes drive me nuts. The original source was Proverbs 17:28, not Abe Lincoln, of whom I am not fond in any case.

Equally saddening is that Baylor, the flagship of the Southern Baptist Convention, has acted, yet again, contrary to Biblical teaching by threatening to sue if they don't get what they want. In short, Baylor has put football ahead of their founding principles. Baylor is now built on shifting sands (see Matthew 7:26).

The faster we can put Baylor in our rear view mirror, the better.

bigag62
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
I feel sure the SEC lawyers are working full time sorting this all out......hopefully they will come up with the decision to go ahead and accept A&M even with this "baseless threat" by Baylor.....
AgNFla
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
Baylor's actions definitely will be the demise of the Big12. They injected the animosity and lack of trust into the B12 where other schools wont trust them or each other for that fact. It will be impossible to continue as a unit going forward. I think all this silence is due to other conferences lining up who they will pick up from the B12 and it will be very soon. Baylor screwed themselves.
SECAggies
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
October 15th. Bring it and bring it LOUD. Let bu know what real fans are and a full stadium is supposed to be like. Simply pathetic that TCU, A&M or any other schools bring that many fans to Waco. Time for them to move on and it starts with an @$$ whoopin at KYLE on 10/15.
Anti-taxxer
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
Excellent
The Fife
How long do you want to ignore this user?
quote:
but I want an ompaa-loompaah now!

Quote of the week!
SlevinKelevra
How long do you want to ignore this user?
I want a goose to lay gold eggs for Easter!
Lateralus Ag
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
THIS is good journalism.......it is heartfelt, accurate, and it says exactly what most are thinking that are following this story. Baylor, at this juncture of the conversation, stands for everything that is wrong with our society: frivolous litigation, welfare mentality, and a complete and utter lack of integrity.

Lopez brings all this out in a way that illustrates frustration and anger, yet without pettiness and guile. Good show, old boy. Nice to see some good journalism once in a while.
MallalieuAg
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
gaylor! U got dumped like an ugly gf/bf. move on! No one wants you. Why do you want to beg? What would you want to be on welfare? Have some pride. You definitely have proven now that you are worthless. Even compared to tceh.

[This message has been edited by MallalieuAg (edited 9/9/2011 8:54a).]
REPRESENT12
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Rev. Johnny Vegas
How long do you want to ignore this user?
pfreakingk
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
Absofrigginloutely.
Jasonbro
How long do you want to ignore this user?
mchatz
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Corporal Punishment
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
quote:
Wait, what did the article say, except Baylor is crying alot?
It hints that Baylor is gonna get what's coming and we are still leaving, but doesn't really say how.
I've heard 50 other people on Texags say the same. Did I miss something while reading this?


I take no comfort in that article. Lopez is just venting.
ranger16
How long do you want to ignore this user?
75AG
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
I want October 15th to get here really fast
Skywalk
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Baylorcirca1845
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Odd that the SEC ONLY wants the Ags under certain conditions...How does it make you feel about a conference that has given all of the power back to Baylor by Refusing to accept the ags unconditionally. Why all of the venom? Many of the posts I have seen here are violent threats or insults which are contrary to the Terms of Use We ALL agreed to. I did not think the majority of aggies were like this..guess I was wrong. If Baylor did not have a case why has just the mention of litigation stopped your entry?

RG3 dominates 10/15! Show us the money!
MidTnAg
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
Aggies, tt, OU, and OSU will go to the PAC-12 to form the Pac-16

tu will become an independent with BYU and ND
Area51Ag
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
The Conversation on SECeding in Layman's terms:

A&M: We' re leaviing Texas: Fine leave. We' ll replace you with notre dame and Arkansas and BYU.

A&M: fine we're gone. You're gonna miss us.

Texas: you're going to miss going 7-5

Dan Beebee: "what's going on?"

Texas: shut up Dan

SEC: we'd love to have A&M

A&M: sweet we're ready

Sec: well there's a couple things. The other schools have to let you go.

Rest of BIG 12: sure, whatever. Get the *****out.

A&M: they said we could go.

Sec: okay we'll get together and let you know.

Texas: Notre Dame is out and so is Arky. BYU is a maybe. It's cool though, we'll just invite SMU, Houston and somebody else. All is well as long as we get our tv network and money.

OU: hmm, maybe A&M was on to something.

OSU and Tech: ugmm we're game if you're game.

KSU, Kansas, ISU and Baylor: what are you guys talking about.

OU, OSU: nothing shut the *****up.

Mizzou: keep it down a-holes I'm talking to the BIG 10.

Texas: you a-holes better not be trying to leave.

OU: well whatta you gonna do if we do.

Baylor: who's leaving?

Texas: OU, OSU and Tech.

Baylor: that's ******* bull****.

Texas: tech you better not even thinking about that

KSt: yeah bad form guys. (Whispers to Kansas) what's our options.

Kansas: just be cool. I think I can get us out east.

Mizzou: what's that? I'll go out east.

Kansas. Yeah sure just shut up already.

Texas: this isn't looking so good.

ISU: hello MWC. Goodbye world. (Puts gun in mouth, pulls trigger)

OU, OSU: looks like we're going west!

Texas: ****.

Tech. (Silent fist pump)

Sec: congratulations A&M. You're coming to the SEC.

A&M: YA mother*ckers. See ya *******.

Sec: but....

A&M: but what?

Sec: they all have to repromise not to sue.

A&M: well that's fine. I mean they all already said they wouldn't right guys.

OU: ya.

OSU: no argument from us.

Mizzou: whatever.

A&M: Baylor?

Baylor....

Texas: ( snicker)

Tech: f*ck

A&M: are you ******* serious? You ******* worthless mother f*ckers.

Baylor: well, rivalries and integrity.....yada yada yada *****you

Kst: sweet. We'll go along with this. Come on ISU. ISU!? Oh god.
boudreaux
How long do you want to ignore this user?
K* has spent his whole life focused on the rule of law.

So focused, in fact, he's completely missing that he and Baylor are being tried and convicted in the court of public opinion.

This will not end well for Baylor.
RXAggie02
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
I would disagree to them being 2nd tier, prob more fitting for our big 12 record which is 3 games over .500. BUT Baylor would have to win 86 conference games in a row to get a record as "good" as ours. This makes them on 5th or 6th tier for sure!!!!
Generic Username
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Nice article, Butthurt Lopez. Oh, sorry, Butthurt's your middle name.
biglebowski
How long do you want to ignore this user?
quote:
Nice article, Butthurt Lopez. Oh, sorry, Butthurt's your middle name.




Fightin Texas Aggie 01
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Aggro
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Hilarious, well written read.

Oh, and paragraphs please.
Buying_time
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
time will tell
Refresh
Page 2 of 2
 
×
subscribe Verify your student status
See Subscription Benefits
Trial only available to users who have never subscribed or participated in a previous trial.