Post from another site (link)

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And using blockquote really helps. You can click on "Edit Story" to see the codes used.

And the post itself is just total BS.

I don't really care if Howland is a hard a$$ as long as he gets the job done without breaking any rules.

I have met him and his coaching staff before. And they are nothing short of wonderful diplomate for UCLA hoops.

And I don't really care how nice KD is ... he is still an incompetent head coach.

someone that cares about winning and has a competitive drive looks really intense and intimidating. When I think about the general incompetence that pervades Morgan Center, I am somewhat amazed that we have 99 National Titles.

Oh no, Ben Howland didn't remember your birthday. BFD. Sack up and look at the results. Coach Howland is intense, but I've heard nothing to indicate what this post claims in his personal life. This borders on a (unsubstantiated) personal attack, and it's disgusting to see the KD lovers try and throw Howland under the bus just to save this disaster of a coach.

If you were given a job that pays more than you've ever earned, to lead one of the best schools in the country, with the kind of talent that almost GUARANTEES you a bowl every year, wouldn't you go around and kiss the butts of every person around you at work? KD is THRILLED to be the coach at UCLA, it is a huge achievement for him. I do think he is sincere, by the way, don't get me wrong. It is pretty obvious that he was hired based on his manners, demeanor and presentation rather than his experience or devotion to winning. WHY IS OUR SCHOOL SO DAMN CHEAP?!!!

Assuming what this poster says is true, which I doubt, it would be difficult to more clearly sum up the difference between winners and losers in sports.

I don't want to over-generalize, because there are many exceptions, but its hardly surprising that someone who excels in the highest levels of coaching might be characterized as brash, abrasive or rude -- particularly if your perspective is as a low level person in the Morgan Center.

Beyond the obvious- that personality doesn't matter over winning- it is fairly evident in life that the people who have the drive, determination, passion and skill to acheive great things aren't usually the good natured janitor types.  They kick ass and take names.  They strive for victory and acheive it.  They don't take time to remember that it's Doris' 15th year with the company.

This has got to be the same in a lot of professions.  I know that the some of the heavy hitters at my old law firms were the biggest SOB's in the world.  But, oh my, could some of them practice law.  And, are the owners/CEO's of the companies I know all full of sugar and spice?  Hell no.

Listen, I have every reason to believe that KD is a nice fellow.  That's great, and I'm not being sarcastic- it really is.  It's just not necessarily great, standing alone, for UCLA's football program.  

I, for one, want a coach that is going to do everything he can within the rules to put our program on top.  And, frankly, I don't care if the staff thinks he's just super.

Cal Poly.  Dorrell is wasting his time  on Birthdays and pleasing parents.  I really resent that Howland would be misunderstood as a prick, while people are sticking up for Dorrell as being quiet, but a thinker, rather than weak and not tough.  I care that Howland is too busy to say hello to everyone and mark it down on his calendar when Scott's birthday in Marketing is because he is focused on winning a championship.  

This post pisses me off because I'm sick of the Dorrell spin; win and get tough or get out of there.  I wish people could show their distaste by just not going to the game this Saturday at the RB and selling out the place this Thursday at Pauley.

And if it means anything to anyone, I worked in the Morgan Center for Sports Marketing for a year and the coaches were always focused.  Kathy Olivier never once said hi to me in the year I worked there, I swear to god.

They want to hire him as their Director of Birthday Operations.

He treats his players fairly.
He is honest.
He treats the fans and the game with respect.
He wins games.
He embraces our extensive and illustrious legacy.

He may or may not rub people in Morgan Center the wrong way. With the way they've botched the KD situation thus far, I'd say we need someone to shake things up down there. Howland is probably weeding out the losers, so good for him, and good for us.

That post from that other site -- the stuff about how BH is not liked in Morgan -- is the type of weak shit that you don't find here. And, I'm glad we don't. It's what we who have been warped by the law would call multi-level hearsay. In essence, if fails to impress because no one is personally responsible for it -- we can't tell if it is real, and if it is real how credible the source is. "I heard if from a connected friend, who knows someone inside, who speaks to the AD at the urinal ... ", sorry it doesn't work for me. Ben Howland is a focused man with his eyes on the prize -- a prize he achieves. In achieving it, he earns the respect and affection of his players and this community. To say he is a rude, self-centered man, who is not respected in the athletic department -- and to attribute that statement to well connected people who are nameless -- is BULL SHIT. Take a look at all of the empirical evidence surrounding Ben Howland. Look at what he says and does. The way he relates to his team, his school, its students and the bigger community. The latest example: Read what Kevin Love said when he signed to come to UCLA. Howland is a stand up guy who is honest and respected. Even when he was not winning, he was respected -- as a coach and an individual. I cannot tell you how proud I am to have Ben Howland represent me and my alma mater. I will not believe that the people in the Morgan Center don't share those views until one of them, publically, calls Howland out. I will not accept the truth of multi-level gossip. I have great respect for all who make up this community. And, I beleive in the complete and free flow of opinions. However, it bothers me, personally, to have people accept the premise that Howland is not a "nice" man -- but say that's ok because he wins. The truth is he is both a nice man and a winner. Ben Howland is. Karl Dorrell is not. We deserve a man who can both be nice and win. We have one in basketball and we deserve one in football. sjh PS. During this season,on this site, we have seen a plethora of posts rooted in data not rumors. I am consistently blown away by the depth and quality of analysis. Our posters do their homework. It's what makes this Bruin Nation special -- people using their talent to make well reasoned presentations. That shit about Howland belongs in the National Enquirer not in a true sports blog. I think it important that it be posted here so that we can see what others in our world are saying, but it makes clear to me the difference between this site and the others. We don't tolerate that weak shit here.

Why is it that the weakest link of any business group/practice happens to be the nicest guy/gal? It's a survival mechanism. Compensation for the weaknesses and failures, whether perceived or real. KD does what he needs to do to keep his job. When he's not winning ballgames and getting his ass kicked by 'SC, that survival mechanism kicks into full gear. Just like any business or profession.