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Dangers of tweeting rise up again through Texas A&M assistant
Subtweeting from coaches is common these days when it comes to college recruiting. It usually happens whenever a kid commits and that program sends up a Bat Signal of sorts on social media to let their fans and that kid know it's a big deal. On Wednesday night, coach subtweeting went awry after five-star quarterback recruit Tate Martell announced he was decommitting from Texas A&M on Twitter. Not long after, A&M wide receivers coach Aaron Moorehead went on a Twitter rant about today's generation of players, and that triggered another blue-chip decommitment. This one from four-star WR commit Mannie Netherly.
I wasn't even talking about who everyone thinks I'm talking about. I didn't even know #badtiming #relevanttho #stillnoloyalty
— Aaron Moorehead (@Amo8685) May 5, 2016
Lots of tough typers tonight ??????????????? #soundsgood
— Aaron Moorehead (@Amo8685) May 5, 2016
People act like the truth is all the sudden a bad thing. Society is too sensitive. Y'all boys soft. #texastough
— Aaron Moorehead (@Amo8685) May 5, 2016
I still support any decision you make bro?? A&M or not https://t.co/ZUMKfxZguM
— Mannie Netherly (@yovng_netherly) May 5, 2016
It's been noted by many the irony of Moorehead lamenting loyalty considering A&M is the fourth program he's been at since 2009 as he's climbed the coaching ladder. Lost in all of this is the notion that many who are very plugged into recruiting believe these de-commits were only a matter of time from happening anyhow and that Netherly was looking for an out and he got it.
I wrote my recruiting book "Meat Market" nine years ago and I believe college football recruiting is even nuttier now than it was then. A big part of that is due to the social media component.
On Thursday, I heard from several college coaches who weighed on Moorehead's subtweeting rant and the fallout from it.
"Problem is, as coaches we get so emotionally tied to these recruits and as you know it's not a two way street," said one long-time college RB coach at a Power 5 program. "These kids love the celebrity they get during the recruiting process. When a kid decommits it is personal to a coach but not the player. Coaches have to control their emotions. It's tough."
A recruiting coordinator was more blunt: "We warn 'em often. 'Twitter is a hot mic and it can burn you. Be smart!' We need to listen to our own advice and not be idiots."
Moorehead has tweeted an apology.
— Aaron Moorehead (@Amo8685) May 5, 2016
