There was a time when college football coaches and the reporters who covered them co-existed in a much more chummy atmosphere.

Back then, selected media members went to the homes of Oklahoma coach Barry Switzer and Oklahoma State coach Jimmy Johnson to socialize after games.

In light of recent events, that seems like an ice age ago.

The relationship between media and coaches has been headed down an increasingly dark path for years, and Mike Gundy's monologue following Oklahoma State's victory over Texas Tech was the eruption that seemed bound to happen somewhere.

But how did the working relationship between coaches and reporters get from Point A to Point Blow-up?

Technology played a significant role.

An explanation: Years ago, television exposure was limited and newspapers were content to print what happened in games, according to Missouri coach Gary Pinkel and Texas coach Mack Brown.

"And now, a half an hour after the game is over, if you are anywhere in the world, you know everything that happened in the game because of the Internet," Pinkel said.

Pinkel indicated that the media, looking for a fresh spin, shifted to analysis.

"So what's happened is peo ple are having to have different stories and they are more elaborate," Brown said.

"And negative stories seem to be more prevalent than positive stories, and coaches are about positives and therefore the jobs (of coaches and media) are definitely different. And coaches want to take care of their kids. . . . I think that has changed the relationship between the media and coaches across the country, and I don't see it getting better."

It's not getting better from a media standpoint, either. Because there is more media than ever before (including everyone with Internet access or a cell phone camera), coaches are putting up more barriers than ever before. And media members are forced to find new information pipelines because traditional info channels are shrinking.

Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops was asked about the state of the media-coach relationship. While indicating that he isn't talking about anyone in particular, Stoops expressed distaste for "sarcasm and belittling" in the media.

"And I think sometimes, too, what frustrates us is people that create news," he said.

"I had a parent call me two weeks ago about the same thing. 'How come they are calling me about my son transferring when he never said anything about that?' So they are calling and creating an article. I could see if the guy mentioned it, but he didn't. . . . I think that's what we have a hard time with."

Gundy made national news when he used his postgame press conference to defend quarterback Bobby Reid, who was the subject of a Saturday column written by The Oklahoman's Jenni Carlson.

Gundy said he did not have any regrets and said he has been "bombed" with support.

Meanwhile, some media members have rushed to the support of a colleague, including Dennis Dodd of CBS Sportsline.com and Football Writers Association of America president Mike Griffith of the Knoxville (Tenn.) News Sentinel, who released a statement that said, "I consider coach Gundy's behavior completely inappropriate. It shows a lack of respect for the media and doesn't speak well for the university and the fans that he represents. Coach Gundy's actions have brought national attention and further scrutiny to the situation that could have been handled in a more private and appropriate matter."

Asked about the growing division between coaches and media, Pinkel said, "I don't really look at it as a divide. I just look at it as reality. . . . With my players, it's education -- educating what has happened and how it has happened . . . and the credibility of the criticism."

But, said Pinkel, the media has got a job to do, too.

"And the dynamics have changed as I analyze it," he said. "I don't think it's personal in any way. I just think that's the way it is."

Jimmie Tramel 581-8389
jimmie.tramel@tulsaworld.com

What they’re saying

Big 12 coaches speak on the topics of media scrutiny and relationships with the media:

“I’mnot speaking about anyone in particular. I just think (in the media) there is more sarcasm and belittling or who can be funnier and embarrassing or putting someone down. I find it hard to read the sarcasm and those type of articles. I thinkMike (Gundy’s) point is ... these are, regardless of what anyone wants to say, they are student-athletes and they are not professional players and sometimes I think the ridicule, the way some people are writing articles or the way they talk about these kids, they don’t realize that some of themare 18, 19, 20 years old. .... Sometimes I think the sarcastic and the belittling isn’t called for.”

Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops

“We tell our players if it bothers you, don’t read it, and especially the Internet, because there are so many rumors and so many things on the Internet that are not true. ... Especially at a place like the University of Texas, you are going to be visible.Not everything is always going to be fair and you’ve got to deal with it. That’s life and it will really, really help you when you learn to handle criticism, fair or unfair, when you get out in your real life.”

Texas coach Mack Brown

“It’s part of athletics today. When you make a decision to play in Division I athletics, you are going to have to live with it.There isn’t anything you can change about it and it’s going to happen to you sooner or later no matterwhat and you just have to stay focused on what is important and what you have control of and have the knowledge that what you and your team and coaches know that are really the facts and moreso than anybody else knows.”

Texas A&M coach Dennis Franchione

“I’ve been a head football coach 17 years and I think my second year at Toledo, which was 1992 or 1993, right around there, I’ve never read a sports page since, other than USA Today. I just focus on what I do. That being said, I have to know what my players (are dealing with).My (sports information director) does a great job of keeping me informed of what the climate is out there. I know what my players,what they are listening to and hearing what is going on.We have already handled that internally with our team. I think our team does a pretty good job.Over the years we have learned to kind of protect each other.”

Missouri coach Gary Pinkel