Yolanda, Grand Prairie (11/27/2007 7:58:27 AM)

This was a very tastless performance by the Rice band. I could not believe my eyes and ears. TU fans were shocked.

But by the end of the game we let Coach Graham know that we had his back. Chanting - TODD GRAHAM, TODD GRAHAM

Fred, Houston (11/27/2007 8:34:30 AM)

The fact is, Todd Graham is--unfortunately--a d--bag. It is a tragic statement of fact. He engaged in outrageously bad faith negotiations with Rice (and, frankly, TU); told several calculated, intentional lies; and generally demonstrated extremely poor character and an utter lack of integrity. It is one thing to take more money to go some place else. Those who think that is what this is about completely miss the point, as it is entirely another thing to lie, use, and defraud people--including young men who trusted him--for personal gain.

As for the Rice band, they have every right (and a long tradition) to make a joke out of the guy, or, actually, to simply point out what a joke he made of himself. Sportsmanship is important, and nothing that the band (it's a band, please get over yourselves) did wasn't in that spirit. What's more important is instilling student athletes with a sense of character, duty, and honor. What lessons has Todd Graham taught his athletes with his shameful behavior? That your word means nothing; that character, honesty, and integrity mean nothing; and that taking advantage of a situation through any dishonest means possible is completely acceptable. Talk about shocking and offensive, that's where the TU community should be looking.

Rob, (11/27/2007 9:00:56 AM)

hey rice homer get off your high, holier-than-thou horse. Todd Graham never wanted to coach at Rice, who would? You have an aging hole of a stadium, a fanbase that appearently besides you and your band could give a crap, and an administration with little commitment to athletics. Coach Graham took the job thinking that in a few years a better would open up for him, well sue him that Coach K took off one year later and Tulsa hired him back. A senior led team, stadium renovations underway, a new athletic faculty built, and a president and new AD who want to win championships. So get off his back with your so-called moral-fiber BS. He did what he thought was right for him, his family, and his career and he does not deserve to be called a douchbag by your stadium PA announcer. You should be thankful that this story is not getting much bigger than it already is, because this really makes your university look bad; being as they are supposely such a high academic institution. He was with Rice for a year and they finally want to a bowl game you should kiss his backside for that token, because your never going back until many years down the road, if you still play football.

Kyle, (11/27/2007 9:10:08 AM)

I think TU's "senior-led" team may solidify TG's decision at the end of this season to go to another "opportunity". I'll be interested to see what TG backers say when he bolts TU for Georgia Tech in a few weeks.

TG does not stand for character, integrity and honesty. Let's face it.

Larry, Tulsa (11/27/2007 9:19:47 AM)

he wouldn't be the first to leave TU for greener pastures and he won't be the last. WE are willing to accept that fact. Are Rice fans??? I think we got that answer on saturday.

T.J., Houston (11/27/2007 9:55:52 AM)

Todd Graham is a despicable human being and should not be around college athletes. The MOB (Marching Owl Band) was too easy on him.

Todd was negotiating the extension to his Rice contract while he excused himself for stomach problems so he could call Tulsa. He lied to Rice administation several times and to several alums who had made major contributions at his request. All this would be forgivable when you consider the business aspect of college football, but he also lied (unnecessarily) to the players. That was unforgivable. We learned that Todd is a world class liar and treats his football players like dirt. He has only one goal and that is feeding his oversized ego and stuffing his pockets. I pity you Tulsa fans if this is who you want leading your young athletes.

Todd got off light. I can think of a lot of things I would like to call him.

Save your whining until he sticks it to you.

FRED IS A D--BAG, Houston (11/27/2007 10:06:57 AM)

Fred, fred, fred. C'mon, buddy. You aren't fooling anyone. You are just another crybaby Rice fan that doesn't know how things really work in college sports, because Rice isn't committed enough. Coaches leave for better situations all the time. How about being thankful that Graham helped your crappy program to actually have a winning season and get to a bowl game for the first time in 40 years??? How about that?

TJ IS A D--BAG, Houston (11/27/2007 10:10:20 AM)

TJ, TJ, TJ. C'mon, buddy. You aren't fooling anyone. You are just another crybaby Rice fan that doesn't know how things really work in college sports, because Rice isn't committed enough. Coaches leave for better situations all the time. How about being thankful that Graham helped your crappy program to actually have a winning season and get to a bowl game for the first time in 40 years??? How about that?

WHINING? WHINING? Who's whining there buddy? Ummm...you and your Rice friends. If Graham "sticks it" to Tulsa, it wouldn't be the first time for a coach to do that. TU doesn't cry about it...they just go hire another successful coach.

Drew, Tulsa (11/27/2007 10:38:08 AM)

As a Rice undergrad alum and a TU graduate alum, I am embarrassed that TU would file a "complaint" as to the Rice halftime show. Good Lord, Bubba needs to toughen up a bit. The MOB is an icon in college football dating back to 1970s. They make fun of politics, the opposing school, religion, the economy, and more often then not, themselves. Todd Graham should have expected to be the target of the MOB's halftime show. Frankly, I would have been disappointed had avoided it. As always, TU misses the point - Filing a complaint validates the MOB.

As to Graham, do you people even follow college football? Do you remember Graham bad-mouthing Major Applewhite when Applewhite was getting the credit for Rice's success last year offensively? Graham left Rice to have the Tulsa team for one year so that he could move up the coaching ranks. Rest assured, he's leaving this year right behind Paul Smith. And if you want to find out about Graham propensity for telling the truth, check out the Houston Chronicle article from January 12, 2007 titled "Coach stings Owls with deception".

As for Rice and their football success, do you think Rice students, alumni, and the administration care about football? Even the football players don't really care...It interferes with their mid-term in Organic Chemistry.

TS, Tulsa (11/27/2007 11:01:22 AM)

If Rice cares so little about football they certainly went out of their way to perform a disgusting display. A d-bag? Really! I used to think a lot more of Rice. This isn't any kind of highbrow humor or satire. This is immature and childish! This is sour grapes from a Puerto Rican beauty contest runner-up! This is like some teenie bopper drawing devil horns on the photos of her ex-boyfriend after getting dumped. This was a temper tantrum and rather stupid. MOB (rather SOB?) or not, there is nothing redeeming in this for Rice. UTEP has more class than this!

Frank, (11/27/2007 11:10:46 AM)

For Rice supporters: Grow up. The real world beckons.

For TU: Grow up. The MOB has always poked fun at people and institutions. You only make yourself look prissy and humorless.

TS, Tulsa (11/27/2007 11:16:14 AM)

Who is decptive?? Look at this article...

Rethinking the return of Graham:

Owls declare rift with former coach no longer exists (Nov 19 Houston Chron)

Grow up Owls! We thought you were made of better stuff!

Rob, (11/27/2007 11:26:00 AM)

about to type the same thing #10. This is really childish and it all falls upon Rice looking ridiculously pathetic. Take yourselves and supposedly now "iconic" band and get over your loss already, because some of us have bigger events to plan for; such as watching CUSA championships and attending Bowl games.

Don, tulsa (11/27/2007 11:40:10 AM)

Keep the football program at Rice! Get rid of the MOB! What good does the MOB do for the school anyway? A role model for youth??? NO!

tj, Houston (11/27/2007 11:51:27 AM)

Thsi is to the anomyous moron who answered 7 and 8. Do you begin all your correspondence with "c'mon buddy?" I am not you buddy, stupid and the Rice fans are not the ones crying. Your AD, Bubba (how appropriate) is the one lodging the complaint. I would like Bubba's opinion of illegally contacting a coach under contract and then lying about it. We could have turned Bubba into the conference last year, but we thought Todd returning was punishment enough.

Sammy, Houston (11/27/2007 12:00:19 PM)

The MOB hit the nail right on the head. Todd Graham got what he deserved for screwing the Owl program over. TJ is correct about contacting a coach under contract.

When Todd bolts Tulsa for one of the bigger programs that need a coach, perhaps Hurricane homers will know how it feels. Right now, just worry about getting your butt kicked in the C-USA championship game.

Dan, tulsa (11/27/2007 12:48:06 PM)

I agree with most of the Houston people leaving a school after only one year, definately means the coach is only after what is best for him, but that seems to be the format for college football these days, just buiness... character has nothing to do with coaches these days, the players need it but don't expect it from coaches. Tulsa fans that think rice should drop football need to rethink that , all of confrence usa is made up of teams that the only people who care about them are thieir student and alumni

no one else no they exist on the football scene anyway.

TS, Tulsa (11/27/2007 1:43:23 PM)

Dan must be an OU fan...uneducated bumpkin. Way to spell there Dan! Inarticulate jackhole! OU = Overrated University and you 'no' it!

Ridge, Tomball (11/27/2007 1:49:02 PM)

The truth hurts I guess.

Drew, (11/27/2007 1:52:07 PM)

The thing that is most humorous about all of this is that Tulsa people are more upset by the word "douchebag" than they are having the City of Tulsa considered to be worse than Dante's Ninth Circle of Hell. And actually, since most people commenting here didn't see the show (since there are more comments on this site than there were fans at the game), it was pretty funny. I don't see anyone griping about the fact that the MOB stated that they found now-former A&M Coach Dennis Franchione along with the greedy and the avaricious in the Fourth Circle of Hell.

AJ, Houston (11/27/2007 2:23:41 PM)

Don said: "Keep the football program at Rice! Get rid of the MOB! What good does the MOB do for the school anyway?"

The MOB entertains, and according to the crowd response at the game on Saturday from 70-80% of the crowd, apparently does a pretty good job of it. What does your marching band do? Probably the same thing, but with a different approach.

BG, (11/27/2007 2:27:56 PM)

The entire halftime show (not just d-bag thing) was an embarassment for Rice. The university should admit it, apologize, get rid of the MOB and put those funds to better use. Like supporting youth groups in the greater Houston area. Here's and idea - How about giving out game tickets to kids (as long as the MOB is gone) and do something positive?

Grungy, Baytown (11/27/2007 2:56:03 PM)

Would you have liked it better if it had been Billy Tubbs stumbling around in the fourth circle instead of Franchione?

John, Muskogee (11/27/2007 3:44:03 PM)

What other university would allow their band to do something as stupid as this? I guarantee the powers-that-be in Stoolwater wouldn't have allowed the band to taunt Les Miles like that if LSU had played them. No university President in their right mind would allow a display like that and if the President had any cahoneys the band director would be looking for a new job the next day.

KG, Tulsa (11/27/2007 3:48:08 PM)

You should NOT get rid of the marching band, just change their attitude. It was a tasteless show, and as a member of the TU Band, I can say that we would never go to the trouble of creating a whole show to disrespect someone else's coach, regardless of where he was the year before. Shame on their band director for thinking it was a good idea!