Tulsa World: Brown sees danger in fans on field

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Brown sees danger in fans on field

By JIMMIE TRAMEL World Sports Writer
Published: 11/4/2008 2:12 AM
Last Modified: 11/4/2008 3:44 AM

ALL IT TAKES is one look at the BCS standings for verification that the Big 12 is the nation's most dangerous league. Five of the top 14 squads hail from the Big 12.

Apparently, the dangers aren't limited to the quality of the opposition.

Texas players found that out Saturday night, when Texas Tech fans stormed the field on multiple occasions (twice before time expired) to "celebrate" an upset of the nation's top-ranked team.

Because of the mob scene, Texas coach Mack Brown was unable to locate Tech coach Mike Leach afterward. Brown apologized because he said Leach deserved a handshake.

Since then, Brown has shifted from apologist to lobbyist. He would like to see security enhanced or rules enacted in order to prevent players from getting mauled by fans in postgame celebrations.

"I think that the Big 12 and the NCAA should do something for the security and the safety of those kids and coaches after games like that," he said. "It is really, really dangerous."

Brown said he saw quarterback Colt McCoy getting pushed and shoved on the field.

"I was in great shape because I had security all around me," the coach said. "But our kids don't. I really appreciate our kids keeping their composure and handling things right."

Brown said it's amazing that security is talked about all the time, and schools limit the number of people who can be on sidelines during games. "And (after games) we'll turn everybody loose — on the field, drinking, we don't know what they have in their hands."

Brown predicted during a Big 12 teleconference Monday, "I think we are all going to look up one day and we are going to be really, really sad." He predicted that college football is bound for a tragedy, "and that's when we'll change the rules."

Conference USA fines member institutions when fans swarm the field.

The Big 12's policy calls for the host institution's game management plan to include a mechanism for the safety of visiting team personnel and game officials to exit the playing surface.

Noting that fans have swarmed the field at schools around the nation, Brown did not want to paint Texas Tech as a villain. He complimented Lubbock and Tech for contributing to a great atmosphere and a special game.

"It's nothing against Tech, because we do not have Big 12 rules and we do not have NCAA rules against it," Brown said. "So I do not blame Tech. I do not blame the students at all. I just think it's a very difficult and dangerous situation for kids and coaches, and I think it would be better if it wasn't that way." By JIMMIE TRAMEL World Sports Writer

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Bonnie's Bevos, Broken Arrow (11/4/2008 8:35:34 AM)

What a Class Act of a Coach. It is a shame that Mack could not shake Coach Leach's hand after the game, all because of the Tech fans. Coach Brown is right. One of these days or nights after a game, somebody is going to get hurt. Or worse!!

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