On February 23, Oregon football coach Chip Kelly did an interview with PORTLAND OREGONIAN columnist and KXTG-FM radio host John Canzano to talk about the Ducks off-field legal problems. (audio link)
(Not the first time Kelly has misjudged his players)
During the visit, Canzano asked Kelly why Oregon backup player Kiko Alonso was suspended for the season after being charged with DUI, while star running back LaMichael James had not been suspended after being charged with strangulation, fourth degree assault and menacing of a female. (James pleaded not guilty at the time. As did Alonso for his DUI charge.)
Kelly responded that he suspended Alonso because he “had all the facts” of the unsettled DUI case while he was not privy to the details of the James investigation.
(’No contest‘ = ‘guilty’)
That’s a defensible statement from Kelly. But what he followed with in addressing Canzano’s charge of unequal treatment was not.
Kelly to Canzano:
“When the final truth comes out, put me on the air again and then apologize.”
With today’s development in the James case, I can safely say Kelly won’t be getting that apology.
KVAL-TV in Eugene reports today:
University of Oregon star running back LaMichael James is scheduled to appear in court Friday for a change of plea hearing and sentencing, according to court records.
Springfield police arrested James on Feb. 17 on suspicion of strangulation, fourth degree assault and menacing.
Canzano reported subsequently that James is likely to enter a “no contest” plea, which is essentially the same as pleading guilty in exchange for leniency from the court.
While it might’ve been advisable for James to cut his losses with the court, that legal strategy certainly was an embarrassing development for Kelly. If James does indeed plead guilty or no contest, then Kelly will be forced to dole out a significant punishment. A punishment that probably will include a suspension.
As we search for answers why the Oregon football program is experiencing so many behavior problems off-the-field, I think we may have found our answer. Kelly obviously doesn’t know his players as well as he thinks he does.
UPDATE (4:54p ET): I contacted Canzano for his thoughts about Kelly’s regrettable “apology” comment in light of today’s events. His response:
“I’ve invited Chip to come on the radio show today. The only real apology here is the one owed to the kids who work hard and stay out of trouble at Oregon. Chip owes those players something for the double-standard and lousy atmosphere he’s created.
“Those guys are the ones who have been most unfairly affected by the recent cluster of police activity.”
What’s the odds Kelly comes on the show today? None because James isn’t set to go to court until Friday.
4:18 pm on March 10th, 2010
HAHAHA!!!
BUTT WHEN YOU GONNA PUT OLE URBAN MEYERS FEET TO FIRE ALSO!!!!
28 ARRESTS in 5 YEARS????? COME ON MAN!!!!!
4:23 pm on March 10th, 2010
so…you have all the facts now? and that would be based on what? court testimony? a personal converstaion with LMJ? maybe a chat with the DA in the case?
unfortunately you are cut from the same cloth as canzano, and once again the rush to judgment is on. let’s wait to see what happens friday when ACTUAL FACTS become available before we make any definitive declarations. now wouldn’t that be novel — actual responsible journalism.
4:25 pm on March 10th, 2010
oh…and by the way, you might want a refund on your law degree because that is not what a “no contest” plea is.
4:33 pm on March 10th, 2010
HERE HERE!!!
4:36 pm on March 10th, 2010
What’s with Oregon fans? Why do they have such a hard time seeing their own program for the embarrassment that its become? Really strange that the fans in Oregon can’t accurately see how the coach has played a role in whats happening at the campus. Ive been around college sports my whole life and just about every other fan base would be embarrassed and the backlash would be directed at the program. Here is seems the messenger is held most culpable. Really twisted logic. Get real Duck fans!
4:38 pm on March 10th, 2010
Wrong. The DA probably realized they don’t have case and in order to save face they offered a plea bargain, which I imagine that James’ attorneys advised him to take in order to avoid the risk of a jury trial where anything could happen AND can return to class which is most important so he can still be eligible to play.
This means that he most likely will receive probation for the harassment charge.
But again Brooks, don’t bother letting the truth or real story get in the way of your ‘gotcha’ TMZ headlines.
5:02 pm on March 10th, 2010
Im not an OREGON fan, but
Why havent you grilled URBAN MEYER?????
I mean come on man! 28 arrests and media is still on his nuts!!
5:06 pm on March 10th, 2010
i think he will plead guilty to a lesser charge. Duke Rules..how did you feel when you lax team was thrown under the bus? did you jump on the bandwagon or take thier side? Maybe your not a Duke fan…if so than disregard.
5:28 pm on March 10th, 2010
On Meyer: Being a Gator, I think it’s worth mentioning. Luckily the media and police in G-ville more or less have our backs.
On Kelly: Being a Duck as well, I think it’s an interesting situation. There has been a change in institutional control, but it’s not about CK. This is about player egos and a pre-existng sense of entitlement. Remember a once-great Nebraska program, and a once-great Penn State program that also ran into trouble. The difference here is that Ducks have yet to bring a title home, so these are either growing pains, or acts of arrogance. I think there’s a bit of both at work here, and it’ll get sorted out next month.
On James in particular: Duke Rules are good for the UO. Reserving judgment until the process completes is good for the AD. The changed plea is about economics, not guilt. This is about timing. The term is about to end, Spring ball is about to begin in 2.5 weeks, the Beard case provides precedent (consider that 2 felony charges were reduced to physical harassment for the men that nearly killed him). This will result in a guilty plea on physical harassment, no contest and no ruling on the other charges due to deferred adjudication options linked to terms of probation. There will be a restitution component, a fine payable to the state battered women’s fund, and community service likely around 100 hours, just like the others.
You can make the case for a 1 game suspension. That’s all that’s going to happen, and that’s all that should happen. James has learned his lesson. The specific girl(s) will surely learn theirs, and this whole situation will be put to rest so everyone can move forward with their lives - most importantly the many others who have not raised eyebrows this off-season.
On Canzano: I think it’s obvious he won’t all together anger the AD enough to deny him credentials for the 2010 seasons. The ice is pretty thin right now.
5:34 pm on March 10th, 2010
“Wrong. The DA probably realized they don’t have case and in order to save face they offered a plea bargain, which I imagine that James’ attorneys advised him to take in order to avoid the risk of a jury trial where anything could happen AND can return to class which is most important so he can still be eligible to play.”
That’s the definition of delusion. Not saying there’s a 1% change you’re right, but dude, take off the blinders.
What’s your take on the moon landing btw? That fake too?
Also, pleading no contest to a lesser charge is an admission of guilt.
Ducks fans need to chillax and let Chip work his way out of this. He’ll be fine. He’s learning some lessons here. I’m all for giving a guy a break but in this case, he absolutely got what he deserves.
But Chip has Bellotti on his side. Oregon football is still in good shape regardless of what’s happened this offseason.
5:35 pm on March 10th, 2010
“On Kelly: Being a Duck as well, I think it’s an interesting situation. There has been a change in institutional control, but it’s not about CK. This is about player egos and a pre-existng sense of entitlement. Remember a once-great Nebraska program, and a once-great Penn State program that also ran into trouble. The difference here is that Ducks have yet to bring a title home, so these are either growing pains, or acts of arrogance. I think there’s a bit of both at work here, and it’ll get sorted out next month.”
You just gave Kelly’s job description. His whole gig is to blow up the entitlement but he hasn’t taking off the Bellotti training wheels. Bellotti is a blessing for him and a curse.
5:53 pm on March 10th, 2010
Brooks — You are simply wrong about what “no contest” means. By definition, there is no admission of guilt. If you mean in the court of public opinion, maybe, but not in a court of law.
And again, we won’t know until Friday just what he’s pleading “no contest” to, so why not reserve judgment until then?
6:00 pm on March 10th, 2010
I LOVE MY THUGS, I LOVE MY THUGS !! “GO THUGS GO!!!!!!
6:16 pm on March 10th, 2010
Folks - if the DA didn’t have a case, they would drop the charges. Any decent defense attorney, who felt that the DA didn’t have a case wouldn’t accept a plea deal - they would stick by the not guilty plea.
10:28 pm on March 10th, 2010
DLDuck has it backwards:
“No contest” means the charges are not legally contested. For legal purposes (though not public relations purposes) that’s a guilty plea.
12:20 am on March 11th, 2010
how stupid is this article….when I heard Chip Kelly say this, it was from the standpoint that AFTER the facts came out, and he handed out a fitting punishment, then he would come back on and Calblohole would apologize….get it?? He would apologize because the PROPER PUNISHMENT would be handed out….because Calblowhole wanted Kelly to hand out the punishment BEFORE all the facts….
What kind of education does Brooks have here? ….
7:17 am on March 11th, 2010
If both of these players are allowed to stay on this team I will loose all respect for the ducks football program. The charge and no contest pleas are huge and both need to be kicked off the team. If convicted, Masoli will have to do time based on his previous history in Juvi Detention.
12:47 pm on March 11th, 2010
No contest or “Nolo Contendre” is for all intents and purposes a plea of guilty.
It is often used in cases that involve crimes against another person or property which could result in civil prosecution.
A plea of no contest cannot be used in court against the defendant in the case of a civil lawsuit. Meaning the plaintiff has to prove all facts of the case without the aid of the defendant’s plea in the criminal matter.
There is no leniency involved in pleading no contest, that would come in the form of the written plea agreement.
3:32 pm on March 11th, 2010
We all know that the Chipster will come out on Friday and suspend them both indefinitely. Then magically they will be reinstated just as fall practice begins. Everyone knows he has a double standard and is in over his head coaching a major program.
So they got lucky and made the Rose Bowl his first year, how much do you think he actually had to with that.
I LOVE MY THUGZ, I LOVE MY THUGZ.
Secretly hoping to see the Chipster get busted for a DUI himself.