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Fri Jan 23, 2009 2:05 pm EST

Craig Robinson's coaching deserves to be Obama-free

By Eamonn Brennan

College basketball has a special connection with new President Barack Obama, but it's one you surely don't need me to explain again: Craig Robinson, Oregon State head coach (and former coach at Princeton), is the brother of Michelle Obama, Barack's wife. This is officially the 8,574,884th time you've been informed of this. It's been almost impossible, in Robinson's first year, to dissect his new coaching responsibilities from his visible presence in Obama's campaign, and every time Robinson does something on the basketball court, he's referred to as "Barack Obama's brother-in-law."

I'm sure Craig likes Barack just fine, but that has to get annoying.

Which is why I join with Kevin Pelton and John Gasaway at Basketball Prospectus today. They joke about this, but I think it's time to get serious. In order to let Robinson earn the accolades he deserves for a fine early performance -- Oregon State has Pac-10 wins over Cal and USC -- I call for an Obama cease-mention. When Robinson's team wins, Obama stays out of the game wrap. When he loses, same. No stories about inspirational phone calls between the two, no comparisons of success in their first years in office, and -- above all -- no more recountings of the time Robinson played pickup with Obama to see if he was a cool enough dude to date his sister. That last one is a point of emphasis. No more.

With this college hoops media mandate, I feel confident we can move forward into a world where a new coach rebuilding a horrible basketball program is not judged by his familial connections to our new president but by the wins and losses he incurs, and the recruits he signs. Thank you. God bless you. And God bless college basketball.

Related: College Basketball Media, Pac-10 Basketball

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32 Comments

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  1. Baby D
    1. Posted by Baby D Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:57 pm EDT

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    you should let Obama be around
  2. A Yahoo! User
    2. Posted by A Yahoo! User Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:14 pm EDT

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    We deserve basketball free of obamatards. Please retire, bald -michelle obama man.
  3. squirrelyearl
    3. Posted by squirrelyearl Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:37 pm EDT

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    I agree completely. I mean the poor guy deserves the chance to make a name for himself for what he's paid to do. And it's not like we haven't heard Obama's name more than enough for the past 2 years.
  4. crinklecut
    4. Posted by crinklecut Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:02 pm EDT

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    I wanted to write something mean, but I didn't. Thoughts?
  5. Matt
    5. Posted by Matt Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:11 pm EDT

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    Robinson coached at Brown, not Princeton.
  6. BG from NC
    6. Posted by BG from NC Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:19 pm EDT

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    Goddness!! It's Oregon State, what can it hurt?
  7. Rick E
    7. Posted by Rick E Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:40 pm EDT

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    Really !!! The President's brother in law is a basketball coach?
    I didn't know that. Please tell me more.
  8. Justin
    8. Posted by Justin Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:44 pm EDT

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    Wow they look a lot alike. Throw a wig on him = Michele
    And, I hope I don't have to hear another thing about Obama and anything on sports...he is ruining enough, let me have my sports!
  9. Hehe
    9. Posted by Hehe Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:02 pm EDT

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    Why is every detail and connection about Obama a news story? I like the guy but this media coverage and them soiling their shorts over him 24/7 is starting to get sickening. I mean really, who cares what Obama has for lunch every day. Every commercial on tv is selling some memorabilia. They have cookbooks how to eat like Obama.
  10. joe
    10. Posted by joe Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:10 pm EDT

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    Put one of Michelle's wigs on him you can't tell them apart.
  11. joe
    11. Posted by joe Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:10 pm EDT

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    Sorry Justin Poster #9. Didn't see you beat me to the punch.
  12. wisebug
    12. Posted by wisebug Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:47 pm EDT

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    I think it is neat that a division I basketball coach is this associated with the president. Even though I did not appreciate the previous president's politics, he was also associated with major sports as an owner of the Texas Rangers. Most of us do not have as much impact as these people who step up to lead while others sit back and offer no help but to criticize.
  13. ChristopherW
    13. Posted by ChristopherW Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:26 pm EDT

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    Craig Robinson is an accomplished man, above and beyond any associations he may have, and is an excellent coach. If knowing Barack Obama will help him with recruiting (it probably will!), then more power to him!
    Go Coach Robinson!
    Go President Obama!
    Go OSU!
  14. A Yahoo! User
    14. Posted by A Yahoo! User Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:57 pm EDT

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    NEWS FLASh for UCLA fans!!!!!!!!!!
    UCLA is not a final four team this season. This season all of the PAC-10 teams chances to get their revenge or recruiting up for a long time is finally here. Without an experienced center (big man) like Love or experienced 3 and 4 players, UCLA is nothing but a second or possibly a third place PAC-10 team and maybe a #20 or less team in the NCAA. Sure they will make the NCAA Tournament. But, one and done. Maybe next year. Maybe. Everyone else is getting better and their freshman and sophomopres (that stay in college) are much better as well.
    Interesting fact. Ben Howland stated his top players, (Shipp and Collison) were tired after playing more than 38 minutes in almost all the games they have lost, prior to Washington.
    News Flash!!!! Ben.....the better players when needed to play 35 or 40 minutes in a game are suppose to be able to "suck it up" and do so. Isn't that why they get all the headlines? The "high school all-americans?? Oh! No? Well then you need to recruit some players that can come off the bench and help these future NBA millionaries!!! Cause, guess what? They aren't making it! UCLA and schools with these super stars will get you fired pal.
    Don't get angry UCLA fans. Its a reality. Ben better recruit players that will commit for at least three years, no less. It's killing many programs. I for one, am sick and tired of these high school super stars coming to our favorite or alumni schools and running off to the NBA and a profit. Sure, we all want to do well financially and have the best life money and fame can buy. But what about the schools? Shame on those AD's that allow this to happen. Lets fire the AD's. Not the coaches!
    Also, who cares about Obama when it comes to BB or FB? Be honest!
    I'm out!
  15. Smash-Mouth Style
    15. Posted by Smash-Mouth Style Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:27 pm EDT

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    Haters...Obama doesn't need to wage war on terrorism, he needs to wage one against haterism. Fortunately for you haters, Gitmo is about to be shut down.
  16. David
    16. Posted by David Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:38 pm EDT

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    he does look a lot like his sister; little heavier in the face but it's there
  17. SaltLife
    17. Posted by SaltLife Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:53 pm EDT

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    Can we please stop hearing this inane prattle about obama and basketball. How about some real news?
  18. The Diz
    18. Posted by The Diz Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:53 pm EDT

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    Agree, however, he played at Princeton and coached at Brown.
  19. Thomas
    19. Posted by Thomas Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:08 pm EDT

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    My favorite women's college basketball team is Oregon State...............how could you not like the Lady Beavers.....ha ha ha !
  20. Legal Eagle
    20. Posted by Legal Eagle Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:21 pm EDT

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    be kinda funny if Obama was to recruit for him, a telephone call from the president to play ball at OSU
  21. craig k
    21. Posted by craig k Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:31 pm EDT

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    Mr. Robinson earned his job with his credentials and the obama love fest will be over in 6 months and by then obama will hurt his recruiting. In the meantime the media can use this relationship to ask questions this president is qualified to answer
  22. BlissG
    22. Posted by BlissG Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:09 pm EDT

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    And now that CAL rooters gave him a big hand--can there be such a thing as the Oregon State Golden Bare Beaver Believers?--ha ha for the women's team
  23. Dr. Feelgood
    23. Posted by Dr. Feelgood Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:05 pm EDT

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    i hope he isn't as racist as his sister, michelle.
  24. chillyfromphilly
    24. Posted by chillyfromphilly Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:33 pm EDT

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    it wont stop, every reporter that writes anything about him,( robinson) will always mention who his brother-in-law is. and any interviewer will always throw some silly line in like" have you talked to you brother-in-law lately" unfortunatley, robinson will have to get used to those dumb ass questions for the rest of his career.
  25. Eric W
    25. Posted by Eric W Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:39 pm EDT

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    God help this guy if Obama's approval goes down. The sports media would tear him apart because of it.

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