Why would you ask about the press and then turn it into a wins/losses argument?
Collins is better at the press stuff than Johnson. He allows more access, will do more interviews and talks in a modern way and knows how to BS with the radio/TV guys.
I’m not sure this matters. It could help. If Collins could win then the press would be a huge plus. As implied, the press didn’t like Johnson’s style off the field or his offense. It was crazy how much they talked about the offense but they aren’t smart guys and it gave them an angle.
I’ll never understand why when people hate someone they think the only way to discuss that person is to be negative in everything they do. Collins hasn’t put a winning product on the field and that is his first responsibility. I can criticize him for that without thinking he is an awful human being.
PJ rarely turned down interviews, be they TV, radio or print. He also spoke at places like the Atlanta Touchdown Club and the Macon Touchdown Club when asked. And he even went back to the Macon club after he retired to speak.
When an interview request was made, PJ did his best to accommodate it.
Hell, I brokered a radio interview for PJ on a sports talk station in the Southeast — the two hosts liked having him on and they kept asking to get him back. PJ obliged them.
Collins was scheduled to speak to the Savannah Quarterback Club the Monday after The Citadel loss. He bailed. Said there was a "scheduling conflict."
Never mind that these things are set up months in advance.
Didn't have much respect for him before that. Had none after.
Collins comes across better because he's trying to sell something. PJ wasn't selling anything.
Finally, the local press has started asking a few hard questions, toward the end of last year. And we saw Collins for who he really is. Thin-skinned.
Then again, maybe we just couldn't see the progress, regardless of if we wanted to.
The ACC Network people lob more softballs than a church league at the rec fields. So don't expect a hard line of questioning from them (such as 'you're 9-25. How do you still have a job?') To wit, Collins during practice on an ACC Network show, in the midst of the 3-7 season, and Eric Mac Lain says, "you're doing a great job, coach!" What f---ing crack pipe was he smoking? Dear God.
Like he had to face any press at Temple. Temple football is an afterthought in the Philadelphia sports media landscape.
