For Vols: Good News, Bad News

The past five days may be the best example of the frustrations college coaches face. It also illustrates the media's frustration with the good news vs. bad news "rap" we sometimes (er, always!) get.

On Monday, UT presented us with a good story that was genuine, interesting, and legitimately newsworthy.

Defensive lineman J.T. Mapu had just returned from a 2-year religious mission. Head Coach Phillip Fulmer and the rest of his staff deserve much credit for committing to Mapu. They could have easily given the scholarship to another recruit who was willing to stay four-straight years in Knoxville.

Mapu's story is compelling and unique. And for UT, it made positive news.

Unfortunately, it came two-days after a UT football player was arrested on Interstate 40 for allegedly flashing a toy gun at an off-duty police officer.

Two-days after that, another player-- linked to an alleged sex-for-grades scandal in high school--was busted for DUI.

Not so postive.

I'd like to sing praises for all UT athletes who graduate, do good deeds, and generally behave like good citizens. But mostly, that's what is supposed to happen.

Getting a college degree and staying off the police blotter isn't news-- even if you're a football player.

Mapu's story fits the best description of legitimate good news.

No players arrested today-- all of them graduate-- doesn't.