Some can dish it out, but not take it. Could that be the case of University of Idaho coach Paul Petrino who cornered a member of the media and berated him over a mention of Idaho's mediocre fall camp? Michael-Shawn Dugar, a Daily News sports editor who covers Idaho, was attending practice Wednesday when Petrino started in and - like a dog to a bone - wasn't backing down.
Dugar says he expects this from a coach with the passion for a job well-done in this field. A little berating from players and coaches is commonplace, but when a coach needs to be restrained from angrily approaching a member of the media, because he can't control his temper, is another matter, according to Dugar of the Moscow-Pullman Daily News.
The incident started when Petrino asked Dugar and a reporter from the Lewiston Tribune, "Did you guys see enough deep balls today?" He was referring to Dugar's story in Wednesday's paper discussing the team's work-in-progress vertical passing attack. With Dugar thinking the coach was being sarcastic, he matched the sarcasm with a simple reference of seeing it a couple of times. At this point, an agitated Petrino came over and told the media if they are going to write negative things about him and the team, then they have no business being there.
Moments later, Petrino went to the sidelines to confront the reporters and started screaming in their faces expletive laced commentary belittling their (Dugar in particular) writing and professionalism. Petrino had to be restrained by one of his assistant coaches, according to Dugar.
This isn't the first adult temper tantrum by Petrino, coming off the heels of losing the last two games of the 2014 season, Petrino refused access to the players by the media. Dugar questions his lack of professionalism.
In all fairness though, Petrino has made tremendous progress in the three years since he has taken over the University of Idaho Vandals, according to KHQ.com.
