Tom Penders: "It's All ESPN's Fault"

by srr50 on Jan 28, 2009 10:19 PM CST in Texas Longhorns and Other Basketball

Last weekend Houston's Aubrey Coleman mistook Arizona's Chase Budinger's face for a throw rug.

Coleman was kicked out of the contest, and then suspended by Conference USA for another game. His coach, Tom Pender, has come to his defense with a conspiracy theory. He says ESPN doctored the video.

According to Deadspin, Penders was on a Houston radio station today and claimed that ESPN made the incident look worse than it was, and hung his player out to dry.

He then added, "I've worked there, and I've seen them do that kind of thing. I called a producer I know over there, and he's pretty high up, a guy named Norby Williamson; I called him three times. And he hasn't returned my calls. So you know something's not right."

Tom made no mention of the video which showed Coleman laughing and being high-fived by teammates after being ejected.

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In Penders’ defense, that “x-ray vision thing” they did on the initial highlights was definitely ESPNishly lame. Coleman may have stepped on Budinger’s face on purpose (I think he was actually trying to do the “stay down” step-over that is so popular with defensive backs (among others) these days… but botched the move)… but he wasn’t clearly looking at Budinger on the replay… so ESPN had to add that lame “x-ray vision” effect.

Really weak. But this is the network that brought us “Who’s Now?”, so that’s to be expected.

by Texas_Dawg on Jan 28, 2009 10:35 PM CST reply actions

Heard Penders this morning and that is what he said. Best part is when he talks about knowing the official, having great respect for the official, how the replay operator at AZ only showed one replay, it was from the replay got the kid kicked out, and they miss Budinger taking two swings at Coleman. One of the two swings hit an official.

Tom really has become a very, very sad man.

by Justaguy on Jan 28, 2009 11:17 PM CST reply actions

ESPN also plants money in the freezer of certain key assistant coaches.

by J. Campaglia on Jan 28, 2009 11:19 PM CST reply actions

and leak the grades of floppy haired, no defense playing malcontents.

by E. Oran on Jan 28, 2009 11:20 PM CST reply actions

Damn officials still can’t recognize a perfectly executed jump stop!!!

Hey, who spilled my drink?

by T. (hic) Penders on Jan 28, 2009 11:26 PM CST reply actions

Awwshit, I have to pick a side between ESPN and Penders?

by Nordberg on Jan 29, 2009 8:19 AM CST reply actions

Nordberg,

In the beautiful world of hope revealed to us by President Obama’s election, there is no black and white, just many shades of gray.

Therefore, you can hate both ESPN and Tom Penders, and they can both be wrong.

Hope,

by The General on Jan 29, 2009 8:39 AM CST reply actions

FBI is involved now investigating racial slurs from Arizona fans directed towards Coleman.

Now it’s a political conspiracy.

by Vasherized on Jan 29, 2009 8:43 AM CST reply actions

“Damn officials still can’t recognize a perfectly executed jump stop!!!

Hey, who spilled my drink?"

Now that’s funny.

by Trips Right on Jan 29, 2009 8:48 AM CST reply actions

Big ups to Coleman for stepping on whitey’s face.

by Levander Williams on Jan 29, 2009 8:48 AM CST reply actions

I don’t understand what the big deal is

by Albert Haynesworth on Jan 29, 2009 9:41 AM CST reply actions

ESPN is also the wonderful network which awarded the 2005 Heisman trophy to Reggie Bush instead the best player of the year.

by svrep on Jan 29, 2009 10:50 AM CST reply actions

Did my phone just ring?

by Brandy Perryman on Jan 29, 2009 1:09 PM CST reply actions

Yeah, Brandy. It was me. Wanna go launch some threes from 36 feet and reminisce about transcripts?

by Luke Axtell on Jan 29, 2009 2:07 PM CST reply actions

You’ll remember my name.

by Jamie Campaglio on Jan 29, 2009 3:02 PM CST reply actions

I told Jamie the freezer was a great place to keep money.

by Grandma Campaglio on Jan 29, 2009 5:18 PM CST reply actions

Campaglio’s departure was when the wheels began to come off for the Penders era.

by Black Scholes on Jan 29, 2009 5:35 PM CST reply actions

Black Scholes, That was the last time any real coaching took place during Tom’s tenure in Austin.

by Justaguy on Jan 29, 2009 5:42 PM CST reply actions

Hey, fuck all of y’all. Reggie is the most dynamic player in field sports history. Also, emphasis on Entertainment. It goes before Sports AND News, and nothing more entertaining than some special effects.

by ESPN on Jan 29, 2009 5:44 PM CST reply actions