Jimbo Fisher, FSU Head Coach, takes responsibility for his players' off-field actions. Is this right?

2015-07-21T18:15:34-04:00

What are YOUR thoughts about leaders 'taking responsibility' for the illegal, unethical, or immoral actions of their subordinates? When is leadership ensuring personal responsibility/accountability?

//Original Article//
“You, as the head coach, take responsibility and you continue to educate,” Fisher said in taking the blame.

He also said the Seminoles’ current national perception is not the blame of the media.

“You’re judged by what you do,” he said.

Fisher spoke publicly for the first time since two of his players, De’Andre Johnson of Jacksonville and Dalvin Cook of Miami, were arrested on charges of hitting women at bars near the FSU campus in June. They are the last two winners of Florida’s “Mr. Football,” the award presented each year to the top high school player in the state.

Johnson, a quarterback, was dismissed from school when the state attorney’s office released video of the incident in which Johnson is seen punching the women after the two had a dispute over what police said was Johnson pushing the women from behind at a crowded bar.

Jimbo Fisher takes responsibility for his players' off-field actions

Florida State football coach Jimbo Fisher, in his first public appearnace this summer, said his players will undergo even more counseling, education and mentoring about domestic violence and substance abuse.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Jul 21 at 2015 6:25 PM

2015-07-21T18:25:59-04:00

Well, he's the captain of that ship. He's pretty much responsible for every aspect of their lives while they're under scholarship, so if he didn't educate them well enough to avoid misconduct...then yeah.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2015 6:40 PM

2015-07-21T18:40:19-04:00

I've always agreed with this type of mentality to a certain extent. I have pissed of many leaders at all levels when I've stated that no matter how much of an engaged leader you are and no matter how much attention, guidance, training, mentorship and leadership that you provide your Soldiers on a daily basis, some one will make a bad decision and there shouldn't be anyone to blame but the indivual. For example, as Platoon Leader of about 27 troops, one of my rock stars got a DUI on a earlier Saturday morning. BC's policy is for the entire unit to come in the day of the DUI and conduct DUI refresher training provided by the Leadership of the offender. Training complete, my Platoon SGT and myself give the platoon a big speech about accountability, battle buddies, having a plan and responsiblities. Guess what, that next morning, I get a phone call from my CDR, another one of my guys got a DUI. My BDE and Battalion CDR blamed me and I disagreed and let them know about it. Needless to say, that conversation didn't go very well at first. Sorry for the long post, but I have mixed feelings about accountability of your Soldiers actions.

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Jul 21 at 2015 7:00 PM

2015-07-21T19:00:35-04:00

SGM Matthew Quick I think it is up to the level authority you have in an individual's personal life that will dictate the level of responsibility that you have. In the Reserves and National Guard we only train, lead, and have direct contact with the soldiers one weekend out of the month, sometimes more, and then two week s out of each year when they are considered Active Duty for training. I have pulled a lot of weight beyond my AO when it has come to soldiers. Let me give you an example: If heard that a soldier made a comment about committing suicide then I would reach out personally and as the Commander any day of the week go to that individual’s home with a team and get that individual to the necessary institutions for the help that is needed, but on the other hand if that individual starting beating his wife at home in between weekends (and me as the commander is unaware do to distance and his personal family life) then the police and local authorities would have to be involved, versus active duty members living on post and the military police being contacted as well as his Commander. Now if that following month I was made aware that this individual was abusing his family members than I would get with my JAG to see what legal rights I would have as a Commander to make sure this individual didn’t have access to weapons during future training events and find out what action could be taken to either remove him from the unit or military or get the necessary help to resolve the anger management issues at the individual’s own expense (if not combat related). There are a lot of “ifs” and a fine line in the two different worlds. To answer your question I've always done as much as I can to support soldiers under my command within the parameters of my authority and boundaries. Coach Fisher states that he takes responsibility for his player actions, but his span of control can only go so far and in the end he is not getting kicked off the team for a players stupidity (the player is); he will not go to jail for assault and battery (the player will). Saying and doing in this instance are vastly different than what can actually be done. The same holds true for military personnel when it comes to what we can and cannot do within the military! if anyone from the Reserve or National Guard; or legal profession would like to add to what I've said or disagree to agree or visa versa I'm all ears? By the way I ran out of "thumbs up" just now, so I'll catch on you on the flip side tomorrow.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Jul 21 at 2015 7:07 PM

2015-07-21T19:07:56-04:00

You just had to post this issue and get me started, didn't you? Of course leaders have to take responsibility. At least, good leaders do. I well remember being taught in OCS that NCOs wear their rank on their arms and officers wear theirs on their shoulders because you can bear more weight on your shoulders. The weight of responsibility, that is...

Remember Harry Truman's famous sign on his desk: "The Buck Stops Here". Now that's the attitude of a leader. Whether or not you agree with some or all of his decisions, he at least took responsibility for them.

Where do you suppose that sign is now?

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Jul 21 at 2015 7:07 PM

2015-07-21T19:07:58-04:00

As leaders we own the successes and more importantly the failures of any mission or project. I believe in letting my subordinates get the credit for success and I take the blame for the failures. I believe in ownership from the highest to lowest levels. It's the only way to succeed

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Jul 21 at 2015 7:19 PM

2015-07-21T19:19:16-04:00

Do you mean like Jameis Winston? Yeah, he really took responsibility for that one. If a player like Winston can stay on a team for 4 years with the trail of indiscretions he had anyone can make it. Jimbo is doing a little historical revisionism here. He did shitcan a freshman who struck a woman at a bar (on a recording) but he was a nobody yet. That was easy. Much like the elevator incident with Ray Rice. You get caught on tape you are in trouble. No tape, you can lie all you like.

If he wanted any credibility on this Winston would have been off the team. Rape accusations, shoplifting, screaming obscenities and slurs at women on campus etc. etc. etc. Jimbo is trying to fix his image after hitching his wagon to a felon to win a national championship now he is worried about the perception and his legacy. Right.

Response by SFC Michael Jackson, MBA made Jul 23 at 2015 10:35 AM

2015-07-23T10:35:55-04:00

Jimbo Fisher and the rest the NCAA coaches have to take responsibility for the players actions. The NCAA holds them accountable, in some cases, more accountable than the players that commit the offenses. Personally, I'd like to see the individuals held to a higher standard. For example, when Oregon suspended Lagarret Blount for throwing a punch, which at the time ended his college career since he was a senior. Another example is Texas, which suspended eight players at the start of last season, and kicked some off the team completely. Too much coddling of athletes take place today.

Response by SPC Jesse Montemayor made Jul 23 at 2015 1:54 PM

2015-07-23T13:54:11-04:00

I believe you can only do so much! Like my kids I can install all the good information to them to stay out of trouble and how to act but we can't hold there hands all their lives. At some point they have to take responsibility for their own actions! As a Corrections Officer a see how kids or men have gone astray! We need to be allowed to install discipline in our kids and it my involve a little corporal punishment.