Despite my tweets, posts and status updates that appear to be anti-Jaguars, I am actually a big fan of the team, and want nothing more than for them to succeed both on and off the field. I’ve been a season ticket holder since Day 1, and will be renewing my seats for the 2010 season the minute I get my invoice.
However, I continue to be mystified by some of the choices the team makes with regard to effectively communicating with the public, its fans and the media. Today’s news conference, during which Jaguars owner Wayne Weaver announced the continued support and employment of Head Coach Jack Del Rio, was no exception.
Weaver faced the media to address the swirling rumors regarding Del Rio’s position with the team. He answered numerous questions regarding today’s extended meeting with Del Rio, expectations for the coming season, season ticket sales, even taking questions on the possibility of playing regular season games in London and Orlando. However, the buzz of the day on every local sports talk radio station, on Facebook statuses, Twitter feeds and around water coolers was will Del Rio be the coach in 2010 or was he headed to Southern Cal for a top tier college job? Rumors were rampant: a contract had been extended; Del Rio was already calling coaches to go with him to USC; he worked late last night so he could backup all his files since he was being fired today. You name it - we probably heard it today. Fans seemed to be split, but the majority (based on my informal research) were in favor of cutting Del Rio loose, and moving on to bigger and better things (like a season above .500 perhaps?).
But the one person we didn’t hear from at the news conference was the man in question, Del Rio. Critics and fans have long taken issue with his lack of “commitment” to the community, his perceived arrogance and his inability (or desire) to be held accountable. As a season ticket holder, as a public relations practitioner and as a person with a vested interest in the success of the team, I wanted to hear Del Rio re-commit to this town, to the fans and to his team. I wanted to hear him say that the buck stops with him. That he loved Jacksonville. That he loved this community and its fans. That he loved being a part of what will be a winning tradition and that he couldn’t imagine being anywhere else. He could have even asked me for a little patience and for some faith that he, the GM and Weaver were aggressively and decisively moving in the right direction.
Instead, we were told Del Rio already had plans for today, and the team didn’t believe this news conference was a “Kumbaya” moment. They didn’t believe it was necessary for him to be there. But I disagree. This was a great opportunity to harness the newfound energy and passion among fans. Re-connect Del Rio and re-position him as the face and leader of the organization. No matter which side of the fence folks are on regarding Del Rio, the fact is fans had an opinion and were engaged in the conversation. The team should capitalize on that passion, that spark and that enthusiasm as they head into the season ticket sales campaign.
By not putting Del Rio out front and center today, the Jaguars missed a huge opportunity to reinvigorate (maybe even reassure) its current fan base and demonstrate that they understand the frustration that many fans are feeling. We just want a little accountability, a little passion, a little strategic thinking, and if we’re lucky, an AFC South title in 2010.
So what do you think? Would you have included Del Rio in the news conference?
