Petrino Responds To Dust-Up

UI coach Paul Petrino’s prepared statement re: his confrontation with Moscow-Pullman Daily News sports staffer Michael-Shawn Dugar this week:

Today the Moscow-Pullman Daily News published an article stating that I had to be “physically restrained” from one of their reporters, and insinuated that I intended to physically harm him.  This is not an accurate account of what happened after yesterday’s practice.  I did not approach the reporter nor did I at any time threaten the reporter physically or verbally. I am a passionate person, as a husband, father and coach - I will not apologize for that.  I believe in our players, staff and the program we are building at the University of Idaho. … Yesterday I reacted poorly to what I believed to be unfair criticism directed at our players and our program.  I allowed my passion for the program and our players to spill over into a conversation with Mr. Dugar in which I used an unprofessional tone.   I apologize for my language and looking back, I wish that I had handled it differently.

DFO: I wonder what Spear & Petrino would think if the local media decided not to cover a lousy football team that has won only 4 games in the last three years. They should feel lucky that Dugar still considers them relevant.