Nebraska Head Coach Bans His Team From The Locker Room After Blowout Loss

Washington Post- However, the thing Miles said that really should concern his players was a vow to banish them from their own locker room. That’s right, the Cornhuskers played so badly that Miles thinks they should start changing, like, in the hallway, or something. From Omaha.com...

“There will be chains on the doors locking it from the outside,’’ Miles said, “until further notice.’’ 

So where will the players dress?

“Good luck,’’ Miles said, glaring. “They’re creative.’’

I am all for a little tough love. Coaching isn't always about catering to your players. Sometimes you have to send a message. Maybe take away a luxury or two. Not completely sure banning your players from the locker room and making them get dressed in the hallway is the right answer though. Reel it in Coach Carter. Staging a lockout of the locker room isn't going to make your players better people, and it certainly isn't going to make them any better at basketball. This screams panic move. It's like when a mother gets mad and sends her kid to his room, or when a girlfriend/wife makes their significant other sleep on the couch. Sure, it's a punishment, but it's not going to accomplish anything. Waking up with a sore neck isn't going to make a husband better at being a husband, and prohibiting pregame billiards isn't going to make your players start hitting jump shots. This isn't a movie and you aren't Samuel L. Jackson. A bunch of college athletes aren't going to come to some collective realization because you took away their TV time. They will probably just resent you for making them miss the latest episode of 'Basketball Wives'.

Did you ever stop to think that maybe this isn't the player's fault at all? I have never met an amenity I haven't taken advantage of, and while I think updated facilities for college athletes is doing right by them, maybe you shouldn't prep them for a game in the middle of Club Med. Would you bring a bunch of children to 'Dave and Busters' and expect them to sit calmly through their meal with their napkin on their lap? Fuck and no. Want to know what sounds more relaxing than playing a Division 1 college basketball game? Sitting in a leather recliner catching up on the DVR with smoothie in hand. Players adapt to their surroundings like everyone else. Drop them in the middle of a man cave and they are going to be far more likely to want to crack a beer than battle for a rebound. 

I'm not sure what's the biggest issue with the Nebraska basketball team. From the looks of this punishment, their coach doesn't either. However, I can promise you that less bonding time in the locker room is far more detrimental than advantageous to the team. A locker room is where players become a team. It's where chemistry, on and off the court, is built. I don't care if they are in there drawing up x's and o's, or running train on a a couple co-eds. Either is more beneficial than them struggling to pull up their compression shorts in a confined area. Come on Tim. Is it possible it's not the locker room's fault and your players just stink?  Maybe close down smoothie happy hour, or cut the cable, but don't ban your shitty players from the place they feel most comfortable. 

P.S. Getting some bolt cutters, a 6 pack, and a nonstop flight to Lincoln. I could do damage in that locker room.