80 Memphis State Players Boycott Practice

Eighty Memphis State football players boycotted practice Tuesday, citing unhappiness with the way coach Chuck Stobart has handled the team.

The boycott was the result of a players-only meeting at midnight EDT Monday at the athletic dormitory.

The Tigers are 0-3, all the losses coming in the final three minutes. Stobart is 11-24-1 at Memphis State.

Players, speaking to the Memphis Commercial Appeal on the condition of anonymity, said they were unhappy with Stobart but did not cite specifics.

One player said the situation had been building for two years and it was a “bump that reached a point where you couldn’t ignore it.”

Another player said: “The team just couldn’t respect Coach Stobart anymore.”

The team also met several times on Tuesday and team captains met with Athletic Director Charles Cavagnaro. “We obviously have a problem and are making every attempt to get the problem solved,” Cavagnaro said in statement.

Stobart met with his assistant coaches and then reportedly met with Cavagnaro twice.

According to Memphis State radio announcer Paul Hartlage, Stobart said: “The damage is irreparable, that it’s a matter of time (before Stobart leaves the job).”

Stobart also told Hartlage the players wanted defensive coordinator Tim Rose to become head coach and running backs coach Carl Battershell to become offensive coordinator, a role held by Stobart.

Stobart told the Commercial Appeal on Tuesday evening that his job status had not changed and added that it would be business as usual for today’s practice.

Stobart said he had no idea why the players revolted. “You’re going to have to ask them,” he said. “I think it’s a gripe session, probably the 0-3. I don’t know what we’re fighting here.”