A Brief History of the Greatest Coach-Reporter Beefs (Video)

From shouting matches to actual blood being drawn, check out the best coaches v. journalists confrontations.

Oct 22, 2011
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Complex Original

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

Nothing makes for a real awkward press conference quite like the moment when a coach and a reporter get into some verbal spat in front of everyone else. It's painful to watch but somewhat entertaining. Kind of like those times when your mother and father would start arguing at the dinner table then she brings up his mistresses and he mentions her gambling problem. Uhh, forget we said that last part. *checks schedule for next shrink appointment*

Now that everyone has an idea (or at least we hope), we have some of the best confrontations caught on tape between big-headed fiery coaches and annoying pesky reporters. From Mike Gundy reminding everyone that he's "a man and 40!" to the one MLB manager whose tirade left a reporter bleeding (literally!) here is a Brief History of the Greatest Coach-Reporter Beefs...

10. Bob Knight, Indiana

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Year: 1993
Reporter: Unknown
After one reporter asks him how he thinks Damon Bailey will turn out next year, Bob Knight decides to incorporate a prop into his press conference. What ensues is just coach Knight comedy gold. From his meltdowns during games to his unique presser soundbites, you just never knew what coach Knight would come up with next. BK always went hard.

9. Hal McRae, Kansas City Royals

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Year: 1993
Reporter: Alan Eskey, Topeka Capital-Journal
In fairness to Alan Eskey, Hal McRae was really pissed at all reporters in the room, not just him. After a loss to the Tigers brought the Royals record to 7-12, the KC manager went off for one of the most badass coaching tirades of all time. A simple question about whether he considered putting in a switch hitter sent McRae into a rampage which culminated with an epic pirouette and phone toss. One of the many office supplies thrown across the room actually hit Eskey in the face and drew blood. Yikes. Don't let anyone fool you, it's real out in these streets for sports journalists. And by these streets we mean our computer desks and press conference rooms.


8. Mike Gundy, Oklahoma State

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Year: 2007
Reporter: Jenni Carlson, Daily Oklahoman
They say that a player's head coach can act as a father figure for some athletes. Sure seemed that way when Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy came to the defense of his back-up quarterback Bobby Reid after Jenni Carlson wrote some things that didn't sit too well with Gundy. Don't get us wrong, what coach Gundy did was admirable but he probably also embarrassed the hell out of the kid in the process. What is it about sticking up for QBs that just brings out the bitchassness strongest emotions in people? Maybe you can explain, T.O.?

7. Jim Calhoun, UConn

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Year: 2009
Reporter: Ken Krayeske, freelance journalist & student at UConn Law School at the time
What was going through Ken Krayeske's head? He actually had the audacity to question Jim Calhoun's $1.6 million per year salary and how it effected the financial deficit facing UConn. But without hesitation, Calhoun just ethers the self-proclaimed "stupid" reporter with the facts. Let this be a lesson to all you other reporters that try to pop off: Come correct or don't come at all, son!

6. Emerson Leao, Goias

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Year: 2010
Reporter: Unknown
One of the best goalkeepers turned manager was a bit heated after his team drew a 2-2 tie against Victoria. As Leao argued with refs over Victoria's game-tying goal reporters got in the mix trying to listen in on the conversation and that's when things turned ugly. Leao was restrained from attacking one reporter in particular but then his players joined in. Who knew coaches in Brazil had goons on deck? #capostatus

5. Dunga, Brazil

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Year: 2010
Reporter: Unknown
Definitely no translator needed for this one. These excessive bleeping noises can only mean that someone is getting their ass chewed out. Ayo! Pause. (Yes, both of those were necessary on this one). Anyway, what we can tell you is that Dunga was calling the journalist "a wimp and a donkey." Pretty tame when you consider some of the other wonderful nicknames that reporters on this list have been given.


4. Jim Boeheim, Syracuse

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Year: 2010
Reporter: Unknown
Complex Says: Did you know that there are three-not two--things guaranteed in life? Death, taxes and... Syracuse basketball coach Jim Boeheim going H.A.M. on some reporter during the course of every season. The reporter asking the question knows this is a fact. That would be the only explanation to why he's laughing the whole time like Jimmy Fallon during an SNL skit. But instead of going off the deep end, Boeheim takes a very introspective look at himself. Maybe they should've started snapping their fingers at the end of his answer.

3. John Tortorella, New York Rangers

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Year: 2010
Reporter: Larry Brooks, New York Post
Complex Says: In a classic case of "who will get the last word," John Tortorella and the New York Post writer Larry Brooks try to one up each other in the smart ass comment category. But hey, you gotta give Larry credit for standing his ground, especially when he's standing so close to Tortorella that he could potentially get knocked out.


2. Steve Spurrier, South Carolina

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Year: 2011
Reporter: Ron Morris, State
Complex Says: Spurrier's Southern drawl, the occasional cracking of his voice, and his attempt to keep that positive coach's attitude despite the situation makes for a great piece of unintentional comedy. Spurrier didn't like Ron Morris' criticism of his team and decided to put him on blast in front of everyone. As he paced back and forth explaining how he had been keeping an eye on Morris' pieces and how he would no long put up with "fabricated stories," he revealed that he would only be doing individual interviews in an effort to prevent Morris from getting any information.

1. Ove Christensen, Randers FC

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Year: 2011
Reporter: Unknown
A reporter getting a rise out of a coach is nothing new. But what was so surprising about this encounter was that the confrontation actually escalated into a physical one. Not surprisingly, Ove Christensen was fired as coach of Randers FC one day later. Good to see at least one coach go down swinging. Literally.

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