Billings takes on a less visible opponent in player dissension

The Ricky Clemons saga surrounding Missouri men's basketball apparently has nothing on Southeast Missouri State University football. Both programs have been rocked with their share of dissension in recent days.

But as far as Southeast athletic director Don Kaverman is concerned, what has taken place with the Indians is basically much ado about nothing.

Frustration among some players began to mount after Southeast's season-ending loss to Jacksonville State on Nov. 22 that cost the Indians a share of their first Ohio Valley Conference title and NCAA Division I-AA playoff berth. Who wouldn't be frustrated by that result, right?

Kaverman confirmed that several players recently approached him to voice complaints regarding several areas of the Indians' program.

But Kaverman denied that any kind of petition was ever signed -- as had been rumored -- and he said the players never presented any kind of formal movement to have coaches replaced, as had also been rumored.

According to Kaverman, a few players came to him with their complaints and he since has visited with several other players while setting up meetings with more.

Kaverman, however, emphasized that he doesn't perceive this to be anything out of the ordinary after a year that began with such high expectations --the Indians were picked to win the OVC title and were nationally ranked in the preseason --ended in such disappointment.

"I think it's normal unrest that occurs after a season when a team didn't meet its goals," Kaverman said. "There is some dissatisfaction at any level, among coaches, players, fans. I think that's all this is.

"I think if we were 10-2 and we had played for the conference championship and won it, I probably would have never heard from anybody."

Kaverman would not get into the details of the complaints, but after the Southeast Missourian spoke with several players -- the majority of whom appear to support fourth-year head coach Tim Billings and his staff -- they don't appear to stem from anything more than personality conflicts and, in some cases, lack of playing time.

Those are things that happen in every program at any university -- particularly when dealing with about 90 players, as most football programs have.

But, like Kaverman, I would bet that if the Indians had beaten Jacksonville State in the finale to make the playoffs, none of these complaints would have surfaced.

Billings has led an impressive turnaround of Southeast's previously moribund football program, even though this season didn't turn out as well as most people had hoped; after going 8-4 last year for their most wins since 1969, the Indians fell to 5-7 this season. Billings told me he thinks part of the complaints stem from falling short of expectations and from a lack of playing time by certain players.

As for the complaints largely being because of the way the season went, senior defensive end Ryan Roth -- hands down one of the team's most respected leaders and also one of its top players -- put things into perspective.

"We had the same coaches last year, but nobody complains. The only difference is we were 8-4 last year and 5-7 this year," Roth said. "I know a lot of the guys who are complaining are not team players. To go the athletic director. ... Be a man and go to the coaches."

Some of the players also were said to be upset with the way the Indians' quarterback situation was handled this year, and that offensive coordinator Russ Martin won't be rehired for next season. It has not yet been officially announced, but Billings confirmed that Martin will not return next year.

While it's great that the players hate to see Martin leave -- you hope most of the players like their coaches, and he is a really good guy -- staff decisions and personnel decisions are not the kind of things players normally take to the athletic director.

Players have their opinions on various decisions, just like fans and sports writers do. Heck, I questioned quarterback Jack Tomco's benching and some of the play calling during the loss to Jacksonville State, but second-guessing is part of sports. If players went to their athletic director every time they didn't agree with a coach's decision, the poor guy would be holding conferences around the clock.

I doubt there's a college team in the country -- in any sport on any level -- where some players don't much care for some of their coaches. It's the nature of the business. Even in programs with extreme success, certain players are not going to be happy for various reasons. That's just the way things work in any organization, be it sports or private industry.

As for another rumor that a host of players plan to transfer, Billings said he doesn't expect more than the usual handful of players to leave, which happens every year at football programs across the country.

Kaverman said he has total confidence in Billings, the rest of the coaching staff and the direction of the program.

"We're absolutely committed to our program, and we're committed to our coaching staff. I'm totally supportive of coach Billings," Kaverman said. "We're committed to building a championship team, and I think we're going to get there."

Marty Mishow is a sports writer for the Southeast Missourian.