Last season, linebacker E. J. Savannah led Washington in tackles with 111. He was expected to be a key cog in the Huskies’ defense this season. At this time, he is academically ineligible to play and recovering from a broken humerus bone.

More specifically:

On August 4, Bob Condotta wrote in his blog, “(Tyrone) Willingham said that E.J. Savannah is academically ineligible but that there are also some other issues, saying that ‘when that is cured, we will at that time talk about his status with the team.' Savannah is also still recovering from a broken humerus bone, and Willingham said he wouldn't be able to play right now, anyway. Willingham said he wouldn't give specifics on the other issues with Savannah but that ‘the parties involved know what they are.' He labeled Savannah's suspension as ‘indefinite' and that there is no timetable for his return. ‘Sometimes these things can change overnight and sometimes they may be forever,’ he said.”

The press conference:

On August 18, at a press conference, Willingham deflected a question pertaining to the availability of Savannah for the Oregon game by asking the reporter if he’d seen him at practice. Another question about Savannah's status was met with puzzlement, “Why would you ask that question?” “\When asked if Savanah was on the team or off the team, Tyrone said, “Your eyes are as good as mine.”

Over at dawgman.com, fans responding to the press conference quotes by Willingham were mostly negative. For example, one fan wondered whether Willingham was trying to mock them; another said Ty was being disrespectful to the media, to the fans and to E. J; and another said his “crap speak…comes across pompous, arrogant and unintelligent, all at the same time.”

Here’s what I think:

Tyrone's inherent conservativeness and "distrust" of the media refuse to contribute to a potential story that could be subject to speculation and interpretation.

Tyrone limits the reporters to the first 25 minutes of practices because he doesn’t want their reporting to become a distraction to the team. Thus, he limits the amount of food he feeds them.

To him, good reporters are those looking wan and starved for information, while being nervous and unsure of their status with him.

Over at gohuskies.com (see press conference), he reminded me of that enthusiastic teacher I had in my first algebra class who smugly had all the information at hand, while I had none, facing him that first day with apprehension written all over my face.

Ty's mother was a school teacher.

Tyrone wants to be in control of the interview process, not the media, and it shows on his face, that Cheshire cat look. He won’t be wheedled or cajoled for information, and discourages further probing of sensitive issues by being flippant, as in “Your eyes are as good as mine.”

His facial expression changes from Cheshire and smiling to stern and serious under questioning that he deems as fishing for sensitive information.

On the subject of trusting the media:

When Dennis Dodd (sportsline.com) asked Willingham why he thought the Seattle Times series on Washington’s 2000 Rose Bowl team (“Victory and Ruins”) was run less than a week before signing day 2008, Willingham responded:

"I asked all those same questions. Why would someone not have trust for the media? Whoa, pretty easy. But if you've been around long enough you've seen all these things. I qualify my statement in saying I understand the media. I understand your job is to sell papers, mine is to coach our football team."

Over the years, Willingham believes the media has changed from reporting news to making news, and to him, there’s a huge distinction between the two, saying ”I don't have quite the trust in those that are making news as opposed to reporting news.”

Also, see our article, "Vintage Willingham," for more on this subject.