In retrospect, given the personalities involved, this was inevitable.
Russell Wilson, driven and focused, was unwilling to give up even the mere possibility that he might play football this fall, still dreaming about the NFL even as he pursued a baseball career.
Tom O’Brien, the Marine officer, had no interest in hitching the future of his football team to whether or not a 22-year-old could hit a curveball, especially when he had a blue-chip recruit cooling his heels in the wings.
Neither was willing to give up any control. Neither was willing to budge.
Wilson wanted to call his own shot. O’Brien insisted on calling his.
So after a three-year shotgun marriage that paid enormous dividends for both -- let’s not forget that Wilson was originally a Chuck Amato recruit -- this sudden divorce.
A day after N.C. State sent out a press release trumpeting Wilson’s selection as the Arthur Ashe scholar athlete of the year, the school announced it was releasing Wilson from his scholarship on a Friday afternoon at 5 p.m., the PR equivalent of slipping a note under the door when you know someone is at the beach.
Pick a perspective: N.C. State just let a potential Heisman Trophy candidate walk off campus and into some other lucky coach’s arms. Or, a football coach finally put his foot down with a player who had held the program hostage for two years as he fiddled with another sport.
The reality, of course, is somewhere in the middle, as it always is. No one wins here, except for maybe Mike Glennon. Wilson’s unwillingness to give up his baseball career cost him the right to play football for the school he loved. O’Brien, meanwhile, pushed possibly the best quarterback in school history out the door prematurely, and who knows how many wins went with.
I don’t know whether Russell Wilson is a major-league baseball player. I don’t know whether he’s an NFL quarterback. I do know, when healthy, he was as good a college quarterback as I ever saw. Maybe not when it came to arm strength or reading defenses or any of the arcane stuff Jon Gruden won’t shut up about, but when it came to the only thing that matters: winning.
I spoke with both two weeks ago as N.C. State prepared for its spring game. O’Brien was adamant that if Wilson returned, he would be Glennon’s backup. This was the price Wilson paid for being unwilling to commit full time to football. At the time, I found this very easy to understand and very hard to believe. Clearly, O’Brien had no choice but to take that position; at the same time, clearly he would have to play Wilson if he returned.
Wilson, meanwhile, returned my phone call from Asheville, where he was getting ready for the Tourists’ home opener. It was a quick conversation, just to make sure his plans hadn’t changed. He was equally adamant that football was still an option for him, as I expected him to say.
See an uncut photo gallery of Russell Wilson playing baseball
At some point in the two weeks since the spring game, O’Brien called Wilson’s bluff. Or maybe it’s the other way around. I lose track.
Either way, if Wilson plays football this fall, he won’t be Glennon’s backup.
In the end, the passion and intensity that make both Wilson and O’Brien good at what they do became the wedge that drove them apart.
Check out our photo recap of Wilson's career at N.C. State
Photo: ETHAN HYMAN - ehyman@newsobserver.com
Luke has worked for The N&O since 2000. He covered the Carolina Hurricanes and the NHL before becoming a sports columnist in August 2008. A native of Evanston, Ill., he graduated from the University of Pennsylvania. He can be reached at (919) 829-8947, @LukeDeCock on Twitter or 
Comments
I fail to see how this is
Sat, 04/30/2011 - 02:23 — mad_maxI fail to see how this is bad news. In fact, I find this to be very good and productive news.
From the moment I heard this on the radio (and the actual press release statements), I knew that many folks in the media would try to run with this story and turn it into something it's not. However, there's no sense in trying to argue with people who either 1) have their own personal agenda, or 2) are too ignorant to really understand what's going on.
Have fun with this one people. I'm not going to waste my time explaining to you all how this is good for our program and how most people with a brain expected this day to come. Besides, TOB could use a little chip on his shoulder at this point. It's easy to become complacent after kicking the $hit out of your rivals for 4 years in a row. So, continue to play with this nonsense UNC fans...just remember that TOB is watching and waiting.
Replay
Sat, 04/30/2011 - 11:51 — SurferRegarding the infamous 4-0, you obviously did not see the games, or pay attention to the score, for the last two years. That is, of course, if it is UNC you are referring to as your rivals.
Two points
Sat, 04/30/2011 - 09:52 — gvillegatr1.) Your reasons, 1 and 2 up above are exactly what I think of you in just about every UNC blog.
2.) Oh how it must bother you and the Wuffie fans at least a little that Mike Glennon's older brother is one Sean Glennon. One of the most up and down QB's ever to play college football.
After the Div III schedule is over, you guys are going to be so pissed RW isn't playing for the pups anymore.
1) As with you in just
Sat, 04/30/2011 - 11:52 — mad_max1) As with you in just about every State blog.
2) Who cares who his brother is? I know UNC fans like to think that they were born better than everyone else, but guess what? Genetics do not determine success. If it did, we wouldn't play the games because we would already know who the "best" is.
I love all the jabs taken at State's schedule this year. You do realize that UNC's first three games are barely more difficult than State's first three, right? After that, the schedules are pretty much even. But hey, if my team had lost 4 in a row, I'd probably be spouting off nonsense like that too. Whatever makes you feel better about 0-4 (while cheating).
Here ya go
Sat, 04/30/2011 - 13:51 — gvillegatrThe Clausen Family ... All FOUR of them !!
The only wedge I see is the
Sat, 04/30/2011 - 01:00 — packman1The only wedge I see is the wedge that DeCock is trying to drive between our fans. It looks like it is working and we've also got other fans on here that only dream about having a decent QB. Ever.
It's all about TOB !
Sat, 04/30/2011 - 00:44 — TrueBlue01I can not believe TOB committment to his players. I truly believe TOB has to have it his way.. The military way ! No wonder NCSU can not recruit in its home state.. TOB thinks he is still in conservative Boston . FROM DAY ONE TOB knew Russell was a two sport athlette.. Why not tell Russell up front his expectations.. Who would give up a two time ALL- ACC quaterback for a guy who has never done anything on the college level. A player that has almost broke all NCSU Quarterback records..That never spoke anything but praise about TOB during his days as at NCSU..Sometimes it is not about TOB its about the Wolfpack family... Maybe Debbie Yow will get loyal Wolfpack fans someone who loves the PACK family more than himself.. Russell Wilson had to earn the starting QB spot for NCSU... TOB removed all the competition for Glennon.. Double standards ! I always hear him say it good to have competition on the field.. Why not for Mike Glennon.. His brother was the same way at VT crying for playing time. But Frank Beamer played the best QB.. And continues to win ACC football championships.. I hope this work out for the PACK!
I'll tell you why
Sat, 04/30/2011 - 09:44 — gvillegatrBesides a major ego, RW was by all accounts Chucky's recruit. "The Breath" recruited Sean Glennon's little brother.
Time for one sport russell
Fri, 04/29/2011 - 23:30 — JPDOhioIt is long past time for Russell to make a decision on which sport he was to focus on. For all the good decisions he has made, his insistence on keeping both doors open is a bad one.
He cannot succeed in baseball as a seasonal player. He is struggling at the plate so far and won't get better without a lot of at-bats. He won't get them playing football in Raleigh this fall.
As far as the NFL is concerned, I wouldn't put it past him to be successful. He certainly has a track record of success on the gridiron. But he is not a prototype NFL QB and would have a large hill to climb.
Either way, he is not Bo Jackson and can't be successful at both simutaneously. He should have picked one and stuck with it. Since he didn't, TOB made the decision for him. And Glennon knows his coach has is back and means what he says. Good call.
Russell on the football field
Fri, 04/29/2011 - 23:40 — Heels20I just don't see things clicking for him on the baseball field. Not being able to play it year-around has hurt him and I'm just not sure he can reach what his potential once was.
If I was an NFL GM, I would definitely take a chance on him. In the right system, he is a smart enough guy to be okay. He wouldn't excel as he does on the college level, but I think he could hang in the league.
You're correct in that a decision needs to be made, but I think that should be Russell's decision. It would be different if Russell was just a "good" QB, but he's the best college QB that O'Brien has ever coached. Regardless of what's best in the long term, I think Russell has earned the right to come back as a starter if he wants. If Glennon has a problem with that, then I think that says something about his commitment. If he wants to get on the field that bad, then outplay Wilson.
diamond vs. gridiron
Sat, 04/30/2011 - 15:40 — JPDOhioIt is too early to tell if RW will make it in baseball or not. The amount of time he has spent playing in college and in the pros is miniscule compared to most guys his age. This is why I think his best bet is to focus on baseball exclusively for now. He needs two or three solid, uninterrupted years to determine if he is a legit MLB prospect or not. If he reaches age 24 or 25 and hasn't cut it, he can return to football and get up to speed pretty quickly and still have a 10 year career ahead of him in the NFL or, more likely Canada.
The opposite does not apply. He can't wait until age 24 to focus exclusively on baseball. Players that age generally are set in the majors or just one step away in AAA. This idea that he has that he can do both is delusional. If he doesn't want to play baseball full time now, he might as well drop it and concentrate on football, because he has effectively made his decision.
I also disagree that it should be Russell's decision whether he comes back or not. His contribution to Wolfpack football is undeniable. He deserves every accollade that the program can possibly bestow on him. But that does not include giving him the unrestricted right to decide if and when he returns. Russell has given much to NC State, and he has received much. A degree, an opportunity to play two sports, and to miss a full spring practice and a summer getting ready for the season to compete in his first year of pro ball. To me, the slate is even.
If Russell had said he is definitely coming back, that may have changed things, but maybe not. TOB had no choice but to go forward assuming that Russell wouldn't be there in the fall. He has confidence in Glennon. We will see if that confidence is warranted. He also obviously had discussions with Russell, so this announcement was out of the blue for the public, but not necessarily with Russell. Based on the statements, both have handled this professionally and with class.
Now we move on and don't look back. Some obviously will look back if things don't go well. I won't.
You bring up some good points
Sat, 04/30/2011 - 19:26 — Heels20But one thing that bothers me is that if Wilson's commitment is in question when he doesn't make an immediate decision, then what does it say about Glennon's commitment when there's all this buzz about him transferring if Wilson returns as a starter? My philosophy is that if you're better than the guy and deserve the spot, then beat him out for it. If Wilson is still better than Glennon when spending half the time on the sport, then he's clearly the more talented guy for the position.
Also, you could very well be right about his future in baseball. That would be the "safe" choice and probably the smart one, but throughout the past 3 years he has clearly been a better player on the gridiron. He really hadn't even established himself as a full-time starter on the baseball field in college. I'm just not sure if he can recover on the baseball field. Yeah, he's small and it's rare if not unheard of for a guy his size to start in the NFL, but how often do you see such phenomenal talent go through the game? I know some people say I'm exagerating on this, but compare his numbers to those of Philip Rivers. Then compare the talent that each had around them. Wilson has clearly done just as much, if not more, with less. I think it's pretty understated just how good he is. He's not perfect, but he's certainly a rare talent.
This is NOT a new story...
Fri, 04/29/2011 - 20:44 — awsmothersWhile that’s a good story for the media, we’ve been reporting for months that Russell Wilson can go ANYWHERE he likes (as long as they offer a Master’s Degree program that NC State does not), and play right away without the blessing of TOB! It’s good PR for NCSU, TOB & Russell that he’s “released” from his scholly, but Wilson graduated in December of last year (not to mention that athletic scholarships are "one year renewable," which college administrators will quickly remind you!), so his release is unnecessary… I love NC State AND Russell Wilson, but while I am convinced that if Russ returns to NC State – he Should & WILL be the starter at QB, if he’s convinced that TOB has indeed “moved on,” I wish him nothing but 100% success somewhere else!! (Do you think UNC-Cheatin’ Hill wouldn’t love to have a young man with character, instead of that bunch of characters who’ve gotten their @$$ beat by him every time they’ve laced’em up… Not that he’s that stupid!)
That's just it
Fri, 04/29/2011 - 21:06 — gvillegatrRW has been beating UNC. Not TOB. A very rude awakening is coming to Rawleigh.
Wow, how could I have
Sat, 04/30/2011 - 12:34 — mad_maxWow, how could I have forgotten. You're right!
RW is the one that caused 6 turnovers in the '08 game. RW is the one that blocked the field goal in the '09 game. And RW is the one that made THE catch and the punt return TD in the '10 game. You're right. Wilson has been beating Carolina all by himself. It has nothing to do with the other players on the team and the coaching staff.
You guys are in for a rude awakening this year when you realize that State is actually pretty good w/o Wilson.
Improved OL, running game and secondary
Sat, 04/30/2011 - 14:19 — Heels20State will have more pieces this year outside of the quarterback position than they've ever had under O'Brien. But who would they be better with in 2011: Wilson or Glennon?
Without Wilson, State loses to UNC in both '09 and '10. If you try and dispute that, you are flat out delusional. Without Wilson in '08, State is a 2-win team at best. Just look at what they did with him and what they did without him. There seemed to be another "41-10" score in '08 that State fans don't ever mention.
"Without Wilson, State loses
Sat, 04/30/2011 - 14:44 — mad_max"Without Wilson, State loses to UNC in both '09 and '10. If you try and dispute that, you are flat out delusional. Without Wilson in '08, State is a 2-win team at best."
^The beauty of such an argument, is that it can never be proven or disproven.
Look, Wilson was amazing, don't get me wrong...nobody can say that Glennon is or will be better than RW was. But a lot of you guys are acting like State has NOTHING now that Wilson is gone, and it's simply not true. State will be good again this year. And they've got just as good a shot this year to beat Carolina as they had the past 4 years. That's all I'm saying.
You're happy
Sat, 04/30/2011 - 14:53 — Heels20That it can't be "proven or disproven" because you know that Wilson played such a major role in '09 and the fact that he could run from defenders is the only reason he wasn't broken in half this past season. Every rational person on here knows that Glennon didn't have the skillset or experience to produce the way Wilson did in those games.
State will be better this season and does have a shot at beating Carolina. I haven't said anything about next season's game. Personally, I think State has the best OL they've had since 2003. Their running game will be improved if Greene stays healthy. I don't see great things coming out of the passing game, but I also don't see it as another Jay Davis/Marcus Stone debacle. Defensively, you have a hole from where Irving left, but Cole and Manning have the potential to be All-ACC linebackers. The secondary will be much improved with everyone returning, and I don't necessarily see a drop-off in the D-line. Jon Tenuta - whoops, I mean Mike Archer - is doing great things with that defense, especially considering how atrocious it was two years ago.
Carolina has a lot of work to do, but will still be a solid team. We may have the best offensive and defensive lines in the conference, but the secondary has a ton of questions. Quan Sturdivant and Bruce Carter are both guys that cannot be replaced, and if they both hadn't been injured so much last season, I'd say there'd be a big drop off in the linebacking corps. We have a very talented group of receivers returning, and should have a solid running game if everyone stays healthy. Renner still has a lot to prove to me. TJ Yates did a phenomenal job for the most part last season, and Renner's work ethic and decision making will be huge factors in how well he plays.
Honestly, the two are pretty evenly matched. Maybe State even has a little bit of an advantage because of home field? I'll get back to you in August.
TOB beat UNC with Daniel
Sat, 04/30/2011 - 11:40 — mad_maxTOB beat UNC with Daniel Evans. Try again.
Yep
Sat, 04/30/2011 - 12:00 — SurferTOB is the secret weapon against UNC. He doesn't know what it feels like to lose to UNC (although he got a taste of it the last two years before those games were over). Maybe he is "the spirit of the Pack" DY refers to? Oh and on the side, he operates a tee shirt company, although I have yet to see the one that claims "one winning season out of four". I hope he stays around for a long time.
RW
Fri, 04/29/2011 - 20:42 — Wolfy__79...this is a painful door to close but it's the right one. if Russell were going to come back to the team then he needed to be in spring practice with the rest of the team imo. i know if he were back in spring camp and here through the ENTIRE summer with the college team, he would absolutely tear it up.. same goes for last summer.. think of how good he would have been with all the kinks out before the season.. didn't happen. he is a great person, player and everything.. but he still needs to participate the way all the players do.
he's a pro athlete.. he's living a completely different lifestyle now. he doesn't need to play college football anymore.. it cannot be anymore obvious. he could go to tryouts for an nfl team right now and they'd listen. if the panthers weren't so boneheaded wasting a number one pick on a criminal.. they may have had a shot.
good luck RW
RW
Fri, 04/29/2011 - 20:42 — Wolfy__79...this is a painful door to close but it's the right one. if Russell were going to come back to the team then he needed to be in spring practice with the rest of the team imo. i know if he were back in spring camp and here through the ENTIRE summer with the college team, he would absolutely tear it up.. same goes for last summer.. think of how good he would have been with all the kinks out before the season.. didn't happen. he is a great person, player and everything.. but he still needs to participate the way all the players do.
he's a pro athlete.. he's living a completely different lifestyle now. he doesn't need to play college football anymore.. it cannot be anymore obvious. he could go to tryouts for an nfl team right now and they'd listen. if the panthers weren't so boneheaded wasting a number one pick on a criminal.. they may have had a shot.
good luck RW
As much as I enjoyed and
Fri, 04/29/2011 - 19:32 — dsspr1As much as I enjoyed and appreciate Wilson's contributions, he could not have it both ways and play NC State until the last moment. As head coach, TOB made the tough call he had to make.
?Walk-on
Fri, 04/29/2011 - 19:21 — whollarGiven that he has some $$, couldn't he be at NCSU as a walk-on back-up, in case of injury? At least he could run the practice-squad offense vs. NCSU defense in practice ....
Not the point
Fri, 04/29/2011 - 19:23 — Heels20He wants to come back as the starter. As he should.
Wilson
Fri, 04/29/2011 - 19:33 — WhateverdHe would have set almost every career passing record at NCSU and possibly in the ACC.
Yet you can't say to him: "Russell, I appreciate all that you have done for this program. If you wish to come back in the fall and compete on equal footing for the job. I would love to have you."
BTW: You're the hiring manager and the two resumes are on your desk. One is Wilson's and the other one last threw a meaningful pass in the Virginia High School League State Championship game....and you pick Glennon.
The old saying
Fri, 04/29/2011 - 20:40 — gvillegatrPride goeth before the fall.
The Marine does what he wants to.
I agree 100%
Fri, 04/29/2011 - 19:39 — Heels20This would be different if Wilson was a "good" quarterback, but he's arguably the best in NC State history. State is a one-win team in 2008 without him. He's not a team cancer and he's not a selfish thug. He represents NC State just as well as any athlete I've ever seen come through. In my opinion, he's earned the right to take time to make his decision. Yes, Glennon probably would have transferred had Wilson returned, but does that not say just as much abou this commitment to the team? I'm disappointed in this decision by O'Brien.
Glennon
Fri, 04/29/2011 - 20:40 — bigbi_chI can't help but feel like Glennon is acting like a spoiled brat with the attitude of : "I'm going to take my ball and go home." Remember what he said after the spring game regarding TOB's "promise" to him that he would be the starting QB this fall. His comments made me sick at the time and make me sicker now. I'm beyond disappointed.
Becareful, DeCock !!
Fri, 04/29/2011 - 18:52 — gvillegatrAdam and Joe are gonna come blow your house down bc "you don't get it."
To those two clowns, it doesn't have ANYTHING to do with each other. Watch your back !!
Clowns
Sat, 04/30/2011 - 11:53 — SurferHow these two guys escaped from the Ringling Brothers, I will never know.
How dare someone in the
Sat, 04/30/2011 - 12:30 — mad_maxHow dare someone in the media not kiss UNC's a$$!!! They truly are clowns. Don't they know that Carolina is always the best and everyone else is just evil, stinky, doo-doo?
well said
Sat, 04/30/2011 - 19:06 — SurferGlad to see that you have finally come around Max.
=) Actually made me lol.
Sat, 04/30/2011 - 22:57 — mad_max=) Actually made me lol.
Huh???
Fri, 04/29/2011 - 18:54 — bigbi_chHuh???
99.9 FM
Fri, 04/29/2011 - 19:03 — gvillegatrThe ncsu apologist team (Adam Gold and Joe Ovies) said this afternoon that folks who thought this decision had ANYTHING to do with TOB, "you don't get it."
So apparently DeCock is in the major majority who "don't get it."
These two clowns mock UNC in all sports and make excuse after excuse for state. If there was something else to listen to, I would.
Uh oh, gatr is seeing the
Sat, 04/30/2011 - 11:38 — mad_maxUh oh, gatr is seeing the black helicopters again...
TOB
Fri, 04/29/2011 - 19:16 — whollarWhat is TOB ?
Okay..
Fri, 04/29/2011 - 19:21 — bigbi_chEven I got that one. LOL - Tom O'Brien
BTW (by the way) LOL means: Laughing out loud.
OK
Fri, 04/29/2011 - 19:25 — whollarSorry - don't usually follow NCSU, so had delayed recognition....BTW, what does OK mean -
I think it means okay - haha
Fri, 04/29/2011 - 20:13 — bigbi_chI think it means okay - haha - you got me on that one.
Ok just remembered
Fri, 04/29/2011 - 19:39 — whollarinitials of a facetious folk phonetic spelling, e.g., oll or orl korrect representing all correct, first attested in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1839, then used in 1840 by Democrat partisans of Martin Van Buren during his election campaign, who allegedly named their organization, the O.K. Club, in allusion to the initials of Old Kinderhook, Van Buren's nickname, derived from his birthplace Kinderhook, New York
Wilson
Fri, 04/29/2011 - 18:29 — WhateverdUnbelievably poor decision:
- 4.0 GPA graduate business student
- Completed his junior season ranked eighth on the ACC career total offense list with 9,628 yards, 13th in passing yardage (9,377), second in touchdown responsibility (93) and third in touchdown passes (76)
- Arthur Ashe Sports Scholar recipient
- In 2010: A team captain for 2010, he was elected by his teammates … Named to Phil Steele’s first-team All-ACC midseason squad …
Leads the ACC in passing yards per game (287.8) and total offense (321.4) … That total offense mark ranks fourth nationally and his passing ranks 12th … Tied for sixth nationally in points responsible for with 18/game … Rushed for three touchdowns and passed for another in the win over Florida State, that was the most rushing TDs for a Wolfpack quarterback since the 1988 season … Ranks second in school history in rushing yards by a quarterback with 917 … Named the Rivals.com ACC Player of the Week for that performance against FSU … Tied a school record with 38 completions in the win over Boston College, he was named co-ACC Offensive Back of the Week for that contest … Leads the team in rushing touchdowns with eight … Has thrown for 300+ yards 10 times in his career (including six times this season) and has thrown for three or more touchdowns 12 times (also including five games this season and in 11 of his last 19 contests) … Tied for fourth in ACC history with 67 career TD throws, he ranks 22nd in in career passing yards … Threw for a career-high 368 yards in the win at Georgia Tech., the 18th-best mark in school history … His 384 yards of total offense in that game tied as the 12th-best mark ever by a Wolfpack player … Came back with 396 yards of total offense against Virginia Tech, now the 12th-best in school history … Had thrown 168 passes without an interception before the fourth quarter at GT, dating back to last seaon … Named honorable mention quarterback of the week by the College Football Perfomance Awards for the WCU game … Currently ranks fourth in school history in passing efficiency with a 138.56 mark … Named ACC Offensive Back of the Week for Cincinnati and Georgia Tech contests … Ranks third in school history in career passing yards (7,284), third in completions (562), third in attempts (975) and second in TD passes (67) … Also ranks third in career total offense with 8,211 yards – the 16th-best mark in ACC history … Responsible for 80 touchdowns for his career, second in school history and fifth in ACC history … On the preseason lists for the O’Brien and Manning Awards.
- A Christian with an undoubtedly positive influence on your program
WOW