Texas Christian head coach Gary Patterson took a verbal shot Wednesday at LSU coach Les Miles over the discipline of running back Jeremy Hill. Earlier this week, Miles announced that Hill was reinstated and could practice immediately after a team vote Monday, immediately after a Louisiana judge declined to give Hill additional jail time for a misdemeanor conviction and probation violation. Hill was arrested for his role in a bar fight in April, and eventually pleaded guilty to battery.
Gary Patterson pours gasoline on Les Miles-Jeremy Hill controversy
“I’m sure if it was some opponent they’d beat by 100 points (the players) wouldn’t have a vote,” says the TCU coach.
Patterson is apparently not a fan of democracy in disciplinary decisions (to be fair, Miles hasn’t officially ruled out Hill missing game time), from the Dallas Star-Telegram and via Chase Goodbread of NFL.com:
“I’m sure if it was some opponent they’d beat by 100 points (the players) wouldn’t have a vote. It’s not my worry. I’ve got to play whoever they put on the field.”
Patterson's Horned Frogs face LSU in the season-opening Cowboy Classic in Arlington, Texas on August 31, and the longtime TCU coach clearly thinks this drove Miles' decision to reinstate Hill. Patterson contrasted Miles' ruling with his decision to suspend star defensive end Devonte Fields for two games due to a violation of team rules:
“My whole team would vote Devonte (Fields) to be back on the team because they all want to win,” Patterson said. “That doesn’t teach life lessons.”
Hill was LSU’s leading rusher in 2012, and became the presumed starting tailback the moment his suspension was lifted.
One year ago, TCU quarterback Casey Pachall was allowed to play after admittedly failing a drug test.
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