Pubdate: Mon, 13 Aug 2012
Source: Palm Beach Post, The (FL)
Copyright: 2012 The Palm Beach Post
Contact:  http://www.palmbeachpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/333
Author: Tom D'Angelo

FSU COACH JIMBO FISHER CALLS MARIJUANA USE ON CAMPUSES 'EPIDEMIC,'

Says Colleges Should Help Troubled Athletes

TALLAHASSEE - Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher calls marijuana use on 
college campuses an "epidemic" and believes colleges should create a 
better support system to help troubled athletes, especially those 
from disadvantaged backgrounds.

"(Schools must) understand every situation where a kid comes from, 
what his environment is, what's the atmosphere, what kind of trauma 
did that young man experience as a kid," Fisher said. "Is alcohol, 
drugs, those kinds of things constantly in his life from the time he remembers.

"The infrastructure of a program is the secret to it all. Everybody 
has Xs and Os, but it's building a support system around those kids 
off the field to help them in different ways, to give them support in 
different ways, to give them treatment in different ways."

Florida State's Greg Reid and LSU's Tyrann Mathieu, two of the 
nation's top returning cornerbacks, were recently kicked off their 
teams for repeated violations, some involving marijuana.

Fisher dismissed Reid three weeks after Reid was arrested following a 
traffic stop and charged with misdemeanor marijuana possession and 
driving with a suspended license. Reid also was suspended for last 
year's season opener.

Mathieu, a Heisman Trophy candidate, was dismissed by coach Les Miles 
on Friday. He was suspended for the Auburn game last year after 
reportedly testing positive for synthetic marijuana. The 
Times-Picayune in New Orleans cited reported that Mathieu had failed 
another drug test.

Fisher was asked how big a problem he thinks marijuana is on college campuses.

"I think it's tremendous," he said. "I think it's tremendous on the 
high school, junior high level. I think it's bigger than it's ever 
been in our society. Drugs, pills I think all of it is.

"I think we have an epidemic."

Chris Herren, a former NBA player whose career was cut short because 
of a drug addiction, spoke to the FSU team last week. Herren, 36, is 
a sought-after motivational speaker after completing intensive rehab 
programs and being drug-free and sober since 2008.

"He was big time," quarterback EJ Manuel said. "He threw a lot away. 
He still could be playing in the NBA right now. The fact that those 
guys saw that went a long way for us. It kind of woke some guys up, for sure."

Fisher is in favor of a drug testing program for college athletes.

"Not to catch them," he said, "but to help them and provide the help 
to those kids that give them a chance to get out of it. If we don't, 
who will? Some people may not agree with me and think that's part of 
our job. I think it's totally our job."

Stoops could be next hot assistant: If the Seminoles' defense is as 
good as advertised, coordinator Mark Stoops should be on the short 
list of those schools looking for a head coach next season.

As The Post reported late last season, Stoops could have had the FAU 
job but removed his name from consideration. Bigger and better 
opportunities likely are on the horizon.

"I know I'm more prepared than when I walked in the door," said 
Stoops, the brother of Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops and former Arizona 
coach Mike Stoops. "I've been with (Mike at Arizona) for six years, I 
know how Bob does things. But it's always great to learn other things.

"I'm in a situation here. It's one of the top coordinating jobs in 
the country. We get great players. (Fisher) has a fantastic 
structure. (He) gives me the ability to coach these guys and to be successful."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom