Watch: Mark Packer vents during Ivey Coach of the Year announcement
If you don’t agree with Notre Dame’s Niele Ivey being named the ACC Coach of the Year, that’s fine. Like anyone else, you’re entitled to your opinion. But that opinion should wait until after the award winner has been announced, not during. This piece of advice was either lost on or ignored by the ACC Network’s Mark Packer as Ivey’s honor was announced on live TV, and thanks to Blue and Gold’s Tyler Horka, his bitterness now is on Twitter for all to see:
Still thinking about how poorly @MarkPacker handled the ACC Coach of the Year announcement. Totally fine to have an opinion. Unacceptable to handle it this way.
And btw, to answer your question, the league’s head coaches have votes. Take it up with them if you feel so strongly. pic.twitter.com/hebtSOS3Xi
— Tyler Horka (@tbhorka) March 1, 2023
Look, you definitely can make a case for Duke’s Kara Lawson to have won the award. After all, her Blue Devils proved a formidable foe for the Irish all the way to the end, even winning at Purcell Pavilion. But again, why does this have to happen during the moment of truth?
This reflects poorly on Packer and doesn’t help the notion of ESPN’s alleged bias towards all things Duke. If he’s going to throw a tantrum while the ACC awards are being announced, someone else needs to emcee this show in the future. You cannot and should not display this egregious lack of professionalism at the wrong time. All young broadcasters should note this is what not to do during an awards show.
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