You have to admit, as costly and annoying as these cellphones are, occasionally they can come in quite handy. Such was the case recently when a student at a local school recorded a rant by football coach Bob Grisham. Not in the locker room or on the sidelines, but in front of his psychology class. And then someone put the recording on the Internet and, well, you know what happens next.

In his defense, Grisham said his comments were made in a debate-type situation, and he had misspoke. But if you listen to the recording, and I have, his defense seems ludicrous.

The coach has had many defenders, including one who stated if we had more teachers like Grisham, we wouldn’t have many of the problems we have today. Another man blamed the student and the cellphone for the whole problem.

Whoever recorded this is not the problem. I wonder what other insights this coach has shared with his charges.

His punishment, handed down by the school board and Superintendent Jennifer Gray, (who must have a splitting headache), is a 10-day suspension without pay. He also will attend sensitivity training and his psychology class gets a reprieve from his negativity for the rest of the term.

Is it just me, or is it just coincidental that his suspension comes in February? Isn’t this Black History Month?

Jim Gunnels

Florence