And it was one long, sonorous fart noise, the frustrated display of a man growing aware he's on his way off of the highest perch he'll ever reach. Mark Emmert began his time with a lengthy introductory comment, which revealed very little and which many took as a way to cut into the time he'd have to spend answering tough questions about the botched Miami investigation, Penn State and the Freeh report, Syracuse's annual scandal news, the latest from Auburn, the Mike Rice episode and so forth.
He did have to answer those questions, though not very many of them and not to anyone's satisfaction. Anything wrong with the NCAA's enforcement methods has already been bathed in light and corrected, in Emmert's view, and any further necessary corrections are his responsibility.
He directly sparred with CBS Sports' Dennis Dodd, who recently called for Emmert's job, both during and immediately after his time on stage, showing defiance and insisting he's not going anywhere. (We at SB Nation have also called for his job multiple times.)
Let's all get really excited about the Final Four now!
In case you missed it, here's the full transcript and everything you need to know about it:
Mark Emmert will next begin to read the entire NCAA rulebook before getting to the Q&A portion of his press conference.
— Bruce Feldman (@BFeldmanCBS) April 4, 2013
"We're gonna be launching a variety of advertisements aimed at youngsters," says Mark Emmert. This'll be outstanding!
— Jason Kirk (@JasonKirkSBN) April 4, 2013
He’s good at that. RT @espndanaoneil: He's still talking. And saying nothing
— Bryan Fischer (@BryanDFischer) April 4, 2013
Mark Emmert: Master of the filibuster
— Brian Floyd (@BrianMFloyd) April 4, 2013
Emmert running out the clock....no time for questions after this filibuster.
— Jay Bilas (@JayBilas) April 4, 2013
MARK EMMERT AL DOT COM HERE WHEN YALL GONNA START INVESTIGATIN AUBARN
— Pod Katt (@valleyshook) April 4, 2013
Re: USA Today report (usat.ly/XbXINR), Mark Emmert "proud of changes" he's been responsible for. Story wasn't about changes.
— SBN College Football (@SBNationCFB) April 4, 2013
Emmert acknowledges that, in going to presidential-driven decision system, NCAA has pushed ADs and coaches "too far to the side."
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) April 4, 2013
Emmert w/ the back pat by saying he got it right as a University President.
— Michael Felder (@InTheBleachers) April 4, 2013
Emmert on ADs/others involved with day-to-day athletics: "We have had a lack of engagement with those folks in the process."
— Bryan Fischer (@BryanDFischer) April 4, 2013
Take a shot every time Emmert says "changes" RIP sorry you drowned
— Jason Kirk (@JasonKirkSBN) April 4, 2013
In response to @usatodaysports story, Emmert says, "Everywhere I’ve been I’ve been asked by boards or other bosses to help drive bosses."
— Rachel George (@RachelAGeorge) April 4, 2013
In response to Dennis Dodd, who wrote Emmert should be out, "By the way, thanks for the career advice. Kept my job anyway."
— Rachel George (@RachelAGeorge) April 4, 2013
Mark Emmert, distributing the bitchface with reckless abandon
— Peter Berkes (@runthedive) April 4, 2013
Emmert on USA Today story: "I’m very proud of my record every place I’ve been."
— Pete Thamel(@SIPeteThamel) April 4, 2013
Well, time for me to get to work then. RT @sipetethamel: Mark Emmert: "If you’re not getting sued today. You’re not doing anything."
— Seth Emerson (@SethEmerson) April 4, 2013
Emmert called the Mike Rice video "appalling" and suggest a conversation about it is needed. Called it "unfortunate and inappropriate."
— Pete Thamel(@SIPeteThamel) April 4, 2013
Never seen an Emmert presser this feisty. Taking shots at Dodd, going at it with Joe Nocera. Crazy.
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) April 4, 2013
In response to Selena Roberts' Auburn story, Emmert says, "What there is a newspaper story. That’s it."
— Rachel George (@RachelAGeorge) April 4, 2013
Guilt by Ponzi schemer repeating himself: totallly fine. RT @kyletucker_cj Emmert:"Guilty by newspaper story isn't...the way to go about it"
— Mark Ennis (@Mengus22) April 4, 2013
"I don't think the Ohio State infractions case caused a loss of confidence in the enforcement process," says Emmert.
— SBN College Football (@SBNationCFB) April 4, 2013
Emmert: "We have to continue to change the culture in enforcement. That's on me." Something's on him!
— SBN College Football (@SBNationCFB) April 4, 2013
So didn’t the NCAA earlier say they wouldn’t comment on Auburn as "potential case" yet Emmert directly mentioned it just now?
— Bryan Fischer (@BryanDFischer) April 4, 2013
He is crushing that Dasani.
— Michael Felder (@InTheBleachers) April 4, 2013
Listening to Mark Emmert do this dance. Honest question: Is this really the best the NCAA can do in terms of leadership?
— Bruce Feldman (@BFeldmanCBS) April 4, 2013
Emmert asked if he's concerned a "newspaper story" knows more about Auburn than the NCAA. He laughed, then got defensive.
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) April 4, 2013
Emmert on Syracuse NCAA investigation: "I can’t comment on investigations."
— Pete Thamel(@SIPeteThamel) April 4, 2013
A brief recap: NCAA spokesman will not comment on Auburn allegations. Hour later, Mark Emmert decides to comment, brush aside report.
— Brandon Marcello (@bmarcello) April 4, 2013
Why not believe the Auburn report if you believe the Freeh report, Emmert is asked.
— SBN College Football (@SBNationCFB) April 4, 2013
Emmert said it's "not his judgment call" whether Rutgers' leadership exercised lack of institutional control re: video. Got that Penn State?
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) April 4, 2013
As he walks off stage, Emmert tells @dennisdoddcbs: "I'm still here. I know you're disappointed, but here I am."
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) April 4, 2013
OKAY WHO'S READY FOR SOME COLLEGE BASKETBALL?
Oh wait, there was a whole lot more after that:
Nothing says leadership like being petty. Embarrassing performance by Emmert. @bfeldmancbs @rachelageorge
— Rodney Gilmore (@RodGilmore) April 4, 2013
Assuming today marks the beginning of the end for Emmert. Stories will only get worse from here.
— Brian Murphy (@murphsturph) April 4, 2013
Mark Emmert is trending. Unfortunately for Emmert, it's harder to taunt Twitter than @dennisdoddcbs.
— Jon Solomon (@jonsol) April 4, 2013
Mark Emmert was just a double-fisted-bird farewell away from a Marshall Henderson performance today.
— Cecil Hurt (@CecilHurt) April 4, 2013
So Emmert and @dennisdoddcbs meet in two weeks in Hell In A Cell? Do I have that right?
— Jim Young (@ACCSports) April 4, 2013
Guys, this is fun. RT @jasonkirksbn: Mark Emmert's Final Four press conference: A disaster, in tweets sbn.to/13V1Sil
— BSD (@BSDtweet) April 4, 2013
Follow @SBNationCFB Follow @SBNRecruiting
More from SB Nation:
• A Chizik-era Auburn scandals timeline
• But is the Big East’s new name the most patriotic conference name?
• Podcast: The Marcus Lattimore interview
• Exclusive with Tommy Tuberville
• Owlcatraz no more: FAU declines stadium deal
• What if March Madness had football ... | ... Or football had Madness