The Larry Eustachy situation has taken off in the national media and with the general public. Everyone has his or her own take on how things happened and how he or she feels about it.

Though I do wish to avoid clich‚s as much as possible, this has become a case where opinions are like assholes: Everyone has one and most of them stink.

Wednesday’s revelations first began with Eustachy addressing the media with the comments that he is an alcoholic and has begun to undergo treatment.

In the hours following Eustachy’s conference, Athletic Director Bruce Van De Velde held an official conference in which he recommended Eustachy’s termination, giving him five days to appeal while suspending him with pay.

Van De Velde can’t have an easy job so it’s hard to blame him for doing this, though the extremity of the decision is uncalled for and should and will be protested.

But before attacking or praising the decision that has been made, it may be helpful to better understand the issues at hand.

One angle of this situation and what many fans are struggling to justify is the fact that Eustachy was with a Missouri player when seen at the party in Missouri.

But this to me, given my multiple years of covering Big 12 basketball, Eustachy and his teams, is a non-issue. Big 12 coaches develop good relationships with other players in the Big 12 through recruiting, other summer activities and just from competing against them two or three times a year.

I look at Eustachy enjoying the company of another player as promoting good sportsmanship and isn’t much different than when I go to Iowa City and root against the Hawkeyes only later to be partying with and enjoying the company of Hawkeye fans when the game is over.

The issue of drinking at a college party should also be reconsidered. My dad has partied in Ames with me and my boys many times. Sure, not everyone is 21 and he may have even spoken to a girl, but I don’t know anyone who is upset at the way he represented his company even though he was — gasp — drunk.

The issue of Eustachy being embraced by college women and being kissed on the cheek is perhaps the most bothersome angle of this story to many. I’ve even spoken with a professor that is convinced this will turn into a sexual harassment case — based solely on the looks on the girls’ faces who were being touched.

But in all honesty, I’m sure those girls were enjoying Eustachy’s presence for a number of reasons. One is that he was by far the most popular guy at whatever party he was at, so why wouldn’t girls want to get close to him?

A second is that a national sports figure such as Eustachy was giving these girls compliments, which I’m sure they appreciated.

As far as the cheek-kissing and having arms around girls — these are actions widely accepted in many places as an everyday personal greeting. I know it’s hard to fathom, but even in Los Angeles, California and New York, this is a common and respectful way to greet someone.

Not to mention there has been no sign or proof of Eustachy touching girls anywhere else or kissing them anywhere else, showing you he knows the boundaries. In Eustachy’s conference early Wednesday afternoon, his wife Stacy acknowledged that her husband informed her of these actions soon after they happened and hasn’t found anything morally wrong with it in her eyes.

Another dagger that has hurt many fans is the alleged “my team sucks” comments made by Eustachy about his team. More and more comments have began to surface but are most likely nothing more than a gossip/rumor mill hard at work.

The major snag in this angle and in this whole situation in general, is the fact that the country and media have based this entire situation on what we in journalism refer to as hearsay. These alleged parties took place more than three months ago and more than a year ago so it is interesting to hear college kids recall all of these things happening, especially so long after the fact.

I don’t know if these kids are scared because Iowa State is returning all five starters and have a great recruiting class on the way, but I do know these kids are getting major attention from the media and public and have been receiving money by selling the photos to different media outlets.

Eustachy said he is sure some things were said but he doesn’t feel the word “suck” is in his vocabulary, and he said his team knows he is their No. 1 supporter and will always be the first to back them up.

Besides, if your team lost and someone comes up to do a little dissing, why not defuse the situation as fast as possible by simply agreeing? This not only makes people laugh, but defuses a possible argument that would be fueled by alcohol and passion for one’s team.

Then again, Iowa State did suck in that particular game against Missouri.

I’m not necessarily proud of Eustachy’s actions but I do feel every human is allowed room for error, especially when that person is man enough to own up to his personal problems in the public eye and make noticeable strides to improve his condition.

In a sports world polluted with corrupt coaches like Georgia’s academic fraud specialist Jim Harrick, or instances of violence like what happened when Bobby Knight allegedly assaulted a player, it’s hard to justify wanting to fire a coach who simply got caught having fun.

Eustachy has proven to be a great basketball coach and a good man, especially after being able to own up to his actions. His wife, family and players support him as they should.

Eustachy didn’t break any laws and only broke rules from his contract to a matter of degree. He wants a second chance and to not allow him and his supporters this privilege is inhumane and wrong.

He is not the first coach to get drunk or even have a drinking problem, but he is one of the first to own up to it publicly and do something about it. If Eustachy stays, his program will not suffer because he has already assembled a team good enough to make next year’s NCAA tournament, and a good enough coaching reputation to keep bringing in great players.

Perhaps Van De Velde forgot the reason we’re all here in the first place. Iowa State is an educational institution for students, and the students want Eustachy to stay because the students know how easily an awkward situation such as the one Eustachy was in can happen on a night of drinking, and students know how it feels to watch your team win.

And for those who think former ISU coach Tim Floyd should come back if Eustachy leaves, keep in mind these men are good friends and Floyd would never take this job under these circumstances.

Eustachy’s future is riding on a possible appeal to Tahira Hira, assistant to the president for external relations and executive administration. Don’t be afraid to let the appropriate people know just how much Eustachy deserves that second chance.