I find it absolutely hilarious that some people are just aghast that the athletic department would think of planning news releases or certain statements out for PR.
Every single athletic department does that in the world.
It's even funnier that some people also don't think that happened during previous coaching staffs.
I think a noticeable distinction could be made between doing PR pieces to highlight the good things in the program compared to highlight where your program is lacking.
If this happens at every single athletic department, could you point us to a couple others who put out a PR piece that says "we don't have good enough players"?