A famous college football coach once had a player score a touchdown and break out in histrionics that were embarrassing. When the player got back to the bench, the coach said, “If you don’t mind, the next time you score a touchdown, act like you’ve been there before.”

Unfortunately for the Red Sox, you can forget a lot about how to act when 86 years have gone by since you’ve won the whole enchilada, namely, the World Series. The resulting activities last week were embarrassing.

Theo Epstein left his general manager’s job and a new contract for $1.5 million a year because he has a personal conflict with Sox president and CEO Larry Lucchino. Lucchino apparently leaked details of the conflict to Boston papers even as he was working on Epstein’s new contract.

Epstein’s press conference last Wednesday was almost as embarrassing as his leaving.

Epstein meandered through a half-dozen reasons for departing, none of which reached the real reason, and added to the incredulity of the entire affair.

To top off the GM walking-away story, owner John Henry literally followed Epstein to the podium and wondered aloud if he was worthy and capable of owning the Sox. If you have to ask, you’re not. Please, act like you know how to win.

It is hard to believe the owner of (fill in the blank for the corporation/business) would have taken to a microphone to question his ability to lead a business because two subordinates were fighting a turf war and one left.

This scenario is part of a trend in baseball. In the past, owners of teams tended not to want the spotlight. Tom and Jean Yawkey, the former longtime owners of the Sox, were well known but were mostly seen watching games at Fenway and rarely spoke publicly.

The O’Malleys of Dodger fame, in Brooklyn and Los Angeles, made baseball history, and a lot of enemies, with the move to the West Coast, but they were rarely seen or heard.

In both cases, internal conflicts stayed internal.

Historically, GMs have a public persona. They make the personnel moves for teams that make the headlines. Having to answer for those moves brought them before the public. They generally stood there alone.

In the last 20 years, much has changed. Owners such as Frank McCourt of the Los Angeles Dodgers and George Steinbrenner of the New York Yankees can’t wait to be on camera or quoted in the press. In each of those cases, one of the reasons they own a major league baseball team is to be noticed. They are not alone.

Presidents, CEOs, and GMs for teams have followed suit. They want credit for the wins and offer answers for the losses. They want their egos massaged in the press. That type of an environment fosters internal strife.

One would have thought there was enough glory to go around with a Sox championship. Apparently, that was not the case.

Manny Ramirez wants out, David Ortiz is taking pot shots at Lucchino, Curt Shilling is leaving messages to get Epstein back, David Wells wants a ticket to the West Coast, and Johnny Damon is taking offers.

The Sox are in a free fall and need leadership. For now, that horizon is empty.

Old Town native Gary Thorne is an ESPN and ABC sportscaster.