The Big Easy Is Too Easy For Monty Williams

John Wooden said that a coach is someone who can give correction without causing resentment. 

At the professional level, that personality trait is even more vital.  Just ask Brad Childress.

When it comes to big money in elite sports, rarely is a coach's success - or failure - a result of his knowledge of X's and O's or his ability to compile game strategies.  No one reaches the elite level of competition without knowing what they are doing.

What ultimately determines a great coach - besides the overall talent level on the roster - is his ability to reach his players.  It doesn't matter what you are trying to tell your team if no one is listening. Getting a player's ear and keeping it is the most valuable trait a coach can have.

The latest coach to burst on the scene with such a trait seems to be New Orleans first-year coach Monty Williams, who has the Hornets off to the best start in franchise history.

foxsportswest.com:  The Big Easy Is Too Easy For Monty Williams

SEC Slaps Lane Kiffin On The Wrist--Again!!

For the second time this season, first-year Tennessee football coach Lane Kiffin has received a letter of reprimand from SEC Commissioner Mike Slive. Kiffin got this slap on the wrist not just for criticizing the officiating from Saturday's loss to Alabama, but for insinuating that the officials are somehow playing favorites and potentially determining the outcomes of games.

From his introductory news conference when he talked about beating Florida this season to his first reprimand from the league office back in February for accusing Florida of violating NCAA rules, I thought Kiffin was in way over his head. He simply wasn't ready to lead a big-time program such as Tennessee. Sure he could talk a good game, but I felt that same mechanism--his mouth--would ultimately lead to his downfall. After less than a season on the job, he seems headed down that road.

If Kiffin gets called into the commissioner's office again this year, he could face even harsher penalties, including a suspension. That's how seriously the SEC is taking these repeated offenses.

It's time to grow up a little bit here, Lane. Instead of repeatedly calling your favorite play--open mouth, insert foot--you should keep your head down and focus on building a program that can speak for itself!

Billy Gillispie Checks Into Rehab

Check out the article below regarding the report that former Kentucky coach Billy Gillispie has checked into a rehabilitation center in Houston. I have two immediate responses: 1) Finally!! 2) What took so long?

Having said that, I sincerely hopes he gets the help he needs.

Billy Gillispie Checks Into Rehab

Jason Whitlock Waxes Poetic On Pussy Galore

If you are not a frequent reader of Jason Whitlock on foxsports.com, you should be. He may be the most polarizing, controversial and truthful sports columnist in the country today.

I often disagree with his opinions, but I usually always understand where he is coming from. Plus, I do find myself agreeing with him at times as well.

Does he take things too far sometimes? Yes. Does his approach sometimes defeat his agenda? Yes. But at least he's consistent with his criticisms of any and everybody, regardless of race, gender or athletic ability.

Today, Jason actually made me laugh with his column on Pussy Galore, a pseudonym for every woman who has led to some type of transgression by an athlete or coach.

Here's an excerpt:

She impeached a president and now, more impressively, she threatens to topple a highly successful college basketball coach.

As my mother would say, she's a bitch on a bicycle. Respect her and her power or risk experiencing her wrath.

Pitino should've coughed up the $10 million. His reputation will never recover.

How does a millionaire, married, middle-aged public figure have an unprotected one-night stand on the floor of a restaurant with a woman he's known for a couple of hours if her name isn't Beyonce, Gisele or Halle?

Monica Lewinsky, the White House and a Cuban cigar make more sense than Karen Sypher, a restaurant and an assistant coach playing peek-a-boo in an adjoining booth.

It sounds as if Jason's mom has a great sense of humor and perspective. I'm now on the lookout for bicycles everywhere!

Check out the full article here: Pitino Ran Into The Biggest Dynasty In Sports

Pitino Comes Up Way Short On Apology

I have known Rick Pitino since 1991 after first meeting him during the second semester of my freshman year at Kentucky. I will not profess to ever being very close to him, but having several friends on his teams, working his summer camps, and then covering the team on a professional basis, we were on a first-name basis during his time in Lexington.

I respected him as a basketball coach and motivator. I also admired the way he treated his players once they graduated. He always seemed to have their best interest in mind, provided of course, they stayed the course and did things his way.

Now having said that, I believe Coach P fell way short on his attempted apology Wednesday evening in Louisville.

<a href="http://msn.foxsports.com/video?vid=9d9db8e9-e3f5-4b73-b529-d470c81dd8a0&amp;from=IV2_en-us_foxsports_articles" target="_new" title="Pitino: Sorry for &#39;indiscretion&#39;">Video: Pitino: Sorry for &#39;indiscretion&#39;</a>

Instead of throwing himself at the mercy of the Cardinals fans and the local community, Pitino seemed to give the impression that because this event happened six years ago, it wasn't a big deal. If it weren't a big deal, there wouldn't be a need for an apology, right?

And what exactly did 9/11 have to do with his affair? I am hoping the analogy he was trying to make didn't exactly come out right. Despite being one of the most confident and cocky men I have ever known, I am certain he was quite nervous standing in front of those microphones and cameras. The scene wasn't exactly a post-game news conference.

Again, I still believe this matter is a private one between the Pitino and Sypher families. However, if you are going to go public with your apology don't half-ass by trying to deflect blame or looking for excuses.

Pitino's Cat Is Finally Out Of The Bag

This past week at the National Association of Black Journalists Convention in Tampa, I moderated a panel discussion entitled, "Pros and Cons: Covering the Professional and Personal Lives of Athletes." The purpose of the panel was to examine the way the media report private aspects of the lives of today's athletes, as well as coaches. As you might imagine, the discussion was quite educational.

I bring up that panel discussion because of the news today out of Kentucky that Louisville head coach Rick Pitino allegedly paid $3000 to Karen Cunigan Sypher for an abortion, after an affair led to her pregnancy.

I first learned of this allegation back in April, but I did not see any reason in reporting this piece of news because I felt it was a private manner between the Pitino and Sypher families. (See: Is Anything Sacred Anymore)

I was criticized by some readers for not reporting what I knew, while others used my refusal to expose this allegation as an opportunity to cast dispersions on me as a journalist. If you do what I do long enough, you come to expect and accept such things. Some people are simply too passionate about their favorite teams and athletes to think logically and hold rational conversations, but that's cool. Passion is what makes sports so much fun to watch and cover.

I just hope in this instance, that passion doesn't lead to some fans losing decorum and tact when talking publicly about such a private matter. Don't be so quick to put your business on Front Street, if you don't want yours to be out there either.

Pitino Still Considering The NBA?

The future of Rick Pitino at Louisville as been called into question since the news first came out that the FBI was investigating an extortion case on his behalf. While the nature of the allegations are a private matter in my mind, how this case affects his ability to coach should be open to public discussion.

There seems to be quite a few people in the Louisville area who were of the belief that Pitino would resign as head coach of the Cards. Such a move would not be that big of a surprise considering the public thirst for information on these allegations.

However, there is also another option for Pitino: the NBA. As I have previously reported, there are those within the Atlanta Hawks organization who would welcome Pitino as its new head coach. And according to Yahoo! Sports, there's another NBA team who is "intrigued" by the possibility of hiring Pitino.

Adrian Wojnarowski writes that Pitino could be in the running to be the new head coach of the Sacramento Kings. The irony there, of couse, is that Pitino would be replacing one of his former assistants--Reggie Theus, whom Kings owners, Joe and Gavin Maloof, hired on the strong recommendation of Pitino.

Here's an excerpt from Wojnarowski's article:
　
"...sources say the Maloofs are weighing the worth of paying what it would take to secure Pitino. The Kings are considering several candidates, including front-runner Eddie Jordan, and had been waiting until later in May to start interviews. The Maloofs hadn’t planned to pay much more than $2.5 million a season for any coach, sources say, but the owners understand they’ll need to significantly raise that figure to get serious with Pitino."

I spoke to several people with ties to Pitino tonight, including two people who have worked for him and one former player. All three said they would be surprised if Pitino took the job. The source closest to Pitino at this point said that he believes Pitino will stay on at Louisville and not resign--a belief backed up by another source within the Cardinals program.

There are several reasons,however, why Pitino might make this particular jump back to the NBA at this particular time, and they are all quite obvious. So let's look at a few of the reasons why the move may not make sense.

As one of Pitino's former players told me, Pitino would not want to go back to the NBA in a rebuilding situation. The Kings ended up being one of the worst teams in the league this year after trading away the likes of Ron Artest, Mike Bibby, Brad Miller, John Salmons and Dahntay Jones--all of which played or are still playing solid basketball in the playoffs. However, Theus seemed to get most of the blame for the team's poor showing instead of the man who orchestrated all those trades--GM Geoff Petrie.

And speaking of Petrie, he could be another reason why Pitino would not be a good fit for the Kings. As one former NBA coach told me tonight, "Petrie would not want him because Pitino is too strong."

That point is important because when it comes to NBA GM's having strong influence over ownership, Petrie could be the leader in that category.

One college coach, who has faced Pitino several times, told me that he doesn't think Pitino will leave Louisville either. He believes the move is simply a way of trying to get a raise at Louisville. John Calipari's contract at Kentucky trumped Pitino's deal at UofL by several million dollars.

So even before playing a single game, Calipari is already shaking up Pitino's world. How great will that UK/UofL matchup be next season? That is if Pitino is still around, of course.

Pitino Considering Jumping Back To The NBA?

After telling two of UK's biggest boosters a few weeks ago that he would not feel comfortable leaving Louisville and going back to UK, it appears that Rick Pitino could possibly end up being the new coach of the Atlanta Hawks.

A high-ranking NBA official told me today that the decision-makers in the Hawks front office want to replace Mike Woodson with Pitino.

I tried to confirm this story with someone in Pitino's circle or on his staff. I got two responses. One person said it was news to him. The other said that it's a rumor that's definitely out there, but that it is not true. If it is true, there is great incentive for Pitino's people to dispel such an idea until after the Hawks season concludes. However, it is also fair to state that Pitino has not held any direct talks with anyone from the Hawks organization. Plus, even if he were to talk to someone in Atlanta, it doesn't necessarily mean he would take the job.

Such a move would be somewhat curious on both sides actually. Woodson has done a very respectable job with a roster full of young talent--with particular emphasis on "young." After taking the eventual champion Celtics to a 7th game in the first round last year, Atlanta came back this season and earned the 4th seed in the East by posting a record of 47-35.

But for whatever reason, it seems as though Woodson has been on his way out for the past two seasons. In fact, many people around the league believe that it was the Hawks strong first round playoff showing that saved his job last year. And if Atlanta were to knock off Dwayne Wade and the 5th-seeded Heat in the first round this season, it would make replacing Woodson over the summer even more difficult.

As far as Pitino is concerned, I am sure many people would be shocked to hear that he would even consider going back to the NBA after what happened in Boston. Or better yet, some might wonder why another NBA team would even give him a shot to coach again in the league. As I have said before, trying to figure out what motivates Coach P might require a PhD in psychology.

I have also learned that no decision should surprise you when it comes to Corporate America. There have been many good people who lost their job simply because someone above them didn't like them personally or how they went about their job, regardless of the results.

Pitino might look at another opportunity in the NBA as a means to redeem his last venture into the league. Remember, he guided the Knicks to the playoffs. So, it's not like he can't coach professional players. It just didn't work out in Boston for a couple of reasons.

1) Despite having the worst record in the league that previous season, the Celtics did not win the Draft Lottery. So instead of getting the obvious number one pick that year, Boston had to watch Tim Duncan head to San Antonio, where he would eventually win three NBA titles.

2) Pitino had too many former UK players on his roster. The tactics he used to motivate guys at Kentucky did not fly once those guys were A) making more money than him and B) did not need him to re-up their scholarship every year.

I am sure UK fans will have a field day with the possibility of Pitino leaving Louisville for the NBA. Some will say that Pitino is scared of John Calipari because he knows he would be the underdog in any recruiting battle between the two rival programs. I think "scared" is a bit too strong of a word, but I do know that Pitino and his staff realize their work on the recruiting trail will now have to step up considerably.

Speaking of recruiting, I guess this is as good a place as any to throw in this little tidbit, especially since it relates directly to Louisville. The word around many league offices is that elite 2010 UofL recruit Jeremy Tyler wants to follow Brandon Jennings' road to the NBA. Instead of going to college for one season, several league execs believe that Tyler will go play professionally in Europe for one season before entering the 2011 NBA Draft.

I am not sure if Pitino and his staff are aware of this belief, but if they are, maybe that's another reason he would want to get out of the college game and go back to the NBA. The paychecks are definitely more, and the headaches are definitely less.

LAKERS HEAD COACH PHIL JACKSON WILL NOT ACCOMPANY TEAM TO PORTLAND

EL SEGUNDO--Los Angeles Lakers head coach Phil Jackson will remain in Los Angeles instead of accompanying the team on its road trip to Portland, due to pain and swelling in his lower right leg caused by plantar fasciitis, it was announced today.

The Lakers will fly to Portland following tonight's game against the Denver Nuggets, and will play the Trail Blazers in Portland tomorrow night. The team will be coached by assistant coach Kurt Rambis in Jackson's absence.

Jackson missed the Lakers' first preseason game back on October 7 in Anaheim versus the Utah Jazz. He will rejoin the team for Saturday's practice and is not expected to miss any additional games.

Tim Floyd To Stay At USC

Looks like Tim Floyd had second thoughts about going to Arizona. Considering how much he pleaded with some of his USC players--particularly DeMar DeRozen--during the team's banquet on Tuesday to stay at USC instead of going to the NBA, it was good to see Floyd follow some of his own advice.

Here's an excerpt from the LA Times on Floyd's decision to stay in Los Angeles.

"I listened, I heard what they had to say," Floyd said. "But there is something really special about building your own traditions and your own history."

He acknowledged that in addition to meeting with Arizona, he had also talked to Memphis, saying, "At the end of the day I have a great situation here."

Tim Floyd To Stay At USC

Tim Floyd Swept Up In The College Coaching Carousel

This off-season figured to be an active one for college athletic directors. Several good coaching jobs were set to be available, and with a few schools recently making new hires, the coaching carousel is currently spinning out of control.

John Calipari going to Kentucky was the big news Wednesday, but later that evening came the news that Tim Floyd was in Tucson interviewing for the Arizona job. A position that became available following the retirement of Lute Olson. Russ Pennell, who was supposed to be an assistant for Olson this season, served as Arizona’s interim coach but was told quite early that he would not be retained on a permanent basis—despite getting the Wildcats to the Sweet 16.

Floyd’s interest in Arizona was quite peculiar to some. It’s not that often you see a coach move from one job to the next within the same conference. Tubby Smith did it by going from Georgia to Kentucky. But certain programs, such as UK, UNC, KU and UCLA, are on a different level. Any coach would want to take that job. Arizona, however, is not exactly one of those schools.

One obvious reason Floyd would leave the beach for the desert would be money. Arizona will always pays its basketball coach more than USC. But even beyond that, Floyd is not exactly a big city guy. He grew up in the Hattiesburg, Mississippi and went to school at Southern Miss and Louisana Tech. Both of those campuses couldn’t fill up LA’s Memorial Coliseum. As much as money is a motivation for any coach, lifestyle is sometimes even more important.

So with Floyd reportedly going to Arizona, two prime jobs are now available—Memphis & USC. Calipari had tried to get Memphis Athletic Director RC Johnson to hire UTEP Head Coach Tony Barbee, who had served on Calipari’s staff with the Tigers. However, Johnson made it perfectly clear Wednesday that he has much higher aspirations.

Missouri’s Mike Anderson would have been a great choice for Memphis, but Anderson—the last coach to hand Memphis a Conference USA loss when he was at UAB—just re-upped with Missouri for another 7 years.

I think Johnson should make a serious pitch at Oklahoma’s Jeff Capel. He’s done a tremendous job in just three seasons leading the Sooners. Of course, having future number one draft pick Blake Griffin certainly helped. But Capel has also shown his recruiting skills are no joke. He currently has commitments from two McDonald’s All-Americans for next season.

Some might wonder why he would leave the Big 12 for Conference USA. Excuse me, but didn’t John Calipari just prove what you can do at Memphis even if you play in C-USA? Final Fours are Final Fours regardless of the conference in which you play.

Sean Miller is another hot commodity on the coaching circuit. Since moving from his assistant role at Xavier to replacing his boss, Thad Matta, Miller has turned Butler into a mid-major powerhouse. But the question is can he recruit the “best of the best” as Calipari said he did while at Memphis—something Tigers fans would certainly expect the new coach to do.

But even if he falls short of Calipari’s recruiting acumen—which he will—Memphis is a hotbed of athletic talent. A coach could recruit nothing but kids from the Mid-South and keep his program perennially in the Top 25.

With coaches and athletic directors all converging on Detroit this week for the Final Four, expect even more coaching news to start spilling out over the next few days.

Top Pro, College, Prep Coaches Headline Palm Springs Coaches Clinic

Sept. 5–7 at the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. (Aug. 7, 2008) – Some of the leading professional, college and high school coaches in the U.S. headline the speakers list for the annual Palm Springs Coaches Clinic Sept. 5-7 at the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa in Indian Wells Calif., it was announced. Hundreds of high school coaches & AAU coaches are expected to attend the multi-sport clinics and participate in a golf tournament at Desert Willow Golf Resort in Palm Desert.

With sessions for basketball, baseball, softball, and golf coaches, the highly-renowned clinic brings some of the leading names in sports coaching together to interact with more than 700 high school, college, AAU and youth coaches interested in improving their coaching skills.

The 2008 clinic speakers include:

Basketball: Steve Alford, New Mexico; Bob Burton, Cal State Fullerton; Eric Musselman, Sacramento Kings; Dave Odom, South Carolina; Vance Walberg, Massachusetts; Bob Hurley, St. Anthony High School; Bob Burke, Portland Trailblazers; Beth Burns, San Diego State; Jim Woolridge, UC Riverside; Ken Cole, Australia; Dave Bollwinkel, Chicago Bulls; Michael Butler, athletic training expert.

Softball: Kelly Ford, Mt. San Antonio; Michelle Anunciation, Cal State Fullerton; Dee Dee Weiman-Kingsbury, Cal State Fullerton.

Baseball: Dave Serrano, Cal State Fullerton; Rich Hill, San Diego; Bob Morgan, Indiana; Tim Esmay, Arizona State; Larry Lee, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo; Don Slaught, MLB hitting coach; Michael Butler, athletic training expert; Dave Bollwinkel, building leadership specialist.

Golf: golf injury prevention by Michael Butler, athletic training expert, Friday, Sept. 5 from 6:30-7:30 p.m., and instructional clinic by teaching professional A.J. Bonar (The Golf Channel) Saturday, Sept. 6 at 9 a.m.

"Our speakers have impeccable credentials in the coaching field," said Clinic president Ron Meikle. "As we prepare to start the new school year, coaches of all levels and degrees of experience who attend the Palm Springs Coaches Clinic will leave armed with new and exciting ideas, techniques, and motivational tools and enthusiasm to better discharge their duties."

Each sport's session includes more than 20 hours of instruction, demonstration and discussion, as well as a sporting goods trade show with sports related exhibitors, Budweiser welcome party, door prizes, and free parking. Early registration is $110 and $125 at the door. Online registration is available at www.palmspringscoachesclinic.com or by calling 949-335-2122.

A special reduced room rate at the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa at $109 per night is available for a limited number of rooms for attendees by calling 800-446-9875 or 877-804-4070 and mention “Palm Springs Coaches Clinic" to receive the special room rate.

The Palm Springs Coaches Clinic will also host the “All Coaches Open,” a golf tournament for all registered coaches, speakers and outside players. The “4-man scramble” tournament will be held Friday, Sept. 5 at the Desert Willows Golf Resort in Palm Desert, Calif., starting at 8 a.m.

For further information, including agenda details and registration information, visit http://www.palmspringscoachesclinic.com

About the Palm Springs Coaches Clinic
Founded in 1995 by Chuck and Denyse Campione, the clinic has built an excellent tradition while hosting pro, college and high school coaches from throughout the nation in Palm Springs, Calif. The mission of the Palm Springs Coaches Clinic is to continue to serve as not only a great learning and educational experience, but also to present coaches of all levels a wonderful opportunity to make new friends and acquaintances in a relaxed enjoyable atmosphere. The Palm Springs Coaches Clinic features top coaches willing to share their knowledge and experiences. Sessions include basketball, baseball, softball and golf.