THE YEAR OF CLOONEY
by Seth Greenberg, Virginia Tech

It wasn’t a very lackluster finale. Maybe it was because the eventual winners were just that much more stylish than their competition. Maybe it was because college basketball ended nearly three weeks ago. Maybe it was because everybody is locked into the NBA Playoffs. Or maybe it’s because bald isn’t considered beautiful in the eyes of the fashion committee.

Noticeably absent from the Fashionable 4 are the follicley-challenged. The 2011 field was loaded with guys that can’t dress, guys that are in bad shape and guys that aren’t very good looking, but there very few polished domes.

“It’s a joke,” Steve Hawkins (Western Michigan) a card carrying member of the SBCA. “It’s always been this way. As both a bald coach and a member of the Portly & Stout Coaches Association I protest. Many of us are very stylish. I don’t know what more can be done. I’d like to see an investigation.”

I echo the thoughts of Coach Hawkins. Until we can get a fair shake, the Runway to the Fashionable 4 will never reach bigger heights. I do applaud the committee for cleaning up the field this season. We didn’t see non-style guys like Bob Huggins and Mike Brey. We also didn’t guys like John Thompson III and Ben Howland, both of whom have bad bodies. Even good suits couldn’t make those guys stylish.

Overall I think Danielle Wolfe and the fashion committee did a decent job. We just need more representation from guys from my league. Next year will be the 15th Anniversary of Fashion Madness so I expect that things will be much different. I fully expect it in 2012.

2011 was all about Clooney. With apologies to Steve Robinson (North Carolina) who was crowned best-dressed among assistants, this was all about Jay Wright (Villanova). Jay caught a break in that he didn’t have to come through my region, which all but paved the way for him to take the title.

As always it was fun. Like my man Willis Wilson (Texas A&M Corpus Christi) said: “They only people who don’t like the Runway to the Fashionable 4 are the people that aren’t stylish.”


April 15, 2011

THE BOBBY HUGGINS STYLE
by Seth Greenberg, Virginia Tech

Fourteen years. That is how long the fashion deal has been in existence. It all started back in 1998. Then Wagner head coach Tim Capstraw, who often displayed a knack for writing interesting columns for CollegeInsider.com, thought it would be entertaining to finish the season with a write-up on the wardrobe selections of his coaching friends. It was a big hit. Coach Capstraw tabbed George Clooney, who was then the head coach at Hofstra, as America’s best-dressed coach.

Naturally Capstraw finished the 1999 season with another offering on stylish coaches, but for the follow up column Ms. Angela Lento suggested that Tim add coaches from around the country. It worked well and in 2000 it became a full blown feature, with FPI (Fashion Power Index) and coaches bracketed with seeds.

In all honesty those early tournaments were flawed, as there was no presence from yours truly. It took a while for the fashion committee to recognize SBCA. We are still aren’t given our due respect, but there has been an improvement.

Back then it was all about the PSCA (Portly & Stout Coaches Association) which was chaired by Bobby Huggins. Bob was still at Cincinnati at the time and for some unknown reason he actually rose to No. 1 in the FPI at one point during the season. Clearly the committee was visually challenged in those early years. Huggins claim to fame was a 3-piece suit. When the jacket came off, then UMass head coach Bruiser Flint said, “He looks like an umpire wearing a chest protector.”

Huggins didn’t hesitate to fire a few shots back at Flint, but things really got interesting when former Rhode Island head coach Jerry DeGregorio joined in. Believe it or not former Atlantic 10 media relations director Ray Cella would announce the FPI Top 10 during the weekly A-10 coaches teleconference, mostly because Bruiser Flint was a staple in the Top 10. Coach DeGregorio thought it was a joke that Huggins was No. 1 and went on to say so during the teleconference.

Later when heard about DeGregorio’s comments, Huggins responded with, “Are you kidding me? Jerry DeGregorio looks like he slept in his suits.”

I gotta agree with Coach DeGregorio. When Bob is alone in the gym he’s not the best-dressed guy in the room.

Huggins’ exchange with Flint and DeGregorio opened the flood gates and put an entirely new spin on the Runway to the Fashionable 4. But let’s be honest coach. GQ hasn’t called looking to do a photo shoot. You had no business being No. 1.

Amazingly Huggins actually advanced all the way to the Fashionable 4 in 2001. However the 3-piece suit didn’t make get an invitation to the 2011 Runway to the Fashionable4 so thankfully we don’t have any non-style guys in the Fashionable 4. My man Clooney is joined by Jerry Eaves (North Carolina A&T), Anthony Grant (Alabama) and Cliff Warren (Jacksonville). In the understudy category it’s down to Rob Lanier (Florida), LaVall Jordan (Michigan), Steve Robinson (North Carolina) and Melvin Watkins (Arkansas).

No Bruiser Flint and No Kerry Keating.


April 14, 2011

THE ELEGANT EIGHT
by Seth Greenberg, Virginia Tech

When I learned earlier today that I had been defeated (not out-styled) many were surprised that I wasn’t more upset. The general consensus was that I would lash out the fashion panel for not advancing me to the Elegant 8. In the end I reach the Sensational 16 and Kerry Keating (Santa Clara) and Bruiser Flint (Drexel) didn’t.

I am still disappointed that I was forced to work my way out of the “Style-In” bracket but I got three victories and defeated the defending champion and 3-time style champ (Bruiser Flint). I appreciate all of the support I received from the SBCA (Stylish Bald Coaches Association). At our spring meeting we will be discussing strategy to get more chrome dome coaches into the 2012 Runway to the Fashionable 4.

As for 2011, it’s my duty to fulfill my obligation and continue to blog about the remaining competitors. Even in defeat I have style and grace. It’s a good lesson that my man Keating can learn from.

Let’s start today by taking a quick look at the Assistant Coach Tournament. We haven’t paid it much attention because nobody, other than the non-stylish coaches competing, really cares.

Shortly after winning another Fashion National Championship in 2010, Bacari Alexander left Western Michigan for a position at the University of Michigan. 12 months later he isn’t even the most stylish coach on John Beilein’s staff. LaVall Jordan stunned Bacari and advanced to the Elegant 8.

No surprise that Steve Robinson (North Carolina) and Melvin Watkins (Arkansas) advanced but how did Alvin Brooks III (Sam Houston State) get this far?

Very disappointed that Adrian Autry (Virginia Tech) didn’t go deeper in the tournament, but it was a nice run. But Adrian did advance farther than Kerry Keating and Bruiser Flint.

My Cousin Vinny is playing in theatres again in New Rochelle as Jared Grasso (Iona) continues to his surprising run.

And how about the Florida Gators having two coaches still alive in the Assistant Coach tournament? According to FoxSports.com’s Jeff Goodman, Danielle Wolfe is a University of Florida graduate. Jeff does a nice job, but it’s pretty obvious he’s not a guy that flips through the pages of GQ.

In the Head Coach tourney there was only one major surprise. Cliff Warren (Jacksonville) managed to slip past me and get within one win of the Fashionable 4. He’ll have to deal with Tony Harvey (Texas Southern). Come on coach. Still don’t know of anyone wearing your line of clothing other than you.

How about the matchup between George Clooney (Villanova) and Laurence Fishburne (Texas A&M Corpus Christi)! One of those guys won’t make it to the Fashionable 4. But the loser of that matchup can feel good about advancing farther in the tournament than Kerry Keating and Bruiser Flint.


April 13, 2011

THE SENSATIONAL SIXTEEN
by Seth Greenberg, Virginia Tech

First let’s get to the most important news of the day. I have advanced. Let’s be honest Bruiser, you can only work that pretty smile for so long. At some point you need the wardrobe to catch up with the Crest commercial smile.

I fully expected my opponent in the Sensational Sixteen to be Jamie Dixon (Pittsburgh). Jamie combines the wardrobe of a homeless Jay Wright with the hair of a poor-man’s Pat Riley. Too much gel cost him as he lost to Cliff Warren (Jacksonville). Cliff will present some problems for me. Living in northern Florida he can go linen or light weight wool. He’s a tough opponent. I don’t think he has a chance of beating me but it would be poor manners on my part to at least not to do a little scouting.

Chris Mooney (Richmond) and his “Ivy League-Obama-J. Crew” look were enough to get past Roy Williams (North Carolina) and his sky blue tie collection. Apparently Mooney’s bland style overpowered Roy’s saddle shoes. Mooney will now face Tony Harvey (Texas Southern). Tony has his own line of clothing. My question is it a really stylish line if nobody else is wearing it? Come on coach it’s nice but it’s not that nice.

Complete mismatch between George Clooney (Villanova) and Aaron Eckhardt (Kansas). How was Bill Self not in the “Play-In” round? There is no high-low in Bill’s wardrobe. Just low! Jay will now take on his former understudy Tom Pecora who is the East Coast Lute Olson with the blue blazer look. The only reason Pecora qualifies for the fashion tournament is because he gets all Jay Wright’s hand-me-downs.

Lute Olson Jr. somehow advanced to Sensational 16. Let’s be honest Sean Miller and his blue blazer collection advances because his opponent was Gib Arnold (Hawaii). Gib did a nice job this season but you the floral shirts only work on the island. Sean will have to deal with the regal Willis Wilson. Willis could forget to show up for his contest with Miller and still win.

A parting gift for my man Keating (Santa Clara), who failed to make it to the Sensational Sixteen, is a lifetime membership to the Seth Greenberg House of Style where we fix your fashion flaws and send you back out into the world looking more presentable.

Gary Waters (Cleveland State) is looking for another title and standing in his way on the runway is Steve Lavin (St. John’s). Coach Lavin has been sporting the glasses which really accent the attire well. Lavin has gone from hair gel to upscale and sophisticated. Very studious coach. Not sure it’s enough to beat Mr. “Shops in Paris,” but the glasses are a nice touch.

The dapper soul that is Gregg Marshall (Wichita State) continues his outstanding with a trip to the Sensational Sixteen. His team was impressive in winning the NIT. He will have a familiar foe in Anthony Grant (Alabama). Anthony has the best stare in coaching. His cold-blooded look compliments his high end threads. To beat the very stoic Grant, Marshall will need to work on the neckwear. The yellow ties with black polka dots aren’t working coach.

A quick note to Edward Joyner Jr. (Hampton) who lost to Marshall in the second round: Coach help out Bozeman. Todd can coach but he looks like he’s having a tough time trying to put together a decent wardrobe.

How about my man Murdoch (George Mason). The A-Team moves into the Sensational Sixteen after beating Travolta. Pitino really needs to retire the white suit. Come on coach, enough with the Saturday Night fever. My man Jimmy Larranaga isn’t quite at the level of Bobby McKillop, but he’s close. If McKilliop looks Presidential than Larranaga definitely looks like he could serve in Congress.

How about Jerry Eaves (NC A&T) getting past Billy Donovan (Florida). Donovan’s reluctance to ever wear a jacket finally caught up with him. Two of his assistants advance in the assistant coach field, but he didn’t. That’s gotta hurt coach.

Was surprised to see that “The Transporter” (Kansas State) didn’t advance past the unstylish Buzz Peterson (UNC-Wilmington). I thought Frank Martin and his very angry suits would get past Buzz for sure. Nobody does purple better than Martin. Remember the previous K-State coach wore purple like Barney.

Buzz now meets Coach Cal. Two guys that spend a lot of time making the hair look nice. Buzz does the touch of gray nicely. Coach Cal has to be going with the dye. Come on coach, no grays? Still I can’t see Calipari losing to Buzz who has coached in so many places he can’t remember what his school colors are.


April 12, 2011

BUDDY HOLLY AND SERPICO
by Seth Greenberg, Virginia Tech

The much more stylish head coaches had the day off, as the less than fashionable assistant coaches contested the first round. I can’t say that I have a lot of enthusiasm as I sit down to type up today’s blog. I am on record as saying this is the most style-challenged field in the 14-year history of the fashion competition. Still we did learn a few things.

We learned that Bacari “and coke” Alexander is one of the all-time fashion mavens. The guy is pretty regal.

We learned that Buddy Holly (Jeff Boals, Ohio State) lives on.

We learned that Serpico (Jim Corrigan, Old Dominion) won’t be making any runs in this tournament. Time to shave the beard coach.

We learned that Calogero (Carmen Maciariello, Providence) won’t be writing another Bronx Tale in 2011. Tough first round exit coach. Nobody cares.

We learned that another Bronx Tale be in the works. Iona’s Jared Grasso advanced to the next round.

We learned that there is at least a few people on the selection committee that are well versed in fashion, as Adrian Autry advanced.

We learned that there are still a number of people on the selection committee that remain clueless. How did Billy Hahn (West Virginia) and Jamie Kachmarik (UNC-Wilmington) even make the field?

The results from second round action in both tournaments will be announced tomorrow. Who will get a ticket to the Sensational Sixteen?


April 11, 2011

HAIR GEL AND GARANIMALS
by Seth Greenberg, Virginia Tech

Over the weekend I took another look at the field of assistant coaches, competing in the 2011 Runway to the Fashionable 4. After further review it is officially the worst collection of fashionably-challenged coaches of all-time.

There are guys in this field that don’t know where cuff links go. It’s embarrassing. Nevertheless I suppose a champion must be crowned.

The Style-In phase for assistants was contested on Saturday and four coaches advanced to the next round. The first matchup featured two former champions. Steve Sauers (Seton Hall) and Tom Schuberth (Jacksonville State) must have competed in one of those preseason exempt events that included a total of four coaches. Can’t imagine any other way in which those two guys were crowned champions.

East Tennessee State assistants Scott Wagers faced Mike Boyd in the Battle of Johnson City. I field bad for Murry Bartow who had to sit through that contest. Brutal.

Summit League bragging rights were on the line when Chris Crutchfield (Oral Roberts) faced Saddi Washington (Oakland). A word of advice for Saddi -- Don’t seek out any advice from Greg Kampe. Enough with the sweater vests coach.

And it was a family affair down in the Lone Star state with Alvin Brooks (Houston) taking on his son, Alvin Brooks III (Sam Houston State). The elder Brooks is a proud member of the SBCA. Good to have you on board coach.

The first round of the head coach tournament was contested on Sunday. Let’s see what we learned…

Garanimals are still a favorite among some coaches. Little guys like Billy Donovan (Florida), Bruiser Flint (Drexel) and Sean Miller have used the line of apparel to their advantage.

Bald coaches are definitely discriminated against. Randy Bennett (St. Mary’s) Steve Hawkins (Western Michigan) and Philip Banks (Florida Atlantic) were all eliminated. Only one SBCA member remains in the head coach field. And we all know he is most deserving of his first round win.

Floral patterns are in. It’s the only way I can explain Gib Arnold beating Isiah Thomas.

Hair care products have made a comeback. Jamie Dixon (Pittsburgh) is really working the hair gel.

And we have also learned that not being able to assemble a nice wardrobe doesn’t seem to hold you back on the Runway to the Fashionable 4 (i.e. Kerry Keating and Bill Self). Who invited these guys?


April 8, 2011

THE STYLE-IN ROUND
by Seth Greenberg, Virginia Tech

After sleeping on it I have come to the conclusion that I should discontinue my relationship with CollegeInsider.com. They should be embarrassed to put a stylish guy like me in the ‘Style-In’ round. I had no doubt I would get past Martelli. It’s not like I needed a lot of advance scouting to beat the Saint Joseph’s Hawk. Still I am utterly amazed that I am once again saddled with a poor seed.

I see where Buzz used his southern charm to get past former teammate Matt Doherty. Matt did a nice job this season. His team won 20 games, but let’s be honest -- Matt isn’t getting any calls from GQ to coach-up their team. The glasses and the wavy gray hair are nice touches, but the attire looks like stuff he might have worn when he and Buzz where playing for Dean Smith. Not sure how Matt made this field.

A card-carrying member of the Stylish Bald Coaches Association, Steve Hawkins advanced past the very sharp Jeff Reynolds. Both guys took their teams to the CIT this season. They were rewarded by being placed in a ‘Style-In’ contest. Poor job by CollegeInsider.com.

Tough draw for the Cajun Cowboy. My man Bob Marlin, formerly known as the Marlboro Man when he was coaching in Texas, got Willis Wilson in the ‘Style-In’ phase. How in the world is Willis Wilson not a No. 1 seed? This is a perfect example of the poor job done by Danielle Wolfe and her staff. Wilson is the Mike Krzyzewski of fashion. He dominated this tournament when he was the head coach at Rice. And congratulations to Willis for being named the new head coach at Texas A&M Corpus Christi. Willis is a first class individual. He has one of the deepest closets in America, having recruited top threads from all over the world. Like me he is very fashionable.

I took a quick glance at the Assistant Coach bracket and decided it wasn’t worthy of any commentary from me. In the history of the Runway of the Fashionable 4 I don’t know if they have ever assembled a worse bracket. Some of those guys should be embarrassed to leave the house dressed that way.

The winners of the Assistant Coach 'Style-In' round will be announced on Monday. The results from first round of the Head Coach Tournament will also be announced on Monday.


April 7, 2011

A ROUGH LOOKING BUNCH
by Seth Greenberg, Virginia Tech

This is without question the worst job the selection committee has ever done. The Head Coach fashion tournament bracket was announced and CollegeInsider.com should be embarrassed that I have been placed in the ‘Play-in’ phase of the tournament. After years of carrying the flag for CollegeInsider.com I deserve much better.

Obviously I will have no problem getting past the very follicley challenged and unfashionable Saint Joseph’s Hawk. Martelli is a guy that should have to work his way into the tournament. At least the NCAA Tournament considers the opening round to be the first round. In this tournament eight coaches are competing just to get in the tournament. It’s appalling.

I have already requested that the fashion committee be subject to immediate review. In addition to me competing in a pre-tournament competition, there is virtually no representation from the SBCA. The Stylish Bald Coaches Association is disrespected every season!

As for those that already have a seed, it’s a rough looking bunch. Jimmy Patsos? Are you serious? Patsos, who sweats through his suit on the bus ride over, is a No. 12 seed. That’s a joke. Jimmy has no business being associated with anything closely related to style. Let’s get real.

Shaka Smart gets a No. 6 seed? Great job coaching VCU to within one game of the championship, but Shaka needs to a better job recruiting a tailor.

A No. 7 seed for Tom Izzo? How many black suits do you need Tom?

How did Mike Jarvis get a No. 5 seed? How does Philip Banks even make this tournament?

Frank Martin? Not sure who is angrier Frank or his suits. Gotta say I am angry that he got a No. 3 seed. Come on Frank you know that’s a joke.

Who invited Gib Arnold? I thought we saw the last of the floral patterns when Riley Wallace retired. Tropical shirts are nice for vacations. They have no place in the pages of GQ.

I guess the fashion committee got confused and that this was a free throw shooting contest. It’s the only logical reason that the wardrobe-challenged Sean Miller is in the field. Good job advancing to the Shots from the Heart championship. Bad job with the attire.

Kerry Keating? Brutal!

The Assistant Coach field will be announced tomorrow and the results of the Style-In round will be announced.

THE FASHION TOURNAMENT BEGINS
by Seth Greenberg, Virginia Tech

At long last the 2011 Runway to the Fashionable 4 has arrived. Hard to believe it’s the 14th season of the fashion craze and the 12th season of the style tournament. As always the field will be loaded with a lot of stylish guys, along with an equal number of guys unable to match socks. There are always very questionable entries into the tournament.

Miss Angela Lento has long since removed herself from the fashion selection committee, turning over the duties to Danielle Wolff. I expect Danielle and her fashion team will do a much better job this season in getting more representation from the SBCA (Stylish Bald Coaches Association). In recent years there has been a noticeable bias towards this great organization.

I am still very disappointed at the noticeable absence of SBCA members in the 2010 field. Furthermore I am disturbed at the fact that a cool guy from Philly can call himself America’s best-dressed coach. Jay Wright yes -- Bruiser Flint No. It’s an embarrassment to stylish guys everywhere that Bruiser walked away with the title last year.

Recently the Wall Street Journal, which obviously knows style and grace when it sees it, contacted me for a feature they were doing on coaches and their attire. Not sure why they spoke with Bru, but it was still a good feature by Ben Cohen.

No better way to kick off the fashion week then with the feature from the Wall Street Journal. The brackets for head coaches and assistant coaches will be unveiled on Wednesday.