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The Preseason Fashion Power Index
By Angela Lento
Coaches versus Cancer officially kicked of the 2001-2002 season on Thursday, but the battle of coaches vs. coaches has been playing out for weeks now.
Last season Bruiser Flint rode his campaign slogan -- “Damn I’m Fly” -- to the Fashionable Four and was crowned college basketball’s best-dressed coach. Since his final catwalk in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Flint has been the target of many fashion statements.
“He has learned well from me, says Memphis coach John Calipari of his former assistant. “It is just the preseason. I think the pocket-square look this year is going to allow me to pass him.”
Coach Calipari takes pride in the fact that all of his former assistants are well groomed. John Robic strikes a pose at Youngstown State and Wright State’s Ed Schilling advanced to the ‘Elegant Eight’ last season.
While Calipari poked fun at his fashion understudy, Schilling has high praise for his longtime friend.
“Bruiser has a tremendous mid-range game,” says Schilling. “Bru looks good when he is taking out the garbage.”
Of course not everyone was so complementary of America’s most stylish head coach.
“Melvin [Watkins] gave me a hard time over the summer,” says Bruiser Flint. “He kept telling me that I had paid off the judges. I told him that I just had all the right gear.”
Flint, then at UMass, knocked Texas A&M’s Watkins (above) off the runway in the fashion finale. The very debonair Aggie coach is clearly the Big 12 conference’s most stylish coach. His trademark four-point play with the handkerchief has earned him national notoriety.
“I really thought Bruiser had some inside info that caused him to win,” says Watkins. “I was disappointed, but I told him I'd be back this season.”
Watkins is vying to break the east coast’s stranglehold on the runway, which has seen Sal Mentesana (Lehigh) and Jay Wright (then at Hoftra) capture the title in previous seasons. Wright won back-to-back fashion tournaments in 1998 and ’99.
According to Detroit’s Perry Watson, known in the fashion circles for his top hats, Watkins was seeking a little advice over the summer.
“Melvin told me he needed to make some improvement,” says Watson. “He asked me to put him in contact with my tailor Everett Hall. Melvin realized that we know our fashion here in Detroit.”
The dapper Detroit coach has been a part of the last three runway competitions and Watkins didn’t argue with Watson’s style points, but he did take exception to the suggestion that he needed a new tailor.
“That's not a true statement,” laughs Watkins “It actually happened the other way around and I gave [Perry] a few pointers.”
New Rutgers coach Gary Waters, who is one of the most fashionable coaches in the country, had high praise for his fellow competitor.
“[Melvin Watkins] doesn’t need any assistance,” says Waters. “He’s a very sharp dresser. I like his approach.”
And what about that new Rutgers coach?
“He’s outstanding,” laughs Waters. “He’s got a great shot of winning it all this season.”
No doubt that the former Kent State coach will get a lot more television time in the Big East Conference. His wardrobe is very impressive as well it should be. Waters has journeyed to Paris to add to his closet collection.
Waters owns 15 pairs of shoes and his ties, on average, cost about $150 dollars.
The man who graces the cover of Street & Smith’s preseason college basketball magazine, will begin the new style season at No. 3 in the Fashion Power Index.
Here’s a look at the first FPI on the 2002 Runway to the Fashionable Four:
1. Bruiser Flint – Drexel
2. Melvin Watkins – Texas A&M
3. Gary Waters – Rutgers
4. Willis Wilson – Rice
5. Rick Pitino – Louisville
6. Sherman Dillard – James Madison
7. Sal Mentesana – Lehigh
8. John Calipari – Memphis
9. Matt Doherty – North Carolina
10. Mike Jarvis – St. John’s
When evaluating the wardrobes of coaches, here are some things to keep in mind.
Last season’s fashion statement was solid color ties (i.e. gold and silver). While they are not out of style they are not the rave either. Thickness is the key and ‘Valentino’ is among the best.
Two-button suits are about as fashionable as plaid. If you are sporting one the material had better be of the highest quality.
The double-breasted approach is okay.
The three and four button look is a winner.
Longer cut jackets look wonderful on some coaches, but that look is not for everyone. DePaul assistant Tracy Dildy and James Madison’s Sherman Dillard sport them well. Next time we will hear from Marist coach Dave Magarity and Iona’s Jeff Ruland. Both believe they were slighted in the FPI.
THE NATURAL
With Rick Pitino’s return to the college ranks, Conference-USA is now even deeper in coaching talent. The debate over who is the best basketball coach in C-USA is one for the experts, but there should be no argument as to who is the best on the baseball diamond.
Charlotte coach Bobby Lutz is widely regarded as one of the more unheralded basketball coaches in America. He has already enjoyed quite a successful career, but he also enjoyed much success on the diamond.
In fact, at one time, Lutz was regarded as on of the top slow-pitch softball players in the state of North Carolina.
In 1973, at age 15, Lutz played on the junior team (13-15 year old), which won the National championship. A year later, playing with the big boys, his team won another National title. They added four more championships in the coming years (1978, 81, 83 and 84).
“The 1981 team was the best softball team I’d ever seen,” says Lutz. “It was not just a traditional bunch of slow-pitch softball players. That team had a lot of great athletes.”
According to Lutz that 1981 team was the best team he has ever been a part of in any sport. They captured softball’s triple crown by winning the National championship in each of softball’s three main divisions. “Howard’s Furniture” is among the legendary teams in North Carolina softball history.
As for Lutz, he played second base and did some pitching. He was not a home run hitter, but hit about .650 and had an excellent fielding pct. He retired from the game in 1984, when he started coaching basketball as an assistant at Clemson.
WAL-MART
Western Kentucky’s Chris Marcus has been getting a lot of attention and has been named to several All-American teams. Now a senior, Marcus will undoubtedly be a high first round pick in next summer’s NBA Draft. But the 7-footer almost missed his calling.
Marcus has played just 85 game of organized basketball, with the majority coming at WKU (he played 25 games in high school). He was working in the pet department of a Wal-Mart store in his hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina when he his high school finally convinced him to give basketball a try.
The turning point came when his high school coach convinced him that his size and mobility would attract some school to give him a scholarship to play basketball. After talking it over with his parents he decided to give a shot and suited up for the Olympic high school team.
I guess you really can get some great things at Wal-Mart.
RECIPES FOR SUCCESS
Following every home win, Arizona State coach Rob Evans likes to fire up his grill and cook a few burgers Whether it’s a superstition or just a tradition, every coach has a recipe for success on and off the court.
This week’s recipe comes from the home of Drexel coach Bruiser Flint:
"Slammin' Smothered Porkchops"
8 Porkchops, 1/2 inch thick
Salt, to taste
Fresh ground pepper, to taste
1 Teaspoon of garlic powder
1 Teaspoon of onion powder
1 Cup vegetable oil
1 Medium onion, thinly sliced
1 Medium garlic clove, minced
3 Cans of Campbell's cream of chicken soup
2 Cups of water
1 Teaspoon gravy master, seasoning and browning sauce
Sprinkle chops with salt, pepper, onion and garlic powder on both sides Heat oil in a large skillet. Dredge the chops in the flour and fry for 5 minutes per side or until golden brown. Set aside.
Pour small amount of cooked oil, from the skillet, into a large pot. Add the sliced onions and minced garlic and sauté for 5 minutes. Add 3 cans of cream of chicken soup and whisk until smooth texture. Add chops and gravy master. Let simmer for 30 minutes. Allow to sit for several minutes before serving. It Serves 4
THE DUTTON LEGACY
Nobody has won more games at Division III Shenandoah than David Dutton. In 12 seasons at the helm the Hornets won 161 games, captured three regular season conference championships, made as many NCAA tournament appearances, produced two All-Americans and a National Player of the Year.
His legacy is forever secured. But on Oct. 29, coach Dutton passed away from an apparent heat attack at the age of 45. His untimely passing came almost one month to the day after his wife of 21 years lost her battle to cancer. Kathy Dutton was 42 years young when she lost her year-long battle with cancer.
Coach Dutton, who had two separate stints as an assistant at James Madison, had retired from coaching following the 1999 season so that he and his wife could spend more time with their four children.
Countless coaches offered their thoughts, but one correspondence stood out. Recently I received this email from Coastal Carolina Coach, Pete Strickland:
I knew Dave well in the way that coaches know other coaches, i.e. we reconvene at the Final Four every year and, when you recruit a kid in each other's backyard or play in each other's neighborhood you get together and eat a dinner at 10:30 at night somewhere before you get on the road again. His passing is a shock.
Dave loved his family and cared about ANYONE involved in basketball he would meet. Few are as interested in their assistants' development as Dave was in his. Gosh, I'll miss him. It is probably about the time where we'll be recruiting in NW Virginia again and Dave and I would have caught up again in that elastic relationship that coaches have and cherish.”
Sincerely,
Pete Strickland
A special fund has been set up for the Dutton’s four children:
Dutton Family Fund
c/o Harry Smith
First Bank
112 West King Street
Strasburg, VA 22657
CLICK HERE TO SEND ANGELA YOUR COMMENTS
(Head Coach: 3-8-2002) 1. Bruiser Flint
2. John Calipari
3. Gary Waters
4. Willis Wilson
5. Jay Wright
6. Paul Graham
7. Tubby Smith
8. Rick Pitino
9. Melvin Watkins
10.Mike JarvisPlaying Catch with Satchel Paige
The Captivating Conference Champions
Coach Brent Encourages Players to Build Professional Look
The Renaissance Man and Wrestling Alligators
Coaches Give Fashion Statements on Coaches
A Look at New Jersey's Stylish Coaches
Feb 4 FPI: John Calipari Remains No. 1
Sideline Style Poll is Clothes Call
Being No. 1 Suits Rutgers' Gary Waters Just Fine
Jan 21 FPI: John Calipari Tops Fashion Power Index
Carter, Felton, Lutz and Scruggs Combine Coaching and Style
Terry Gets Rave Reviews in North Carolina
Jan 7 FPI: Gary Waters Tops Fashion Power Index
Though Styles Differ, Smith and Pitino at Top of Their Game
December FPI: Georgetown and Drexel Top The Lists
Jesse "The Body" Ventura and a Kid at Delaware
Musical Talent in Kansas and Wyoming
The FPI, The Natural and a 7-Footer from Wal-Mart
Pennsylvania: America’s Most Stylish State
In Search of Bigfoot with Dale Brown
Auctioning off Auburn coach Cliff Ellis
UCLA's Steve Lavin Talks Fashion
John Feinstein Plugs Fashionable Four
(Assistant: 3-8-2002) 1. Wayne Brent
2. Gary Stewart
3. Steve Sauers
4. Ronny Thompson
5. Tony Jones
6. Patrick Sellers
7. Reggie Hanson
8. Lew Hill
9. Tom Schuberth
10.Jennifer Johnston
AMERICA EAST:
Tom Brennan
ATLANTIC COAST:
Skip Prosser
ATLANTIC SUN:
Don Maestri
ATLANTIC 10:
Bob Hill
BIG EAST:
Gary Waters
BIG SKY:
Joel Sobotka
BIG SOUTH:
Pete Strickland
BIG TEN:
Jerry Dunn
BIG 12:
Melvin Watkins
BIG WEST:
Kevin Bromley
COLONIAL:
Bruiser Flint
CONFERENCE-USA:
John Calipari
HORIZON:
Ed Schilling
IVY LEAGUE:
James Jones
METRO ATLANTIC:
Don Harnum
MID-AMERICAN:
Stan Joplin
MID-CONTINENT:
Homer Drew
MID-EASTERN:
Cy Alexander
MISSOURI VALLEY:
Barry Hinson
MOUNTAIN WEST:
Charlie Spoonhour
NORTHEAST:
Bobby Jones
OHIO VALLEY:
Kyle Macy
PACIFIC-10:
Paul Graham
PATRIOT LEAGUE:
Sal Mentesana
SOUTHEASTERN:
Tubby Smith
SOUTHERN:
Bob McKillop
SOUHTLAND:
Mike Deane
SOUTHWESTERN:
Lafayette Stribbling
SUN BELT:
Dennis Felton
WEST COAST:
Michael Holton
WESTERN ATHLETIC
Willis Wilson
Take a stroll down last season's Runway to the Fashionable Four
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