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Dakich Goes Backwards
By Angela Lento
Think coaches are superstitious? Well, Bowling Green coach Dan Dakich has taken it to another level. After being mired in a losing streak, Dakich decided to wear his sport backwards, literally.
“I figured if we are going to keep getting beat we may as well have some fun,” said Dakich.
On January 27th, Bowling Green was thrashed at Kent State, 81-57. It was the fourth straight defeat for the Falcons and Dakich had seen enough.
“I was tired of hearing myself give the same speech,” explained Dakich. “How many times you can tell your players that they have to guard somebody? So I decided we needed a change.”
Sometimes change is good and after the loss to Kent State, Dakich decided to go ‘backwards.’
“I come walking onto the court with my sport coat on backwards,” laughed Dakich. “I leave it that way until they are finished with the introductions. Anybody who has ever put their sport coat on backwards knows that it is pretty uncomfortable because it rides up your neck, but it’s working.”
In fact, the Falcons have run off a modest four-game winning streak, including three on the road so it is working. But it is not just the coach that gets into the act.
“Our players come to practice everyday with the warm-ups on backwards,” said Dakich. “As a matter of fact, I am going to practice shortly and I have my warm-up on backwards too.”
The former Indiana assistant has always mixed fun with coaching. Last season, in a game against Miami, a lose ball landed in Dakich’s hands so reacted by running to the basket and making a lay-up.
So the next time a coach says that they are going backwards, be sure to clarify exactly what he or she means.
There is no question that Dakich has all but secured his spot in ‘The Runway to the Fashionable Four’ with his new fashion statement.
“I guess you could say that I am tailor made for that fashion tournament now,” laughed Dakich. “If we keep winning games and it gets me into fashion madness then it was a good move.”
But not everyone agrees. Gary Waters, the MAC’s most fashionable last season and currently No. 2 in the fashion power index, kept it in perspective.
“It takes a lot of guts and a lot of creativity,” he said with laugh. “But I don’t know about being in the fashion tournament. Those garments he’s sporting still don’t look good.”
At worst, it will be entertaining. At best, it will continue to produce victories on the court.
Dapper Dan will be sporting his new-look again on Wednesday, when the Falcons host Marshall.
Be sure to listen to Angela Lento talk fashion on the 'Adam Paul Show' at 3:30 (EST) on Friday, February 16.
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(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
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(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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