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The December Fashion Power Indexes
By Angela Lento
It did not take long for the emails and voice mail message to start piling up.
South Florida coach Seth Greenberg checked in to let me know that Bruiser Flint (Drexel) and John Calipari are “overrated.”
And according to Rutgers coach Gary Waters, “Melvin [Watkins] is average. There is now way he should be rated ahead of me.”
Fashion madness has truly begun.
Whether it’s coach Waters poking fun at the Texas A&M coach or coach Flint letting everyone know how fly he is, mentors across the country seem to be having a lot of fun on the Runway to the Fashionable Four. But Flint points out that it’s more than just tongue and cheek.
“Don’t let anyone fool you,” he laughs. “Everyone wanted that free trip to New York city.”
Flint is referring to the grand prize that was waiting for him at the end of last year’s catwalk, an all-expense paid weekend escape in the Big Apple. In addition, next Wednesday evening Flint will finally get his long-awaited trophy, as Drexel is rolling out the red carpet for a pre-game ceremony to honor their fashion favorite.
“I still have to question that call,” Waters says of Flint’s victory last season. “But I’m glad for him and I hope he and everyone else has an opportunity to attend the presentation in 2002, right here at Rutgers.”
The regal Rutgers coach is very confident that all the television time he will log this season in the Big East will take him far on the catwalk.
Waters will have the spotlight on him Dec. 23 when his team visits Virginia, as part of Fox Sports Net Sunday Night ACC slate.
But that is still over three weeks away. The first order of business is the latest Fashion Power Index for the magnificent mentors, as well as the first FPI for understudies.
HEAD COACH FASHION POWER INDEX
1. Bruiser Flint (Drexel):
He’ll tell you that he’s fly and he’s right. Coach Flint brings a very hip and happening element to the sidelines. He’s also got the best smile in college basketball.“Tell Gary [Waters] I will send him a picture of my trophy because that’s as close is he is going to get to actually having one,” laughs Flint.
2. Gary Waters (Rutgers):
“It’s well deserved,” laughs Waters upon learning that he had moved up one spot and bumped A&M’s Melvin Watkins. Fashion is a hobby for Waters who shops in Paris.3. Sherman Dillard (James Madison):
Dapper Dillard moves up three steps on the catwalk after beginning the season at No. 6. He wears those long coats very well. Coach Dillard looks stylish when he goes out for a jog.4. Willis Wilson (Rice):
A model of consistency, Wilson credits his tailor ‘Bee,’ in Houston for his runway success. “A lot of coaches have asked me to get them hooked up with Bee,” says Wilson.5. Melvin Watkins (Texas A&M):
His slight fall in the FPI has little to do with his attire and much to do with those ahead of him. He has perfected fashion’s four-point play, with a magnificent four-fold handkerchief.6. Rick Pitino (Louisville):
The gray suit with Cardinal color tie looked good, when his team visited Oregon. It might not have been a good night on the scoreboard for coach Pitino, but he racked up style points.7. Sal Mentesana (Lehigh):
Marvelous Mentesana is the runway’s version of a ‘five-tool’ player. From head to toe Sal is very well polished. The man has cashmere socks. “I saw them in the display case and I had to have them,” laughs Mentesana.8. Roy Williams (Kansas):
That’s right. Coach Williams sports a very refined look. Everyone talks about his X’s and O’s, but he gets straight A’s on the catwalk. He brings a distinguished look to the runway.9. Steve Alford (Iowa):
Coach Alford has looked very chic in his televised games. The gold tie and black suit is a winner. He also likes to go with the yellow shirt on occasion, which is very happening.10. John Calipari (Memphis):
Captivating Calipari brings a very dignified look to the stage. His attire is always well-pressed and never is there a hair out of place. The race for Conference USA’s MVP (Most Visually Polished) should be quite a battle.Others earning style points include Jerry Dunn (Penn State), Paul Graham (Washington State), Bob Hill (Fordham), James Jones (Yale), Wil Jones (Norfolk State), Ricardo Patton (Colorado), Tic Price (McNeese State), Quin Snyder (Missouri), Greg White (Marshall) and Ball State’s Tim Buckley.
Coach Buckley called to wish me a happy birthday and asked that I take a close look at his Hawaiian attire. The red Tori Richards shirt looked splendid!
ASSISTANT COACH FASHION POWER INDEX
1. Ronny Thompson (Georgetown):
As hip and happening as they come. He is to the assistant’s ranks what Bruiser Flint is to the head coaching fashion fraternity. Coach Thompson has enough gear in his arsenal that you may not see him wear the same thing twice in one season.2. Tracy Dildy (DePaul):
Dapper Dildy is styling with the long coat look. He’ll strike a pose with some sensational colors. Oklahoma coach Kelvin Sampson says, “He’s got some nifty threads.”"This is definitely an honor and one that I take seriously,” says Dildy. “I really try to work hard to maintain this. I spend a lot of time working on this.”
You can catch Dildy’s act on Fox Sports Net Saturday when DePaul meets Notre Dame.
3. Rodney Terry (UNC Wilmington):
Terrific Terry doesn’t get a lot of photo opportunities in the Colonial Conference, but his sense of style is well known in the fashion circles."It's a honor to be included among the nation's best dressed assistant coaches,” says Terry. “I have worked diligently over the past year in hopes of making the Fashionable Four this season. My shirts are pressed, my shoes are shined and I'm ready for the competition.”
4. Tom Schuberth (UAB):
He came within a ties length of being crowned the best-dressed assistant coach last season, losing to Wofford’s Mike Young on the final stage. His Armani suits are legendary. He’ll get a lot of TV time in Conference USA this season.5. Mike Young (Wofford):
Last season’s champion created quite a catwalk commotion. “He shops at K-Mart,” says East Tennessee State assistant Tom Conrad. “I want a committee to look into this because I think fashion probation is in order here.”“Incredible pressure has been put on me,” says Young. “I am stepping into a different league entirely. I felt very safe and confident with my clothes competing against other Division I assistants. When you now consider the Bob McKillops, Tubby Smiths, and Rick Pitinos of the world, we're going to have to step things up a bit.”
Mike Young will officially step off the assistant’s stage and onto the main stage on Monday, as he is being promoted to head coach. It’s a whole new ballgame now.
6. Steve Sauers (Marist):
Eager to take a long stroll down this season’s runway, the coach with the best tan in America recruited some custom fitted shirts in the offseason.“Mr. Tan has obviously had a great fashion teacher,” says Marist head coach Dave Magarity. “You’re not going to find a better looking or better dressed staff in America than the one we have here at Marist College.”
7. Jennifer Johnston (Oakland):
In a league of her own, coach Johnston (above) looks fantastic in her business-casual pantsuits. A clothing deal from “Jones New York” is definitely in order.8. Wayne Brent (Ole Miss):
He gives new meaning to SEC -- Spectacular-Elegant-Cool. Brent is quickly making a name for himself and his a rising star on the fashion circuit.9. Keith LeGree (Cincinnati):
This very dapper assistant leaped onto the runway last season and is sure to have the spotlight shining brightly on his attire again this season. Cincinnati head coach Bob Huggins commented last season that, “Once he starts making more money, he is going to have a tremendous wardrobe.”“It's an honor to be on this list,” says LeGree. “I am a lot more concerned with our team's style of play than I am about style of clothes right now.”
Spoken like a true coach Huggins disciple!
10. Clyde Vaughan (South Florida):
Lime green is a winner for coach Vaughan who sported the color on more than one occasion last season. There is no question that head coach Seth Greenberg will give his assistant a lot of ribbing for making the list.There you have it, the latest Fashion Power Indexes. Thanks so much to all of you who continue to email me your thoughts on the stylish coaches across the country.
Angela Lento is a big supporter of the “Bobbi Olson Foundation” and would like to urge you to make a contribution. For more information Click Here
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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
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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