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The Fashion Power Indexes - Jan. 21, 2002
By Angela LentoA Majestic Look in Memphis
Analysts differ as to which conference is the toughest in America. But that’s basketball talk and this is all about style. When it comes to fashion, Conference-USA leads the way.
Memphis coach John Calipari and Louisville’s Rick Pitino immediately give the league a strong fashion power index, but there a number of majestic mentors strutting their stuff in C-USA.
“There are a lot of stylish coaches in that league,” says Rutgers coach Gary Waters. And Waters should know a thing or two about style, as he was No. 1 in the Jan. 7 FPI.
“I like what guys like Seth Greenberg (South Florida), Pat Kennedy (DePaul) and Ray McCallum (Houston) wear,” Waters added. “They are top 25 material for sure.”
Of course, not everyone agreed with coach Waters fashion statements.
“The Colonial is the best-dressed league,” says Drexel coach Bruiser Flint. “Sherm [Dillard] has some fly stuff and Jim Larranaga (George Mason) looks smooth. You go down the list and you’ll find some nice threads in the Colonial.”
But Bruiser, what about Conference-USA?
“Are you for real,” laughs Flint. “They got [Bob] Huggins, which means that have no style. He might look good on TV, but you watch the next time they are on TV and he’ll be wearing the same suit. He bought like two new suits and he just keeps wearing them and those ties he wears are terrible.”
Well, despite Flint’s attire assault, Huggins is legitimate contender for the 65-coach fashion field, which will be unveiled in March when the competition on “The Runway to the Fashionable Four” begins.
Huggins autobiography is well titled, “Pressed For Success” and the Cincinnati coach sports a classic look and earns extra style points for seemingly always having his jacket buttoned. That’s pretty impressive for an often-animated coach.
Animated is also a good descriptive for South Florida’s Seth Greenberg who concurred with my assessment of his wardrobe.
“The people at Canali and Zegna agree with your observations,” says Greenberg. “I have some pretty expensive threads.”
And the list goes on.
“Lorenzo [Romar] has a little something,” says Flint. “He knows where to shop. And coach Cal dresses well. He’s not as fly as me, but he’s okay.”
And Flint couldn’t resist the opportunity to continue return to his attire assault.
“Seth Greenberg? Come on now. Maybe if there were a class for bald guys. He and Huggins have no business thinking they’re stylish. [Rick] Pitino looks sharp and Cal is okay, but those other guys aren’t even average.”
Undoubtedly, C-USA coaches will rebuttal.
HEAD COACH FASHION POWER INDEX (Jan. 21)
1. John Calipari (Memphis): Despite what coach Flint might think, the majestic Memphis coach brings a regal look to the hardwood. Whether it’s pin stripes or classic black, Calipari always looks well put together. The single fold with handkerchief is the perfect accent to his fashionable approach.
The battle for C-USA’s most stylish coach, between Calipari and Rick Pitino, may provide the top seed in on the catwalk in March. And right now, coach Cal has the advantage.
2. Tubby Smith (Kentucky): Coach Smith continues to look spectacular on the sidelines. There was never any question as to the fine quality of his threads, but last season he dropped in the FPI as quickly as his sport coat dropped to his seat on the bench.
But this season the coat has been staying on and so he continues to move up in the rankings. He looks poised to take a long stroll in his Cole Hahn shoes down “The Runway to the Fashionable Four,” in March.
3. Willis Wilson (Rice): Recently Wilson broke a snappy beige ensemble, which caught the eye of Texas A&M coach Melvin Watkins and his wife. But when they inquired as to where he picked up the nifty threads, Wilson told them, “we’re in competition and I cannot give away any secrets.”
4. Rick Pitino (Louisville): People continue to email me wondering why coach Pitino isn’t No. 1. There is no question that the lavish Louisville coach can deep into his closet, but those NBA dollars give him a slightly unfair advantage.
5. Sherman Dillard (James Madison): The race for the No. 1 seed in the east is heating up on the runway and dashing Dillard hold a slim cuff-link lead over Flint and the others.
Every year, at the Final Four you can count on finding Dillard and Flint taking a little time out from the NABC meetings to do a little clothes shopping. This year, in the lobby of the Atlanta Hilton, Coach Dillard will easily be one of the most stylish.
6. Bruiser Flint (Drexel): When Flint dropped all the way down to No. 8 in the last FPI, Drexel assistant Mike Connors remarked that, “Bru might jump off the Ben Franklin Bridge if he doesn’t get back to No. 1.”
The 2001 best-dressed coach in America is slowly moving back up the fashion rankings and currently has bragging rights in Philadelphia.
7. Jay Wright (Villanova): The two-time runway champion (1998 and 1999) might have something to say about who is the most stylish in the city of brotherly love.
Wright sports a style that is quite the opposite of Flint’s hip approach. The Villanova head coach looks spectacular with his classic, well-refined look. His charcoal black Hugo Boss three-button jacket, with ten-button vest, gray tie and shirt looks fantastic.
8. Paul Graham (Washington State): Graham brings a sophisticated, CEO look to Pullman, Washington. His black suit, with gold tie approach is a winner. The Cougars’ coach has the inside track on the top seed in west.
9. Rick Barnes (Texas): There is a new leader in the Big 12 fashion race. Since the start of last season, Texas A&M’s majestic Melvin Watkins had separated himself from the rest of the Big 12 competitors. But now there is new gun in the Lone Star state.
10.Gary Waters (Rutgers): So how does one fall from No. 1 all the way down to No. 10? Well, taking off the sport coat with regularity is a fashion foul. The new gray suits look wonderful, but the jacket has been coming off just a little too quick.
This is the lowest ranking ever for the regal Rutgers coach.
ASSISTANT COACH FASHION POWER INDEX (Jan. 21)
1. Tom Schuberth (UAB): Even coach Schuberth couldn’t tell you exactly how many Armani’s hang in his closet. The debonair Blazers’ assistant has been rumored to work out in his fine threads. Trust me, he has enough in his fashion arsenal to sport a different suit every game for two seasons.
2. Rodney Terry (UNC-Wilmington): Terrific Terry slips down just one spot. After being No. 1 in the Jan. 7 FPI, the sensational Seahawks coach has established himself as one of the front-runners on the fashion under card (assistant coach’s runway competition).
According to UNCW sports information director, Joe Browning, the pride of Angleton, TX always makes sure he has an iron, when the Seahawks are on the road.
3. Ronny Thompson (Georgetown): Every time the Hoyas are on television, Thompson shines. Like those ahead of him, the Georgetown assistant has already guaranteed himself of a spot on the main stage when the under studies competition begins in March.
4. Steve Sauers (Marist): According to head coach, Dave Magarity, Sauers follows his lead, “there’s no question that he looks to me for fashion tips. I have also seen to it that we had a tanning bed assembled in his office.”
I am not sure about the first part of coach Magarity’s statement, but the latter is very true. Well, at least the part about being tan. Coach Sauers’ olive complexion compliments his suit and vest look, very nicely.
5. Wayne Brent (Mississippi): He brings a hip and upscale look to the Ole Miss bench. This past week Brent shined in the spotlight, when the Rebels appeared on national television against Kentucky and Arkansas. This family man has enough gear to dress a small army.
6. Tracy Dildy (DePaul): I have taken a lot of heat for ranking dapper Dildy in the top ten. The DePaul assistant is a risk taker, known for sporting just about every color fabric imaginable. But it works!
7. Ramon Williams (VMI): According to VMI head coach, Bart Bellairs, “Ramon sets the fashion trends for coaches. He’s one of the best-dressed human beings.”
Bellairs also went onto to say that he would consider getting a quick divorce in order to qualify for “College Basketball’s 50 Most Eligible Bachelors,” which will be unveiled on CollegeInsider.Com in early February.
8. Derek Kellogg (Memphis): Following in the footsteps of mentor John Calipari, Kellogg does a nice job of combining classic and hip. This young gun is as smooth as they come.
You will probably also find this pretty boy on the list of “College Basketball’s 50 Most Eligible Bachelors.”
9. Reggie Hanson (Kentucky): Coach Hanson brings a hip and yet sophisticated look to the sidelines. While he assists coach Smith in implementing a new wrinkle or two for the opponent, Hanson never displays a single wrinkle in his attire. Always well-pressed and well put together, the UK assistant will vie with Ole Miss assistant Wayne Brent for the MVP (Most Visually Polished) of SEC assistants.
Last season, Texas A&M grabbed the style honor of college basketball’s best-dressed staff. That distinction could be moved from College Station to Lexington, Kentucky. In addition to coach Smith and coach Hanson, the rest of the Wildcats’ staff looks very sharp, led by former Alabama head coach, David Hobbs.
10.Mike Jarvis, II (St. John’s): Deuce helps to form America’s best father-and-son fashion tandem. Like dad, the younger Jarvis is always well pressed. His suits fit him like a glove and he adds a touch of sophistication with his fashionable spectacles.
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
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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