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The Photo Shoot-Around and Opening Act
By Angela Lento
The mood was festive as coaches gathered for the pre-tournament event. The band was playing and Miami’s Charlie Coles was teaching his dance steps to a group of younger coaches. Didn’t he look great with those moves after the Redhawks semi final win in the MAC tournament?
Campbell coach Billy Lee was among those moving in step with Coles. The TAAC champion will face New Mexico’s Fran Fraschilla (pictured) in a No. 5 vs. No. 12 contest in the South.
“Fran looks really good in those suits,” he said. “But it’s a shame that he has to go into the children’s department to find them.”
Frashcilla was preparing for a game with Baylor in the NIT and was not in attendance.
While Coles, Lee and others were practicing their dance steps others were wandering through the fashion exhibit. Among the items on display were Kelvin Sampson’s blue shirt, Rollie Massimino’s shoe collection and one of the many sport coats warn backwards by Bowling Green’s Dan Dakich.
Kent State’s Gary Waters, who will face Dakich in the opening round, commented on his fellow MAC coach.
“He had a lot of guts to sport that look, but I am not sure that it warranted a spot in the field of 65. The threads are still not that high quality.”
Dakich (pictured), who had to literally sneak into the event due to the media blitz of reporters looking for a scoop on his former boss Bob Knight, laughed and offered up some thoughts of his own.
“He beat my ass three times this season so the least he can do is give me a win here. It will be a real study of contrast and I hope the judges make the right choice. Regardless, we are better represented as a league in this field than we are in the NCAA field.”
While most mentors were relaxed two head coaches were in their dressing rooms preparing for the first contest of the tournament.
Maine’s John Giannini (pictured) would be facing Butler’s Thad Matta in the No. 64 vs. No. 65 matchup -- ‘The Opening Act.’
Each coach took different paths to the runway. Matta was the runaway winner in the fan’s rookie vote, thus getting him the No. 65 spot, while Giannini was one of the biggest surprises to make the field.
“It just goes to show you what one suit can do for you in conference tournament action,” said Giannini. “Being a part of the fashion field is great, but I am not just happy to be here.”
The Maine coach knew going into the America East Conference Tournament that he had to dominate the runway and win out in order to make the field. He stunned Hofstra’s Jay Wright in the semi-finals and then edged out Vermont’s Tom Brennan in the terrific title match. Despite the loss, Brennan still got an invitation to the event.
“I am thrilled and at my age to still be considered hip,” said Brennan. “Angela saw me at a mid-week game in Boston. Had I known that, I would have dressed up more if I knew what the stakes were. I didn’t know I had to impress anybody.”
Brennan (pictured), an America East excellent extra selection, will face Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski in the first round.
“He’s got no shot in this contest,” said Brennan. “He’s way to basic. If you’re at Duke you have to step out a little bit. He’s refused to take chances and I think that is going to hurt him.”
Brennan did not seemed phased by his No. 9 seeding, but others had some questions.
“A No. 2?” asked Cincinnati coach Bob Huggins. “I am not sure about that.”
Last season Huggins was the top seed in the Midwest, but was stunned in the opening round by No. 16 Steve Cleveland of BYU. Interestingly enough the two coaches will face each other in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Thursday. The BYU coach failed to qualify for the runway field this year.
But Huggins wasn’t the only one miffed by his seeding.
“What are you thinking?” wondered Iona’s Jeff Ruland (pictured). “My suits are of the highest quality. You have to be kidding with the No. 3 seed. I don’t buy my stuff off the racks like [Dave] Magarity and some of these other chubby guys.”
As for Magarity, the No. 11 seed in the South, he was motioning to Ruland to the sign above the door in the corner of the room, which read -- ‘Ruland vs. Magarity – Only The Toughest Will Survive.’
“Lets see who emerges from that room unscathed,” said Magarity. “Ruland thinks he’s tough from all those years spent in the NBA. Well, I will show him what tough is. My size and girth will take over. I’d say it would be over in less than 60 seconds.”
Magarity will meet Saint Louis coach Lorenzo Romar, while Ruland will step onto the stage against Valparaiso’s Homer Drew in first round action.
For some, making the field can result in a clothing deal or activation of an incentive clause.
“I get bonus money for making the field,” laughed St. Francis (PA) coach Bobby Jones. “I am going to have my hands full in the first round, but I will come ready to go.”
Jones, the champion of the Northeast Conference, will meet St. Joseph’s Phil Martelli in a battle of for bragging rights in Pennsylvania. Jones was one of two NEC coaches to make the field along with Jim Phelan (Mount St. Mary’s), while Martelli was one of four representatives from the Atlantic 10.
Former UMass coach Bruiser Flint also stopped by to check out the scene.
“I’m doing fine,” said Flint. “I am really proud of the way the players responded this season. They never gave up.”
And what about the runway?
“A weekend in New York City sounds pretty good to me,” said Flint. “I might have a little something for the competition.”
Flint and Martelli are joined by Bob Hill (Fordham) and Oliver Purnell (Dayton) representing the league.
Not bad for the A-10, but four of 11 doesn’t compare to the over 50% showing from the Midwestern Collegiate Conference. Five of its’ eight coaches will be on the runway, setting a new record for a mid-major league.
“There are a lot of sharp dressers in this league,” explained Wright State’s Ed Schilling. “Winning the title of best-dressed in this conference is liking going unbeaten on the court in the Big Ten.”
In addition to Schilling, Rollie Massimino (Cleveland State), Bo Ryan (UW-Milwaukee) and Perry Watson (Detroit) were in attendance to talk about their first round opponents and lend their support for fellow MCC mentor Thad Matta.
“Thad is a very good guy and he is making the step up from assist clothes to head coaches clothes,” said Perry Watson. “He still has a ways to go, but is headed in the right direction.”
Watson (pictured) will be paired up on the runway with Illinois coach Bill Self who made the field by virtue of his orange sport coat.
“I have known Bill for a long time and he’s a nice guy,” said Watson. “Unfortunately he is going to lose.”
UWM’s Bo Ryan was torn between his good friend Giannini and his loyalty to his conference and Matta. He decided not to sit with either contingent and instead took a seat in the back to remain neutral.
After much talk, the lights finally dimmed and the spotlight shined brightly on the main stage as ‘Opening Act’ began.
Maine’s John Giannini took the first steps and dazzled the judges with his great posture. Matta responded with some stylish moves of his own and the two contestants stepped off the runway, deadlocked with 20 minutes to go.
Fashion assistant Jackie Bracco caught up with Giannini has he headed off to his dressing room.
“I felt coming in that he would have advantage,” said Giannini. “His promotion from assistant to head coach meant he had to go out and purchase some new suits. His attire is definitely more up-to-date than mine, but I will make some adjustments and we’ll see what happens in the second half.”
During the intermission, ESPN’s Rece Davis and Fox Sports’ Kevin Frazier checked in to see the score. The battle for best-dressed ‘on-air’ personality was still up for grabs. Perhaps we should have a tournament for those guys. We could pair them up in a field similar to the ‘Fashion Fair’ (Assistant Coach Tournament) or ‘The Runway to the Fashionable Four.’
So what should we call this event?
Hmm -- How about the ‘Media Circus’?
The Butler fans roared as Matta (pictured) emerged from the tunnel and hit catwalk freshly pressed. He looked very chic and quickly took the lead out of the dressing room. But Giannini went deep into his closet and got some unexpected production out of some old gear.
“The 70’s look is coming back,” said fashion consultant Jackie Bracco.
She was impressed and so was the entire panel. Giannini built a decent advantage and spread the floor with his ‘four-closet’ offense. This frustrated Matta who was forced to switch to his ‘suit-to-suit’ defense.
Giannini took advantage and put the ‘catwalk contest’ away.
“It’s a great feeling to be moving on,” said Giannini. “Coach Matta was a very tough competitor. I am going to enjoy this for a day or two and then start preparing for Melvin Watkins. I will really have to work hard in order to beat him”
Giannini will face the Texas A&M’s majestic mentor on March 19. Watkins is the top seed in the field.
Matta was disappointed, but was pleased with the support of the Butler faithful.
“I want to thank all of the fans that voted me as the best-dressed rookie coach,” he said. “It was quite an honor. Now we have to get ready for Wake Forest in the NCAA field.”
Counting Matta, 19 coaches on the runway will also be competing in the NCAA Tournament.
March Madness will get wild on Thursday. The Fashion Frenzy will unfold next week.
Be sure to listen to Angela Lento talk fashion on the 'Adam Paul Show' at 2:30 (EST) every Friday.
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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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