"Rants and Raves" is an open forum for coaches to discuss topics, ranging from issues to observations on the state of college basketball and beyond.
 
 
The Rumor Mill
By Jessie Evans, San Francisco

Kelvin Sampson was correct in assessment of March. It's the best time of the year. It's why we coach. But March also sparks the beginning of what has now become a tradition. It's time for the rumor mill game.

The rumor mill has already started churning out names at a rapid pace and if recent history is any indication, there will unfortunately be countless coaching changes once again in 2004.

I could fill a book with all the reasons as to why coaches are fired and hired. The reasons range from the sensible to the unfathomable. But my point is not to list, but to put things in perspective. Yes, it's a great time for many, but March also ushers in the end for so many others.

Furthermore, the game of "he said - she said" has become problematic for coaches. Is it the job of the media to report what they know? Most definitely, but it does create a dilemma for coaches.

Last season San Diego's Brad Holland was on the verge of playing Stanford in the NCAA tournament, but he had to stop and answer questions about his involvement in the opening at UCLA.

It was reported that he was politicking for the job. That was not true, but more importantly it was an unnecessary distraction for a coach and a team preparing for the NCAA tournament.

Once again the rumors fly as to whether or not this will be coach Gene Keady's last season at Purdue. Is he going to retire or will he be back for another season?

Will my mentor, Lute Olson coach another season in Tucson?

Coaches like Lute and Gene are trying to ready their teams for tournament play and they don't need such nonsense thrown about.

And then there is the proverbial, "with that win he probably saved his job. It was a big win."

That's funny, but I always thought every win was a big win.

All of the above probably makes for a good read and generates interest from fans, but is also does something else. It creates internal problems for coaches who are named.

Coaches are not the only people that watch the television and read the newspapers. Potential recruits also see and hear the same analysis.

Pretend for a moment that you are being recruited to play at Purdue. If you get the impression that there might be a change you may be reluctant to sign a letter of intent.

Am I right?

Rumors of this sort make coach Keady's job all the more difficult. And that's unfair.

Unfortunately each season begins with a list of those that are supposedly on the hot seat and all season long other coaches are rumored as possible replacements. Those coaches must answer questions from the media, alumnus, fans and -- perhaps most importantly -- recruits.

Often those that attach current coaches to other jobs have good intentions. It's a validation that they have done a great job at the current place of residence. But while coaches might be a little flattered -- to a man -- they will tell you that it can also have an adverse effect on them.

No sooner will a position open up then will we have a lengthy list of top candidates. And to make matters worse, we will see wire stories as to who interviewed where.

When did it become a news story as to who was interviewing for a job?

Now that might seem on the surface to be completely harmless. But let's say that over the course of two years there are four or five stories about one coach having interviewed at various places.

Don't you think that his current place of employment might get a little annoyed?

I can hear those alumnus now -- "Hey coach, if you don't like it here then leave."

In any other walk of life you just take a sick day or your lunch break to pursue an interview opportunity and nobody else knows, but in this profession your every move is monitored.

Again, the media has a job to do, but so do coaches. Nobody will fault anyone for looking to better his or her situation, but making it public does create a new set of problems.

If you are working on Wall Street and another Fortune 500 company is interested in bringing you into their fold, don't you think it would create a problem at your present job if the New York Times reported it?

Today media coverage has reached a new plateau. More so then ever before the need-to-know sells newspapers, gets more viewers and creates more hits for websites.

This demand has created the rumor mill frenzy. But it has also increased the demands on coaches.

The media is what brings attention to all of us and we all understand that our job is to coach and their job is to write about it. It would just be nice to read about basketball instead of who met who for an interview at Starbucks on Main Street.