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Pepperdine’s b-ball coach has called a permanent time-out, amid rumors that he verbally abused his players - even making one kid suck his thumb during practice.
The LOS ANGELES TIMES dribbles news that Vance Walberg resigned on Thursday, officially citing ‘family reasons’ for his departure from Malibu. However, Vance’ vacancy comes at a time that questions were being asked about Walberg’s way with his team. Read more…
THE SCORES REPORT tosses us the happy news that Bud Selig will be steering the MLB ship for another five years.
Although no details of the new deal have been announced, Bud reportedly brought in $14 million in home pay last season. Since taking over as acting commissioner in 1992, Selig has overseen many monumental moments during his reign - the 1994 players’ strike & World Series cancellation, threats of franchise contraction (i.e the Minnesota Twins), and the pumped-up release of the Mitchell Report.
But people are still coming out to the park - 79 million of them went through the turnstiles last year. And revenues have risen to $6 billion - mostly from the Yankees’ luxury tax.
Congrats, Bud! Maybe you can use some of that $14 mil on some Polident.
In order to keep Jason Garrett from leaving, the Cowboys may end up paying their assistant more than their head coach.
PRO FOOTBALL TALK reports that Garrett may be getting up to $4 million a year to remain in Dallas. That would mean the Cowboys’ offensive coordinator would be earning more than Wade Phillips, who reportedly earns $3 million per season. Read more…
Tony Dungy denies that he’s resigning from the Colts - for the time being.
WRTV gets the rebuttal from the Indianapolis coach about rumors of his retirement. PRO FOOTBALL TALK earlier reported that the Colts coach would be stepping down, and assistant Jim Caldwell would come in as his replacement.
However, Dungy said on Wednesday that the report was “false”, and hasn’t decided on his future in Indy just yet. Tony, who still has one year remaining on his contract, reiterated that he would make an announcement next week.
But if Dungy does choose to hang up his whistle, the report could be considered at least “half-true”, if just a little early.
It also appears that Green Bay quarterbacks aren’t the only ones who can play the “Will He/Won’t He” comeback game.
Sorry, John L. Smith - the ‘L’ must stand for ‘Luckless.’ Hawaii has chosen a new head coach, and it’s not the former Spartan leader.
The HONOLULU STAR-BULLETIN reports that the Warriors have promoted assistant Greg McMackin to run the football program. The defensive coordinator was all set to follow June Jones to SMU, until he was given the chance to take the reins of the defending WAC champs.
It does seem a bit odd that a team known for their offensive output would nab a defensive guy. But then again, this school did let Jones slip away from paradise to the plains of Conference USA.
McMackin has his work cut out for him, such as building a coaching staff, hitting the recruiting trail - and finding a Hawaiian home for his daughter & grandchildren, who he plans to move out from Texas.
As for John L. losing out on the job, we imagine this was his reaction:
An Iowa high school music teacher is hoping to hit the right notes as coach of the boys’ basketball team.
The DES MOINES REGISTER has the story of Michelle Brock, band director for Paton-Churdan High School (enrollment: 41) , and leader of the boys’ varsity squad. And if that’s not enough, she also takes time to sing the national anthem before games.
This is Brock’s first season at the helm, only a year removed from graduating from Buena Vista University. So far, Paton-Churdan is 3-8 - which doesn’t sound encouraging, until you learn that the Rockets have already matched their win total from last year.
How do the students and locals feel about a young woman in charge of a boys’ team?
Isiah Thomas isn’t going anywhere - at least according to Isiah Thomas.
1010 WINS passes the news that the Knicks president & coach plans to stay in his positions, despite weekend rumors that he’s ready to leave the sidelines.
The NEW YORK POST reported that an unnamed source said Thomas was thinking about quitting his coaching post so he could concentrate on his presidency. But Isiah denied such claims, saying, “That was a lie. That was just a flat-out lie. I would never, ever, ever quit. Ever.”
This does verify his earlier promise that he’ll “win or die.”
But the thought of Thomas taking flight may have provided inspiration for the New York b-ballers Sunday night.
Tony Sparano is looking for a head coaching offer he can’t refuse:
The ATLANTA JOURNAL CONSTITUTION reports that the Dallas Cowboys offensive line coach - not to be confused with the lead character of a recently canceled HBO series - will be interviewing with the Falcons about their head coach job opening.
And word out of Miami is that new football VP Bill Parcells is also eyeing Sparano to take over the Dolphins if Cam Cameron gets deep-sixed like GM Randy Mueller.
With a moniker like Tony Sparano, it’s easy to mistake the Jerry Jones employee with the James Gandolfini role, as evidenced by the wacky & zany Kenny Mayne:
Quote Brian Billick’s employment with the Ravens, “Nevermore.”
The BALTIMORE SUN reports that the head coach was fired on Monday, a day after the Birds completed a disappointing 5-11 season. The Ravens had finished their year with a win over the Steelers, but not before losing 9 in a row - including an OT loss to Miami that gave the Dolphins their only win of the season.
Just a month earlier, Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti had give Billick a vote of confidence, blaming the team’s losses on numerous injuries and questionable QB play. But the Ravens’ rotten play since must have left a bad taste in Bisciotti’s mouth. On Brian’s recent booting, Steve said, “I just changed my mind.”
Billick is the second Ravens coach in 3 days to leave the team, as offensive coordinator Rick Neuheisel took the UCLA job on Saturday. Maybe Ricky can hook up his old pal with a position at Westwood. It might be worth the gamble.
When the season finished in Philly, Marv Levy had circled his last wagon:
WIVB-TV reports that the former four-time Super Bowl-appearing coach will be stepping down from his position as general manager of the Buffalo Bills.
Levy will he heading back to retirement after spending the past two years in the Orchard Park offices. The long hours were reportedly wearing on the 82-year-old GM, causing him to miss many a “Matlock” rerun.
It was also believed that Marv was ready to go after doing “what he needed to do.” If that means finally relieving J.P. Losman of starting QB duties, then mission accomplished.
