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An Opportunity for LSU Basketball
Posted on 4/12/12 at 1:50 pm
Posted on 4/12/12 at 1:50 pm
An Opportunity for LSU Basketball
By Chris Warner
Exclusive to Tigerdroppings.com
April 12, 2012
I live in Alabama, where football is the oxygen equivalent. Basketball is an afterthought here; a pesky distraction from the untold spoils of gridiron glory. It is the same throughout much of the Deep South, except in Lexington, of course. Football is king. Everything else is secondary. Nevertheless, I remember well the days of my youth, when the game of basketball at my alma mater, LSU, was on the main stage. Coach Dale Brown, LSU’s outspoken and lively leader, was a household name. His Tigers, ever the underdogs, seemed always to find a way to win—particularly in the biggest games. Capturing the spirit and mindset of its motivational maestro, the LSU Basketball Program in those days was more than just a tough ticket—it was successful on and off the court toward winning and graduating players. It was also a bully pulpit for one of the NCAA’s biggest enemies; and in the end, that made all the difference.
In this exclusive piece for Tigerdroppings.com, the beginning and the end for the LSU fan on the Internet, we will take a hard look at the coaching search transpiring on campus while trying to put into proper focus and historical context its potential impact on a program rich in basketball tradition.
An Open Slate
Trent Johnson left LSU for what he perceived to be better days. LSU fans for the most part probably feel the same. Therefore, there are no hard feelings and the sky is the limit moving forward. LSU’s athletic director will make the hire that will theretofore define the program, and quite possibly, his embattled tenure at the institution, given its high-profile nature. Joe Alleva will make this decision, and it will ultimately make him, in the eyes of the LSU Basketball fans.
Political Concerns
Scott McKay’s Hayride ran a piece a few days ago warning of political pitfalls that could ruin this search, leaving LSU and its fans with a less-than-desirable coach. While the piece was not entirely fair, given that Johnny Jones, one of the candidates for the job, was not responsible in his role as LSU assistant coach under Dale Brown, for the Lester Earl saga and ultimate sanctions. For that matter, neither was Coach Brown, as it is now well-known that Lester admitted to lying to the NCAA to get his transfer to a Roy Williams-run Kansas program.
However, Scott’s column was better than others because it spoke frankly of what I would call real political concerns—that one of the candidates would have a better shot not because of their credentials, but because of their connections. Tiger fans want a coach who knows basketball—not one who knows somebody. For bringing up this larger, historically proven concern, McKay should be commended. That’s his job. And it certainly should be the job of Joe Alleva, at this critical juncture. LSU’s new basketball coach should win the job on the merits of his experience, acumen and proven ability to recruit, teach, win games and graduate student-athletes.
Decision makers are influenced. In particular, trustworthy, experienced, impressive people influence them. In this case, former LSU basketball coaches wield influence over the decision maker. One such coach is former LSU Basketball Coach Dale Brown.
The Unlikely Trio of Daddy Dale, John Brady and Trent Johnson
I remember vividly when Shaquille O’Neal’s jersey was retired. It was December 14, 2000. I attended the game with my father, who was an avid hoops fan and a Louisiana high school referee for 22 years. At halftime the ceremony began. Many LSU dignitaries spoke. One of them was particularly memorable.
Stanley “Skip” Bertman, LSU’s stellar baseball coach who was not yet the athletic director, said a few words. I remember him saying what a tremendous “giver” Coach Dale Brown is; how he had witnessed him over and over and over again—giving to others, and how he sincerely wished he could give more like Coach Brown manages to do. Coach Bertman had kind words for the man of the evening, Shaquille O’Neal, as well, but the majority of his statement seemed prepared for Shaq’s Coach, the guy who had fortuitously found the superstar while speaking at a U.S. Army base in Germany, years prior.
continued...
By Chris Warner
Exclusive to Tigerdroppings.com
April 12, 2012
I live in Alabama, where football is the oxygen equivalent. Basketball is an afterthought here; a pesky distraction from the untold spoils of gridiron glory. It is the same throughout much of the Deep South, except in Lexington, of course. Football is king. Everything else is secondary. Nevertheless, I remember well the days of my youth, when the game of basketball at my alma mater, LSU, was on the main stage. Coach Dale Brown, LSU’s outspoken and lively leader, was a household name. His Tigers, ever the underdogs, seemed always to find a way to win—particularly in the biggest games. Capturing the spirit and mindset of its motivational maestro, the LSU Basketball Program in those days was more than just a tough ticket—it was successful on and off the court toward winning and graduating players. It was also a bully pulpit for one of the NCAA’s biggest enemies; and in the end, that made all the difference.
In this exclusive piece for Tigerdroppings.com, the beginning and the end for the LSU fan on the Internet, we will take a hard look at the coaching search transpiring on campus while trying to put into proper focus and historical context its potential impact on a program rich in basketball tradition.
An Open Slate
Trent Johnson left LSU for what he perceived to be better days. LSU fans for the most part probably feel the same. Therefore, there are no hard feelings and the sky is the limit moving forward. LSU’s athletic director will make the hire that will theretofore define the program, and quite possibly, his embattled tenure at the institution, given its high-profile nature. Joe Alleva will make this decision, and it will ultimately make him, in the eyes of the LSU Basketball fans.
Political Concerns
Scott McKay’s Hayride ran a piece a few days ago warning of political pitfalls that could ruin this search, leaving LSU and its fans with a less-than-desirable coach. While the piece was not entirely fair, given that Johnny Jones, one of the candidates for the job, was not responsible in his role as LSU assistant coach under Dale Brown, for the Lester Earl saga and ultimate sanctions. For that matter, neither was Coach Brown, as it is now well-known that Lester admitted to lying to the NCAA to get his transfer to a Roy Williams-run Kansas program.
However, Scott’s column was better than others because it spoke frankly of what I would call real political concerns—that one of the candidates would have a better shot not because of their credentials, but because of their connections. Tiger fans want a coach who knows basketball—not one who knows somebody. For bringing up this larger, historically proven concern, McKay should be commended. That’s his job. And it certainly should be the job of Joe Alleva, at this critical juncture. LSU’s new basketball coach should win the job on the merits of his experience, acumen and proven ability to recruit, teach, win games and graduate student-athletes.
Decision makers are influenced. In particular, trustworthy, experienced, impressive people influence them. In this case, former LSU basketball coaches wield influence over the decision maker. One such coach is former LSU Basketball Coach Dale Brown.
The Unlikely Trio of Daddy Dale, John Brady and Trent Johnson
I remember vividly when Shaquille O’Neal’s jersey was retired. It was December 14, 2000. I attended the game with my father, who was an avid hoops fan and a Louisiana high school referee for 22 years. At halftime the ceremony began. Many LSU dignitaries spoke. One of them was particularly memorable.
Stanley “Skip” Bertman, LSU’s stellar baseball coach who was not yet the athletic director, said a few words. I remember him saying what a tremendous “giver” Coach Dale Brown is; how he had witnessed him over and over and over again—giving to others, and how he sincerely wished he could give more like Coach Brown manages to do. Coach Bertman had kind words for the man of the evening, Shaquille O’Neal, as well, but the majority of his statement seemed prepared for Shaq’s Coach, the guy who had fortuitously found the superstar while speaking at a U.S. Army base in Germany, years prior.
continued...
4
Posted on 4/12/12 at 1:53 pm to Chris Warner
quote:
Coach Brown was the LSU basketball coach for 25 years. His mark on the program is indelible. During that time he not only won more games than any other league coach except legend Adolph Rupp, he helped many young men become successful in life. He did this by giving. He gave his time. He gave his attention. He gave his money. He gave his love. Because of all that he gave, LSU basketball is better nationally known, and the Baton Rouge community where he coached and still lives, is a better place, because Coach Brown gave not only to his players—but to anyone who asked for his help. Further, he is still helping others. Call him and see. He still loves helping people as much as he does LSU.
I spoke to Coach Brown a few days ago about Johnny Jones, asking him to give me reasons--outside of the fact that Jones played for him, why he should replace Trent Johnson. Coach Brown responded, “Chris, you know that I would not recommend Johnny Jones if I didn’t think he was up to the challenge. I have been asked before to recommend former players and have declined. Johnny Jones has what it takes.”
Coach Brown told me that Johnny Jones will have immediate credibility with three of the top high school coaches in Louisiana history: Kenny Almond, Gary Duhe and Bernard Griffith, and that he is from Louisiana, is an LSU guy, knows the state well having recruited it extensively in the past (Shaq & Chris Jackson), and is a proven winner.
Jones’ record as a head coach is impressive. At North Texas, a program that averaged just five wins per season in the four years prior to his arrival, Jones has led the Mean Green an average 21 wins per year over the last six seasons, including a school-record 24-wins in 2010 and a pair of Sun Belt Conference titles and NCAA Tournament trips.
Coach Dale Brown is not the only coach who has recommended that Joe Alleva hire Jones. John Brady and Trent Johnson—the two men who followed Coach Brown at LSU, have also recommended him. This lone fact leads me to believe that there is genuinely no “good ole boy” maneuvering behind the scenes. Instead, I believe there is simply a movement amongst a group of former LSU coaches and players who genuinely want to see LSU’s winning basketball tradition continued, as Shaquille O’Neal, Ricky Blanton, Rudy Macklin and Clarence Ceasar, among others, have also publicly endorsed Jones.
What is Best for LSU Basketball
I work in Pensacola, Florida. I swim two or three times a week in the morning at the local YMCA in downtown Pensacola so I don’t die young of heart disease like my father unfortunately did. I also enjoy exercise. Further, I enjoy the sauna and the hot tub each time, as well as my regular laps. In doing so I made a new friend, West Florida Head Basketball Coach Bob Stinett. Coach Bob shares my morning workout regimen, and he always asks about Coach Brown, his former boss.
Bob Stinett was an assistant coach at LSU from 1975 to 1978. He told me that Coach Brown gave him a chance at a job he never dreamed he would get, and that it proved to be a turning point in his lengthy career.
Last week when I mentioned to him that Trent Johnson resigned, he asked who was on the short list to replace him. At this point, I had not yet spoken to Coach Brown. I had only read early reports on Tigerdroppings. I answered, “Johnny Jones, but I don’t know if he’ll make it.”
Much to my surprise, Coach Stinett answered, “Jones would be perfect. They should hire him now. End of story.”
Scott McKay will like this. I said, “Well, Coach, hiring coaches at LSU is always a political exercise. I don’t know if they will or not.”
Coach Bob, on his way out of the hot tub, left me with, “How about they do what is best for LSU Basketball?”
I had no answer.
Opportunity Knocking
So, Joe Alleva has a decision to make. Hopefully his decision will be guided by truly what is best for LSU Basketball, as there are many fans, like myself, who would love to once again see LSU as a serious conference contender of Kentucky and as a regular participant in the NCAA Tournament.
With this hire LSU Basketball has the opportunity to regain its former greatness; the greatness that was stolen by a sanctimonious, self-serving and unjustifiable NCAA.
*Chris Warner is a double graduate of LSU. He is the author/publisher of 15 different books, including “A Tailgater’s Guide to SEC Football,” “The Tiger Among Us,” “The Wagon to Disaster,” “The Ulysses Long Story” and “Bushwhacked at the Flora-Bama,” released at the 24th annual Interstate Mullet Toss at the Flora-Bama Lounge & Package Store later this month, April 27, 28 and 29. Contact him on facebook or twitter @cdubayou.
now its in one thread
This post was edited on 4/12/12 at 1:54 pm
Posted on 4/12/12 at 1:59 pm to Johnny Appleseed
thanks for single thrreading it. They should delete the other thread.
Posted on 4/12/12 at 2:03 pm to SouthOfSouth
Posted on 4/12/12 at 2:06 pm to SouthOfSouth
quote:
They should delete the other thread
they should delete both.
Posted on 4/12/12 at 2:11 pm to Chris Warner
quote:
Johnny Jones, one of the candidates for the job, was not responsible in his role as LSU assistant coach under Dale Brown, for the Lester Earl saga and ultimate sanctions
Is this based on Lester Earl's statement?
Posted on 4/12/12 at 2:16 pm to Carson123987
Posted on 4/12/12 at 2:28 pm to Tommy Patel
quote:
they should delete both
this. i can't understand why Chicken allows this drivel to continue on his watch. And, allowing Chris Warner to be a mouthpiece for Dale Brown on a message board is pathetic.
Dale, thanks for building basketball program. too bad you effed it up before you left. leave us alone and let the current administration do their thing.
Posted on 4/12/12 at 2:40 pm to Johnny Appleseed
quote:
knows the state well having recruited it extensively in the past (Shaq & Chris Jackson)
This is funny since neither Shaq nor Chris Jackson are from LA.
Also, if Johnny Jones is such a good coach, why hasn't he gotten a better job than UNT?
Posted on 4/12/12 at 2:43 pm to amiznit
Does this guy ever address the errors in his writings or just talk about how this is td.com exclusive and hit the road?
Posted on 4/12/12 at 2:47 pm to hashtag
without reading, is this article as shitty as every other one Chris Warner writes regarding LSU sports?
Posted on 4/12/12 at 2:49 pm to Elleshoe
quote:
without reading, is this article as shitty as every other one Chris Warner writes regarding LSU sports?
I liked it.
Posted on 4/12/12 at 2:50 pm to Elleshoe
quote:
is this article as shitty as every other one Chris Warner writes regarding LSU sports?
I skimmed it, and it is!
Posted on 4/12/12 at 2:51 pm to GeismarGeauxer
Shaq and Chris Jackson were not from Louisiana just to make that clear!!!
Posted on 4/12/12 at 2:53 pm to GeismarGeauxer
Shaq and Chris Jackson were not from Louisiana just to make that clear!!!
Posted on 4/12/12 at 3:36 pm to Johnny Appleseed
quote:
released at the 24th annual Interstate Mullet Toss at the Flora-Bama Lounge & Package Store later this month, April 27, 28 and 29
This info is wrong. The 25th annual was 3 years ago because i was there and bought the t-shirt!
Posted on 4/12/12 at 6:52 pm to Chris Warner
quote:Was anyone responsible for getting a local doctor to pay Earl $5,000? Or did he just do that on his own?
ohnny Jones, one of the candidates for the job, was not responsible in his role as LSU assistant coach under Dale Brown, for the Lester Earl saga and ultimate sanctions. For that matter, neither was Coach Brown, as it is now well-known that Lester admitted to lying to the NCAA to get his transfer to a Roy Williams-run Kansas program.
Posted on 4/12/12 at 6:53 pm to Chris Warner
quote:
While the piece was not entirely fair, given that Johnny Jones, one of the candidates for the job, was not responsible in his role as LSU assistant coach under Dale Brown, for the Lester Earl saga and ultimate sanctions. For that matter, neither was Coach Brown, as it is now well-known that Lester admitted to lying to the NCAA to get his transfer to a Roy Williams-run Kansas program.
This is the kind of revisionist history that pisses me off.
First of all there was a money and improper benefits trail that connected LSU Basketball, the good doctor and Lester Earl.
Second, this implies that Dale Brown didnt tell Johnny Jones what was going on with the Lester Earl recruiting and medical treatment.
Third, the NCAA disclosed enough to LSU to induce the LSU admin to self report, sanction themselves and remove the entire staff. Had the NCAA wanted to push the issue even further they could have destroyed LSU basketball. As it stands they got the pelt on their wall that they wanted (Daddy Dale's hide), they let the rest of the staff go on with their lives (Johnny Jones) and they accepted LSU self imposed sanctions with a few bombs thrown in for good measure. "Johnny Jones was not responsible" is akin to the get away driver is not responsible for robbing the bank. That dog dont hunt.
Posted on 4/12/12 at 9:43 pm to supatigah
quote:
This is the kind of revisionist history that pisses me off.
Exactly supa...it's rationalization pure and simple.
We broke rules we agreed as a NCAA member to play by and we, unlike many schools who break rules, fessed up and policed ourselves. Just because Earl changed his story (and who is to know which version is true really) doesn't mean that was all there was to it.
We could both list all the other violations LSU admittted to besides the $600 JJ payment to Earl that is often held up as the gold standard of innocence following Earl's mea culpa, but that too would be rationalized.
What has always disappointed me was that Dale never...ever took any responsibility or accepted any accountability for what happened to LSU's basketball program at the end. And it was a frickin mess.
I like to see my friends do well to so I can understand Dale and his boyz from that respect in pimping Jones. But let's not as you say, revise history in rationalizing it.
Posted on 4/12/12 at 9:50 pm to GeismarGeauxer
quote:
Is this based on Lester Earl's statement?
I love the way people keep bringing up how Lester Earl "admitted to lying about Johnny Jones".
Lester Earl could tell me that water is wet and I'd feel the need to go to the kitchen sink and check it out for myself. That fricker has lied so much, I don't think he knows the difference anymore. Why should anybody believe him on this one?
This post was edited on 4/12/12 at 9:53 pm
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