You only get one chance to make a first impression. What was mine of Stan Heath? Very simple…from day one, Heath was the Anti-Nolan to me.
I’ll be honest…I didn’t follow the Kent State run through the 2002 NCAA Tourney that closely. After all that had transpired here on the Hill that spring, I was soured on college basketball by the time ‘March Madness’ rolled around. I guess I just wasn’t as trained to follow another ‘horse’ in the race like I am now.
But when it became apparent that Flashes’ head coach Stan Heath would be introduced as the new head Hog Baller, my interest was piqued enough to take a ‘long lunch’ and watch his introductory press conference.
A couple of things stood out immediately. The man was articulate and charming. He was excited and enthusiastic about the chance to coach the Hogs. He even talked about the importance of rebounding. REBOUNDING! Sure…he really didn’t know what the heck was going on when ‘Big Daddy’ Frank led the room in calling the hogs. But that was okay. He was at least trying to get it.
In other words, Heath was nothing like Nolan Richardson. He was the Anti-Nolan. And for the past five years, he hasn’t been Nolan…in all the ways that are both good and bad.
The Good Example: Now that it looks like the handwriting is on the wall, Heath seems to be handling the pressure with class and a hopeful attitude. A respectful “no comment” when asked about “published reports.” A continued urging to his players and the fans to not give up.
By contrast, Nolan would have completely lost it by now. Called for the “tanks” and demanded that they “pay me my money.” And told that “turd” down in Little Rock to go flush himself after writing a column like the one he penned on Sunday.
The Bad Example: But if Nolan were coaching this year’s team, when it started looking like things were heading south several weeks ago, he would’ve circled the wagons. Shut off all media access. Created an “us against the world” mentality. Convinced them…scared them…willed them into the best team that he could possibly make out of them.
Stan, however, has just wanted everyone to stay calm. Don’t panic. Sure…they’re getting beat by lesser opponents. Absolutely…they’re getting out rebounded by smaller teams. Yes…they had a player leave for the locker room during a game. But don’t worry about it. “Sometimes that’s ‘D’,” you see. “He’s an emotional guy.”
Now, of course, it’s too late for either Stan or Nolan to do anything differently. In fact, that might be the primary regret shared by each coach.
Both the former one…and the one who’s soon to be.
A fair criticism, Owasso. I've updated the post.
I was probably a little more emotional about that incident because I considered it to be completely unacceptable.
TipsterHog, you reference “players” leaving during the game… wasn’t this really just a single player and even at that just once? Let’s not blow this out of proportions – if it doesn’t need to be!
Speaking of leaving during the game, remember ole Nolan strollin down Texas way.
ses, the funny part of that stroll is when he slinked back onto the court after Mayberry hit the shot to send it to overtime. It's like storming out of someone's house and slamming the door, only to find yourself standing in the snow and realize you left your coat inside.
For those on the Nolan watch, if one actually exists: Old "Cussin" Nolan was hanging out in the Texas Roadhouse steak restaurant in El Paso, TX, east side last night. Hall, who I am told is the late John Robert Starr's ex-son-in-law, seemed to not like Nolan, but on the other hand who does that pseudo-writer like? Did not like Holtz, did not like Hatfield, did not like Ford, did not like Nutt..and won't like the next coach who replaces the best coach in the SEC years later.
Correction: He was there tonight for what it is worth.