Duke Lax & NC State Coaching

A couple of things to hit up today. I will go for the serious one first, then we’ll get on to something more fun. So first up is the Duke lacrosse “scandal.”

The big news out of the D-Piece is no DNA evidence was found matching any of the forty-six white players on the team. Supposedly three of these guys were involved in sexually assaulting the exotic dancer, who was black, at a party a month ago. Link to this development is below:

http://www.newsobserver.com/100/story/427546.html

Now, let’s just be frank about this. America, the Durham community, the press, the school, and the students have chosen to go a certain route on this story. Race. The dancer is black, the players are white, and it’s a racial issue. Immediately the race card comes up. This is precisely why America cannot bury its racial stereotypes, prejudices, and hate. It is always an issue.

I do not care what color anyone is; if there is no evidence to even charge someone, much less three someones, then no case exists. The lack of a case has nothing to do with race. The reactions of the community and the nation do. The students at NC Central and the press instantly highlighted the incident as a hate crime and anything other than forty-six guilty verdicts with 15-20 years in prison was going to be a racist outcome. And that in itself is a racist reaction. As one of my favorite professors, an African-American said many times, racism works both ways.

The protesting and rallying against the lacrosse team was quite humorous. All of these people who claimed race and class issues and said the players were so judgmental were in fact hypocrites. They jumped to conclusions, as did a large part of the press, that these were bad white guys who hate black people and low class people. Also, and I am applying a stereotype myself here, you have to question the background and story from the alleged victim. Her credibility and police record were not too strong coming in, but this was not highlighted until far too long into the story.

It seems to me that everyone involved is guilty of some racism, stereotyping, and borderline hate.

The point here is first, people jumped to conclusions. Second, many people passed judgment based on what they thought happened or was presented without having any real evidence. Third, the American people are their own worst enemy when it comes to bridging racial gaps. Actions of high-class, snobbish white guy athletes and the black community and the protesters at Duke and the media all add up to reinforcing America’s stereotypes of each group. This is sad.

On a related note, as I wrote a few weeks ago, this incident at least calls attention to the excessive partying by athletes (and regular students) at colleges across the country. These are the types of situations that pop up every few months in the form of hazing incidents, excessive drinking, strippers, racism, and sometimes death. Until people learn to take responsibility for themselves, it will continue. College is not a free pass to be a complete moron, whether you play a sport or not. I don’t think administration alone is responsible; individuals must take responsibility and learn how to have fun without harming others.


Now, on to fun stuff. NC State still needs a coach. John Calipari is the targeted candidate now, but there are other candidates out there. Let’s take a look at some of them:

Julius Hodge: recent graduate of the basketball program and recently shot in a drive-by in Denver where he “plays” for the NBA’s Nuggets. Let’s be honest: gunshots to Julius’ legs had to break them in half since they were about as thick as a needle before. So he could come back and coach his alma mater. After all, no one at State has ever been as “hooongry” as Hodge. “We hooongry man.”

Chris Corchiani: such passion for the program and he knows everything. Just watch him at games, he already works officials (even when State is down by 20) as well as Coach K. He could bring back Rodney Monroe, Chris Washburn, Lorenzo Charles, and Damon Thornton as his staff. Plus, his real estate group could acquire the naming rights for the RBC Center.

Jeremy Hyatt: former beauty queen slash basketball player slash student. Before there was Josh Boone, Kris Lang, Charlie Villeneuva, Shelden Williams, or Adam Morrison’s mustache, college basketball had the prototype for aesthetically-challenged basketball players. Ok fine, he was an ugly dude; but he was a nice kid, I’ll give him that.

Mr. and Mrs. Wuf: the tandem NC State mascot(s). In a ground-breaking move, State could become the first school to apply the Title IX rule to its coaching staff. A male and female coach would be a positive step. Besides, someone has to communicate with Andrew Brackman to figure out why he insists on playing like he wears panties half the time (Aside: I like the way Brackman plays when he is giving effort. Problem is he gives effort about 4 minutes per game).

Pat Summit: imagining her screaming at Coach K and Roy makes me smile. I really think it could work if guys gave her a chance. But she might make players cry…not just at State, but anywhere. She sure is a good coach though.

Jessica Alba: the one hire that might convert me to pulling for the Wolfpack. Nnnnnn Cccccc Sttaaaaatte… N C State!

Chuck Amato: if he coached the Wolfpack basketball team to a fourth place finish, they’d throw a parade. I’m sure his shades would prove useful inside the Corchiani Center too.


In all seriousness, I hope NC State hires a coach the administration, fans, and players all respect. It is a good program and deserves success. Calipari is a step up from a recruiting standpoint, bringing NBA experience and collegiate success that Sendek did not have. I still contend Sendek to be a better game coach, but in today’s college game, talent is preferred.

If Calipari declines, John Brady (LSU), Karl Hobbs (George Washington), Frank Haith (Miami) are all candidates. I wouldn't be shocked if they made a run at Paul Hewill from Georgia Tech, but his contract is lengthy with a significant buyout clause. Billy Gilispie, head coach at Texas A&M, should be a candidate, but no one has mentioned him. I also saw Mike Brey (?!?) and Jeff Capel's names (prior to Oklahoma hiring Capel). Trust me, interview Gilispie if Coach Cal declines.

My money is still on John Brady personally, even as Calipari flirts with this decision. No matter what anyone says, coaching at State in the ACC is still preferred over coaching LSU in the SEC. FYI though: Brady previosuly had very little tournament success, having been upset multiple times and appearing in only one Sweet 16 (where the 4th-seeded Tigers were upset by 8-seed Wisconsin) before their Final Four run this season. Interesting, that sounds a lot like a guy that used to coach at State…what was his name again…