Monday, March 15, 2004
About Friggin Time
Andy Katz is reporting that unless Steve Lappas wins next year, he's out. From Katz' Daily Word:The deal he struck with UMass on Monday gives him a job for another season, but the last two seasons of his contract are in jeopardy.
Lappas hasn't won. "Bruiserball" was a mess. The last time the Minutemen were an NCAA favorite was when John Calipari roamed the sidelines.
The cash-strapped state university could have pulled the plug on Lappas but then the university would have had to pay a new coach, too.
An explanation, not a justification.
The decision puts off an expected battle between Rick Pitino and John Calipari, the former Minutemen player and coach, respectively. Pitino would likely have pushed Manhattan coach Bobby Gonzalez while Calipari would have pushed former Minutemen player Tony Barbee, who is now a Memphis assistant.
I'm with Pitino. Manhattan is about to upset Florida. Bobby Gonzalez is a rising star.
