College basketball players transfer in large numbersThe players started leaving in earnest during the spring of 2008, a trickle having turned into a stream that has seen 12 players transfer out of the basketball program at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Although there is no way to play down the problem and its impact, SIUC athletics director Mario Moccia can at least take solace in one regard: The program has been mimicking a national trend.

Transfers in college basketball remain brisk, with about 40 percent of all players switching schools within their first two years, according to NCAA President Mark Emmert.
Read more: stltoday.com

Coaches As Characters In The Godfather

Vito Corleone – Rick Pitino, Louisville

Pitino has been to the top of the mountain and felt the warm glow of a championship wash over him like the Tuscan sun. Yet, he didn’t stick around too long in Act I as the game began to pass him by. He disappeared for a while but returned to play a prominent role in Act II

athlonsports.com
3/26/11

Mike Leach would bring baggage to Maryland

RC:  If Maryland athletics director Kevin Anderson replaces fired football coach Ralph Friedgen with Mike Leach, it will take two bellhops and a luggage trolley to cart all the baggage Leach brings.

 This is a guy who has a thing for pirates and once blamed a loss on “fat little girl friends.” As far as allegedly locking a player in an equipment shed, we’ll let everyone sort that out for themselves. But then it doesn’t take much to see that the problems of three little people don’t amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world.  But, if you are a program that fell $500,000 short of its goal last season, here is why you hire Leach.

 usatoday.com
12/21/10