Bringing Nothing to the Table

I feel like, since I’ve been gone for a while, I should do a three weeks in review type thing. But I’m not, because it would mostly consist of me copying everything people have already said and bringing nothing to the table. Of course, what else would be new? In any case, the fall sports season is winding down, and that eliminates some of my content for the weekly reviews, so I’ll be brief. I think.

First, let’s discuss the current situtation at the University of Minnesota and their respective coaches. First, the basketball team axed Dan Monson, and now they are hunting for a new head, while interim coach Jim Molinari actually isn’t doing so bad. There is no hurry to add a head coach, especially in mid-season, but, of course, they want someone to be the face of the team during recruiting. The Gophers hoops team doesn’t necessarily need a big name, because generally, the big dopes from in state try to stay home in Minnesota. It’s just a matter of finding someone smart enough to say, “being a big ape works in college, but not so much in the pros.” This was Monson’s problem, losing NBA powerhouses Joel Pryzbilla, Rick Rickert and Kris Humphries early. Actually, it seems as though the right choice may be Molinari.
Now, on the other side of the aisle is the football team, who canned Glen Mason after an embarrassing loss to Texas Tech in the Insight Bowl. It has always been difficult to recruit in Minnesota, or so it seems, because the Gophers have been middling to poor since about the 60s. Of course, with coaches like Jim Wacker it’s not hard to see why. In short, the Gophers need a big name if they want the big talent it takes to compete in the Big Ten. AD Joel Maturi had the right idea in going after Tony Dungy right away, but of course, he’s not going to take the job, since, as he said, he’s a pro coach, not a college coach. In the meantime, Larry Coker has expressed interest in the job, but for whatever reason, Minnesota is ignoring that. It’s Larry Coker! Everyone knows Larry Coker! He took his team to the BCS National Title Game. The best part for Coker is that there is no way that the nightlife in Minneapolis is the same as it is in Coral Gables. The man definitely won’t have the discipline problems he did with the Canes, and his university will be much more likely to stand behind him within those disciplinary actions. So those are my choices. Molinari and Coker to coach the Gophers. I bet I’m wrong with both though.

Now, elsewhere in the Big Ten, there is a coach who has a regular season record of 67-43, has been to 9 bowl games in 10 seasons, including a Rose Bowl against Washington, but, of course, he seems to be on the outs. I’m talking about Purdue’s Joe Tiller, who the student body seems to be turning against, despite his turning of a fetid program and continued success in a challenging conference. Additionally, he has a track record of leading athletes, especially quarterbacks (Drew Brees and to a lesser degree Kyle Orton) to successful professional careers. So, he’s a good recruiter, a successful coach and all of this at a rigorous academic program. Tough to do. If Purdue doesn’t want him any more, I think Minnesota would be happy to have him.

Hey! The Wild CAN win on the road! Well, they can in Canada, anyways. But that’s OK, since 3 of the 4 opponents in conference are Canadian. Having Marian Gaborik back certainly helps. I think it’s about time we seal him up in a bubble off ice, just in case, because not only does he play well when he’s actually playing, but everyone else picks up their game as well. By the way, it’s nice to see that someone found Pavol Demitra. I’d missed him.

The EPL season is just about winding down. I’m just happy that Blackburn wasn’t relegated. They had a tough time getting going, but eventually, they played to their potential in league play. They had been stowing that skill and using it for the UEFA Cup, which is noble, I guess, but it’s no way to actually get back to UEFA competition somewhere down the line.

Ok, so that’s it. I’m done. – Ryan