Comments on: A John Stevens Holiday Wish List

By: jstevrtc

jstevrtc — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 23:57:16 +0000

Anonymous:

I had actually thought about this before you brought it up. The coaches’ shows and stuff are something the NCAA has allowed for a really long time, whether it’s a specific 30-60 minute show per week (very common) or just a pre- and post-game discussion with coaches that accompanies every contest (ubiquitous). Location isn’t a changeable aspect of a coaching job, i.e. a coach that takes a job in Topeka can’t expect his 30-minute/week show to be broadcast in New York City. The NCAA can’t be expected to make sure that happens. They don’t have the means or power to do so. Also, in NYC and other huge markets, the coach’s local college basketball radio or TV show has to compete for attention with numerous other things.

The satellite radio show. however, gives Coach K (or whoever else it would have been) something extra. This gives him — from Durham, NC or wherever he chooses to broadcast it — access to the entire hemisphere without traveling a single mile, if he chooses. Maybe he’s just the first of many, who knows. And of course there are the other appearances I outlined in the original post, as well. But at some point, especially if other big-program coaches are awarded similar media access, I don’t think coaches from mid-majors and smaller schools will tolerate it, and the NCAA will have to come up with a position and enforce it.

To John above: I forgot to ask you something in my previous long-winded answer, and I’m just fanning the flame, here. We agree about the shady tactics many (most?) programs employ to get recruits, i.e. regarding AAU/HS coaches, family members, etc. What was your position on the situation involving Chris Duhon’s mom?

Keep the comments coming. Love it.

John Stevens

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 03:50:42 +0000

What about the way that the majority of college basketball coaches host local (FM) radio shows and TV shows for all to see? In fact, considering that XM/Sirius requires a subscription, these regular shows may reach even more people than K’s show. If the local radio/tv includes coverage in New York or another major market, should this be considered an unfair advantage?

By: jstevrtc

jstevrtc — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 03:37:01 +0000

Ryan: See?!? You’re part of the problem! How dare you. (wink)

Aaron: Thanks! Much appreciated. Thanks for reading!

John: Agreed re: the Chuck Amato ones. Those guys do a great job with all those. Let me address some of the other stuff…

I consulted with the RTC Legal department and they agree — I’m not sure what you mean by ‘monopolistic behavior’ or ‘restraint of trade,’ but I’m not a lawyer. Maybe you mean anti-trust laws? Or right-to-work laws? I’m not sure either of those things applies here. I think by the letter of your statement, you’re correct. The NCAA probably couldn’t “ban” Coach K or any other coach from having a radio show. BUT, they could certainly say, “OK, we think this constitutes an unfair advantage and/or it unlevels the playing field. Here is the punishment we’ve selected…” They’re not saying that a coach can’t have a radio show or whatever. He/she can have a show as long as they want. But that coach can expect the same penalty as long as he/she HAS the show. So in that way they’d be pushing you toward not having a show.

Now, this assumes the NCAA would actually do something about a coach — any coach — having a radio show like Coach K does, or whatever. Which they won’t. Not just because it’s Coach K, but also because it’s already been going on. I think they will have to address the issue at some point (what would you do if you were a “mid-major” and a bunch of BCS-school coaches had satellite radio shows, or 1/2-hour weekly specials on network TV, or something? Cry bloody murder, that’s what), but I don’t expect it soon. My problem isn’t necessarily with Coach K in this scenario — it’s with the NCAA, who says they want things to be as even and level as possible but clearly doesn’t do anything to that effect, but then DOES create rules on the fly regarding that pre-season practice loophole from earlier this year, or coaches contacting pre-high school players, etc. They choose little things to exert their influence on, and often ignore the big ones. It’s a VERY strange organization.

As far as what you said about programs’ dealings with family members, AAU coaches, appearance fees, etc, that’s a darn good point. That’s such a murky area and again appears to be a place where the NCAA picks and chooses the battles it wants to fight.

Anonymous Blue Devil: I can’t refute anything you said; I don’t know Coach K personally, but what I can say about him that’s for certain is that he definitely comes off as a confident gentleman (and why wouldn’t he?), he’s an unbelievable motivator, and one of the greatest basketball coaches ever.

If you’ll let me run with this for a second, I think there’s a parallel between your thoughts about Coach K and how Yankees fans regard their organization. The Yankees aren’t doing anything wrong or breaking any rules by offering players large salaries that MOST other teams can’t compete with. They do this because they can, i.e. they have the means, and because it seemingly helps their organization, which itself has a mystique to it. To some, that makes the Yankees appear arrogant, or like they always get their way, as you say. But Yankee fans wouldn’t change things, and every other team in MLB would do this if they could.

I’m slightly out of my element talking about MLB here, but I think you see the parallel. I only bring up this point because it brings up another as issue I find interesting, and that’s the “perception” of Duke as the NYY of college basketball. I have a few Duke alum friends who can’t understand why people don’t like Duke basketball, and I think your statement does a good job of encapsulating WHY so many people root against Duke. It’s the same reason people don’t like the Yankees. 1) They often win, and 2) they’ve created a holier-than-thou air about themselves while doing it. Goes to show you….my friends (and other fans of Duke hoops) can’t have it both ways. You can’t win like you do but then jump on other people because they don’t like you. Something Yankee fans have been dealing with for years. But hey — who cares as long as you’re winning?!?

To everyone — thanks VERY much for reading, and thanks for the comments. Keep ’em coming, by all means! It’s great getting them. I sincerely hope you’re all enjoying the holiday season, whatever you’re celebrating. I just wish the college hoops Christmas tournaments would make a comeback.

John Stevens

By: Anonymous Blue Devil

Anonymous Blue Devil — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 21:14:17 +0000

Yes Coach K is arrogant and seems to always get things his way.

But that’s why we would not trade him for any other coach in the country. And that’s why every school would fire its coach to hire K if K wanted their jobs.

By: John

John — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 20:27:16 +0000

Hey, that is one of a long line of flash movies done by the fine sports people at the News and Observer in raleigh (the Chuck Amato ones were freaking awesome). Just because something is on YouTube, doesn’t preclude you from properly crediting the original creators.

Also, the NCAA would get slapped with a lawsuit faster than Ty Lawson going down the court with a ball in his hand if they tried to ban any coach from having a radio show. Restraint of trade, monopolistic behavior, etc etc. I’d rather see the NCAA step in on the family members/AAU coaches getting hired to get a recruit, or getting appearance fees for speaking at basketball camps. It’s blatant buying of players, yet nothing has been done about it. (And yes, as a Duke fan, it is a recruiting advantage, but at this stage in his career, it adds little to K’s recruiting)

By: Aaron

Aaron — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 22:52:53 +0000

I was just poking around the internet when I came across your blog. I just have to tell you that I really enjoyed reading it. I though that your writing was excellent and that you really made some funny situations come alive, especially that airplane part… so true.
Thanks.

By: Ryan

Ryan — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 07:00:29 +0000

Erin is such a babe!!