Nolan Richardson - Dallas-Mavs.com Forums

MavKikiNYC · 03-02-2002, 04:44 PM

I'm surprised not to see any reaction(s) on this board to:
Rollin' Nolan's press conference
RN's contract buyout
RN's speculated civil rights lawsuit against Pig U (where's Johnnie Cochran?)

Good column today by Galloway. These boots are made for walkin'.....

Murphy3 · 03-02-2002, 05:51 PM

my reaction..
well, i don't know if what nolan was griping about..whether or not it was true or not..

however, if it wasn't..calling people racist that weren't necessarily racist..well, that's just as bad as any racist remark that issel made.

and if his claims were founded, you don't come out like that...is that the way to deal with anything?

ocelot_ark · 03-02-2002, 06:53 PM

I went to Arkansas for the past two years, and my grandfather is actually an editor for one of the papers up there.

I agree with Nolan. The media up there really gives all kinds of slack to Houston Nutt (football) and DeBryn (Baseball). Debryn went from deep in the NCAA tourney to about a .400 winning percentage, yet there were no calls for a change in the baseball program.

People have been accused constantly the last 5 years for racially motivated critism of Nolan. The fact that all this was happening during a losing season just seemed to puch him over the edge.

Personally I think it's a HUGE mistake for Arkansas to lose Nolan Richardson. There's not many coaches out there who have had as much success with as little talent as Arkansas. In the past 10(?) years Arkansas has only had ONE McDonald's All-American (Corliss Williamson). Nolan turns his lesser skilled players into a well oiled defensive machine, it's just a shame he never had the talent of a Kansas/Duke/Kentucky.

I definitely wouldn't mind Nolan joining the Mavs as a defensive specialist. He's got so many full court presses/zone press/ matchup zones...JEEZ! Wouldn't hurt to have a consultation or something!!!

MavKikiNYC · 03-02-2002, 07:34 PM

Interesting perspective on the Porcine media, Ocelot.

What was your reaction to his comments about university officials treating him differently than other coaches--you ever note anything like that going on? Examples?

Dooby · 03-03-2002, 08:48 AM

Well, I will just toss a couple of things out.

Baseball is not a revenue sport and basketball is. Thus, basketball is higher profile and subject to more scrutiny. The media rarely gives a rat's ass whether the voleyball team goes on a terrible losing streak.

Nolan complained that he was treated differently. I only know of one instance for sure: He was paid more than any coach and was the 12th highest paid coach in the country.

Rod1975 · 03-03-2002, 04:57 PM

I went to 4 years of Nolan's Razorback basketball camps, was a huge fan in the early 90's when I was going there in the summer (I actually roomed with Etan Thomas) and trust me when I tell you it ain't easy being Nolan....He has been under criticism alomost constantly it seems.

It sucks that it had to come to this.......

ocelot_ark · 03-03-2002, 05:26 PM

i think the absolute BEST quote about this whole ordeal was from J.J. Sullinger, a freshmen bball player for arkansas:

"The people who wanted him out, well...they're obviously a sandwich or two short of a picnic."

Murphy3 · 03-03-2002, 05:40 PM

yes, winning is always nice..maybe it comes down to winning more.
making it to the tourney..nice, but winning more is what is always expected.
so, maybe he sees it as one down year and maybe everyone else sees it as making it to the tourney and not doing enough while there

grbh · 03-03-2002, 06:04 PM

I think Arkansas basketball is in a lo of trouble.

Nolan created that program. With him gone much of the basketball tradition is gone with him. It was probably already a struggle to get kids to go to Arkansas. I think it just got more difficult.

Imagine an 18 year old African American choosing between Arkansas, Duke, or even Arkansas and Texas. More times than not he isn't going to choose Arkansas. With Nolan gone, and a potential racial black eye for the University, recruiting just got tougher for Arkansas.

MavKikiNYC · 03-05-2002, 12:43 PM

Is recruiting tougher for Arkansas BECAUSE of the things Richardson said, or because of the way his departure has been handled, or has recruiting African-American athletes to Arkansas always been a challenge?

Murphy3 · 03-05-2002, 12:59 PM

yes, arkansas will take a hit...but you can't tolerate the type of b.s. he was throwing out there.

of course he's going to be more highly scrutinized than other sports coaches..look at how much he makes?..and it's college basketball, not tennis for goodness sake.

it's a shame when people use the race card because they are black. it gets old.

if something's there..then that's fine..but using it just because you're pissed at something is detestable

grbh · 03-05-2002, 01:09 PM

MavsKiki, good point I think all 3 will make it difficult for Arkansas to recruit unless they land a high profile coach. I don't see that happening.

ocelot_ark · 03-05-2002, 02:40 PM

Just to clarify a few things:

Eddie Sutton created Arkansas basketball. He's the one who started the winning...Nolan just took it to a new level.

Arkansas has actually quite a few black men on their coaching canidates list. Leonard Hamilton is my top choice for the job, and he's being considered.

TheKid · 03-05-2002, 03:29 PM

You see that's where I think Arkansas is wrong. Now they're going to try to get a black coach in there to make a statement and that's not right either. Grbh the comment you made about a young black kid choosing Arkansas over Texas, that's probably Arkansas's philosophy to get a black coach in there so they won't lose those kids that they may "potentially" lose now.

Also it's so hard to say he's using the race card because we're on the outside looking in. We don't know what it feels like to be in Nolan Richardson shoes, so maybe he sees something that we don't. Unless you're a black man who is the head coach of a major university, you're not going to see it through the eyes of Nolan Richardson. You're not going to be able to sympathize with his frustrations. He said himself, maybe he lashed out when he shouldn't have but he was frustrated and I think from that point we all can understand that. We've all been frustrated before and have made remarks that right after they came out of our mouth we wished we could have swallowed them back up. So I don't begrudge him for what he said or how he snapped at the media or for him voicing his opinion of him not being treated fairly. It's easy for us to sit back and say, "well he makes a lot of money, get over it." Well just because he's one of the highest paid coaches, does that mean he should let bad treatment in his opinion fall to the waste side, NO I don't think so.

grbh · 03-05-2002, 03:56 PM

I agree Kid, that may be their strategy, and not a good one at that. They need to focus on getting the best coach available. He may be black I don't know.

I just think Arkansas and Nolan Richardson both painted themselves into a corner on this issue. Nolan appears to have played the race card, and Arkansas appears to some to be rascist. Both will have to carry the baggage of this situation for a couple years.

TheKid · 03-05-2002, 04:06 PM

Well I can't quite disagree with that, although in my opinion Arkansas will hurt more from it than Nolan Richardson will. Like he said, if he decided not to coach another day in his life, he'll be fine, financially and emotionally because he's had a great career. Arkansas on the other hand may have to deal with not just athletes but students as well being turned off from the University. Oh well, glad I'm not in this one.

ocelot_ark · 03-05-2002, 05:13 PM

I don't think Arkansas would hire a black coach just for damage control. It might be Arkansas, but they are not, despite popular belief, stupid. Leonard Hamilton has an outstanding track record. He's won everywhere he's been, and there's a reason Michael Jordan chose him to coach the Wiz a couple years back (correct me if I'm wrong, but it was Jordan who initially hired him, right?). He's also done a GREAT job recruiting. He's young, so maybe he can bring a little more intensity to recruiting that Nolan seemed to have trouble with.

TheKid · 03-05-2002, 05:34 PM

Ocelet, if they got Hamilton I KNOW he's very capable. He did a fabulous job at Miami and it was Jordan who hired him away from Miami. I'm not saying he's incompetent at all, but because of the way it ended it just makes me wonder if that wasn't in the back of their minds when they started thinking about a new coach. I haven't heard them considering his assistant coaches and normally in college, that's the FIRST channel when people are considering replacing someone.

ocelot_ark · 03-05-2002, 05:44 PM

Mike Anderson, Nolan's top assistant, has already been publically listed as a candidate by Broyles. I'm sure they feel as I do though, Mike Anderson doesn't have the name to recruit nationally. If they were going to get an assistant, I'd go for Duke's top assistant. Dick Vitale actually made reference to that possibility when he interviewed him. I can't remember his name right now though.

TheKid · 03-05-2002, 06:23 PM

Ok, I didn't know he was mentioned though. I only heard Hamilton's name that's why.

Dooby · 03-05-2002, 06:38 PM

FYI, Galloway's column today says that TCU should hire Nolan Richardson. Believe it or not, I said the same thing a few days ago. Aren't I smart?

ocelot_ark · 03-05-2002, 06:54 PM

The widespread belief in Pigland is that Nolan will coach somewhere in Texas, and nowhere else. They think TCU, Texas A&M, or UTEP. I personally am DYING for him to go to A&M, since I'm transferring there.

I think Arkansas will be as thorough as absolutely possible when they pick someone. You don't replace a legend by being hasty.

TheKid · 03-06-2002, 11:35 AM

I guess a Mavs assistant has now been thrown into the ring

__________________________________________________ ________________________
Hogs Hungry For Sidney?
Moncrief Loves Mavs, But Ark. Is 'Home'

By Mike Fisher -- DallasBasketball.com
Mavs assistant Sidney Moncrief might be on a fast track to be an NBA head coach. But the former Razorbacks star reveals that he and Arkansas may have a mutual interest in him replacing the controversial and embattled Nolan Richardson.

“I have had people call and put the bug in my ear,’’ Moncrief tells DallasBasketball.com. “I’d have to answer the phone. That’s home. I played there for four years. I’d have to go up there, visit, talk to people and see what’s going on with the program.’’
Moncrief holds most major records at Arkansas, where he was an All-America and a Final Four participant in 1979. He played 11 years in the NBA, mostly being mentored by Don Nelson, who has called Moncrief “the greatest player I have ever coached.’’
Moncrief, five times an All-NBA selection with Milwaukee, is in his second year on the Dallas staff, where he has been discussed as a candidate to eventually replace Nellie. Before joining the Mavs, Moncrief was the head coach for one season at the University of Arkansas-Little Rock.
Moncrief says his first priority is to remain loyal to the Mavericks.
“Mark Cuban and Don Nelson have been very helpful to me, in showing confidence in me,’’ says Moncrief, 42. “At this point, I’m a Mavs coach, and hopefully my future will hold being a Mavs coach and someday a head coach in the NBA, somewhere. … The Mavericks are my top priority.’’
Richardson, released from his contract last Friday while embroiled in a racially-charged controversy, spent 17 years at Arkansas, building a record of 389-169, with a 1994 national title and three Final Four appearances. Under Richardson, the Razorbacks earned 14 NCAA Tournament bids, but this year was at 13-13 when he exploded during a press conference in which he made race the predominant issue, a situation that has led to his $3 million buyout, a lawsuit, and the naming of Mike Anderson as Arkansas’ interim head coach.
Says Moncrief: “I just think that is a very unfortunate situation. Nolan did a great job. … You and I know that anywhere you stay longer than 10 years, you have issues – issues with the administration, issues with the state, issues with the fans. This was a case of someone being somewhere so long that, inevitably, these things are going to happen.’’
Moncrief says he believes Richardson “will continue to coach. He has a lot to offer, at any level where he desires. He loves coaching, and he’ll do well in any area.’’
So will Moncrief, who, in so many ways, is the anti-Richardson. Moncrief has a subtle, classy style that has served him well on the Dallas staff and, following Nolan’s stir-it-up methods, would certainly help him if he decides to interview with Arkansas to return to his roots.
“The process there will be a long one,’’ Moncrief says. “It will be a slow process before they hire someone.’’
Maybe slow enough to allow Moncrief plenty of time to weigh his decision.

ocelot_ark · 03-06-2002, 05:19 PM

I really don't see Moncrief getting that job. He just doesn't seem to have ANY real experience recruiting/coaching. He'll most definitely get a look though.

MavKikiNYC · 03-11-2002, 10:17 PM

MARCH 11, 18:56 ET
Richardson Firing Smacks of Haste

By STEVE WILSTEIN
AP Sports Writer

There are plenty of solid reasons for firing a college basketball coach: choking a player, fixing grades, sexual harassment, a string of losing seasons.

Lacking those, Arkansas found an all-too-convenient excuse for dumping Nolan Richardson in a decision that smacks of unseemly haste, if not a personal vendetta.

No one should be surprised if the dispute winds up in federal district court very soon.

That's exactly where it's headed, Richardson's lawyer says, if the university starts a search for a new head coach to replace interim coach Mike Anderson.

Faster than athletic director Frank Broyles can put together a short list of candidates, Richardson plans to stop the process by requesting a preliminary injunction.

Richardson wants his job back and deserves it, no matter what he said in a heated moment at the end of his first losing season since 1986. And he is prepared to fight in court the same fierce way he asked players to fight on court with ``40 minutes of hell.''

This whole nasty business started when Richardson complained at a news conference about the pressures on black coaches, specifically Kentucky's Tubby Smith and himself, at predominantly white schools.

Richardson further lamented on his television show that the social life in Fayetteville ``is not that good for a black athlete.''

However embarrassed the university might have been at that remark, it was an earlier comment that seemed to give school officials the ammunition to act.

``If they go ahead and pay me my money,'' Richardson said, ``they can take the job tomorrow.''

Broyles, who has had a testy relationship with Richardson for a long time and has rarely spoken with him in recent years, seized on that comment to push for Richardson's dismissal — even if it cost the university $500,000 a year for the next six years, about half of what he would have been paid.

No warning, no formal hearing, little chance for Richardson to defend himself. Only a curt thanks for a job well done.

When Indiana fired Bob Knight in September 2000 for far more egregious behavior, it came after repeated warnings, a probationary period and a board meeting.

Richardson, whose teams reached the Final Four three times in the 1990s, won the title in 1994 and got into the NCAA tournament 13 times in the last 14 years, deserved at least that level of consideration.

The 60-year-old Richardson wasn't looking for a cushy early retirement to his farm.

``He was not inviting them to buy him out,'' Richardson's attorney, John Walker, says. ``He was not saying, 'you can take this job and shove it.'''

Richardson was simply saying, after hearing a report his job was in jeopardy, that he had no control over the situation: The school could, in fact, pay him off and take his job.

The question is: Why did Arkansas act so quickly?

The university claimed in a letter to Walker that Broyles and chancellor John White lost confidence in Richardson's ability and believed his comments would upset fans.

Yet less than a year ago, White wrote Richardson a letter telling him what a terrific coach he was and how he would have a home at Arkansas for many years.

White personally negotiated the seven-year contract with Richardson — over Broyles' objection.

Broyles, the 77-year-old ruler of Arkansas' 19-sport athletic department, is refusing to talk about Richardson, under the advice of the school's lawyer, until a review by president Alan Sugg is finished.

Broyles has long distanced himself from Richardson, the only black head coach Broyles has hired in 29 years as athletic director.

Even by Arkansas standards, where blacks make up 6 percent of the student body of 15,000 but only 3 percent of the 889 faculty, the singularity of Richardson's position was notable. The absence of black faculty, Richardson has argued, helps explain the zero graduation rate of his players, most of whom are black.

Richardson held a second title as assistant athletic director but was rarely invited to sit in on department meetings. Firing Richardson now took him out of the running for Broyles' job when he retires in three years.

For Richardson, it's all been a dizzying descent from the height he reached when the Razorbacks won the NCAA title. Moments after that victory over Duke, he stood in the locker room, bare-chested and sweaty, a championship T-shirt in hand. Suddenly the president of the United States, and former Arkansas governor, appeared and wrapped Richardson in a big, affectionate bear hug.

The scowl that seemed permanently part of Richardson's face melted into a joyous smile. The man who always reminded people of his slave roots and his struggle against racism knew he had arrived at the pinnacle of his profession.

A few days ago, former President Clinton called Richardson to offer encouragement and support. Clinton told the AP that the 1994 game was ``one of my fondest memories as president.''

``Nolan Richardson is my friend,'' Clinton said, ``and my thoughts are with him and his family.''

As Richardson fights the university, he'll need all the help he can muster from friends in high places.

To hell with this ignorant bastard. And Nolan Richardson too.