Aaron
03-24-2007, 06:00 PM
Steve Alford was greeted in New Mexico like a conquering hero. To Lobo fans he represents instant credibility, name recognition and hope.
Watching the news conference, broadcast live on the internet, was surreal. When coaches leave, they're usually leaving to go into coaching oblivion because they've been fired. They don't usually turn around a day later half way across the country in the warm embrace of a completely different university.
But there he was, with his family by his side, saying the things we've become accustomed to hearing from him. There were stories of Coach Knight. There were stories of playing in a 10,000-seat high school gym for his dad. There were promises of passionate play. There was some self-deprecating humor when he talked about his defensive play as an Indiana Hoosier. There were even some familiar malaprops from a guy who had to be exhausted after a whirlwind week.
However, the response from the crowd of boosters, students and media was unfamiliar. People laughed when he was funny. They applauded like mad when he said student seating was a priority. They drank deeply from the well of hope and validation. 'He likes us. He wants to help us. We already feel better about ourselves.'
Was it like that here eight years ago?
More... (http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MyP-Cblog-9/~3/104164750/reply.php)
Watching the news conference, broadcast live on the internet, was surreal. When coaches leave, they're usually leaving to go into coaching oblivion because they've been fired. They don't usually turn around a day later half way across the country in the warm embrace of a completely different university.
But there he was, with his family by his side, saying the things we've become accustomed to hearing from him. There were stories of Coach Knight. There were stories of playing in a 10,000-seat high school gym for his dad. There were promises of passionate play. There was some self-deprecating humor when he talked about his defensive play as an Indiana Hoosier. There were even some familiar malaprops from a guy who had to be exhausted after a whirlwind week.
However, the response from the crowd of boosters, students and media was unfamiliar. People laughed when he was funny. They applauded like mad when he said student seating was a priority. They drank deeply from the well of hope and validation. 'He likes us. He wants to help us. We already feel better about ourselves.'
Was it like that here eight years ago?
More... (http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MyP-Cblog-9/~3/104164750/reply.php)