It's that time of year: College coach carousel!

Very easy to imagine.

The school suspended O'Neill. That sounds a lot like "Pat Haden" did the deed. Mike Garrett would have high-fived O'Neill for the same deed.

 

Paul Hewitt gone at Georgia Tech:

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=6209623

 

Yeah, apparently O'Neill and his wife got into a drunken argument with an Arizona booster (or boosters?) on Thursday night.

 

I've yet to read an account of what went down with O'Neill - the nature of the argument. Anyone know? Do you figure Haden himself witnessed it?

 

As expected.

No sellouts in the Thrillerdome this season? That probably got athletics' attention more than the won-loss record, especially for a program ready to build a new arena.

 

Actually, I've heard some complaining from IU fans about Crean this year. If IU is in the same state at the end of next year, he will be in trouble, even in this economic climate, IU can handle a $3 million buyout if the boosters are motivated enough.

Hoosiers' fans have been remarkably patient, but the mantra of "he inherited a mess" is beginning to wear thin among many. It didn't help, in my mind, that his nonconference schedule, an endless parade of SWAC and Atlantic Sun schools in an obvious attempt to inflate the W-L record, did absolutely nothing to prepare IU for the Big Ten.

 

I have no issues with Tom Crean. Zip, zero, zilch, nada. Can't speak for others whom feel differently about the man as some of them are privy to more access and more information than I am from this keyboard and screen.

But the era of ANYONE showing that kind of multi-year patience is disappearing, if isn't already gone. Hey, I wish it weren't the case and, without question, Indiana was an epic mess when Crean left Milwaukee for Bloomington. But the perception turns quickly from legitimate concern to overplaying the card.

 

And just for Big Circus, Debbie Ryan is out at Virginia.

*singletear*

 

Stepping down, thank goodness. Craig Littlepage has caused and had to put out enough fires without intentionally stoking another one.

After 34 years, more than 700 wins and a battle against pancreatic cancer, good for Ryan.

 

If the Cavs are smart they will promote associate head coach Tim Taylor. Now back to openings people care about.

 

And to think Hewitt almost got the St. John's job but his wife wanted to stay in Georgia.

 

Well, with that buyout, Mrs. Hewitt can go house-shopping...but it won't be in Georgia if Paul lands another gig.