OSG High: How One Man Saved A Hoops Program

((HT: KING5 TV))

Late March in Washington state will always be remembered for the killer mudslides that seemed to take over the state.

The Oso mudslide made its impact on the people of the town of Darrington where the high school was this/close to having to disband the boy's basketball program because they couldn't find a coach who was interested that could combat all the travel difficulties to get to the Darrington area to coach.

Here's Chris Daniels to introduce you to the man whose "heart project" has the Loggers on the floor...

DEVELOPING: Trotz Dismissed In Nashville

((HT: NHL))

The only head coach the Nashville Predators have ever had has been let go...

After fifteen seasons, but not making the playoffs in the last couple Barry Trotz was dismissed from the position. He was offered a position in hockey operations for the franchise.

From the team:

“Our organization has high expectations and we have not met them in the past two seasons,” Poile said of making the most difficult decision of his 30-plus year general manager career. “As a result, it is my decision and determination that we need a new voice and a new direction. Our change in direction began over a year ago as we have made several personnel changes, including trading of long-time veteran players and a change to our coaching staff last offseason. Our goal is to return to the playoffs with the ultimate goal of contending for the Stanley Cup. We know that once we get into the playoffs, anything is possible.

“I also want to thank Barry for everything he has done for our franchise. He has been the face and voice of our team for 15 years. He created, developed and lived The Predator Way – on the ice, in the office and in the community. There could be no finer ambassador for the Predators or Nashville than Barry Trotz. He has laid a foundation and culture that will benefit the next coach of the Nashville Predators.”

The Preds only made it past the first round of the playoffs once, and it will be interesting to see who the team chases after for the head coach opening.

Ironically, here's a little feature that the league itself put together on Trotz about a month ago describing what his life is like as a coach in the National Hockey League...


The team could lose up to six players to free agency- Spaling, Eaves, Ellis, del Zotto, Ekholm, and Hutton. They were within 4 million or so of the salary cap and it will be a good barometer on the franchise as to how they bring players in with the new head coach...

Philosophy will be everything to see how the team moves forward...

Wanna Be A Coach For Arkansas State...??? Bid On It...

((HT: KAIT-TV))

You have until Monday afternoon to figure it out...

Anyone who wants to go to eBay and be the top bidder can take over for the Spring game...

You get to do all of this:

Your Coaching Experience will include:
Head Coach for the game on Friday, April 18.
Give the pregame and halftime talk.
You choose whether your team 'goes for it' or punts on 4th down.
You get to call for the deep ball, trick play, run or pass, blitz, etc.
On headset with the staff throughout the entire game.
Winning Coach will receive a Powerade bath (and bragging rights)!
Photos of your Coaching Experience.
Coaching Gear.

This experience is available for the 2014 Arkansas State Spring Game at 7pm, Friday, April 18 for onsite pick-up only the day of the event. The experience does not include any travel expenses, hotel or meals.

FOSG Chris Hudgison lets us know all about it
KAIT-Jonesboro, AR-News, weather, sports

And come with your wallet (or your credit card)... at the time of filing, the top bid was at $9,400 on 40 separate bids

Charlie Ward... High School Football Head Coach...???

((HT: pnj.com/Blakeney))

Charlie Ward could be the next head football coach at Washington High in the Pensacola, Florida area. He was one of 49 candidates and is reported to be one of the four finalists as well as a local Pensacola coach.

Ward resigned last month from his head coaching position at Westbury Christian School in Houston to find a job closer to his family in Florida and Georgia.

Head of School Greg Glenn said in a release on the Westbury website: “We would love to see him stay, but we respect his desire to focus on his family. We can never truly replace Charlie, but, thanks to his influence, Wildcat football has a bright future ahead.”

Here's a segment from CSTV's "On The Road" where they caught up with "high school football coach" Ward a few seasons back...


So, it would be a chance for Chah-lie to get closer to Coach Bowden...

And they might need help in a very tough region...

Last year, District 1-6A had only team that finished over .500- Escambia High...and they finished third...

Washington finished last in the standings with a 3-7 (1-4) overall- a game behind Pine Forest and Pensacola High

Petrino Hiring Official At Louisville...

((HT: WHAS-TV))

So, you can go home again... and the HQ anticipates that all talk AD Tom Jurich makes from this moment forward about anything will be met with the commensurate amount of skepticism...

Bobby Petrino is the new/old head coach at U of L... and the HQ heard this was the hiring of "Petrinocchio," but we can't take full credit for that stroke of identification genius...

Here's the quick version...
And the press conference...
So, we're now on Petrino v2.0...

And a lot of the HQ feels the need to rinse off for a long time before continuing...

Hawks New Head Coach Busted For DUI (UPDATE W/Response From Attorney)

((HT: AJC/Morris))

This probably was not the way the new head coach of the Atlanta Hawks envisioned his new gig... (mugshot to the right, thanks

Atlanta City Jail)

Mike Budenholzer was charged with DUI and a tail light violation, and was released on $1,524 bond at 3:45 Thursday AM.

And what does the HQ say REPEATEDLY about events that happen after 1AM...???

Usually never good...

Just after 9 a.m. Thursday, the Hawks released a brief statement from president of basketball operations and general manager Danny Ferry:

“Bud made us aware of the situation last night. We are in the process of gathering more information and will have further comment at the appropriate time.”

When Budenholzer was pulled over by Georgia State Patrol, odor of alcohol was present (either on the person pulled over or in the vehicle itself- that information wasn't given), a field sobriety test was given, and Budenholzer was placed under arrest. GSP also says that Budenholzer refused a breath test.

Which is his option to do in the field when pulled over...

PM UPDATE: From The Hawks their own selves and 92.9 The Game through Budenholzer's attorney, Michael Hawkins

Last night, Atlanta Hawks head basketball coach Michael Budenholzer was stopped by a Georgia State Patrol DUI Task Force officer for a broken taillight. He was stopped solely for an equipment violation and committed no traffic offenses. The trooper demanded that he submit to a breathalyzer, and when Coach Budenholzer asked to consult with an attorney first, he was immediately arrested and charged with DUI.

While at the jail, after consulting with an attorney by telephone, he immediately volunteered to take both a breathalyzer and also requested that a blood alcohol test be performed. His request for testing was refused. Immediately upon his release on bond, Coach Budenholzer went directly to Piedmont Hospital where his blood was tested at the earliest opportunity, albeit several hours after his arrest. The official report from the hospital blood test revealed that his blood alcohol concentration was less than .01, well below the legal limit of .08.

Coach Budenholzer has no prior criminal record and entered a plea of Not Guilty to all charges this morning in the Atlanta Municipal Court.

The following statement was released through the coach's attorney:

“I take my role as a leader very seriously and hold myself to a high standard. I apologize to the fans and to the Hawks organization for any negative attention this incident has brought upon my family and the organization while the legal process evolves and I contest these misdemeanor charges,” said Coach Budenholzer.

DEVELOPING: J-Kidd To Brooklyn

Citing the ever-popular league sources... Jason Kidd is now the new head coach of the Brooklyn Nets... for three years- the exact length of the contract of GM Billy King...

So, it will be interesting to see how much patience an impatient owner has with a head coach that has no head coaching experience...

He goes from being the 2nd oldest NBA player to the 2nd youngest NBA head coach...

Fred Kerber of the New York Post has some quotes from "sources..." and we know how well connected they all are...

“Jason is a good fit,” one of those persons maintained. “He is a culture changer. He did it before. He really has impressed on everyone how badly he wants the job.”

“Do I think Jason Kidd is going to be a great coach? Yes. Would I hire him? In a heartbeat,” Hall of Famer Magic Johnson said yesterday on a conference call promoting the NBA Finals.

More when we know more...

Mike Keenan's New Gig Just Makes Us Dizzy

((HT: Metallurg Magnitogorsk their own selves))

Mike Keenan is leaving his TV gig here in the states to coach in the KHL...

And just look at the production value that announces his return to the bench...


What will the sequel hold...??? Maybe a snap zoom here or there... sideways tilts...

The HQ can't wait...