HOOPS: Majerus doesn't have to apologize to anybody for cutting players
Posted By: Seattleute
Date: Monday, 25 March 2002, at 9:58 a.m.
Needless to say, the University of Utah men's basketball program is not the YMCA--turning out fine young men is just one of its purposes. Does anybody doubt that it is also expected to win basketball games, "be a top 10 program" as has been noted, and maybe more important, substantially exceed the achievements of its rival to the south?
Does anybody doubt that if Majerus had, say, three losing seasons, and BYU (God forbid) ascended to Top 10 status, that Utah administrators and alumni would gut him like a trout? Washington just fired BoB Bender after three losing seasons following coming within a whisker of the Elite 8 in 1998, and making the NCAA's in 1999. Previously, the basketball program had been the step child of the UW, playing in the worst Div. 1 arena in the country. In 1998 Bender was Texas' first choice after Majerus; Texas has an arena second to none and is overall the strongest athletic program in a populous state. Everybody begged Bender to stay, pleading with his sense of loyalty.
Yes, coaching as well as playing for the Utes' elite basketball program is a privilege to be continuously earned, not a Constitutional right. Still, Utah basketball and football coaches have an extraordinarily complicated job. Becauuse of the U's unusual situation it happens that Utah is almost never a recruit's first choice, and vice versa. Utah coaches have to live with the worst of both worlds.
Historically the Utes have usually lost out out to BYU in the local recruiting wars because the kids and their families tend to put loyalty to their church first, often under pressure from their Bishops and higher ups. Roger Reid's last few years were the exception primarily because he was so woefully charismatically challenged. Moreover, out of state, because the state of Utah is so isolated and such a strange place, Majerus generally has to be satisfied with the Pac 10's, Big 10's and ACC's left overs, often prop 48's, JC's and projects. Thus, unavoidably he has to take more risks with recruits that he should have to considering Utah's strong tradition and commitment to the program.
Whoever heard of a 30,000 student state school with a tradition like Utah's that usually is not the top in-state choice of local blue chippers? That's the Utes' plight and it's a credit to the basketball and football programs that they have been so successful with these obstacles.
Add the fact that Majerus expects much greater effort and commitment from players than just about any other coach (which happens to be the secret to his success), and you have his tendency to go through a lot of layers. But Majerus has still never lost a player who went on to succeed elsewhere. Bobby Knight lost Larry Bird, among others, who went on to succed elsewhere.
If I were king of the NCAA the only thing I would change is to make it as easy for players to transfer as it is for coaches to cut them. I don't understand the imbalance, except that the players have no power.
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