N.C. State coach Sidney Lowe was on the ACC teleconference Monday, and the only questions came from a writer for the league’s website. And that’s just the problem with Wolfpack basketball – it’s not relevant. Even the fans who go to the games – and you have to be impressed by their loyalty – aren’t engaged.
It is a given that State needs new energy in the program. Lowe’s biggest weakness as a coach is that, despite his love for the game and the program, he could never coax the best out of his players. It’s hard to see how he could be 30 games into this season and still wondering why his team didn’t play hard on defense.
That’s why State needs to make a bold move to resurrect its program, and why it should take a long look at Connecticut women’s coach Geno Auriemma. Auriemma flirted with going to the men’s game in 2006, when he had discussions with Oklahoma. He has remained at UConn as the Huskies have produced the dominant women’s program in the country.
Auriemma has the talent, and temperament, to succeed at State. Wolfpack fans love it when their coaches stand up to the rivals at North Carolina and Duke, and you know Auriemma wouldn’t be intimated by the coaches there. He has a no-nonsense swagger to him that would play well in red.
Wolfpack athletics director Debbie Yow obviously knows him, and the nature of that relationship would be important. But the Wolfpack program is just listless and needs energy. It does not need a publicity stunt. What it needs is a seasoned coach who can come in, develop talent and lead players to wins.
Auriemma knows how to do that as well as anyone. He signed a five-year, $8 million contract with the school in 2008, but NCSU could easily match or exceed those dollars. One complicating factor would be that Auriemma will coach the U.S. women’s team in London in the 2012 Olympics.
But heck, what’s wrong with that? Mike Krzyzewski certainly hasn’t slowed down despite his Olympic responsibilities.
N.C. State needs some fresh air. And Auriemma, who turns 57 March 23, may feel the time is right for a new challenge. If so, the Wolfpack should give him a full hearing. It’s a risk, but so would any hire. We do know this – Auriemma knows the game, and he knows how to win.
Reason 1–He cheats. 2) He won’t coach where academics matter. The ACC will not allow partial qualifiers. That’s why Miami and the rest of the “football experiment” has failed. 3) Even with his cheating he still couldn’t get the players he has without ESPN’s hype and help. 4) His favorite comment to female players: ” if you go to blank University you will end up as a dish washer with their degree.” How would that play with the rest of the ACC programs (say like at Carolina?). 5) Anyone who thinks he’s going to leave the ESPN spotlight for NC State has got to be smoking something funny!!