Lots of Coaching News

        We will start with the NBA and the Los Angeles Lakers. Reportedly superstar Kobe Bryant is endorsing the Lakers to hire assistant coach Brian Shaw as Phil Jackson's replacement when that sad day should come. Kobe's relationship goes back to 2000 as teammates when they won three repeat championships under the "zen master" and current Head Coach Phil Jackson.

        Next up on the coaching news front, we shift gears to the NCAA. The Head Coach of the champion Connecticut Huskies is coming off his third national championship. Coach Jim Calhoun has been coaching for the past 25 years. Calhoun has yet to decide whether to return as coach of the Huskies for a 26th season.

        Steve Lavin, the head coach of the St. John's Red Storm has just completed his first season. Lavin was diagnosed with the early stages of prostate cancer. Coach Lavin had a very successful first season with the Red Storm leading them to a 21-12 record and making an appearance in the NCAA tournament. Steve Lavin is battling the same disease that Coach Jim Calhoun and Coach Jim Boeheim of Syracuse have faced earlier in their careers.

        Hall of Famer, former head coach of the Charlotte Bobcats Larry Brown may return to the college ranks to coach the UNLV Rebels. Brown is the only coach in history to win an NCAA Championship and a NBA title. Since Brown was fired by the Bobcats, he has made  it known that he still has the itch to return to coaching.


By Steven Spector - 4-8-11