Brown back to school?
LARRY BROWN is reportedly interested in returning to college coaching? Holy Family has an opening, but we don't think that's what he has in mind.
LARRY BROWN is reportedly interested in returning to college coaching?
Holy Family has an opening, but we don't think that's what he has in mind.
The 70-year-old Brown, who hasn't coached college ball since 1988 when his Kansas Jayhawks won the NCAA Tournament, told Yahoo! Sports he hasn't been contacted by any college teams yet, but is willing to listen.
"I was a college coach and did OK," Brown told the website. "I was a pro coach and did reasonably well.
Brown is being a tad bit modest. Sure he was fired by the Bobcats after a 9-19 start this season. But he's coached nine NBA teams - including the Sixers - and is the only coach in history to win an NCAA and NBA championship (Pistons, 2004).
"Kids want to be in the NBA, and if you can coach and teach and get them ready for the NBA and you're at a good school, I think you'd have an unbelievable head start on a lot of people," he said. "I've always tried to get players better, whether as a college coach or a pro coach. Two minutes on the floor on the first day of practice, players know whether you can coach or not."
Players don't even need 2 minutes when it comes to Brown. In fact, you would be hard-pressed to find anyone more qualified at the pro or college level.
As for his age, Brown said that shouldn't be a problem.
"When I look in the mirror, I guess I'm older but inside I don't feel any different," he said. "I'd bring in a staff where someone is really good and capable of taking over.
"I don't want this to sound wrong, but I think I can teach as well as anyone. I can win games. I can recruit because I know what it takes to get to the next level and I can be honest with these kids. I can't tell you how many college players I spoke with during my NBA career that I urged to return because they aren't ready.
"I want to go into a recruit's home and say, 'Look, I know you want to be in the NBA and I'll get you ready. But nothing bad ever came from getting a degree. Let's have something to fall back on.' "
- Tom Mahon
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