Coach Frank Haith of the University of Missouri was selected by the Associated Press as the 2011-12 college basketball Coach of the Year.  Even though I thought he deserved it, I was totally surprised.  Why?  Because he wasn’t even selected as the Big 12 Coach of the Year.

I don’t know who selected the Big 12 Coach of the Year, but whoever it was, they had a tie between Coach Self from KU and Coach Hoiberg from Iowa State.  I suspect Coach Haith ranked fairly high among those schools who were leaving the Big 12 to join other conferences.  Would I accuse the Big 12 of considering that fact in making their decision?  If I denied it, it would sound as hokey as the selection of Hoiberg and Self.  So you can certainly see why I was surprised that some coach who wasn’t good enough to be the Big 12 Coach of the Year would be the AP Coach of the Year for the entire nation.

Now, I’m not happy that MIZZOU is leaving the Big 12.  After Nebraska left, I thought we had a pretty decent bunch of schools.  But, it is all about money and I, quite frankly, am clueless.  I have heard that Texas and Oklahoma were getting the lion share of the TV revenue and that is why Nebraska, Colorado and now, Texas A&M and MIZZOU have departed.  If someone knows the truth of the matter, I would love to hear from them.

I wasn’t real excited when Frank Haith was selected to be the basketball coach.  He came from Miami where in seven years he had a record of 43 & 69 in conference play.  Miami was being looked at by the NCAA.  I think Miami (“The U”) is always being looked at for NCAA violations.  I think the NCAA has a desk devoted to the University of Miami (“The U Desk”).  Anyway, who was this Frank and how would he fit in?  Well, with only seven scholarship players and only one starter over 6’6″, the team went 30 and 5 and was ranked third in the nation at the end of the regular season.

I think we’ll keep Frank.

Written by PJ Rice at www.ricequips.com