I Need a Raise

Let me say this, just for the record: If N.C. State doesn’t have a men’s basketball coach by the end of April, they’re welcome to contact me. I have a 3-4 career record, but it should be noted that I wasn’t allowed to recruit, or even select my players. I’ll also say yes for a number south of $1,000,000 per year.

I have to admit, it’s been kind of funny watching State fans (OK, Casey) ride an emotional roller coaster for the last week. Last week, they were going to get Rick Barnes. “His wife’s from Raleigh” he said. “He’ll never be as important as football at Texas.” These statements may be true. However, he couldn’t come up with an answer when I asked why Rick would leave a top-5 team in order to be the third (or fourth) biggest basketball coach IN NORTH CAROLINA. “We’re bringing him to Augusta.”

“I think he’s using you to get a raise from Texas,” I told him.

The result? Barnes got a raise and stayed at Texas.

Next was John Calipari from Memphis. This one had some better legs under it. After all, Conference USA is a dying league, and clearly not as good as the ACC. Word is that State was offering a little over $2 million a year. He and his coaches apparently flew in to Raleigh. Then the coaches flew back. Hell, people were apparently tracking the planes (they think this makes them look “devoted” as opposed to “stalkerish”).

The result? Calipari got a raise and stayed at Memphis.

The lesson is this: If you want a raise, go call N.C. State about their opening, and then negotiate a raise from your present employer. I don’t think this is even limited to basketball coaches.

So the Wolfpack is (are?) still looking for a men’s basketball coach. In order to help them out, I’m providing a list of candidates who would likely take the job, if offered: Joey Meyer, Pat Kennedy, Paul Evans (if he’s even still alive), Jim Crews, Larry Eustachy, Chris Washburn, Nolan Richardson, Dick Butkus (he played the coach on “Hang Time”), Parrish Casebier (he was released from prison a couple years ago).

Hope that help out.