Memphis’ AD Is Ambitious

University of Memphis Athletic Director, R.C. Johnson is awfully ambitious. There’s nothing wrong with that, you want to do what’s best for you and yours when you’re in the the position to do so. Thing is, Memphis’ athletic program isn’t in the best position, save for the basketball program.

In an interview with WMC-TV, Johnson sent signals that he wants in on the realignment train, namely trying to hitch on with the mighty SEC.

“We want to try to get ourselves in the best possible place,” Johnson said. “Ultimately we would like to be in the SEC. That’s where we think we belong geographically. We think we deserve to be.”

Not so fast R.C. From a basketball standpoint the program can compete on an SEC level. But conference realignment is driven by football and money. Something Memphis isn’t very good in and doesn’t have a lot of support. Why would Johnson want to send his football team there. They’re not even a good mid-major. The only significant thing that came from the football program was DeAngelo Williams. So while it may be a geographical fit, it’s not a fit for their football program.

“We’re turning over every stone possible because we want to make this a bright future for Tiger Athletics, and conference realignment I think is part of that,” Johnson said.

I can understand trying to do what’s best, but set your sights a little lower, like the unstable Big East. Right now that may not even be a lock. Memphis Commercial Appeal columnist Geoff Calkins thought of the notion as borderline hilarious.

“He can’t be serious, in the sense of, they deserve to be in the SEC, like I deserve to be Mr. Universe. It’s just so beyond the realm of reality in terms of where they are that you almost have to assume that he hadn’t had his morning coffee or something,” Caulkins said. “Why get up at five in the morning to go on a TV program to say you should be in SEC, when there is as much chance that you will be transported to Mars today as there is be in the SEC.”



While Johnson has done great things for the Memphis basketball program, Caulkins said, he has failed to put Memphis in an advantageous position to get into the Big East, much less the SEC.


“Very recently the Big East has said they are going to expand by as many as six football teams,” he said. “Shockingly, Memphis may not even be one of those six.”

There’s also the matter of a “gentleman’s agreement” that says SEC schools will not admit members located in existing SEC states. Unless Clemson, Florida State, or Miami wants to leave the ACC. Johnson has to remember they’re Memphis and they’re not on an SEC level. If they were they would’ve been there a long time ago.
  

Luke Walton To Be An Assistant Coach At The University Of Memphis

During this NBA lockout some players are going overseas, some are playing in glorified pick up games to keep their skills sharp, and some (Delonte West) have considered jobs at Home Depot.

Los Angeles Lakers forward Luke Walton has gone into coaching. According to a report by Jason Smith of the Memphis Commercial Appeal, Walton will be named the third assistant under head coach Josh Pastner. Walton played at Arizona while Pastner was an assistant in Tucson. The Walton hiring will make him the third member of the Arizona connection, along with assistants Jack Murphy and Damon Stoudamire.

Walton will be charged with coaching the Tigers’ post players. Pastner said Walton will also be involved in recruiting for as long as he’s with the Tigers. Walton will remain with Memphis until the lockout is over.

Considering his diminshed role with the Lakers he might just stay there. Pastner does know there is a risk involved since the lockout could end at any time, but he seems very excited about the prospect of having an active NBA player on his staff.

“We’re really excited about it,” Pastner said. “You’re talking about a guy who’s played with the Lakers for eight years, has been a part of four NBA Finals, (has) two (championship) rings and has been in the huddle with Phil Jackson, who’s arguably one of the greatest coaches in all of sports.”

“It is a risk in the sense that the lockout could end at any time, but I felt the reward outweighs the risk,” Pastner said. “(Walton) wants to coach. He wants to make a difference. He’s really excited about this. He’s going to be able to come in and help with the bigs. It’s going to be great.”

This could pay off big for Memphis in the recruiting department as the Walton name has some credibility in basketball circles. Walton will be in Memphis this week to help with the Tigers’ individual workouts. Let’s hope he’s not a know it all like his father.

  

What Happened To Rodney Carney?

I remember when Rodney Carney was at the University of Memphis and thought that he would be a solid NBA player. Not a star, but someone that would be a solid contributor. After his college career, he was a first round draft pick by the Chicago Bulls, had his rights traded to Philadelphia and played there his first two years there.

After 5 seasons and three teams he’s been waived by the Golden State Warriors. For all his athletics, he wasn’t a consistent producer. The Warriors were counting on Carney to be a scorer off the bench, but it never happened. I hate to be critical, but he wasn’t the greatest ballhandler nor did he have the greatest jump shot. You would think he would’ve developed a mid-range game, but that never materialized. Up next is a trip to the D-League or in some foreign country. I really liked this guy coming out of college, now he’s pretty much our of the league. Hopefully he can work on some other parts of his game and work his way back into the NBA. 

Memphis Goes A Different Route

The Memphis Tigers have a new way to recruit their hometown stars. They made a promotional video starring honetown legend Penny Hardaway. The point of it was making a difference by staying home and taking the program to another level. The video was a recruiting pitch to top 2011 prospect Adonis Thomas from Melrose High in Memphis. If Thomas ends up a Tiger I suspect more teams will use the hometown star made good angle for recruiting.

  http://www.runningpony.com/clientarea/uofmpenny/

Memphis’ Barton Declared Eligible

After further review from the NCAA, Memphis freshman guard Will Barton has been cleared and is now eligible to play this season. This was after being ruled ineligible about 3 weeks ago by the NCAA. Coach Josh Pastner says he is very pleased with the decision. Of course you are Josh. What else are you gonna say? This is major for the Tigers as they attempt to claw back into elite company.