Coach K Proves He's Worthy

Let the Where-Will-Louisville's-Coach-Work-Next phenomena end. That nonsense is over. Coach Kragthorpe, in a 3PM news conference, reiterated his commitment to the University of Louisville.

The least fans can do, now, is get behind this guy and his staff. Sure, we lost far more games than anticipated, but give the man time to build his own program. My goodness.

Calls for him to step down, or any suggestion he's a failure, are asinine. Stop the prima donna behavior. Demonstrate some loyalty already people. Show we're deserving of a coach of this caliber.

Kragthorpe's 50-50 To Leave Louisville?

What?

This had most certainly better not be true. Despite his overseeing the worst Louisville season in 10 years, I've stuck by Coach Kragthorpe (as have a lot of fans), despite fears our program has inexplicably blown a gasket and self destructed just months after almost competing for a national championship.

Now I have to read Kragthorpe's 50-50 to leave Louisville before his first season is even complete?

Let's give the man the benefit of the doubt. It's not Steve K. that's saying he's 50-50 to leave; it's an unnamed source Pat Forde dug up.

But, if this proves true, who else says we go get John L. and bring him back?

Football Calamity And The Importance Of Sporting Loyalty

So, I'm a lifelong Cincinnati Bengals and (since 1982 when I moved to Louisville) Cardinals fan.

Last year, of course, proved exciting. Both the Bengals and Cards showed signs of greatness. The Bengals made the playoffs, and the Cards won the Orange Bowl.

Expectations in 2007 were even greater. But it was not to be, and this weekend proved so. The Cardinals suffered their greatest school loss in 20 years. That doesn't say much for the new coach, his staff or the team itself. Debate fault all you want, this much is fact; this club has absolutely imploded. We went from being a national championship contender to failing to even qualify for a bowl game in a single season. Ouch.

Then there's the Bengals, for whom the season's proven disastrous. Yesterday, despite having a chance to tie the game with two minutes to play (and the ball), almost everyone at Paul Brown Stadium was headed for the exits.

Why?

They'd seen enough. Or so they say.

That's too bad. Because, where I come from, sports affinity isn't built around won-loss records. Who you pull for, who you like and who makes or breaks your heart is all based on who's your team, and that should never, ever change. If it does, you're among the weakest of the sporting world's inhabitants; you're a bandwagon jumper.

And that's a problem.

Why?

Because, as folks adjust affinity's to match the latest trendy team, equally wishy-washy television networks jump with them. Instead of being able to watch the Bengals, the team I've stayed true to through good times and bad, I'm forced to watch the Indianapolis Colts (relegating the Bengals game to the radio waves here in Louisville).

That's not right. Louisville is only 90 miles from Cincinnati. Indianapolis is 120 miles away.

Regardless of how well (or poorly) my teams play, at least I remain loyal. To me, that's the greatest measure of one's character (not one's ability to enjoy good times with one team this year, another team next year and so on -- anyone can do that).

Update: And it just gets worse. The Louisville Cardinals men's basketball team, a supposedly sole bright spot this winter with their number six ranking, just lost a key player. Center David Padgett is apparently lost for the season with a knee injury. When will this sporting nightmare end?

What? Gillespie's Still Without A Contract?

I just read on ESPN that University of Kentucky men's head basketball coach Billy Gillispie is still working without a contract (some eight months after he was hired!).

How's that possible? Whatever the cause, it makes me even more of a believer in athletic director Mitch Barnhart's management approach.

Here Barnhart has one of the best coaches in NCAA basketball. Yet, he's not locked into a long-term contract. Should UK encounter a few more setbacks as experienced with Gardner-Webb (doubtful) or run into issues with rules infractions or whatever, UK could easily look in another direction.

Could the current employment agreement come back to haunt Kentucky, should Gillispie catch fire and lure attention of other suitors? Doubtful. Here's Barnhart's view: "UK is comfortable with letting the memorandum of understanding serve as an employment agreement since it contains all important elements," Barnhart said. "It's a great financial package -- one of the best in college basketball. We're happy to have Billy Gillispie as our basketball coach."

UK has a shrewd AD, no doubt about it!

ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Makes An Impact

I had the pleasure, today, of meeting Patrick Hughes and his family. They are a wonderful group of people.

In case you don't know Patrick's story, check out these ESPN You Tube videos:





This kid is outstanding. From his demeanor to his attitude to his perspective, even though I only spent an hour with him he's certainly touched my life and the way I'll view it moving forward.

What brought me into his aquaintance? Through Northeast Christian Church's Trikes For Tikes ministry (which works to donate bicycles to special children and families), I had the privilege of delivering two bicycles this morning to Patrick's brothers. The family was preparing to move into a brand new home built (within four days) on the site of their old house. The entire project was part of ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition program with Ty Pennington. Here are some pictures I took of the event.

Joined A Church

There's nothing like joining a church to make you feel like a good, upstanding, mature and responsible adult. Of course, I didn't know that until I joined Northeast Christian Church (officially) last week.

I had the unique experience of growing up in several different churches, including Catholic, Pentecostal and Unitarian establishments, as a child. I've always respected the many different Christian institutions, but I never felt like I totally belonged to one in the past.

Lauren and I began attending church fairly regularly after 9-11. Northeast was one of those churches that opened its doors that week for special services. Over time we felt ourselves drawn, and when a new pastor introduced himself following services one Sunday morning not too long ago, I felt compelled to make it official, which we did in a baptism ceremony last Saturday evening.

I always felt the practice was a technicality, kind of a public admission of faith. It was certainly that, but more so. In addition to publicly affirming my faith, I feel as if the event marked more. While hard to describe, I feel like the baptism further elevated or cemented my own belief. Kinda cool, as that was unexpected.