April 28
I wanted to write a couple of open letters to a couple of athletic directors seeking new head coaches.

First to Mr. Frank McLaughlin at Fordham...
Dear Mr. McLaughlin:
Noticing there is a vacancy at your school, Fordham, I know the right guy to replace Bob Hill (and no, I'm not interested, since I want to stay in TV, where I haven't lost a game in 24 years).

Hey, you don't even have to change the last name on the spot in your parking lot. Leave the name Hill there, because the candidate you should hire is Fred Hill Jr.

No, I'm not interested, since I want to stay in TV, where I haven't lost a game in 24 years!

I've been around guys who have that incredible, contagious personality and a winning attitude that stands out. Hill has it, so take my advice and make the call down to Villanova where he is an assistant under Jay Wright. Make that call now and do it quickly. I know you're hearing about this former head coach and that former head coach, but you need to get some energy into the program and some excitement onto the campus.

Hill can recruit, motivate and coach. He comes from great stock; his dad was an outstanding high school and college coach in New Jersey. He will be a big winner, believe me. I think the world of you, Frank, and knowing your wife, a former Notre Dame cheerleader, I know you overachieved in marriage, just like I did!

I can flat-out tell you that I would stake my soul that Fred Hill Jr. will be a big winner. He did a super job down at Seton Hall assisting Tommy Amaker, getting blue-chip athletes. He has brought in quality performers at Villanova, and the bottom line is the group you put on the court. He knows the New York metropolitan area so well, and like so many assistants out there, he's hungry and he deserves a chance.

Frank, just remember when AD Bob Frederick took a chance at Kansas and hired Roy Williams after a 10-year stint as an assistant at North Carolina. There were all kinds of people trying to get that head-coaching job.

Think about new Kansas coach Bill Self, Marquette's Tom Crean and other assistants who got the opportunity, and the rest is history.

Let me next write to Illinois athletic director Ron Guenther...
Dear Mr. Guenther:
I hear from everyone that you're one of the best in the business. You have a keen eye for talent and are a great guy to work for. You also represent a school that has a phenomenal basketball following. The Orange Crush fans are certainly special.

The Illinois coaching job is special, too. It pays big bucks in a major conference (again, I'm not interested, as I enjoy the perks of my offseason travel, including Maui this weekend for a speaking engagement with Conseco executives, baby).

I have the right guy for you, too. Someone is right in front of you, one of your former assistants, current Northern Illinois coach Rob Judson. He has gained valuable experience, is dynamic and has familiarity with the boosters and recruiting in the area.

He would continue with great pride what Bill Self started before leaving for Kansas recently.

And now a word to both ADs...
I'm giving you gentlemen two winners, so the ball is now in your court. Whomever you hire, I wish you the best. Hill Jr. and Judson will be in the winner's circle, whether they are with you or not. They are bona-fide stars on the horizon.