Isiah Thomas forced to end NBA/NCAA quest

Isiah Thomas/File

Sorry, this is still funny to a lot of us. Isiah Thomas' quest to become the 1st person to coach an NCAA Basketball team and be an NBA Team Consultant at the same time...is over.

Sure, we know it violated the NBA's bylaws and could potentially violate all kinds of tampering rules on three different levels, but the Knicks would have known that before they made it public...wouldn't they?

Read more from the New York Daily News RIGHT HERE

Nobody yet understands Knicks owner/saboteur James Dolan's reason for constantly pursuing Thomas to work for him. The 5-plus year tailspin they've been on started under Thomas' watch and is something they've yet to be able to dig out from.

Don't be surprised if the Thomas/Dolan marriage is consummated again in the very near future. We suspect that once this years NCAA season is over at Florida International, Thomas will probably resign to take a job with the Knicks. We could be wrong about that, but we don't think so.

In the meantime, enjoy the talented Ryan Parker singing about Mr. Thomas. Thanks ryanparkersongs.com and YouTube:

Isiah Thomas and the Knicks...Made for each other?

We don't get it either//Courtesy: realclearsports.com

We didn't touch on this subject when the story broke a couple of days ago. When the New York Knicks...or more specifically their owner Jim Dolan announced that his buddy and former coach, Isiah Thomas was coming back...as a "Special Consultant".

Needless to say, this really hasn't gone over particularly well....with pretty much anyone. Folks in New York are befuddled. The rest of the NBA is sort of laughing.

In our search for news this monday morning, we came across a featured section on the New York Daily News website...that...well, just grabbed our attention. The called it "New Reign of Error". A conglomeration of stories, basically slamming the premise of Isiah the College Coach and NBA Consultant.

Go to the Daily News Sports Homepage RIGHT HERE

Or more specifically, read the entire section...it's pretty impressive....RIGHT HERE

We haven't decided who we feel more empathy for...GM Donnie Walsh or high-priced free agent signee Amare' Stoudamire, who we are guessing, saw the amount of money he was about to be paid and jumped...not realizing what he was getting into.

Either way, it should be fun times. The Knicks should be somewhat improved over last year, but still not very good. And that doesn't look like it will be changing any time soon.

The league is now looking into the Isiah arrangement. Nobody is really sure how you can be the coach of an NCAA team and work for a pro team...at the same time. But hey, maybe Dolan and Thomas are smarter than everyone else. Stranger things have......nahh!

Here is some video of the 2010 Knicks...in a fight. Thanks YouTube:

Now Isiah Thomas wants in on the DePaul gig...

Because he's incredibly loyal, Chicago native and current Florida International Head Coach Isiah Thomas has publicly expressed interest in the vacant DePaul job.

Thomas, who has completed his 1st season as the coach at FIU, leading them to a robust 7-25 record in his rookie campaign. He appeared to be getting them on track and has a very highly rated class of recruits heading to campus. However, the reports say that he'd brings some of those recruits with him to DePaul (hmmmm? Illegal...don't think so, unethical...absolutely).

Check out more from chicagobreakingsports.com RIGHT HERE

((Isiah Thomas coaches//Courtesy: Josh Ritchie/Chicago Tribune))

We wouldn't be surprised if this happens...at all. DePaul has bungled its search and is desperately searching for an identity in the current college landscape. We don't think Thomas is the answer however, he's a horrible coach and really doesn't have the track record that says otherwise. But again, don't be surprised to see this soon. Very soon.

As a credibility check, we remind you of the FIU presser from last summer, where the school's president....um....didn't quite remember his coaches name. Thanks You Tube:

FIU Set To Play UNC In Hoops Opener: So Much For Either/Or

((HT: CBSSports))

FIU athletic director Pete Garcia lashed out against the matchup Tuesday, saying he felt the Golden Panthers were "bullied" by organizers of the Coaches vs. Cancer tournament and that he expected Thomas' debut to be at Ohio State instead.

Garcia said the school is examining how to get out of the North Carolina matchup but told the Associated Press that FIU remains committed to playing in the tournament.

"Would they do what they're doing to us to Duke, or to North Carolina? No," Garcia said. "But they'll do it to FIU and any other school out there like FIU."

The Princeton, N.J.-based Gazelle Group, which operates the tournament, said Garcia signed a contract in November 2008 stipulating the Golden Panthers would play Ohio State or North Carolina sometime between Nov. 9-13. Garcia acknowledged signing that deal.

He said "it's a matter of principle and a matter of the contract" why FIU won't agree to playing North Carolina instead.

"We're being bullied into that game," Garcia said. "I've told them today, we'll play Ohio State, we don't want to play North Carolina."

Tournament organizers say FIU might not have a choice.

Gazelle Group president Rick Giles said the contract language allows for his organization "to have the sole authority" over sites, dates, times, teams and opponents in the tournament. The event even made some concessions to FIU regarding scheduling of sub-regional games in Miami, so that they wouldn't conflict with a Golden Panthers football game at Florida.

"I'm befuddled by all of this," Giles said.

Garcia later added: "We don't want to be pushed around."

Dude, you already are- by Isiah Thompson ((pictured, thanks Al Diaz/Miami Herald)) himself...and all that does is give us the chance to show you this piece of video again from the day of his FIU coronation

The grilling by the four-letter's Chris McKendry and Andy Katz...
((HT: ESPN))

Isiah Thomas Will Work For Free

When Isiah Thomas says he loves coaching basketball so much he would do it for free take him for his word because he is doing just that.

Thomas you can say won the press conference Wednesday morning as the new head basketball coach at Florida International University by giving back his first year salary to the school as a donation. Nice gesture Zeke.

According to FIU athletic director Pete Garcia when Thomas learned of budget cuts and layoffs at FIU he told the University President the school doesn't need to pay him.

Thomas isn't going to starve, the New York Knicks still owe him $12 million for attempting to destroy that franchise. He's getting paid by someone.

Not only the Knicks, but the Indiana Pacers and the CBA all layed in ruins under the guidance of Isiah Thomas. FIU is the next challenge.

"I like rolling up my sleeves." Thomas said. "I like taking some from the bottom and building it to the top. There's a lot of risk in that and there is also a lot of reward in that. But that's how I grew up. I want to take FIU to the next level and I know it's going to take a lot of hard work, but I'm willing to pay the price to do that."

Those of us in the OSG HQ are wondering why kind of price will FIU pay after his reign of terror.

Photo Courtesy: D. Lippitt/Einstein National Basketball Association/Getty Images

Here's Mike DiPasquale and coverage from our friends at WSVN-TV...

Thomas to Coach Again

Well, now the reports seem to be true. It appears that Coaching non-legend, Isiah Thomas is going to be the new coach at Florida International University.
Check out the story from the 4-letter word and Andy Katz here

The OSG first reported this story yesterday and it was no doubt greeted with a hearty round of guffaws. But it does appear that Thomas will get the chance to be a coach again.

At one point, with the Indiana Pacers, he appeared to be pretty good at coaching, but then in a series of...well...interesting decisions; he in no particular order, killed the CBA after buying it and set back the New York Knicks 5+ years in development with such wonderful talent decisions and big contracts to Stephon Marbury, Zach Randolph and Eddie Curry and was charged with sexually harrasing a front office worker with the Knicks.

One can only wonder what Zeke will bring to FIU, a school without...well any athletic heritage. They haven't had a winning season since '99-'00, even then finishing at 16-14. Perhaps this will bring them attention and recruits. After all, they play in the Sun Belt conference, noted hangout of coaching retreads such as Mike Jarvis and John Brady. Or, more than likely, Thomas will bide his time, run a clean program, lose and yet fall into a better coaching job. Only time will tell.((photo courtesy of : everyjoe.com-who didn't credit it to the actual photographer))

UPDATE:[HT/AP]Former New York Knicks president and coach Isiah Thomas has accepted the job as Florida International's basketball coach.
The move gives the Hall of Fame player a second chance to revive his career. The school said Tuesday that Thomas signed a five-year contract.
Thomas has never coached at the college level. He helped the Detroit Pistons win two NBA championships as a point guard, then coached the Indiana Pacers before taking over in New York, where an array of problems marred his tenure.
At FIU, he replaces Sergio Rouco, who was reassigned Monday after posting a losing record in each of his five seasons as coach...
Here's Donovan Campbell and the story from our friends at WSVN-TV...

Zeke To Florida International...?

((HT: Andy Katz/four-letter))

Florida International is trying to hire former New York Knicks coach Isiah Thomas as its next basketball coach, sources have told ESPN.com's Andy Katz.

Sources confirm that FIU made calls within the conference recently to check on the viability of hiring Isiah Thomas.

Florida International coach Sergio Rouco was fired Monday, and sources confirm that FIU athletic director Pete Garcia made calls within the conference recently to check on the viability of hiring Thomas ((pictured, thanks D. Lippett/Einstein-Getty)).

A source close to the situation said that if Garcia is unable to reach a deal with Thomas this week, he would likely pursue another coaching candidate to replace Rouco.

The Sun Belt has recently become a second-chance destination. Florida Atlantic hired former St. John's coach Mike Jarvis and Arkansas State hired former LSU coach John Brady.

Rich Kelch, a Florida International spokesperson, wouldn't confirm or deny the school's interest in Thomas (or any other coaching names) to replace Rouco, who was fired after five straight losing seasons, including a 13-20 campaign this year.

Rouco finished with a 55-94 record in five years at FIU, which hasn't finished with a winning record since going 16-14 in the 1999-2000 season.

"We feel that it is now time to move in a different direction," Garcia said Monday. "Sergio will remain in our organization in a different capacity and we look forward to continuing to work with him to further build the FIU program."

Thomas won NBA titles as a player with the Detroit Pistons in 1989 and 1990, and an NCAA championship with Indiana in 1981. He joined the Knicks as the team president in 2003 and became coach in June 2006.

Last season, Thomas drew the wrath of fans in New York and was dismissed with a 56-108 record with the Knicks. Overall, he is 187-223 as an NBA coach, leading the Indiana Pacers to the playoffs in three straight years from 2000-03.

Two weeks ago, ESPN.com reported that Thomas spoke with Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling about a job. Thomas has two years left on his contract with the Knicks, but has been granted permission to seek work elsewhere.

Zeke Throws Daughter Under The Bus... Allegedly...

So... whom do you believe...???

New York Knicks Special Consultant-Scout-All-Around-Franchise-Destroyer Isiah Thomas ((Pictured, thanks NYPost)), or the local sheriff in regards to the latest 911 call to the Thomas imitation-palatial estate...

If you believe Isiah you hear the following...

"...reached on his cell phone Friday, the 47-year-old NBA great told the New York Post that he had not been treated for a sleeping pill overdose, and that it was 17-year-old daughter Lauren who had a medical issue.

It "wasn't an overdose," he said. "My daughter is very down right now. None of us are OK."

If you believe Harrison, New York Police Chief David Hall you hear the following...

"My cops ... know the difference between a 47-year-old black male and a young black female," Hall said.

"These people should learn something from Richard Nixon - it's not the crime, it's the cover-up," he added.

Ya see... Thomas is now claiming that is was not he that had, apparently, too many Lunesta at bedtime Friday. His son is corroborating the Isiah version of the story...

The local police, however, are not...

According to the Post, an ambulance and two police officers responded to a 911 call that came in from the Thomas home a couple minutes after midnight, Hall said. The victim was taken about 5 miles from the home to White Plains Hospital Center, where officials declined to identify the overdose patient.

"It wasn't his daughter," Hall told The Associated Press. "And why they're throwing her under the bus is beyond my ability to understand."

Well, actually, we do have our answer... it's Isiah...

Allegedly...

WABC-TV's coverage is below...