‘Hip’ Fisher sticks with Aztecs
Too young at heart to think about retirement, Steve Fisher is extending his stay as San Diego State basketball coach.
"Who knows. Maybe this is the (contract) that leads to the next one," the 66-year-old Fisher said Monday after agreeing to a four-year extension worth $3.45 million.
Fisher is far from a grumpy old man. A secret to his success is how well he relates to players young enough to be his grandsons.
San Diego Union-Tribune columnist Nick Canepa described Fisher as having "the same voice and speech pattern as Jack Benny," and added, "He rocks. He's hip. He never, ever will look the part, but Fisher is a blend of rural and urban cool."
Fisher, who coached the Fab Five at Michigan two decades ago, guided the Aztecs to a 34-3 record and the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 last season.
After all these years, Fisher remains hip, even while some guys his age need hip replacements.
■ LON GONE, NOT FORGOTTEN -- Lon Kruger is up to his old tricks. The former UNLV basketball coach is building a bridge between Oklahoma players past and present, just as he did in Las Vegas.
More than 100 former Sooners players turned out for a reunion Saturday that featured a Legends Alumni Game. Blake Griffin, the NBA's Rookie of the Year, was a spectator.
Two of Kruger's predecessors, Kelvin Sampson and Dave Bliss, served as opposing coaches in a game that had to be officiated by NCAA investigators.
■ TOUGH TALK -- It has been said many times the NFL preseason is meaningless. But there was a memorable moment during Sunday night's telecast of New Orleans' victory at Oakland.
NBC commentator Al Michaels offered an odd reaction to the league's cancellation of the Raiders-49ers preseason series after fights and shootings at a recent game in San Francisco, saying, "If you stop the rivalry because of a couple of punks, and I know this is an overstatement, but you let the terrorists win."
Added sideline reporter Michele Tafoya: "Every fan that comes into this stadium gets a Code of Conduct sheet handed to them, so they know what's expected."
This also has been said many times: Nothing quells an angry mob of "terrorists" like a Code of Conduct sheet.
■ SHE GOT JIMMERED -- Former Brigham Young basketball standout Jimmer Fredette is ready to tip off a new chapter of his life with longtime girlfriend Whitney Wonnacott.
Fredette proposed to Wonnacott, a BYU senior cheerleader, and announced their engagement Friday on Twitter.
The NBA lockout continues to drive players to do crazy things. Obviously, Fredette has not seen an episode of "Basketball Wives."
■ SITTING ONE OUT -- LeBron James said he would join NBA All-Stars Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant and Chris Paul for a charity game Tuesday in Baltimore.
Much like the playoffs, James committed to play only the first three quarters.
COMPILED BY MATT YOUMANS
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
