AND THEY ARE PAYING HIM WHAT?

 Thoughts while thinking …

Which was more pathetic … Pittsburgh (University of) 

coach PAT NARDUZZI’s decision to kick a game-

tying field goal with his team on the Toledo one yard 

line … or … his explanation for not going for the win 

in the second overtime of last week’s Game/Above 

Sports Bowl? … The favored Panthers of the mighty 

ACC lost 49-46 in six OTs to the mid-major Mid-

American Conference Rockets … and Narduzzi would 

have been better off with “no comment” or, better yet, 

“I goofed.” … Instead, he said, “Fourth and one … If 

you don’t get it, you lose [and] I don’t want it to end 

like that. I want our kids to make plays. I always put it 

in the kids’ hands. For a coach to make a decision to 

lose the game or win the game, I’m not for that.” … 

Then tell us, Mr. Conservative, why do they pay you 

those big bucks (2024 salary: $6,699,551)? … if not 

for much longer, it says here, even if your contract 

doesn’t run out until 2030.

On second thought … it’s quite possible one, if not 

more, of his players make more than the coach … Did 

you see where Duke is paying a QB from Tulane $8 

million. DUKE? … Michigan got a high school 

quarterback, who committed to LSU, to change his 

mind for a mere $10M.

Who lasts longer … MICHAEL VICK at Norfolk 

State or DESEAN JACKSON at Delaware State, both 

making their head football coaching debuts?

GREG “The Humble” GUMBEL died of cancer 

earlier this week. He was 78 … and unquestionably 

one of the best sportscasters of my lifetime … low-key, 

seldom used 12 words when two or three would do … 

yet never left you uninformed … or needing more. In 

contrast to controversial brother Bryant, who loved the 

spotlight, Greg G preferred being in the background 

while telling a story, not being the story. Wow! Was 

that a unique concept, or what?

Until next time ….