UD on the court was a fierce competitor. I got to talk with him off the court many times after playing noon time pick-up at Florida Gym and he was waiting for his ballroom dance class. Don't laugh. LOTS of football and basketball players took that course. Of course it was an easy grade if you showed up, but it did teach footwork. He was very chill and not what you would expect from just seeing him play. Same kind of deal with JWill. He was actually very shy off the court if you can believe that. On the court was a totally different demeanor.
Give him a call, Mike. We could use a good big man coach. I'd love to see what UD could teach Colin and Jits.
NBA seasons are long and grueling. I know I’m projecting my ideals (hence the “I think...”), but I’d imagine “family” and other life priorities would take over.
UD is a Miami guy. And could UF offer him a salary as an assistant coach at or above the NBA minimum? I think it is close to a million per year. I think this ain't gonna happen. The average salary of a Division 1 assistant coach is well under 100K per year.
UF Assistant Basketball coaches earned about $300,000 per year, plus a $10,000 Nike apparel contract. Pickins was highest paid at $310,000 last year, but think he is getting a significant bump.
Obviously it wouldn't be for the money. It would be for the love of the game. But I agree, it ain't gonna happen. Still... never hurts to pick up the phone.
Great story. Haslem has long been a fan favorite. He is firmly entrenched in the SFla community with multiple biz interests and wife is/was a local realtor I believe He is going nowhere.
People have been floating UD's name for years as a possible assistant; why do so many think he would be a good coach without any coaching experience?
Because he taught himself excellent footwork in the post. That makes me think he could teach other guys how to do it. The problem is that the game now for the most part is no longer about post ups. Maybe with the right kid and the right coach it can make a comeback.
Because he played 28 seasons in the NBA, and 11 in Europe. He doesn't need to be a head coach, just a position coach, teaching skills and techniques.
It's cyclical. Back in the 70s, every college football team played a wishbone triple option. My high school team played it. Then everybody figured out how to defend it and it faded away like Pauly Shore's career. Then, lo, Georgia Tech suddenly revived it and nobody could get them off the field, even though they had crap talent. Post men go in and out of style. But they're guaranteed to raise a smile.
2.8 million for a player that may not get in a game? That is some serious bench/locker room value add—someone someday should pay him serious bucks to be a coach. At the college level, you’d think that would translate into great recruiting and development, but my guess is that higher-paying NBA teams will want him (like…Miami).
