By JOHN KLEIN Sr. Sports Columnist on Mar 29, 2012, at 11:57 AM Updated on 3/29 at 11:57 AM
KLEIN'S KORNER
Oklahoma State is batting .500 in keeping two high-profile freshmen athletes.
Third-team quarterback Wes Lunt announced ...
You just knew Kevin Durant would win the game for the Oklahoma City Thunder if given a chance.
He was given that chance ...
The Oklahoma City Thunder reached the 2012 NBA Finals with Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden, arguably three ...
Tulsa’s decision to hire Danny Manning may be a risk but there is a big upside.
If Manning is the best young up-and-coming assistant coach in college basketball, Tulsa is getting yet another hot coach before he works his way up to the multi-million dollar jobs in the power conferences.
Manning had been rumored as a possibility at several jobs in this region over the past month.
However, because of Tulsa’s preference for an experienced head coach, it was expected Manning was not high on the Tulsa list.
However, Manning’s interviews, which were apparently fabulous, and the five-star recomendation of Kansas coach Bill Self was more than enough to move him to the top of the list.
Self still has a lot of stroke in this town although he hasn’t coached in
Tulsa since 2000.
Self is very popular in Tulsa as a former Oklahoma State player and head coach at both Oral Roberts and TU.
Self made a lot of friends and very few enemies during his time in Oklahoma.
So, when he gives the five-star thumbs-up to Manning people around Tulsa listen.
Manning had friends in the right places to help him get the job.
But, like all coaches, he’ll be judged on wins and loss and especially NCAA Tournament appearances.
Manning led Kansas to the 1988 NCAA title on a team nicknamed "Danny and the Miracles". So, he knows how to get it done as a player. And, he has been assistant on two Final Four teams for Kansas.
Tulsa has a passionate fan base eager to return to the NCAA Tournament.
And, TU is good but tough job. Manning needs to come ready to work.
But, as Self and a handful of other coaches have proven at Tulsa, it can be done here.
Only active print or digital subscribers of the Tulsa World are allowed to post comments on stories posted to Tulsaworld.com. After you fill out the form below and click submit, your comment will be published instantly online along with your screen name.
By clicking "Submit" you are agreeing to our terms and conditions.
