Rumors about Montgomery

It seems like it is a virtual verified truth that Mike Montgomery will be coaching at Cal for the next 6 years at $10,000,000 per year.

I can't believe I just wrote that. He is the opposing coach that I have hated the most over the past 20 years.

First, some interesting observations.

1) Cal is willing to pony up $10,000,000 for a basketball coach. Still not in JT's elite status as the highest paid California State employee, but he will be second. Pretty impressive that we can come up with Jack like that. And which is why Jay Wright was also considering the job, since he is making about 1.3 million per year at Villanova.

2) The rumor has been out for 5 or 6 hours with no comment in either direction. Which means that it is true. But it also means that something else is going on. Because that is too long in today's world to let these things hand out there. I think those things could be

A. Deal needs to be approved by the chancellor / regents before being announced (we have the new guy from Texas running the show now). That could take some time, or

B. Monty is sticking his little worries and predilictions into the deal and it is gumming up the issue. Like, for example, his son is going to be the Heir Apparent.

I think it is likely to be A, but, just because I still do not trust the guy yet, I have a strong suspicion about B.

And that takes me to the other issue.

When I first heard about this earlier today, my immediate reaction was, Oh No!!! Anything but that. He is a Furd guy, and there is no getting away from it. I think those of us who went to Cal during the Joe Kapp years have a deep abiding hatred for the Cardinal that there is no getting over ever. I do not see that hatred in todays youth, and so I pity them. There is no way my children would be allowed to attend stanfurd, for example. I would rather they went to USC - at least if you are going to buy an education, have a decent football team.

Of course, the e-mail cycle began, and some of my so called friends called me a hater. And some defended me (my true friends). But after the initial shock has dissipated, a more balanced approach in my mind has taken over. And this is how I see it.

Monty is always going to be a Stanford guy. He will wear the Blue and Gold and he will do his best with the team, and he will get us to the tournament each year. And he will only have one contract. He will retire in 5 or 6 years. He is a hired gun. There is no doubt he is a good coach. Cal is paying him to coach and to get us to the next level. But he will never bleed blue and gold, like JT already does. And, frankly, like Ben Braun did.

But, that is OK, I guess. The kids need a better teacher, and Montgomery is a much better teacher than Braun was.

But I do have fear in my heart for their souls.

GO BEARS!!