When Ben Howland led his 17th-ranked UCLA Bruins into McArthur Court on Thursday night, Oregon’s famed Pit Crew directed chants of, “You’re not Lavin” at the third-year coach.
The chant, aimed at Howland in regard to former UCLA coach Steve Lavin, is an apt illustration of Oregon fans’ unwillingness to accept change. Lavin was the greasy-haired and wildly popular (with opposing fans) coach who, after refusing to resign but acknowledging the end of his tenure, was fired from Westwood after seven inconsistent seasons.
Even after three years, the Pit Crew is befuddled because it is accustomed to seeing the same basketball coach on its sidelines year after year. Change is not a commonly used word around Oregon athletics.
But after a disappointing weekend for the men’s basketball team against UCLA and USC and with a season marred by unexplainable losses, I am beginning to wonder just how content Oregon fans are with having stable coaching staffs.
Obviously, many opinions changed this football season when Mike Bellotti and his staff redeemed a 5-6 record in 2004 with a 10-2 campaign. Expectations quickly passed from the gridiron to the hardwood for what was billed as one of Oregon basketball’s most anticipated seasons. So far, the season has fallen well short of the hype.
Now, judging by the reactions of many fans, the often-avoided word – change – is being whispered more than ever before in coach Ernie Kent’s nine seasons. Just check the bloodthirsty posts calling for Kent’s job on Oregonlive.com’s open fan forum if you need proof.
Another, posted on the ODE’s Web site under the name Ian Crosswhite (former Ducks forward dismissed in 2004-05), said, “They (Oregon players) all can definitely play and have shown this before. But they have no leadership from the one person who everybody looks up to: Coach Kent. Whether they should look up to him is another question, but they do. I feel sorry for the guys.
They deserve better. Coach has got rid of many assistants around him like Litzenberger and Graham. His ego always competes with his players and assistants. Don’t blame the players as Kent will. He will never and has never taken accountability for a loss. Just wait for him to find some scapegoat or bow out trying to hold face or get sympathy.
These guys just need some positive direction, and they could be Pac-10 champions.
Although the ODE was unable to confirm that Crosswhite did indeed write the post, the sentiments speak volumes about the feelings many have toward Kent and the program, despite Kent’s proven past. But, when a team doesn’t live up to expectations, the obvious finger-pointing candidate is, and always will be, the coach.
The only question is whether Kent and the Ducks can quiet the head-hunters by finishing the season strong. If not, there may be another Steve Lavin-type situation brewing.
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