Originally Posted by
Omaha World Herald
Tom Shatel: Would Dana leave? Never say never
BY TOM SHATEL
WORLD-HERALD COLUMNIST
Never say never.
That's what I would tell a Creighton fan today wondering if the Jays' basketball coach would consider the Oklahoma job or pooh-poohing the very idea of King Arthur leaving his Camelot.
More important, those are Dana Altman's own words, his exact quote, when asked recently if he would ever leave Creighton. You never say never.
Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the water. Missouri job? Filled. Iowa job? Not open. Iowa State? Filled before the ink on the old coach's pink slip could dry. These are the jobs we assume Altman would leave CU for. We assume the coast is clear.
We assume a lot of things with Altman.
Yes, he's created a monster right here in River City. He's been like the energetic "Ty" on that ABC show "Extreme Makeover," running around with a blow horn, knocking down what Tony Barone and Rick Johnson built and putting up a bigger, better palace in its place.
Yes, he's taken a school with Missouri Valley banners, and NCAA appearances, to another level.
Yes, he's the Dean of Valley coaches, the top of the heap, king of the hill.
Yes, he's made Kansas State wish it hadn't let him go.
Yes, he's a Nebraska homeboy who fits the landscape, hardworking, humble and honest.
Yes, he and his program are a big reason the Qwest Center Omaha thrives, why the NCAA can't get enough of it already, why college hoops and ESPN look in curious awe at what is happening here in Omaha.
Yes, he's got it all figured out. He's turned down chances at other places or talks just broke off because Dana could afford to be picky. Miami. Georgia. Illinois. Last year, Tennessee.
Yes, he's found happiness at the "mid-major" level, and he doesn't have to kowtow to the BCS schools, doesn't have to be at a football school or an ESPN league to find nirvana. In 12 years, Dana has taught us that. He's reminded us that Omaha is more than good enough. You can be happy here.
Yes, he's got the wife from here, the daughter still in school, the car, the country club and house. He's got best friends with big bank accounts and bigger hearts. He's got a group of boosters who created a "Coach's Circle" just to make sure he's always rolling in enough dough.
Yes, one of those best friends is his boss, Athletic Director Bruce Rasmussen. The two are so close that, if you didn't have a mirror, you'd think they were twin brothers.
Yes, he's created a program that, while it may not be in a power league, has the building and attendance and potential to be an NCAA tourney regular and, yes, a Final Four attendee.
And so, yes, we assume he's got it all.
This is an easy trap to fall into. We assume he will never leave because of all these things, because he hasn't yet, because if we were him, that's what we would do. And, looking at Altman, who looks like all of us, we assume we're on the same page.
We say things like, "He doesn't want to coach in the Big 12" or "He wants to be the Ray Meyer of Creighton" like we know what is going through the man's head. Like we live his dreams.
But do we?
Has anyone ever asked Altman what his dream job is? Has he ever said he has a dream job? Is it Creighton?
Or is it our dream for him?
There are so many Dana Altman experts out there, fans and friends and boosters, cops and construction workers and bankers who think they know Altman. But there is only one Dana Altman expert, one person who knows what's in his heart and mind. That would be Dana Altman.
This reminds me of parents who plot the life course for their children. They put them through certain schools, maybe want them to be doctors or lawyers, follow the family business, etc. Then one day one of the kids joins the Army or the Peace Corps. The parent says, "But I thought this was your dream."
The child replies, "No, Dad. That was your dream."
I've known Altman since 1987, when he was an assistant coach at Kansas State and I was working for the Kansas City Star. I know him better than most, maybe not as well as Rasmussen or Ron Gartlan or David Sokol. I know he's big on comfort, big on friends, and big on diving for loose balls.
I have no idea if he will be the Ray Meyer of Creighton or if he even wants to. I have no idea if he wants to prove he was wronged at Kansas State. I have no idea if he craves a shot at a Final Four. I have no idea if he's looking for a big retirement check or a place in the warm sun, with low expectations, to finish his career.
Oh, I've asked. All he says is one thing.
You never say never.
I do know this: Creighton fans should be wary of Oklahoma. It's scary. There are several reasons this one fits.
For one, there is the Bob Stoops factor. Altman and the Sooner football coach became tight when they were at K-State. Stoops is one of Altman's closest friends. A few years ago, Stoops left a big OU booster party in Dallas to fly to Omaha for the day to speak at Altman's Jaybacker Bash golf outing. When CU upset Florida in the NCAA tourney in 2002 in Chicago, Stoops happened to be in the crowd. Afterward, Altman and Stoops celebrated up and down Rush Street in Stoops' limo.
I don't know if Stoops can hire a basketball coach. But he can make a strong push.
Then there is the athletic director, Joe Castiglione, who will make the hire. Would Castiglione want a sexier hire, a bigger name? That isn't necessarily his style. Castiglione and Altman have a lot in common. They're stand-up guys, all about integrity, doing it the right way. If Altman needs a stable athletic director who is good to work for, Joe C. fits that bill.
Finally, there is the situation. Speaking of integrity, Castiglione needs a clean-cut coach. Kelvin Sampson leaves the house in NCAA trouble. Besides being a great coach, Altman brings the integrity part of the equation. That could be huge.
Oklahoma is an athletic machine on a national scale, with money and more money. The basketball program has a big-time résumé without the big-time expectations. Sooner fans don't fill the building. They love to win at basketball. But they would rather talk football.
Would that be a plus or minus for Altman?
Is he what Oklahoma has in mind?
Wouldn't he rather come back and coach what looks like his best team next season?
I haven't talked to him about this one yet, but I can tell you what he'll say.
Never say never.