To Be Or Not To Be

BY SCOTT MORGANROTH

Will we actually crown a real champion in 2020 with the Sports World in flux?

I have to really wonder as COVID-19 has reared it’s ugly head the past 90 days.

I have a feeling that the second wave is approaching.

As we speak, the worldwide death toll has exceeded 500,000.

You talk about luck.

How lucky was the NFL when the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49’ers 31-20 on February 2, in Super Bowl LIV in Miami Gardens, FL.

It’s no secret that the COVID-19 casualties range from the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, March Madness, College World Series and the delay of MLB.

We’ve seen the the NBA and NHL get regular seasons delayed, while postseasons will start this summer, so we hope.

As we deal in the present, will MLB’s 60-game season come to fruition as the second Spring Training is about to begin tomorrow.

How many players will choose not to play and decide they have enough money to stay safe with their families?

Will the abbreviated season look more like a bunch of prospects auditioning for jobs in 2021, while they gain earlier service team to inch them closer to free agency?

How legitimate will the records be and will there be awards winners? Time will tell.

At what point will MLB pull the plug and how many games will be played?

Will there be fans at any point?

What new rule changes in 2020 could actually be incorporated in the future?  Will purists be disgusted that the grand old game isn’t the same?

Ah, the questions.

Will the NBA’s Bubble burst at Disney in Orlando, FL leading to no champion?

How many players will test positive for COVID-19?

Will a marquee matchup be compromised if a superstar player is sidelined while another is playing?

Will the NHL crown a champion?

Will there be college or professional football this fall?

Who would have imagined that on The PGA Tour that the golfers would pull out of events when on the surface, this sport should have the least amount of problems social distancing.

If I were a betting man, the only two sports that I could see crowning a champion is NASCAR and the NHL.

The drivers are heavily protected by their fire suits. They don’t have to worry about sweating with other drivers in their vehicles. NASCAR seems to be rolling along every week while other sports seek answers.

I’m intrigued that their television partners announcers are doing remote broadcasts which could provide a glimpse into the future as to whether other sports would follow suit.

NHL players have their uniforms and they play in colder arenas. They appear to be fully protected.

At what point will we finally say that “Sports Are Not Important” in 2020?

If I had to venture a guess, I would predict by Labor Day.

If you’re a media outlet like us, that’s when you find out what you’re made of trying to create presentable, meaningful content.

But I have to admit that on our broadcasts, I always enjoy the guests that we talk to because everyone has various opinions.

What have I gotten out sports in 2020?

I never knew anything about the Sport of Cornhole other than the fact that you can play it out at Cracker Barrel while you’re waiting to be seated.

I’ve learned a lot about the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) and that if you love this sport, it doesn’t matter where it’s played.

I’ve been fortunate to enjoy baseball on many levels as a player in Little League and growing up as a Detroit Tigers fan.

I’ve enjoyed covering High School, College Minor and Major League Baseball, therefore, the KBO has been a pleasure seeing them play in front of no fans and with cheerleaders. Who could have imagined that?

I’ve enjoyed seeing the connections between the KBO and MLB.

You have a lot of good players that went on to play MLB from Korea.

Former MLB players have used this as an avenue to resurrect their careers. The one that stands out was former Milwaukee Brewers slugger Eric Thames.

Now former Washington Nationals Manager Matt Williams is managing in the KBO.

I’m quite pleased that ESPN as given the KBO some worldwide exposure. Then again, they’re desperate for programming. But we’ll take it.

But in the meantime, the only way to summarize the Sports World is “To Be Or Not To Be.”

Stay tuned.

Scott Morganroth can be reached at southfloridatribune@gmail.com or on Twitter @TribuneSouth.

Pure Ley The Best

BY SCOTT MORGANROTH

In late June, I attended The National Sports Media Association (NSMA) Awards Banquet and Seminar in Winston Salem, NC.

I met a lot of great people during the course of those few days.

But there was one that stood out.

He's an individual that represents everything that I stand for when I think of great media colleagues.

He was an original sports anchor in 1979 at ESPN when the network was a pioneer in becoming a specialized programming entity.

His name is Bob Ley.

Our paths crossed when Ley was inducted into the NSMA Hall of Fame Monday, June 24th.

I met Ley the night before in the banquet hall of BB&T Field, the home of Wake Forest University Football.

Bob and I spoke for 15 minutes before dinner.

I told him how much I respected his professionalism on the air.

He's an old school person that never sensationalized and believed in getting the facts right.

He's a person of high integrity that was great with every assignment he had.

Whether it was Sports Center, Outside The Lines, E-60, etc..., he delivered with professional poise.

We talked about the changes in this industry compared to when we began many years ago.

Bob has adapted to the changes as his network has grown from being a small one to the mega empire it's become.

Back in 1979, podcasts and digital technology wasn't imaginable.

I told Bob that I only watch a few shows at ESPN and that I get turned off by the loud debate shows, and I repeat loud ones, that some of their on-air talent demonstrates.

I mentioned to him that you don't have to mention any of the names that I'm talking about. I'll do it for you.

I told him the only shows I watch are those that I can learn from to not only make myself better, but to enhance the projects I'm working on.

We saw eye to eye on many things but I told him "that the day I stop learning will be the day I stop breathing." He definitely agreed with me and felt the same way.

I told him that he should enjoy the ride at ESPN for however long it may be, just like I'm doing.

We never know when it will end.

We'll collect the stories and memories to relate to others.

On this night, the 64-year old Ley and the 56-year old Morganroth would shake hands, exchange hugs and take a memorable photo.

NCAA legend Bucky Waters introduced us.

The following night, I congratulated him again and he thanked me. I told him, "thank-you for making me a better professional."

Thirty-six hours later, Ley announced his retirement from ESPN.

He decided that his NSMA Hall Of Fame Honor was his way of going out on top.

We happened to be at DeMara's Pizza Restaurant near Georgetown, SC.

Candy and I actually watched a special edition of Outside The Lines with Ley and Jeremy Schaap in the restuarant.

For some reason, I wasn't surprised by this announcement because of our time together.

For me to share this photo on Facebook for friends to see was special.

Although Ley's iconic career at ESPN is over, I see him spending more time with his family and eventually moving into a professor's role to mentor the next generation.

It wouldn't surprise me to see him get a call from another major network.

In my mind, his timing was perfect.

On that Monday Night, he had three ESPN colleagues to see his incredible honor.

His induction speech was excellent and emotional.

Who knows if our paths will ever cross again.

But the memories with Ley this weekend were Pure Ley The Best!

Scott Morganroth can be reached at www.scottsports33.com.

He's the Founder and CEO of The South Florida Tribune.

Michigan's Next Football Coach?

BY SCOTT MORGANROTH

It is very rare that I would pass on a Michigan VS Ohio State contest to go Holiday Shopping with My Girlfriend.

But when the Wolverines are 21-point underdogs and this is likely going to be Coach Brady Hoke's last game, then I'm not interested in watching a Swan Song.

After Michigan's 23-16 loss to Maryland Saturday, the Wolverines dropped to 5-6 and this was their best chance to become Bowl Eligible.

Right now Ohio State is hungry and they need this game to give them a punchers chance to reach the Final Four to have an opportunity at winning the National Championship in January in Dallas at AT&T Stadium.

A win over Michigan would put Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship against Minnesota or Wisconsin.

Hoke's record is currently 31-19, however in the past three seasons, he's 20-17. Top recruits are changing their minds about going to U-M and looking elsewhere.

The Big Ten needs Michigan to be a top rated school because the All-Time Winningest Program only enhances the conferences credibility. Football in The State of Michigan is a better place when the Wolverines are winning.

Assuming that Hoke is terminated, I've decided to make some suggestions on who could roam the sidelines at "The Big House."

1. Mike Stoops is the Defensive Coordinator at Oklahoma under his brother Bob. Mike coached at the University of Arizona from 2004-2011 and was 41-50. How could anybody rule out a Stoops since the bloodlines are strong in college football? Give Mike a big powerhouse like Michigan and he'd make the most of his second opportunity. Arizona has struggled throughout the years despite the recent success of former Michigan Coach Rich Rodriguez.

2. Jim Leavitt is a linebackers coach for the San Francisco 49'ers. Now I know that he won't get consideration for the job, but I'll give you reasons why he should. He built My Alma-Mater USF's Football Program from Scratch. From 1997-2009, he was 95-57 and put USF on the College Football Map. Unfortunately for Leavitt, he was fired due to conduct regarding treatment of students. He's currently working on Jim Harbaugh's staff. Since Leavitt left USF, his successors have really struggled. Skip Holtz was 16-21 in three seasons. Willie Taggart is currently 6-17 with one game left this season. Is Leavitt's fiery personality too much for Michigan Football? Probably. But right now Michigan needs a lot of energy and the 57-year old is a proven winner and his temperament could be what this university needs to reignite this once proud powerhouse.

3. Jon Gruden would bring tremendous credibility to Michigan. He's 51 and has a knack when it comes to developing young quarterbacks. Gruden went to school at University of Dayton. He was born in Sandusky, Ohio, the home of Cedar Point which is the Roller Coaster Capital of the World. He would be on an interesting roller coaster ride at U-M at the beginning. But a great way to recruit is take an NFL career record of 95-81, show the student's parents his Super Bowl Ring and tell him that he has a lot of Professional Contacts that could turn into Dollar Signs which make Dreams Come True. Anybody who watches Gruden on ESPN is definitely going to learn something. A recruit would be foolish not to play for Gruden, who would be returning to the Midwest. Can you imagine a Michigan VS Ohio State Game with two coaches from the Buckeye State? I wouldn't be going Holiday Shopping if these two faced each other in November!

4. Greg Schiano had an opportunity to become the coach at U-M when former Athletic Director Bill Martin spoke to him on December 5, 2007. Two days later he withdrew his name from consideration. During an 11-year tenure at Rutgers University, Schiano was 68-67 with a 5-1 record in Bowl Games. He coached two seasons in the NFL with the Tampa Bay Bucs but struggled with an 11-21 mark. He built Rutgers into a credible program and ironically, the school is a member of the Big Ten. The timing may not have been good for Schiano before, but since he's unemployed, it could work out this time.

5. Pat Fitzgerald will turn 40-years old on December 2. The Wolverines have seen plenty of the the Northwestern Wildcats coach since he became the head man in 2006. As of tonight, Fitzgerald is 60-52 and has guided the Wildcats to five Bowl Games. He-s 1-4 at his Alma-Mater, but the question remains, would Fitzgerald be ready to take a major climb at a program with Michigan's History? One former Northwestern Coach was Ara Parseghian who coached there from 1956-63 and compiled a 36-35-1 mark then moved on to Notre Dame. This is a tough call for the Orland Park, Illinois native.

6. Cam Cameron is a Michigan Man and what would a coaching search be without looking for one? Cameron spent 10-years at U-M where he learned from the late Bo Schembechler. He's tutored QB's Jim Harbaugh, Elvis Grbac and Todd Collins. He's also coached Amani Toomer, Derrick Alexander and Heisman Trophy Winner Desmond Howard. Cameron has worked alongside future head coaches Lloyd Carr, Gary Moeller, Les Miles and Mike DeBord. Cameron is currently the Offensive Coordinator/QB Coach at LSU under Miles. He's struggled with his two head coaching stops. From 1997-2001, he was 18-37 at Indiana. But I wouldn't hold that against Cameron because Indiana is a basketball school, and struggles on the gridiron. In 2007, Cameron's lone season with the Miami Dolphins produced a 1-15 mark. He's been a QB Coach for the Washington Redskins as well as an Offensive Coordinator for the San Diego Chargers and Baltimore Ravens.

7. Les Miles has been approached twice since Carr retired after the 2007 Season as well as in 2010 when Rodriguez was fired. While he's listened to Michigan's overtures, he declined and elected to remain at LSU then return home to his Alma-Mater. As of tonight, Miles is 7-4 and his career mark is 130-49. At 61-years old, he's signed through 2019. Would he join former SEC/Florida Coach Urban Meyer in the Big Ten? Meyer is 50 but it would be neat to see these two rivals face each other in the Big Ten. But I don't believe the third time will be the charm and Miles listens, but stays put.

8. Jim Harbaugh is going to get mentioned for this job as his status beyond this season with the 49'ers remains in limbo. If there is a reach, this one is it. Harbaugh is a former U-M QB and his name surfaces when the head coaching vacancy becomes available. He's a proven NFL QB and he's won at every coaching stop. He began his career at the University of San Diego and from 2004-2006, Harbaugh was 29-6. He moved on to Stanford from 2007-2010 and was 29-21. He mentored Indianapolis Colts QB Andrew Luck. Then he stayed in the Bay Area to coach the San Francisco 49'ers where he's been since 2011. He's currently 43-15-1 with three trips to the playoffs and one Super Bowl Appearance. Another Michigan Man and he'll turn 51 on December 23. There will be plenty of fire in him. Now the question would be how much the Wolverines would have to pay him to return to Ann Arbor?

9. Mack Brown is currently enjoying life as a broadcaster at ESPN. But these days coaches tend to work into their late 60's and early 70's. Brown turned 63 on August 27, 1951. His overall head coaching record is 244-122-1 and is 13-8 in Bowl Games. His main coaching stops include North Carolina and Texas. He won a National Championship in 2005. If Michigan came calling, I'm sure Brown would listen very hard and this would be his last coaching stop at another Legendary Program. I believe he would take this job! Michigan and Texas are scheduled to play in the future during the regular season.

10. Mike Gundy is having a tough season at his Alma-Mater Oklahoma State with a 5-6 record. He's been coaching the Cowboys since 2005 and has compiled an 82-44 record. He's 5-3 in Bowl Games and if there is ever a time to try to lure him away from OSU, it's now. The Cowboys are paying him $3.75 Million a year and at age 47, this guy has a promising future and is off to a excellent start. Many great coaches move onto new challenges. Gundy has compiled his record being the little brother to the Oklahoma Sooners. Can you imagine if he went to a school which was the No.1 university in the state? Can just imagine what a MSU coached Mark Dantonio (58) team would be like against a Gundy coached Michigan Program. Another fiery young competitor that can bring a lot of energy into Michigan Stadium.

It will be interesting to see how the Michigan coaching search plays out. But there are a lot of good candidates who can revitalize this Legendary Program. Many of these guys are great Offensive Minds and have Developed a lot of Quarterbacks, which is an area where the Wolverines desperately need help.


Scott Morganroth can be reached at www.scottsports33.com.

Pistons New Coach?

BY SCOTT MORGANROTH

As we get set for a Dallas Mavericks rematch with the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals, Pistons fans are very familiar with the man running the show in Texas.

Remember Rick Carlisle?

All he did was guide Detroit to a pair of 50-32 records (100-64) and two playoff berths from 2001-2003. Carlisle wasn't out of work long as he landed with division rival Indiana and he guided the Pacers to a 181-147 record in four seasons as they reached the playoffs three times. Now he's led the Mavericks to the playoffs in all three of his seasons in "Big D."

Even though the Pistons won the 2004 NBA Championship with Larry Brown as Carlisle's successor, how many Detroit fans would love to have Rick back now? I know I would.

But as it stands now, the man roaming the sidelines is John Kuester. He has a 57-105 record in two seasons marked by clashes with several players. He is owed the final season of a three-year contract he signed in the summer of 2009.

Will new Owner Tom Gores keep him around for a third season? If the Pistons are smart then Gores will bite the bullet and fire him even if it means there will be two coaches on the payroll. I do believe that even though Gores is new to the basketball business, he'll get another coach.

One coach he won't get is former Cleveland Cavaliers Boss Mike Brown, who is on the verge of being hired by the Los Angeles Lakers.

What type of coach do the Pistons need? One that commands respect and has a winning track record but most of all is experienced.

Unless there is a mystery candidate that I don't know about, here are the veterans that I would like to see as My Top Choices.

1) Mike Dunleavy Sr. has a record that is interesting because he was able to win with both Los Angeles' franchises. He led the Lakers to the NBA Finals in 1990-91 and coached there for two years. His next stops were four seasons apiece with the Milwaukee Bucks and Portland Trail Blazers then took on a position in the NBA "Coaching Graveyard" with the Clippers for 6.5 seasons. Dunleavy Sr. is the last coach to lead the Clippers into the playoffs in 2005-2006 season and guided them to a 7-5 mark. His overall record in the playoffs is 38-33 and in the regular season is 613-716. The 57-year-old Brooklyn, NY., native who played his college ball at the University of South Carolina, still has the fire to make his fifth stop his final one.

2) Rick Adelman was the opposing coach when Chuck Daly defeated him during the Bad Boys era in 1989-90. Two years later, Adelman would lose to Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls in the NBA Finals. During his coaching career that has taken him from Portland to Golden State, Sacramento and Houston, he has compiled a 945-616 mark and is 79-78 in the playoffs. The only drawback with Adelman is he turns 65 on June 16.

3) The most obvious choice would be Mike Woodson, who was a Pistons assistant coach under Larry Brown during the championship season in 2004. This success led Woodson to the Atlanta Hawks where he would lead them to a 206-286 mark. He led the Hawks to the playoffs in his final three seasons in Georgia compiling an 11-18 mark. But do Dumars and Gores want another former Brown assistant since Kuester came from that "Coaching Tree?"

4) Will the Pistons be able to pluck Jeff Van Gundy from the cozy microphones of ABC and ESPN? Van Gundy is a defensive coach and while his brand of basketball may not be the most entertaining, all he does is win. The 49-year old native of Hemet, CA., who went to Nazareth College, compiled a 430-318 regular season record and is 44-44 in the playoffs. He has had plenty of time to recharge his battery since the last time he was on the sidelines was in 2006-07 with the Houston Rockets. Any guy that is on the bottom of a pile during a fight in a Miami Heat/New York Knicks series has enough fire to energize my team.

While there may be other good coaching candidates out there that have been assistant coaches such Brian Shaw and Chuck Person, I still prefer to go the experienced route.

Maybe Gores will encourage Dumars to interview Bill Laimbeer. I really believe that Laimbeer will be a good head coach with his successful tenure with the Detroit Shock. He has been instrumental in the development of All-Star Power Forward/Center Kevin Love as an assistant coach for the Minnesota Timberwolves.

If Laimbeer does get a head coaching job, his attitude will have to be much better towards the media than it was as a player since he'll need them to promote his team to sell tickets.

Scott Morganroth can be reached at scottsports33@aol.com and his blog can be seen at www.scottsports33.com.

Harrell Is A Man On A Mission

By Scott Morganroth

Prior to the NFL Draft, ESPN's Mel Kiper said some of his top busts of All-Time were: 1) Tony Mandarich, 2) Ryan Leaf, 3) Art Schlichter, 4) Akili Smith, 5) Ki-Jana Carter and 6) Lawrence Phillips.
If I wanted to research more and name many others, this list could lead to my own version of a Hall of Shame and this museum would be located in Iraq.
But there is one player who won't be included in such a discussion.
Why former Texas Tech quarterback Graham Harrell wasn't drafted this year baffles me. He did get a free agent workout by the Cleveland Browns but wasn't offered a contract. The perception is he didn't have the arm strength to succeed in the NFL.
Harrell is the NCAA Division I career leader in touchdown passes with 134. He passed for 15,793 yards. The 6-3, 205 pound native of Ennis, Texas., had to fight the perception that his numbers were the product of Texas Tech's offensive system. Even if that is partly accurate, it didn't stop the San Francisco 49'ers from selecting his favorite wide receiver Michael Crabtree as the 10th pick overall in the first round.
Despite lobbying from his Texas Tech Coach Mike Leach to get more tryouts, now Harrell is on a mission to put himself in a group which includes former NFL quarterbacks Warren Moon and Doug Flutie. It's the "I'll Prove The Critics Wrong" group.
Harrell will begin his pro career the same way Moon and Flutie did in the CFL. Moon and Flutie are legends playing in a league which has a 55-yard line and longer end zones.
Harrell signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders and will have all the time he needs to develop.
Even though the Grey Cup isn't as prestigious as the Vince Lombardi Trophy, if he's fortunate enough to lead his team to a championship as Moon and Flutie did, there will be a payday down the road in the NFL.
One thing is for certain, he won't ever have to be viewed as one of the biggest busts in the NFL. For the time being, in addition to working towards a championship, a great CFL career could lead towards gaining a bust in the CFL Hall of Fame.
If Harrell can duplicate or come close to last season's numbers when he went 442-626 for 5,111 yards, amassing 45 touchdowns and just nine interceptions, the CFL fans will be thrilled. In Texas Tech's 39-33 victory over the Texas Longhorns on November 1, Harrell threw for 474 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
He played in the tough Big 12 Conference against Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Kansas, Nebraska so nobody can say he didn't face quality competition. I'll be monitoring how the 49'ers fare this season, and in this crazy world of ironies, who knows, maybe if San Francisco Coach Mike Singletary isn't happy with his signal callers, it would be neat to see Harrell reunited with Crabtree.
Should Harrell get to the NFL, it doesn't take a genius to figure out that scouts are human and they do make mistakes which when judging amateur talent. There is major margin of error and these busts/mistakes do cost teams millions of dollars and championships.
There is no exact science to finding talent but at least with the CFL and now the UFL, there are other leagues to give guys an opportunity to develop their skills. We should also remember that Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner led the Iowa Barnstormers to a pair of Arena Football League title games.
We all know that one major injury can destroy a team's dreams to win a title although the St. Louis Rams were lucky when Warner replaced Trent Green and led them to their lone Super Bowl title in 1999 and he was the NFL MVP.
Scott Morganroth can be reached at scottsports33@aol.com