Coaches Talk of Protest of Campanelli Firing

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The board of directors of the National Assn. of Basketball Coaches met by phone for 1 1/2 hours Monday, talking about how and whether to protest the firing of California coach Lou Campanelli.

With a 10-7 record and a young, promising team, Campanelli was unexpectedly dismissed last week.

“Our hope at this time is to issue a statement (today),” said Jim Haney, NABC executive director and former commissioner of the Big West Conference. “This firing of coaches at midseason is an issue that we have to address. There have been four so far this year in Division I, and we understand two more have not been announced.”

The NABC cannot stop the firing of coaches, who answer to the chief executive officer at each school. But the group could bring embarrassment with its command of media attention.

Campanelli, who signed point guard Jason Kidd, one of the most highly sought prospects in the nation last year, won 19 or more games in four of the coach’s first five seasons.

“The biggest thing we’re in total agreement on is that the guy wasn’t given any hearing before they fired him,” said Iowa State Coach Johnny Orr, president of the NABC. “On the 24th of January he got a phone call from the chancellor congratulating him on the good job he was doing. He got a letter from the guy who fired him saying ‘good job, keep it up.’ Then two weeks later they fire the guy.”

The NABC board consists of 16 coaches, including Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski, Kansas’ Roy Williams and USC’s George Raveling.

Haney denied reports the NABC was considering trying to blackball Todd Bozeman, the assistant who was named interim coach to replace Campanelli. Bozeman has been accused by some of trying to undermine Campanelli.

“It’s difficult even to respond to that,” Haney said. “For us to organize into something like that, frankly, would be appalling. It’s ludicrous to even discuss it.”