Readers Aren’t Ready to Close Campanelli File

In the rash of recent eulogies to former Cal basketball Coach Lou Campanelli, local sportswriters omit some pertinent facts. First, Cal had three dismal seasons under Campanelli, including last year’s debacle. Second, despite its winning record, Cal is in the bottom half of a very mediocre Pac-10 Conference this year. Third, Cal’s recent recruiting success coincides directly with the arrival of assistant and interim head coach Todd Bozeman, not Campanelli. Fourth, only Campanelli could squander talent like Kevin Johnson. Finally, the “threatened” player defections had already begun. Former starter Billy Dreher transferred after he got in Campanelli’s doghouse.

If Bobby Knight thinks Campanelli is such a great coach, we should not worry about him finding another job soon--perhaps in the Big Ten.

MICHAEL HOFFMAN, Beverly Hills