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Biancardi could get second chance at college coaching
Wright State's former head coach is giving every indication that he wants to lead a basketball team again.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Fran Fraschilla says Paul Biancardi is doing the right things.
Biancardi, the former Wright State basketball coach who parted ways with WSU in March 2006 after being found guilty of NCAA rules violations during his time as an assistant coach at Ohio State, has secured a job in the business with a branch of ESPN.com. He's also making himself visible.
Extras
"The key is, if you love basketball, stay involved until that next opportunity comes up," said Fraschilla, a former coach who was fired from one coaching job, then resigned at New Mexico and took a job broadcasting and writing for ESPN. "Stay involved in the business and stay relatively visible so people don't forget you."
Biancardi has spent time conducting youth clinics and scouting high school players for ESPN's Scouts Inc., which keeps him connected to his former profession.
"Don't hide your head in the sand," Fraschilla said. "What Paul went through was embarrassing. Very few coaches end on their own terms. You realize a lot of good coaches get fired for a variety of reasons. Know you're going to bounce back."
That's if Biancardi wants to get back into coaching. If he wants to stay in the media — which is what Fraschilla did — there are other considerations.
"There are two issues there," Fraschilla said. "Can he be fulfilled? No. 2, can he make it financially worthwhile? Can you leave coaching and get into something that relates to basketball and still make a living out of it?"
Biancardi enjoyed a six-figure salary at Wright State, plus plenty of perks. His salary from Scouts Inc., is a fraction of what he made guiding the Raiders.
Clark Kellogg, a college basketball analyst for CBS and former star player at Ohio State and in the NBA, thinks Biancardi will receive another chance to coach.
"My posture is, after a period of time, he'll get a job," Kellogg said. "It just takes one institution to look at a situation to give a second chance.
"Clearly, mistakes were made. But I don't think what he has done is beyond forgiving. Todd Bozeman is back coaching at Morgan State. He was involved in significant (violations) at Cal.
"I was sorry to see it happen (to Biancardi). He's a good coach and a decent person."
NCAA violations
To get back, if that's what he wants, will take time. At age 44, Biancardi has some of that. He seems to be doing the right things to let people know he's interested. In addition to his duties at ESPN — which include some commentary on ESPN360 — he has attended many basketball games in the area. He showed up behind Indiana University's bench and has been no stranger to University of Dayton Arena.
Allegations of wrongdoings against Biancardi and former OSU coach Jim O'Brien broke in June 2004, when Ohio State fired O'Brien. The case consumed much of Biancardi's time during the 2005-06 season. He had to coach and attend NCAA hearings during the season as the Raiders slid to a 13-15 record.
During the hearings, testimony emerged that both O'Brien and Biancardi admitted mistakes were made. Biancardi was found guilty of providing a cash payment to a recruit and, according to the NCAA, "acted contrary to the principles of ethical conduct."
O'Brien, who also was hit hard by the NCAA, sued for and won future pay he said he was owed. O'Brien made no issue over regaining his coaching status.
Biancardi's attorney, Jim Zeszutek, filed an appeal to the NCAA on Biancardi's behalf, but says he has not heard back from that organization.
Finding a job
Biancardi, younger and without the multimillion dollar contracts O'Brien enjoyed, has a wife and two young daughters. He needed to find a job.
Scouts Inc., a service used by basketball junkies and small college coaches who don't have the budgets to travel and evaluate players, offered one.
This is not so different from the recruiting Biancardi went through while he was an active coach. He sits in high school gyms, watches tape of players at home and decides who can play and where.
"I contacted him," said Dave Geasler of Scouts Inc. "He was recommended to us. Our main focus is for fans who want to look at it. It's geared for the fan in North Carolina (or any basketball-mad state) who wants to know who his school is recruiting."
What they're saying about Paul Biancardi
Horizon League commissioner Jon LeCrone: "I think Paul wants to be back in the coaching profession. I think that's his passion. He's proven that he has an ability. He now has on his resume he has been a head coach. I think he would want to get back in the profession, and I would encourage folks to take a strong look at him and hire him if possible. If one of our athletic directors called me and said, 'What do you think of Paul Biancardi,' I'd say the same things I'm saying to you. I'd give him a solid recommendation."
Horizon League Player of the Year DaShaun Wood, recruited by Biancardi: "I'm in touch with him a lot. Unfortunately, the situation happened the way it happened. But I'm still going to have relationships with people. Just because things happened the way they happened doesn't mean you have to stop talking with each other. I talk to him once or twice a week. We did lunch once. He always calls me and tells me good job for a game."
WSU benefactor Bob Mills, whose name is on the Mills-Morgan Center at the WSU Setzer Pavilion practice facility: "He was a leader then; he's a leader now. Not too many people call me on Christmas, but he did to wish me and my family well. That's the kind of guy he is."
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2157 or mkatz@DaytonDailyNews.com.
