Sports
Michigan coach Sherrone Moore can afford to just be a coach
ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Watching Sherrone Moore stand at center field because the coach of defending national champion Michigan and as a black man at the highest of the huge enterprise that’s college football, a quote got here to mind:
“I’ve never had the luxury of just being a coach.”
I heard these words from John Thompson, the primary black coach to win a national championship in college basketball, once we were writing his autobiography, Thompson, who died in 2020 at age 78, said he felt compelled to use his coaching profession to fight for equal opportunities in all areas of life after growing up in a segregated era and experiencing racial discrimination as an NBA player after which a Georgetown University coach.
Vital spaces like college football, where no black coach has won an FBS title. It’s one in all the last unfulfilled “firsts” in sports — but as Moore takes over at Michigan, he doesn’t seem to feel much of a burden from that history.
Is this a latest luxury for black coaches? An indication of progress? A touch of shortsightedness, perhaps? I went to Ann Arbor to discover.
Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images
After Michigan beat Fresno State 30-10 On August 31, at first of the season, I asked Moore on the post-game press conference: How do you are feeling concerning the probability of becoming the primary black coach to win a national championship?
“We have to win next week first. I’m not thinking about me, I’m thinking about these guys,” Moore said, sitting amongst three of his players, one black and two white. “I just want our program to be successful for these guys. Yes, the goal is to win a national championship. But it’s really about the players sitting here and in this locker room.”
Hmmm. College football still has obvious equal opportunity issues – just 16 of 134 trainers at the best levels of competition are black, compared with greater than half of the players. Wouldn’t a black coach winning championships be a powerful example to university presidents and athletic directors who handle recruiting? As reassurance to young black coaches within the recruiting process? As a rebuke to people now attacking the concept of diversity, while ignoring the consequences of inequality?
Thompson said in his book that he had to win because he “knew my success or failure would affect the chances not only of other black coaches but of black people in general.”
But Moore’s environment is different.
He’s 38, born two years after Thompson won the championship in 1984. His parents emigrated from Trinidad and Tobago, and his father joined the U.S. Army. In the seventh grade, Moore moved from a majority-black town in New Jersey to the majority-white town of Derby, Kansas, outside Wichita. Moore was 21 and a reserve offensive lineman in Oklahoma when Barack Obama was elected the country’s first black president. Moore’s Oklahoma teammates and coaches rave about his intelligence and leadership. “He was born to coach,” said teammate Gerald McCoy, an NFL Pro Bowl player. he said.
Last 12 months, when Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh was suspended for 3 games at the top of the regular season in reference to the sign-stealing scandal, Moore stepped in and led Michigan to key wins over Penn State (he he cried on TV later), Maryland (Michigan’s 1,000th win, greater than some other team) and archrival Ohio State. After Harbaugh left for the NFL, Moore was given the highest job. In just six seasons, Moore rose from tight ends coach to offensive line coach, offensive coordinator and head coach. His talent and labor were rewarded handsomely.
Moore also sees other black coaches at programs that might win all of it — James Franklin at Penn State and Marcus Freeman at Notre Dame. The next league includes DeShaun Foster at UCLA, Ryan Walters at Purdue and Mike Locksley at Maryland. Deion Sanders could win a title when he takes over at Florida State – oops, I meant when the celebs align in Colorado.
Thompson experienced inequality. Moore experienced opportunity.
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The day after the Fresno State game, I interviewed Moore in his office. His demeanor was composed, his eye contact exceptional. He’s about 6’1” and weighs 260 kilos (compared to greater than 300 as a player) thanks to figuring out six days a week. It was a Sunday morning, and the gospel song “I’d Rather Have Jesus” was playing softly within the background. He was wearing Jordan 11s—Michigan is a Jordan school.
I asked Moore to reflect on what winning the title would mean for the black community. “For young men and women who are trying to do something that people say they can’t do, I think it would take them to a different stage of understanding that if you want to do something, you can do it,” he said.
“I don’t put anything of myself into it. It’s all about my players. But I think for America, seeing these people on TV, seeing people of the same color as you in these high positions – if you really want to do it, yeah, just go and work for it.”
Moore also understood whose shoulder he stood on.
“Guys like John Thompson, guys like (Pittsburgh Steelers coach) Mike Tomlin really helped and made it easier, I wouldn’t say, but they made it easier for us as African-American coaches in this day and age to be coaches. While those guys had to really struggle and go through tough times, had to win Super Bowls … those guys going through tough times and the things they did put us in the position we’re in.”
Moore will face his own challenges, on and off the sphere. His quarterback is former participant. Michigan’s offense looked questionable against Fresno State, which got here inside six points within the fourth quarter. They now play Texas, which routed Colorado State 52-0 on Aug. 31.
It’s harder to recruit at Michigan, where players must meet high academic standards and where no paychecks are handed out for taking part in in the identical way as at Alabama or Oregon.
Moore was suspended Michigan’s first game of last season under a self-imposed penalty credible accounts that Harbaugh and his staff brought recruits to campus throughout the COVID-19 dead period. Now Moore is named in NCAA’s notice of allegations that a string of 52 text messages with a team analyst were deleted accused stealing competitors’ marks.
With a championship in hand, Harbaugh rushed to the professionals because the NCAA prepared to punish him and his program. Black people have an old saying: The situation has to be really bad for a black person to be elected to a management position.Part of me fears Moore will tackle the approaching slump, lose to Ohio State a couple of times, after which be replaced without a real probability. If Michigan can fire basketball coach and favorite son Juwan Howard, how secure can Moore be?
As Thompson spoke about luxury, he also emphasized that white coaches usually are not expected or required to advocate for racial equality.
Today, Moore doesn’t have to be a freedom fighter. He can simply be a winner of the massive game. That’s the type of equality for black coaches that Thompson hoped for.
NFL Hall of Fame receiver and podcast host Terrell Owens has signed with a talent agency to further strengthen his claims within the entertainment game.
According to , Owens was signed by SMAC Entertainment, headed by host and NFL Hall of Famer Michael Strahan and his business partner Constance Schwartz-Morini.
NFL insider Jordan Schultz has also joined SMAC Entertainment.
“We are excited to add TO and Jordan to the SMAC family. They are both at the top of their game and set the standard in their industry,” Schwartz-Morini said in a written statement. “TO and Jordan have already brought an infectious energy to our team, and we are excited to help them realize their vision for careers in media, business and branding.”
A five-time first-team All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowler, Owens played for the San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals. In 2018, he was finally inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
A member of the 2000 NFL All-Decade Team, Owens finished his profession with 1,078 catches for 15,934 yards, 14.8 yards per catch and 153 touchdowns, rating third all-time in receiving yards and touchdowns.
Since retiring from skilled soccer in 2012, Owens has already made several moves. He has appeared in several movies and tv shows, including “,” and in addition had his own reality show, “, on VH1.
He currently co-hosts the podcast with former NFL player and sports analyst Shannon Sharpe.
SMAC Entertainment is home to stars similar to rapper and actor Common, Wiz Khalifa, Strahan, Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders and current NFL players similar to Stefon Diggs and DK Metcalf.
Sports
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker brings an NBA championship desire with his Olympic experience
The gold medal went to the USA Basketball team. Mission completed on the 2024 Paris Games. U.S. men’s basketball coach Steve Kerr just answered his final query during his final news conference on Aug. 10 after his team defeated France within the gold medal game.
However, before leaving the stage of the press conference in Paris, Kerr stopped to deliver an unsolicited message to media around the globe.
“Devin Booker is an amazing basketball player. Nobody asked about him. He was our unsung MVP. I just desired to say that,” Kerr said.
The “underrated MVP” compliment meant so much to the Phoenix Suns guard.
“It meant everything. No one really asked him,” Booker recently told Andscape. “That was probably something that was weighing on his mind throughout the entire process. A 12 months ago I said what I desired to do for this team and what we desired to do for the country.
“It was a lot larger than all of us. Survival was something we’d discuss for the remainder of our lives.
The USA Basketball team was centered around NBA star icons LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant. There has also been some discussion amongst media and fans in regards to the lack of playing time for Jayson Tatum and, to a lesser extent, Tyrese Haliburton. Lost within the shuffle was the all-around, unselfish play of sharpshooter Booker wearing the armband.
Daniel Kopatsch/Getty Images
Booker was fourth in scoring for the U.S., averaging 11.7 points, 3.3 assists and a couple of.2 three-pointers made early in all six Olympics, and likewise had the perfect plus/minus (plus-130) for an American. Kerr was impressed with Booker’s deal with a difficult defense, regardless that he is thought for his offense, ball movement and the way he has adjusted to not being one in every of the highest options on offense.
“I just understood what was at stake,” Booker said. “I’m proud to be from this country. I’m happy with playing basketball. Even though it wasn’t invented in America, we dominated for a very long time. Obviously the world is incredibly talented and the sport is growing, however it was just one other message to allow them to know who we’re.
Booker said he also learned in regards to the preparations from his all-star team, watching the preparations on and off the court. The 28-year-old added that he gained lifelong friendships.
“It’s cool to see that everyone has their own issues,” Booker said. “In my 10 years in the NBA, I’ve learned that you have to choose what you can use for yourself. But the level of detail, the attention to detail, the intensity – it’s all consistent across the board.”
As for Durant, Booker said the bond between the 2 Sun stars “is close and grows stronger every day.” They live about five minutes from one another within the Phoenix area and commonly spend time at home and on the road. Most recently, Booker had to steer the Suns without Durant, who was sidelined with an injury.
The amazing Durant averaged 27.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and three.4 assists, which were tops for the Suns. However, the 14-time NBA All-Star has been sidelined since November 8 with a left calf strain. Suns players Bradley Beal (calf) and Jusuf Nurkic (ankle) were also sidelined. The Suns are 1-5 without Durant, which incorporates 4 straight losses.
Booker and Suns sans Durant’s next rivals shall be the New York Knicks on Wednesday evening (ESPN, 10 p.m. ET). Over the last six games, Booker is averaging 24.1 points, shooting 43.2% from the sphere and making 16 of 43 three-pointers. Suns guard Tyus Jones said there was numerous pressure on Booker offensively due to the injury.
“We’re asking a lot of Book,” Jones said after Monday’s 109-99 loss to the visiting Orlando Magic. “It’s numerous pressure for him. We are very focused on it. They are physical with him, holding him and grabbing him, throwing two or three bodies at him all night long. So he’s got so much on his plate and we just need to proceed to seek out ways to get him open within the moments we will and proceed to assist him when other players are taking shots and making plays.
Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images
Booker currently has two Olympic gold medals, 4 NBA All-Star appearances and one NBA Finals appearance. The only thing missing from the Suns’ second-leading all-time scorer is an NBA championship. Since the Suns joined the NBA as an expansion team in 1968, they’ve yet to win a title.
After experiencing the joys of winning a gold medal, Booker as an NBA champion wants the gold Larry O’Brien NBA Championship Trophy much more.
“Most of the guys that were there did it,” Booker said of his Olympic teammates who were NBA champions. “They were champions. This is standard for them. Anything lower than that, they need nothing to do with it. It’s contagious…
“That’s all I want. That’s all I want.”
After months of introducing the players and coaches who will participate in its inaugural season, the brand new Unrivaled 3-on-3 women’s basketball league announced its team rosters and coaching assignments on Wednesday.
Founded by WNBA players Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, Unrivaled consists of six teams of six players each. The league was created to offer WNBA players with a substitute for playing overseas in the course of the offseason.
Although initially announced as having 30 players, the league has since expanded to 36, which Collier attributed “above financial forecasts”. The league has announced 34 players publicly up to now.
The inaugural season of Unrivaled will begin on January 17, 2025, with all games going down in Miami. Here are the official teams for the inaugural season, as well season schedule.
Vinyl Basketball Club:
– Coach: Teresa Weatherspoon
Rose Basketball Club:
– Coach: Nola Henry
Mgła basketball club:
– Coach: Phil Handy
Lunar Owls Basketball Club:
– TBD: wild card
– Coach: DJ Sackmann
Phantom Basketball Club:
– TBD: wild card
– Coach: Adam Harrington
Laces Basketball Club:
– Coach: Andrew Wade
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