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Isiah Thomas is back in the coaching business.

The former New York Knicks president and coach Isiah Thomas was hired as Florida International’s basketball coach Tuesday, a move that gives the Hall of Fame player another chance to revive his career.

Financial terms of his five-year contract weren’t immediately released. A news conference to introduce Thomas was planned for Wednesday.

Thomas helped the Detroit Pistons win two NBA championships as a point guard, then coached the Indiana Pacers before taking over in New York, where an array of problems marred his tenure. He has never coached at the college level.

Undeterred, FIU moved quickly to lock up their top choice for the job.

“We are very excited to have such a legendary athlete and proven winner in Isiah Thomas to lead our men’s basketball program,” FIU athletic director Pete Garcia said. “There is no doubt that Isiah will give FIU a tremendous opportunity to take the basketball program to the highest level.”

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball ... &type=lgns

well maybe it will bring some kids to FIU.

He got introduced as Isiah Thompson at his FIU press conference.

Doesn't seem to excited about the job and the guy kind of looks depressed... he wouldn't answer whether or not he attempted suicide early this year when confronted with the issue on ESPN.

He lied about getting NBA leads too I think.

He will be there for only a few years. It is nice the salary is going into a scholarship fund.

Yeah, that was a strange interview... it reminded me of a friend of mine who eventually tried to kill himself. He's much much much better now, but that interview reminded me of him when he was going through that stage in his life.

Isiah is a strange dude. I give him credit for working for free (he can afford to, the Knicks are still paying him millions).

But I don't get this move. FIU probably did it to get themselves on the map, people are talking about them now. On the other hand. as great as Thomas' playing career was, his post playing career has been dismal. He NBA coaching record is 187-223. In five years he had three playoff appearances resulting in three first round exits. He has no college coaching experience.

Seems to me he won't be at FIU long either way. If he succeeds he'll leave for a better job. If he fails FIU will boot him.

I have a hard feeling he will recruit well... Do parents want to hear he rapped women, tried to commit suicide, and overall seems like an untrustworthy guy?

dgreco wrote:I have a hard feeling he will recruit well... Do parents want to hear he rapped women, tried to commit suicide, and overall seems like an untrustworthy guy?

Possibly, but there will be kids who see the name and be tempted to go to FIU. I'm sure it's a few kids up this way that would play for him.

tampajag wrote:

dgreco wrote:I have a hard feeling he will recruit well... Do parents want to hear he rapped women, tried to commit suicide, and overall seems like an untrustworthy guy?

Possibly, but there will be kids who see the name and be tempted to go to FIU. I'm sure it's a few kids up this way that would play for him.

I agree. The opportunity to learn from an NBA Hall of Famer will doubtless be attractive to some recruits.

BlueHen86 wrote:

tampajag wrote: Possibly, but there will be kids who see the name and be tempted to go to FIU. I'm sure it's a few kids up this way that would play for him.

I agree. The opportunity to learn from an NBA Hall of Famer will doubtless be attractive to some recruits.

Or at least get the NBA contacts...

the one thing to remember is FIU basketball has been horrible for a long time. so any interest in the program is good.

We are very excited to have such a legendary athlete and proven winner in Isiah Thomas to lead our men's basketball program life coaching program.

tokmik wrote:We are very excited to have such a legendary athlete and proven winner in Isiah Thomas to lead our men's basketball program life coaching program.

special seminars in "How to properly sexually harass female employees"
"how to run a storied franchise in to the ground"
"how to build a team around 4 worthless, self-centered, jack up 25 bad shots a game point guards"

i could go on



oh and Welcome! post often!