Doug Gottlieb Defends Rick Greenspan on Kelvin Sampson: 'Who Could Have Thought?'

I'm on the record as saying that not only should Indiana basketball coach Kelvin Sampson lose his job over his latest NCAA rules violations, but so should Athletic Director Rick Greenspan. Many in the basketball media have said the same, but ESPN analyst Doug Gottlieb disagrees:

Although Gottlieb, like everyone, thinks Sampson is about to get fired, he defends Greenspan, saying, "People like Dick Vitale and Jay Bilas are saying that Rick Greenspan needs to be broomed as well, I disagree with that ... Who possibly could have thought that Kelvin Sampson, a bright man, a good basketball coach -- it's one thing to have another NCAA violation, but to do the exact same thing is dumbfounding, he's going to be out by the end of the week, but I think Greenspan should keep his job."

I like Gottlieb as an analyst, but he couldn't possibly be more wrong here. The entire reason Greenspan should have seen this coming is that Sampson has done it before. To answer Gottlieb's question, "Who possibly could have thought?" I would merely say: Anyone who has followed Sampson's career.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

2-17-2008 @ 3:45PM

Moe Green said...

Hey Michael,
Check Gottlieb's background and you'll see why he's defending Sampson! Birds of a feather flock together!

2-17-2008 @ 4:20PM

nickstoli said...

Wow, Vitale and Bilas actually went out on a limb and said something ballsy! Who knew the sniveling apologists had it in them!

2-17-2008 @ 9:49PM

Ronald said...

Greenspan took the risk hiring someone who had the spotlight of the NCAA on them. He should go down the road as well. The end result of his risk is that he has set back the Indiana Basketball program and shamed the whole University.

2-18-2008 @ 8:31AM

Jim Watson said...

Not to mention he had no hesitation in sacrificing Rob Senderoff as the fall guy for Samson's violations early in the season. Shame on him.

2-18-2008 @ 9:48AM

Hoopraker said...

Anyone who is forced to watch Gottleib and his sidekick Tom Brennan understands their complete lack of understanding when it comes to matters of the Big Ten. It would be hard to find more loyal and well-informed basketball fans than those of IU. Too many people, Indiana is the heart of basketball. Much of IU Nation was shocked when Rick Greenspan annointed a known rescidivist in Kelvin Sampson to lead the program. But IU Nation gave Sampson the benefit of the doubt even though he brought along baggage in the form of NCAA sanctions from Oklahoma. Greenspan exercised poor judgment in hiring Sampson and despite his capabilities as an administrator, he bears responsibility for the hire. It's all such a shame.