Good being kept in dark by UNLV

Steve Addy

Thursday, Jan. 11, 2001 | 10:25 a.m.

Max Good knows there is no benefit in getting adversarial with UNLV's administration.

He simply wants to coach his Rebels basketball team -- it's still his team, by the way -- and be kept abreast if the university offers the coaching job to Rick Pitino or anyone else.

But Good was getting more information from media members than UNLV officials Wednesday, and it didn't make him optimistic about his chances of keeping the job next season, despite his success as coach so far.

Amid reports that UNLV has offered the job to Pitino -- or told him it's his for the taking -- Good put the team through a two-hour practice and tried to make sense of a situation that's making him more uneasy by the day.

Good received a morning phone call from Pitino, who apologized for saying the UNLV job was "the only opening in college basketball," when technically it belongs to Good for the rest of the season.

But then ESPN's Dick Vitale, a close friend of Pitino, reported that UNLV has "definitely offered" the coaching job to Pitino. Despite Pitino's later denial, sources made it clear that if Pitino wants the job after he analyzes the NCAA sanctions against UNLV, he can have it.

"I have not heard that from any official person," Good said. "In fact, I have heard denials. I was told that if anything like that was being offered, I would be the second to know."

The first, presumably, would be Pitino, who is resting in Miami after resigning Monday as the Boston Celtics' coach and team president.

Despite seven straight wins and a 7-1 record since replacing Bill Bayno on Dec. 12, Good has grown increasingly confused over his status. He is also trying to prepare UNLV for one of its toughest Mountain West games on the schedule Saturday at Utah.

"I was told I would be given the rest of the year, and (the university) would make an evaluation," he said. "I hope that's the case. But I'm not the kind of person who goes begging or asking for anything. They know where my office is.

"I don't want to be confrontational or small-minded, because I've always held my head high, but I'm very concerned for my team and my coaching staff. I've had people patting me on the back, saying they feel bad for me. But don't feel bad for me. I don't want anybody's sympathy."

The only official word of support for Good on Wednesday was in a statement by UNLV president Carol Harter, who said, "I am enormously pleased with how (he) has brought the team together during a difficult transitional period."

But it's looking more like Pitino will be at the helm next season. Rebel fans are campaigning for Pitino to keep Good if he takes over, and Vitale said Pitino will consider that. Good wouldn't comment on such a scenario.

When Pitino phoned him, Good initially thought it was a prank, but he quickly realized it was Pitino. They spoke for about 15 minutes, and Good said Pitino's apology was "very sincere."

Before practice, Good met with his players and briefed them on the Pitino situation, but sternly reminded them that he is in charge.

"We have definitely heard the rumors, but that's all they are so far," senior Donovan Stewart said. "There's nothing we can do about that. We know who our coach is. But it's hard to hear this kind of stuff in the middle of the season."

Junior Jermaine Lewis said, "If we just keep winning, maybe things will turn out all right (for Good)."

The uncertainty of Good's status has complicated his recruiting efforts. He already has reports of other schools trying to dissuade recruits from UNLV because of the NCAA sanctions and coaching upheaval.

UNLV signee Ernest Turner, a 6-2 guard from Somerdale, N.J., told the Sun on Wednesday he will seek to be released from his letter of intent if UNLV doesn't keep Good as coach. He is not wowed by a possible chance to play under Pitino.

"Sounds like things are messed up," said Turner, who is averaging 31 points for his 7-2 team. "I went to UNLV for Max, not Pitino. Rick Pitino does not know anything about me. He has never seen me play. He might recruit his own guys and be loyal to them, not me."