Columnist Dean Juipe: Tark’s son not apt to succeed him

Dean Juipe

Monday, March 18, 2002 | 8:38 a.m.

Dean Juipe's column appears Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. His boxing notebook appears Thursday. Reach him at juipe@lasvegassun.com or (702) 259-4084.

Lost in the drama -- or was it trauma? -- of Jerry Tarkanian's resignation as head basketball coach at Fresno State was the not-so-subtle impact it had on his son and assistant coach, Danny.

You know how they had this planned seven years ago when Jerry took the Fresno job and brought Danny along with him. When the time was right, the son was to replace the father.

But that's not going to happen.

Not that Danny isn't interested or that he won't apply for the position when the school begins the formal process of seeking a replacement. It's just that it has become apparent that Danny won't get the job.

As much as he'd like to, he's not going to be following in his father's footsteps.

As such, the Tarkanian era at Fresno State is pretty much over.

Based on reports gathered throughout the season, Danny Tarkanian failed to endear himself to the school's most influential supporters and it's hypothesized that another member of his father's staff, director of basketball operations Jack Fertig, is a more likely successor to the elder Tarkanian if Fresno State stays "in house."

But Fertig may be a long shot as well, particularly if Brigham Young head coach Steve Cleveland throws his hat in the Fresno ring.

It may or may not be a mistake on Cleveland's part, but word is he's interested in Fresno. If so, he's easily the front runner -- a UCLA assistant is also said to be in the early mix -- and would likely get the job without too many questions being asked.

Should he depart, it would be a significant loss for BYU. Cleveland has been there five seasons and proven himself to be an able strategist and a congenial leader.

Regardless of how the Fresno scenario plays out, it isn't apt to include Danny Tarkanian for long.

That's too bad, of course, say those who know him and those who have tracked his father's career. As a former point guard at UNLV -- the three teams he was on, from 1981-84, went 77-19 -- and as a hands-on assistant working under his father, Danny clearly has acquired a basketball savvy beyond what he may have inherited or found in his genes.

He's also a competent recruiter and was given credit for luring more than one top player to Fresno who was wanted elsewhere by a higher-profile team, Hiram Fuller (sought by Cincinnati) and Chris Sandy (wanted by Connecticut) being two fairly recent examples.

But his critics say Danny Tarkanian, at the age of 39, can come across as a bit of a snob and occasionally suffers from a lack of tact when dealing with the public.

Rightly or wrongly, that's his image -- or at least that's what has been conveyed in written material on the subject.

When asked to defend himself on these charges, Danny has said that he makes it a habit to speak honestly with people and that if some take offense at his blunt ways it's beyond his control. He doesn't feel indebted to boosters, players or fellow employees and says he conducts himself accordingly.

But maybe that's not what the privileged at Fresno State wanted from Jerry Tarkanian's son, as Danny is about to be bypassed at what would otherwise be considered a most opportune time.

With his dad in retirement, Danny Tarkanian is about to go his own way.