Sleepless in the saddle

Friday, Nov. 14, 2003 | 10:39 a.m.

Longtime friend Dana Altman rang Charlie Spoonhour's office Wednesday morning to exchange opinions, and hopes, about the upcoming season. Eventually, the Creighton basketball coach asked Spoonhour his age.

How old, said Spoonhour, do you think I am? Altman said 64. Perfect, said Spoonhour.

Did you ever think, Altman said, that you'd be coaching at 64?

"I didn't know what I'd be doing at 41, I really didn't," Spoonhour said. "I never had a master plan. I'll never be rich, but I don't need to be rich, with the things that I like to do. So money is not the issue why I coach.

"I'll coach as long as it's fun and I feel good, and it's both right now."

The third-year Rebels coach declined to pursue another contract extension in the spring, when one was proposed to him. But Spoonhour, who is signed through 2004-05, said that should not be misunderstood or overblown.

The athletics director transition, from football coach John Robinson to Mike Hamrick, had something to do with that, as did Spoonhour's play-it-by-ear approach to many aspects of his life.

Son and assistant coach Jay Spoonhour has noted the spring in his father's step and eagerness to bolt from the claustrophobia in his office to the teaching environment on the Thomas & Mack Center court.

"He's really excited about this team, and that makes it fun," Jay said. "With this team, he makes a point of instruction and they respond. When you see it work, it makes you excited."

And sleepless. If it's November, that began weeks ago, too. That's what keeps Charlie Spoonhour going, contriving ways to start a season in which center J.K. Edwards and forward James Peters will serve suspensions.

In addition, there is deep concern for Demetrius Hunter, who was bothered by a sore left heel last season and into the summer, after the senior shooting guard heard a "pop" in his right calf midway through Wednesday's practice.

The chemistry between point guard Jerel Blassingame and swingman Romel Beck, who played junior college ball together last season, is obvious. Can it become contagious?

"We have to get four or five guys to figure out exactly what we need to do," Spoonhour said. "Then, usually, everybody else catches on. Depending on how we do things, this team could get into the NCAA Tournament. There's enough talent here.

"There isn't a lot of margin for error, with the bench short. But the truth is, if everyone stays healthy, we have a solid player and a backup at every position. That's really all you need."

When he hears the number 70, Spoonhour cringes. He doubts he will remain in the business that long. Last spring, senior associate athletic director Jerry Koloskie approached him about that extension.

Spoonhour said he told Koloskie, a UNLV administrative employee since 1982, that there wasn't a need for it.

"It's not a big issue," Spoonhour said. "I'm not somebody who will say I want a six-year contract, then trick somebody into buying me out. That's not how I think about things. I'd rather do well, then see where it goes."

Under Spoonhour, the Rebels have recorded consecutive 21-11 seasons, losing tight games in the conference tournament finale both years.

Spoonhour's annual base salary is $140,000, with additional bonuses of approximately $300,000. His '04-05 salary will be mutually agreed upon after this season.

After Robinson stepped down from his athletics director duties, a lengthy national search replaced him with Hamrick, of East Carolina.

"We started talking, just to see what direction coach was thinking," Koloskie said. "Coach Robinson and Charlie had conversations, as well. It was in its infancy. Then, we went through this transition.

"My overall impression, both internally and on the court, is that (Spoonhour) has been a great addition to our department. He's a good floor coach; that speaks for itself. And he's been received well in the community. He runs a good program."

Hamrick asked a mutual friend of his and Spoonhour's to promote him to Spoonhour, who was on the search committee, before Hamrick was hired at UNLV.

Hamrick first became familiar with Spoonhour in the 1980s, when he was at Illinois State and Spoonhour coached at Southwest Missouri State.

"I've watched his programs and have the utmost respect for Charlie, not only as a person but as a coach," Hamrick said. "In my early assessment, what Charlie has brought to UNLV is tremendous stability. He's been a real plus for UNLV."

Hamrick said it's his policy to never discuss contract-related personnel issues publicly.

During a hectic Wednesday in which Spoonhour also spoke at his first booster luncheon of the season, he found time for a rare meeting with Hamrick.

"He's very supportive. He has a job, and I have a job. If I do mine," said Spoonhour, laughing, "he won't have to scold me much."

Still, Spoonhour investigated. He said he spoke with two former East Carolina basketball coaches who were "extremely complimentary" in their assessments of Hamrick.

"They said that the thing about Mr. Hamrick is, you'll know where you stand," Spoonhour said. "As long as you do that, you can live with that. I can."

Sleeping is another matter. When pressed, Spoonhour, who said his only health concern is a back that occasionally tightens, revealed he gets no solid nights of sleep once practice begins. That lasts until the very end of a season.

"There's always something on your mind," he said. "I sleep, wake up. Sleep, wake up. I go to sleep thinking about basketball."

"My Losing Season," by acclaimed author Pat Conroy, currently rests on his nightstand.

"A great book," Spoonhour said. "I read that, then fall asleep. Wake up, go to sleep."

There's also a notepad on that stand.

"Because sometimes you have some ideas that are pretty good," he said, smiling. "Then, you forget them. You go to sleep and forget them. I don't think I'm any different than most people in the profession. Yeah, it's a funny profession."

A profession in which he believes pressure is imaginary and self-inflicted, resting -- with a trip or two to Cancun -- is for the offseason and there are no original friends or foes.

"At my age, anything that will be said about me, good or bad, has already been said a few times," Spoonhour said. "(So) it's not going to have much bearing on it."

All that truly matters is enjoying that walk from his office to the basketball court.