Columnist Dean Juipe: Spoonhour used his ‘call up’ time well

Dean Juipe

Wednesday, March 17, 2004 | 10:15 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.

By accepting the task of getting the UNLV men's basketball team to the finish line, Jay Spoonhour stumbled upon a job that wasn't all that dissimilar to that of a minor-league baseball player being called up for the final month of the major-league season.

The ballplayer goes to the majors, attempts to keep a low profile, quietly shows what he can do and hopes that someone in a position of authority notices.

If nothing else -- and if the team that has him under contract doesn't have a long-term need for his services -- he tries to catch the eye of an interested suitor. He perseveres with the belief that his talent will surface and be rewarded, that he will be deemed a prospect worth pursuing.

As far as UNLV athletic director Mike Hamrick is concerned, Spoonhour is the equivalent of a young or extra shortstop or third baseman trying to crack the lineup of the New York Yankees. He's a guy who might have a bright future, except it won't be with this team.

And whereas the Yankees could trade that budding infielder in lieu of seeing him futilely attempt to dislodge Derek Jeter or Alex Rodriguez, UNLV will merely allow Spoonhour to walk away after his team completes its season.

But, like the just-recalled infielder who hits .350 in his September trial, the month or so that Spoonhour put in coaching the Rebels has enhanced his reputation. It will work to his benefit.

Someone will give him a full-time, head-coaching job.

Hamrick wasn't going to be that someone, as he clearly stipulated not only when Spoonhour succeeded his father as coach of the Rebels but as he went after an established head coach in the process that eventually netted Lon Kruger. That reality put Spoonhour in a position where he was, in essence, part of the team but "playing for himself" as UNLV checked off the remaining games on its schedule.

He and the Rebels have gone 6-3 since he took charge Feb. 17, and with the three losses coming by a total of six points both Spoonhour and the Rebels have increased their stature. The team continues to draw raves in some quarters for not putting it in idle after Charlie Spoonhour quit, and Jay Spoonhour deserves a good deal of credit for his guidance and tact.

Of course, he could land on Kruger's staff, although that doesn't seem likely (and it might even be considered an unwelcome distraction). Kruger may retain a current staff member or two, but Spoonhour is not only not apt to be among them, he may have greater goals and opportunities.

One possibility, taking over at Southwest Missouri State (where his father was both an assistant and head coach years ago) has already surfaced.

Other options could swell if the Rebels, who play at Boise State tonight and are 6-point underdogs, go deep into the NIT.

Regardless, Spoonhour is only 33 years old, has some D-1 head coaching experience to his credit and took the only team he coached for a full season to a national championship. His 2001 Wabash Valley (Ill.) College went 36-1 en route to the junior college title, and he was awarded the national juco coach of the year honor as well.

But he wasn't going to coach the Rebels beyond this season no matter how many games they won or how many plaudits were directed his way.

UNLV had some money to spend on a big-name coach and it was going to do it, regardless of how many singles Spoonhour rapped in his few at-bats and limited exposure with the big club.