Excuse the Interjection

Friday, Dec. 9, 2005 | 8:41 a.m.

WHEN SUN COLUMNISTS COLLIDE

THIS WEEKS TOPIC:

WAS UNLV RIGHT TO FIRE MENS SOCCER COACH BARRY BARTO?

4UNLV athletic director Mike Hamrick cited the Rebels recent lack of performance as the reason for reassigning their longtime coach. But is there more to being successful than wins and losses?

RON KANTOWSKIS TAKE: Im one of those who usually believes that nice guys who coach non-revenue producing sports should basically get a lifetime contract. Barto was definitely one of those, at least in dealing with those outside his own administration.

JEFF HANEYS TAKE: After going 12-8 in 2002, UNLVs soccer team went 14-40-1 over the next three seasons, and won just two of 19 games this year. Geez, thats even worse than the football handicap-pers in this years Stardust Invitational. Those numbers indicate it was time for a change ... as long as Barto was given fair warning.

RK: Any coach not related to the athletic director who goes 14-40-1 over a three-year period probably doesnt need a warning shot. But its good to know that UNLV is rolling in so much cash that it can afford to pay a guy for shuffling papers around his desk for the next four years Bartos contract doesnt expire until 2009.

JH: UNLV athletic director Mike Hamrick is eager to get back to the NCAAs. So he has promised to launch a national search for a replacement. I just hope the new guy also places a strong emphasis on academics, like Barto did during his 24 years. RK: Exactly. Graduate your players. Win a few games. Its not exactly rocket science. They should just hire a local guy, or at least somebody who is going to recruit the local high schools. At least that way there would be a few butts in the seats at home games.

JH: Well, way back when, UNLV plucked Barto from his hometown Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science, and he did an admirable job building the Rebels program essentially from scratch. But still, 2-16-1 this season.

RK: So I guess we pretty much agree with old Leo Durocher. That nice guys cant finish last every year and keep their job. Even if it is only soccer coach.

JH: Whether the Lip actual-ly uttered that famous phrase or was assisted by a poet-ic sports writer is one for the baseball historians or maybe another edition of Excuse the Interjection. In any event, Hamrick and the new coach will have a clear mandate: NCAA tournament or bust.

Ron Kantowski and Jeff Haney are not related to Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon. You can reach Jeff at 259-4041 or haney@lasvegasssun.com and Ron at 259-4088 or ron@lasvegassun.com.