What do Bob Huggins, Eddie Sutton, and Billy Gillispie all have in common? Aside from the fact that they are not thought of very highly by most UK fans, they all have DUI’s. In the case of Gillispie, multiple DUI’s. Today they induct a new member into their club, UK Assistant Coach Rod Strickland.
Strickland was born and grew up in the Bronx, NY. He played for the famous NY AAU team the New York Guachos, and eventually transferred to superstar factory Oak Hill Academy in Virginia for his senior season. Playing his college ball at DePaul University he garnered All-American Honors, and was selected with the 19th overall pick in the 1988 draft, playing in the NBA for 17 seasons, with 9 different teams.
To say Strickland has been around the game for awhile or understands the young superstar pedigree is a vast understatement. He is the poster child for immense talent with limited resources making it to the top.
His background gives him the perfect framework with which to build a coaching career. He understands the AAU circuit and how players and coaches operate within it. He also has been a part of the big prep schools and knows how to relate to those players (Oak Hill, Findlay Prep, etc.), and most importantly, he knows what it takes to make it to and succeed in the NBA. The value of all that experience can’t be manufactured.
Unfortunately for Strickland, it appears that he is going to throw it all away because he is a 42 year old making 21 year old decisions. Drinking and driving is completely unacceptable. I would be hypocritical if I didn’t mention that I myself have drank and drove before. I think if most people are honest with themselves they can think of a time or possibly multiple times when they drove and shouldn’t have. The difference? I and most people realize by about age 22 that we are not invincible and our actions do have consequences which will assuredly be negative if we keep up with these type of immature, selfish, inexcusable actions.
If you are on the “everyone makes mistakes and deserves a second chance” side of the fence, then let me remind you that Strickland has already had a second chance. And a third chance. In fact he was on his fourth chance as he has had 3 previous DUI’s. That’s right… THIS IS HIS 4th DUI. Clearly, he doesn’t get the message, and unfortunately most likely will not get it until he kills someone.
I’m all for helping people with a problem, but if he hasn’t figured it out yet, he never will. How about we send him to some sort of class or AA group? He’s already been to them. It is mandatory to attend those types of classes after a DUI arrest. And they aren’t just an hour seminar, they are weekly meetings that last for months (For the record, I have never had a DUI, but am speaking from the experience of a close friend).
So what does all this mean? It means that Strickland needs to be fired. Now. Don’t let this drag out, or try to sugar coat it. The administration, and Coach Cal need to send a message to the players, coaches, and everyone else involved that this sort of behavior will not be accepted at the University of Kentucky.
Coach Strickland is setting a horrible example to the players, making a mockery of the university and basketball program, and most importantly endangering lives. He is a shame to Kentucky Basketball, to Coach Cal, and to the fans that have embraced him. His actions are inexcusable. Fire Rod Strickland.
Brian "Athletes are not above the law" Reinhart
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