July 6
I recently had the pleasure of spending some time with Iowa coach Steve Alford and Florida coach Billy Donovan. These are two of the rising stars in the college basketball coaching ranks.

	Steve Alford's team was 19-16 last season.

Alford was visiting the Siesta Key, Fla., area with his lovely wife Tanya and his three children. He was so excited about the future of his Hawkeyes basketball program. Iowa has a couple of true stars returning in Reggie Evans up front and Luke Recker in the backcourt. Remember, the Hawkeyes won the Big Ten tournament last year and have added several newcomers who are expected to contribute.

I spent time in Gainesville with Donovan and his wife Christine. He is also excited about the recruits committing to the Gators.

Spending time with Alford and Donovan made me think about their playing days. I had recollections of these guys growing as players. They are now stars in the coaching profession, and it's truly amazing.

	...while Billy Donovan learned from Rick Pitino.

They have the same attitude and dedication they had as players. I watched them practice and perform on the collegiate level on the hardwood -- they worked so hard on their games.

If you talk to Rick Pitino, he can tell you about Donovan as a workaholic. Billy the Kid would shoot for hour after hour. The same can be said for Alford at Indiana, working hard under the tutelage of The General, Robert Montgomery Knight.

That work ethic made a big-time difference as they strove to perform at their best. It's the same in coaching. Both Alford and Donovan have taken those principles as players and converted them to their recruiting and teaching efforts.

The coaching profession has its share of new kids on the block. Hey, wait a second, think back about the music group named New Kids on the Block -- and where did they go, baby? I know my music, and they're gone after dominating from 1989-92.

I can tell you one thing -- Donovan and Alford won't be gone, baby!

There is an impressive list of rising stars in coaching, guys who played under some of the best coaches in their time. Think about it: Alford, Donovan, Tommy Amaker, Matt Doherty, Quin Snyder, Buzz Peterson, Louis Orr and David Henderson.

Amaker, now the coach at Michigan, was recently named to the Duke Sports Hall of Fame. That's an honor he richly deserves. Amaker was a brilliant leader at point guard under Mike Krzyzewski. Missouri coach Snyder and Delaware coach Henderson also learned under Coach K.

Dean Smith can be proud of his Tar Heel coaching connection. Doherty is coaching at his alma mater, North Carolina. That school also produced Peterson, who has done a great job in recent years at Appalachian State and Tulsa. Now Peterson will try to weave his magic at Tennessee.

Orr learned during his Syracuse playing days under Jim Boeheim. Now he's back in the Big East as the coach at Seton Hall.

These guys all gained valuable experience and basketball knowledge on the court. They are making noise on the sidelines now. Working for the best of the best makes a difference. They have taken the same energy into coaching that they had as players.

These coaches are seeing their stock go up, up and away, baby!