10 - The Michigan Daily - Tipoff 3 - Thursday, November18, 1993 Tfie Michiig~r a in Even-handed Fisher earns respect Michigan coach is Mr. Consistency on and off the court Basketball _ree B BrFr By CHAD A. SAFRAN Few things in life are guaranteed. The style of an Armani suit is but a certainty. The greatness of a Martin Scorsese film is almost assured. And the consistency of Steve Fisher's personality is never doubted. While Fisher may not design clothes or direct motion pictures, he has produced quite a string of suc- cesses in his four seasons at the helm of the Michigan basketball program. Since becoming head coach of the Wolverines following the team's dra- matic and spectacular run to the 1989 NCAA title, Fisher has put together three 20-plus win campaigns and two Final Four squads. However, Fisher's behavior has changed little since his boyhood days in southern Illinois. "When I watch the games on tele- vision, I see the same Steve as I had as a head coach," said Al Sandefer, the principal of Rich East High School in Park Forest, Ill., where Fisher was a teacher and coach from 1971 to 1979. That does not necessarily mean Fisher is the same as he was upon getting the full-time job for the 1990 season. "He's more laid back this year," said Jason Bossard, Michigan's lone senior. "He let's guys play. He doesn't put a harness on anybody. He lets the athletic ability do its thing, especially the last two years." Fisher attributes his coaching achievements to that consistency. "I'm probably more emotional than I've been portrayed to be, but stability is important," Fisher said. "There are coaches that are moody and you never know how from one day to the next how they are going to react. I don't get mad." Some of Fisher's players would have to disagree with that one. Junior forward Ray Jackson has seen an oc- casional Fisher blow-up in practice. And while it is as rare as a John Candy commercial for Weight Watchers, the event is something to see. "It'll happen at least three or four times a year," says Jackson, breaking into a smile. "I can think of a couple of times when he just went off. It was kind of funny when it happened. Here he's getting upset and I'm laughing " Fisher attributes his lack of emo- tional peaks and valleys to his up- bringing. While growing up in southern Illi- nois, Steven Louis Fisher learned about sports from his father, Howard. He coached Steve and his brothers in little league baseball, as well as the Catholic grade school team. He was the one who taught -Steve the basket- ball fundamentals. Fisher's father passed away last Decembefafter'checkinghimself out of the hospital. Fisher's position as coach allowed him time to check in on his father, even managing to squeeze an extra day out of a recruiting trip to St. Louis to see him. Although he had been in declining health for some time, the death still had a profound impact on Steve's life. "Like most sons, when a parent dies, you grieve and you remember all the good things you had together," Fisher said. "You're not bitter, you just think of all the good things and you miss him." The elder Fisher was not the only one who contributed to Steve's even- mannered coaching. "I had a great junior high coach (Mike Sortal) who was very low-key. I don't know if I consciously said to myself that I want to be like that, my dad or him," Fisher said. "That's how I was when I was a player." Following his graduation from Herrin High School in 1963, Fisher moved on to Illinois State, where he was a three-time letterwinner for the Redbirds. He earned a B.S. in math and physical education. "He didn't have the greatest abil- ity," said Jim Collie, Fisher's coach at Illinois State. "He was hampered by a knee injury in a softball accident. He was a good shooter, but his mobility was not there. His intelligence ex- ceeded his basketball ability." While pursuing his master's de- gree in physical education, Fisher worked as a graduate assistant within the Illinois State physical education department, applying his acumen not only to the hardwood but to the hard courts as well. Fisher spent time aid- ing the tennis team in addition to per- forming odd jobs around the phys. ed. office. Despite the fact he was not des- tined to be the next Jimmy Connors, Fisher coached the tennis team while teaching math, physical education and driver's education at Rich East, a place where Fisher was not sure he belonged. Having grown up in rural Illinois, Fisher was a bit apprehensive about coming to the Chicago area. He was prepared to teach high school in Belleville, Ill., before fate, better known as Les Woethke, stepped into Fisher's life. Woethke was the manager at a Bloomington, Ill., country club where Fisher tended bar in addition to his graduate studies. Rich East hired Woethke as its basketball coach and persuaded Fisher into going with him. Woethke would make consistent im- pacts throughout Fisher's life. Woethke eventually departed Rich East for Winona State in Minnesota, leaving a vacancy at the head coach- ing position. It was a spot Fisher thought he deserved, but did not get. The job went to Gene Smithson, who later went on to coach at Illinois State and Wichita State. Needless to say, Fisher was not pleased with the fact he did not get the position. Just two years out of college, Fisher went into the athletic director's office and "complained, bitched and got an- gry," even slamming the door in frus- tration. Surely Ray Jackson would have been laughing at this untraditional Fisher outburst. "I said if I could find something I was leaving," Fisher said. "I looked and couldn't find anything that late (it was June). So I came back and it was over. I was still the assistant." Nine months later, Smithson left to assist Will Robinson with the Red- birds and Fisher was hired as the bas- ketball coach at Rich East, getting the job denied him only months before. Fisher greatly enjoyed his time in suburban Chicago. "I didn't feel like I was working when I was a high school coach," Fisher said. "I could've started and finished my career at Rich Eas( High School and been every bit as happy as I am now." Fortunately for Michigan, he did not. His family, though, probably wished he had. Les Woethke came calling again in 1979 and Fisher answered. "I would not have gone to Western Michigan. if had not been for Les Woethke as the head coach," Fisher +sa i d : " " ". t , T - H - E UNIVERSITY PURDUE NORTHWESTERN Coach: Ricky Byrdsong, first season (53-87 overall) Last season: 8-19 overall, 3-15 Big Ten (tenth) Key returnees: G Pat Baldwin (12.6 ppg, 5.4 apg), F Cedric Neloms (16.8 ppg, 5.2 rpg), C Kevin Rankin (15.3 ppg, 8.4 rpg) Big losses: F Charles Howell (6.0 ppg, 3.1 rpg) Fresh faces: C Evan Eschmeyer, G Jevon Johnson. Ricky Byrdsong left Detroit- Mercy to take the reins of a club that has four starters and 10 letterwinners returning. It is a team with some hope, despite winning only eight games a year ago. "I'm excited to have some guys back who've been through some stuff," Byrdsong said. "I want to use ' (Patrick) Baldwin and (Kevin) Rankin's leadership." The Wildcats Rankin will be strong inside with junior forward Cedric Neloms and senior center Kevin Rankin - the top two scorers and rebounders from 1992-92. This tandem should anchor the team. Evan Eschmeyer, a 6-foot-11 freshman, will provide backup at center. Byrdsong has yet to decide whether he will create a "twin towers" effect with Eschmeyer and Rankin. If he does, teams will have difficulty inside the lane. At the guard spots, senior Baldwin will enter his fourth season as the starter at the point. Senior Eric Simpson and freshman Jevon Johnson will come off the bench at point. Senior shooting guard Todd Leslie was redshirted last year due to a knee injury and should be one of the country's top three-point shooters. He will have to regain his shooting touch of two years ago for the 'Cats to be competitive. Senior Kip Kirkpatrick can play both guard positions and small forward, and will see time either as a starter or reserve. The Wildcats, for the first time in years, appear headed in a positive direction. An NIT bid is a possibility, in Byrdoeog's first Big Ten campaign. OHIO STATE Coach: Randy Ayers, fifth year (85-36) Last season: 15-13 overall, 8-10 Big Ten (seventh) Key returnees: C Lawrence Funderburke (16.3 ppg, 6.8 rpg), G Derek Anderson (10.2 ppg, 2.7 apg), G Jamie Skelton (14.2 ppg, 3.0 rpg), G Greg Simpson (9.6 ppg, 2.6 apg) Big losses: None New faces: C Gerald Eaker Last year, the Buckeyes had one returning starter and the inexperience showed. This year Randy Ayers has four returning starters and three players who averaged over 10 points a game. The key returnee is Lawrence Funderburke, the team's leading scorer and rebounder in '92-93. The senior forward had 54 blocks and started all 28 games. If Funderburke can repeat his strong showing of a year ago, the Buckeyes will be in the Big Ten race. Ohio State is deep and talented in the backcourt, with Jamie Skelton, Greg Simpson and Derek Anderson. Skelton was an honorable mention on the All-Big Ten team last season, made 55 three-pointers and led the team with 79 assists. Simpson, last year's Big Ten Freshman of the Year, and Anderson led the team in steals. Rickey Dudley and Charles Macon will fill out the front court. "(Macon) is strictly an inside player," Ayers said. "He has good footwork." The Buckeyes look to rebound from last season's mediocrity, reaching a productive amalgam of experience and youth. "I'm confident that we have a very balanced team," Ayers said. PENN STATE Coach: Bruce Parkhill, 11th year (147-144 at Penn State, 236-219 overall) Last season: 7-20 overall, 2-16 Big Ten (eleventh) Key returnees: C John Amaechi (13.8 ppg,. 7.6 rpg), F Rashaan Carlton (6.6 ppg, 1.5 rpg), G Michael Jennings (7.8 ppg, 3.3 apg) Big losses: F DeRon Hayes (13.9 ppg, 5.1 rpg) New faces: G Dan Earl, G/F T.J. McNulty, F/C Phil Williams John Amaechi took full advantage of his school's first season in the Big Ten. He scored 13.8 points per game, pulled down 7.6 boards and earned third-team All-Big Ten status. The problem was his team finished in last place. "We're in for another challenge," coach Bruce Parkhill admitted. "We learned a lot from last year. We're-working toward being competitive." Sophomore Rashaan Carlton should inherit DeRon Hayes' small forward spot, after being a finalist for conference top rookie honors last season. Matt Gaudio was expected to start in place of Eric Carr last year but a bad back forced him to be redshirted. Although the prognosis for Gaudio's return was good, his back flared up just before practice began. Senior Michael Jennings will be back at his natural off-guard spot, joining Greg Bartram in the backcourt. Highly-touted freshman Dan Earl may be the best of the three. The Nitanny Lions were last in the Big Ten in field goal percentage and next to last in rebounds. A repeat performance of that kind will surely resultin another.° finish in the conference cellar. Coach: Gene Keady, 14t season (268-130 at Purdue, 3 overall) Last season: 18-10 overa (fifth) Key returnees: F Glenn Robinson (24.1 ppg, 9.2 rpg) Cuonzo Martin (11.9 ppg, 3. G Matt Waddell (7.1 ppg, 2.1 Big losses: G Matt Painte ppg, 4.5 apg) New faces: C Matt ten D Paul Gilvydis The Boilermakers hopes one man - Glenn Robinson the team in scoring and rebo a year ago. What Purdue nee year is support for the junior forward. Coach Gene Keady will t Cuonzo Martin, a junior forv who was second on the team scoring in 1992-93. Keady v need more points from junic Matt Waddell. "Our three juniors are ou leading scorers," Keady said "Waddell, Martin and Robin our most consistent scorers. likes to share attention with teammates. But that's not gc happen." That just might have to ti if Purdue is to make some nc The team returns eight playe starting' experience and 121e in all. Count on Keady using m different starting combinatic the Boil roster is >r with ve players Seni Stanbac sophomt Brando Brantle both ply and for Sophon Robinson Herb D Martin can play guard and f Porter Roberts will likel: with Waddell in the backcoi Centers Kenny Williams an Cornelius McNary will see minutes, along with forward Gilvydis .and guard Linc Da The most intriguing mer this season's Boilermaker to foot-2, 305-pound freshmar ten Dam. The Holland native is th player from abroad to play : Purdue and will eat up spac Simpson. ., fa r +t:x x ...f g ... .. i .,- ,.. r, ta ia.-:::.t;.