This past Saturday, 2/20/16, I heard it reported that North Carolina basketball head coach Roy Williams went off on Doug Gottlieb during a post-game press conference, as Gottlieb claimed during the pre-game show that Williams would be stepping down after the season, and that UNC alum and current assistant coach, Hubert Davis would be stepping in to take over. Gottlieb later backtracked a little and tried to clarify that it was more speculation by many, and not necessarily something he heard was going to happen. Still, Williams laid into Gottlieb pretty good and clearly was very angry as he said things like it being "sinful", "not journalism", and that Gottlieb "couldn't put his shorts on right at Oklahoma State". Roy has had a few moments over the years.
As I heard this news, it got me thinking about some of my personal favorite coaching (and player) tirades and classic meltdowns over the years. So many hilarious examples to choose from! Here is my personal top 10 countdown:
And actually before I jump into to my top 10 "coaching" tirades, I thought it appropriate to insert a bonus, and one of both mine and my wife's favorite and funniest "player" rants ever:
* BONUS- Allen Iverson- "Practice!"
10. Herm Edwards- "You play to win the game!"
9. Steve Spurrier- "I need to just get outta here!"
Not necessarily one of the (or "the Ole' Ball Coach") most epic "meltdowns", but classic- especially since my Vols got the best of him in his last game vs. UT!
8. Jim Mora- "SICK!"
He certainly has several classics that I could choose from but I'll go with this one, specifically because some of you know how much I have loved using the word "sick" for years!
7. Earl Weaver- "Get your finger off of me!"
Though most of his antics were on the field, the legendary "Earl of Baltimore" has had many moments, with this being one of his finest!
6. Hal Mcrae- "Beep" fest!
5. Mike Ditka- "NEXT!"
4. Dennis Green- "The Bears are who we thought they were!"
3. Jim Mora- "PLAYOFFS?!"
No doubt one of the most famous, and often quoted tirades in sports history. Never gets old!
2. John Chaney- "I'll Kill You!"
I put this #2 because this was perhaps the first, and also one of the more unexpected tirades I ever saw! I couldn't believe that Chaney actually charged after a young, arrogant John Calipari, while he was coaching at UMASS. I couldn't stand Calipari then (and still can't), and though uncalled for, I still thought it was somewhat funny that Chaney started going after him! At that point in Calipari's career, I thought it said a lot about the kind of {dirty} coach I perceived him becoming.
1. Mike Gundy- "I'm a man, I'm 40!"
Hard to narrow all of these down, but this is probably my favorite. I love quoting it. My wife loves quoting it. I love quoting it for buddies who have recently turned 40. I just turned 40 last year and many buddies quoted it out of tribute for me! Finally, I became "a man".