http://www.nypost.com/seven/05032009/sports/knicks/isiah_making_enemies_in_new_fiu_job_167375.htm

By MARC BERMAN

PICK UP THE PHONE! Isiah Thomas, who recently was named the new coach at Florida International University, has angered some Florida high school coaches because he failed to personally call three FIU recruits to inform them they were no longer wanted despite scholarship offers from the past regime.

Isiah Thomas already has angered a handful of Florida high school coaches in his two weeks at the job at Florida International University.

The former Knicks president/coach is being accused of tactless behavior in failing to personally phone three FIU recruits to inform them they were no longer wanted despite scholarship offers from the past regime.

Wolfson High coach Greg Rosebrock threatened to close the door for Thomas to recruit at his Jacksonville school because of how his player, Chris Rozier, was treated.

"From Jacksonville, to Orlando to Pensacola, there's a lot of coaches in Florida not happy with him right now," Rosebrock told The Post. "He's not making friends here. I understand not wanting him but place a phone call and do it in a professional way."

Rozier, of Jacksonville, had a verbal commitment from FIU. One day before Thomas' press conference on April 15 -- the day of the late signing period -- FIU assistant Heath Glick called Rosebrock to tell him Thomas would call afterward to let him know what was going on. The call never came.

An assistant coach called two days later to tell Grosbeck they would not be mailing the letter of intent.

"He was recruited like crazy by that school," Rosebrock said. "Just give him a call. He's a kid who just had his world turned upside down." (Rozier landed on his feet, signing last week with Jacksonville State).

According to a person familiar with the Thomas' thinking, Thomas did not call the kids because he was under the impression he would be under NCAA violation. Thomas just took his compliance tests and thought he was not allowed to speak to high school students.

The source said that is why Thomas signed earlier this week three JUCO players, including Brooklyn's Marvin Roberts, touted by FIU as the leading junior college scorer in the nation this past season, averaging nearly 30 points per game. A source said Roberts was close to heading to Seton Hall. According to the NCAA, however, Thomas is allowed to talk to high school players because now is a dead period.

Meanwhile, in Orlando, Olympic High coach Mark Griseck was upset at how his player was treated by Thomas. Jamel Marshall signed a letter of intent to FIU in November. Marshall received a call from the FIU assistant, telling him Thomas wants him to sign a "release" form.

Two days later, Thomas finally called Griseck, who told him he should call Marshall directly. Thomas, finding out he was able to contact high schoolers that week, made the call then.

"My biggest complaint was not that he didn't want him, but he didn't call him," Griseck said. "Isiah apologized, said he had so much going on and he made a mistake delegating it to his assistant."

This guy is just a flat out bad employer and worker.

The thing that is disturbing is that now he is dealing with high school kids.

Posted by CrushAlot:

The thing that is disturbing is that now he is dealing with high school kids.

This isnt new in college--this happens everywhere. IT will get that placed juiced up and winning

He's under such a gigantic microscope, there probably report that he didn't wash his hands after he took a leak.

Two days later, Thomas finally called Griseck, who told him he should call Marshall directly. Thomas, finding out he was able to contact high schoolers that week, made the call then.

"My biggest complaint was not that he didn't want him, but he didn't call him," Griseck said. "Isiah apologized, said he had so much going on and he made a mistake delegating it to his assistant."


Did you not read the final paragraph? It doesn't seem like he intentially tried to stiff the recruits. The NCAA violation book is thicker than the bible and you really have to be careful. Besides, as knicks1248 said, if Isiah leaves the seat up after using the bathroom he will be vilified.

Posted by Uptown:

Two days later, Thomas finally called Griseck, who told him he should call Marshall directly. Thomas, finding out he was able to contact high schoolers that week, made the call then.

"My biggest complaint was not that he didn't want him, but he didn't call him," Griseck said. "Isiah apologized, said he had so much going on and he made a mistake delegating it to his assistant."


Did you not read the final paragraph? It doesn't seem like he intentially tried to stiff the recruits. The NCAA violation book is thicker than the bible and you really have to be careful. Besides, as knicks1248 said, if Isiah leaves the seat up after using the bathroom he will be vilified.

I read the entire article. You'd think he'd take care of the situation immediately, especially if guys signed a letter of intent.

Look, how on Earth has he proven he can be a good executive or coach in anyway, especially on the college level. FIU signed him for the same reasons the Knicks signed LB years back. B/c of the hype.

Posted by knicks1248:

He's under such a gigantic microscope, there probably report that he didn't wash his hands after he took a leak.

Yeah, expect more of these feigned outraged stories from now on. Any little molehill will become a mountain once it hits the papers. Media has it out for him. We knew this.

I mean a breathless story because he failed to call a couple of recruits?

Posted by sebstar:

Posted by knicks1248:

He's under such a gigantic microscope, there probably report that he didn't wash his hands after he took a leak.

Yeah, expect more of these feigned outraged stories from now on. Any little molehill will become a mountain once it hits the papers. Media has it out for him. We knew this.

I mean a breathless story because he failed to call a couple of recruits?

It may not be a big deal to you or me, but it's a damn big deal to the recruits who had made commitments already. He damn well deserves to be under this microscope as well. As crushalot said, his history of dealing with people and their careers and lives is God awful.

Posted by sebstar:

He was unfamiliar with the rules and made an error in judgment. Non-story.

Maybe in our eyes, but it was a big error. Again, this is messing with people here. It doesn't effect a lot of people, but it effected those 3 kids. Maybe he was unfamiliar with the rules, but it's INEXCUSABLE. If ie thought he couldn't contact the kids, he should have made sure, IMMEDIATELY, that it was done, so those kids could move on with their lives and start finding another school.

It's not a huge global thing, but it's a bad job by him. And maybe other people do it, but that's inconsiderate too. It's just sloppy work, kind of like his post playing career.

we must never forget this, among others:


its funny in the above picture that herb is the only one at least trying to look like he's doing something productive, and he is the only one left out of those guys

[Edited by - orangeblobman on 05-03-2009 2:08 PM]

Herb Williams hasn't work since he left the Pacers. He's a team mascot.