The Slanch Report

If you’re Florida International University and you’ve just made the questionable choice of the man who destroyed the Knicks (and the CBA and Toronto Raptors) as your new head coach, don’t you think you should take some time to figure out his name? Especially if you are hiring someone whose previous employers were forced to pay out $12 million in a sexual harassment suit caused by that multiple time failure and you intend to surround the perpetrator with deliciously nubile college co-eds.

So it was a bit surprising when FIU’s Provost Ronald Berkman introduced Isiah Thomas as Isiah Thompson, TWICE. This despite the big placard with Thomas’ name correctly listed in front of the coach and the fact that the university has signed Thomas to a 5-year $5 million contract. It’s a good sign that the university is wisely spending their money. Sure, Isiah is returning his first year salary to the university as a sign of good-will, but that is made easier since the Knicks still owe him over $12 million, so it’s not as though he’s struggling.

“‘The importance of this hiring for FIU is not for the basketball program, not for athletics, but for FIU,” Pete Garcia, the FIU Athletic Director said. “It’s a landmark day in our history.”

[Miami Herald]