Jobs May Be At Stake For Coaches At Unt

[NT80]

Sports > College Sports Thursday, Mar 6, 2008

Jobs may be at stake for coaches at UNT

By TROY PHILLIPSStar-Telegram Staff Writer

GETTY IMAGES/CHRIS GRAYTHEN

Mean Green coach Johnny Jones is being mentioned as a possible candidate at LSU, his alma mater. DENTON -- As one basketball team at North Texas tries to defend a title, the other could be delaying the inevitable.

UNT's men (19-10) begin defense of last year's Sun Belt Conference title at 7 tonight against Arkansas State (10-19), as the teams open play in the SBC tournament in Denton. The Mean Green women (13-17) host New Orleans (13-16) at 5 p.m. After tonight, both SBC tournaments continue in Mobile, Ala., starting Saturday.

UNT's men have narrowly beaten ASU twice, but more curious is the speculative future of coach Johnny Jones. He's expected to at least receive an interview for the open LSU coaching job and could draw more serious consideration if UNT again makes the NCAA Tournament.

"I think it's probably a good chance [Jones will interview]," said UNT guard Josh White, who is from Baton Rouge, La. "Depending on if we go to the tournament, they may offer it to him. Right now, the team's just playing it by ear. We really don't know what's going to happen. I'm sure there are other coaches in the running [for LSU]."

White wants to win, but he and his teammates are keenly aware they can win Jones another job, if not at LSU, maybe somewhere else.

"Who knows what'll happen next year?" he said. "Why wouldn't LSU want a guy like him?"

Jones, a former LSU player and assistant coach, said his focus is on UNT and this season. Another school's interest in him, should it exist, is a credit to UNT and its players' success, he said.

Asked if LSU, through any channels, has contacted him or a representative about a possible interview, Jones said, "I don't have any idea."

The contract of UNT women's coach Tina Slinker will expire April 30 after 19 seasons. Athletic director Rick Villarreal isn't expected to extend Slinker's contract unless her team makes the NCAA Tournament, at which time an automatic three-year extension kicks in.

Slinker's team finished the season on a four-game losing streak and would have to beat long odds to go 4-0 the next seven days.

"We don't really think about it, but we know the reality of it," forward Amber Jackson said. "How we play could determine what goes on with coach Slinker. There are a lot of reasons to win. If anything, it's extra motivation."

It's an awkward subject for Slinker, who said her team just plays without letting her situation become their problem. They don't appear to feel any more pressure to win than if "I had a five-year contract," she said.

"Record-wise, we all thought we'd have a better year," said Slinker, whose team beat the tournament's top seed, Western Kentucky. "It's important that we regroup and do well Wednesday and see what we can do from there."

UNT women vs. New Orleans

5 p.m. today

Super Pit, Denton

Records: UNT 13-17, New Orleans 13-16

UNT men vs. Arkansas State

7 tonight

Super Pit, Denton

Records: UNT 19-10, Arkansas State 10-19

Tickets: $10, $15 and $35 (family pack)

tphillips@star-telegram.com

Troy Phillips, 817-390-7760