The Philadelphia 76ers are off to a disappointing 13-20 start to the season and this afternoon held the 438^th coaches-only meeting of the young season.
“We just felt it was time,” said head coach Tony DiLeo. “Actually, it was time. We have a coaches meeting every afternoon at 12:30 p.m. And also one at 9:15 a.m. and then another quick one after practice around 5:45.”
76ers assistant John Loyer said the coaches-only meeting was very productive and could spur a turnaround for the team.
“I think having a routine is integral to success,” said Loyer. “So, in that way, this meeting was huge. But on a micro level, it was kind of a waste of my time. I’m sure we could have finished it in half the time. I would have rather gone out to lunch.”

Longtime Texas State defensive coordinator David Harrison, who is black, says he believes he has repeatedly lost out on head coaching jobs – primarily in the South – because of his race and because he is doing a white guy.
“I am always told by inside sources that I didn’t get the job because my lover is white,” said Harrison. “We’ve come a long way in this country, but I guess interracial relationships are still taboo. I don’t get it.”
Harrison says he has noticed that male boosters at the various universities are especially troubled by his relationship.
“They are visibly made uncomfortable by it,” said Harrison. “The female boosters are usually great, though. They always want me to be their friend and go shopping with them.”

After a few days at home with his wife, his children and his God, Tony Dungy has decided to return as head coach of the Indianapolis Colts for the 2009 season.
[FULL STORY]

He may only be a rookie, but Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco is showing that he understands the intensity and rhythms of the playoffs.
“I wanted to show my teammates that I understand the stakes and that I know I need to change my mindset for the postseason,” said Flacco. “So I grew playoff eyebrows. I think my unibrow makes me look serious and suggests that I only care about results, even if I don’t look good in getting them.”
Team leader Ray Lewis says Flacco’s move is evidence of what a big-game quarterback he already is.
“He’s clever. We all know he’s had playoff eyebrows from Week 1 – and he’s played like it,” said Lewis. “Right when he came to camp in the summer, I could see a champion peeking out from deep inside that thick, black hair that connects his eyebrows together. He was clearly here for football, and not for endorsements or to become marketable or attractive to women or anything like that.”