Saturday, February 23, 2002
Miami coach gives Shorts final chance
Star reinstated after dismissal
By Ian Duthie
Enquirer contributor
Just a day after announcing the dismissal of Alex Shorts from the basketball team, Miami coach Charlie Coles changed his mind and reinstated the senior after the two met Friday.
Coles agreed to the meeting after speaking with several of Shorts' family members, including cousin Rob Tillman.
“I talked to the family and they asked, "Can you please do this?'” said Coles. “There is always a human element. I was as mad as I could be, and I am sure he was hurt. I know his family loves him, wants him to do well, so I let him come back.”
Shorts will not be with the team when it plays tonight at Ball State.He'll rejoin the RedHawks Sunday.
Throughout the season, Coles and Shorts have had run-ins. On Thursday, it looked as though Shorts would be the first Miami player under Coles to be released. But Friday, the coach had a change of heart.
Coles has characterized his relationship with Shorts as that of a father who won't give up on his child. This compassion for all his players is the main reason for the final chance.
“I asked Alex if he really wanted to come back and, "Do you think you should?'” Coles said. “He said yes, and we talked a lot out. I hate that it had to come to that.”
Without Shorts, Miami (11-15, 8-7 Mid-American Conference), already short on depth, must face a deep Ball State (17-9, 10-5) team that is tied for the second-best record in the conference.
“We have to get back on track,” said Miami senior Doug Davis, whose team has lost three in a row after enjoying a three-game win streak. “We have proved we can play with the best. Now, we just have to come together and do just that.”
The RedHawks are left tonight with only six players who have averaged 10 minutes, and only Michigan State transfer Davis has played more than two years of college basketball.
“We have played so much without Alex,” said Coles, referring to Shorts' tendency to get into foul trouble. “We have talented young guys that just need experience that comes with playing.”
One player who will see more playing time is Bryan Reed, who impressed Coles in Miami's 65-50 loss to Bowling Green Wednesday. Defensively, the 6-foot-6 junior provided a spark, grabbing five rebounds and taking a charge in 14 minutes of play.
Although Reed didn't score, he has touch from the outside, hitting 50 percent of his 3-pointers last season (3-for-6). And senior Brian Edwards (6-foot-7, 247 pounds) gives Miami a big, wide body inside.
Ball State coach Tim Buckley said Shorts' absence won't change his team's strategy.
“We will continue to work the ball inside-out for good shots,” Buckley said. “I like to play our game rather than change the focus on simply inside scoring.”
The Cardinals boast one of the conference's best inside scorers in Theron Smith,who averages 19.5 points and 10.9 rebounds a game.
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Miami coach gives Shorts final chance
