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A32 sports
Diaranson 27 october 2021

Hall of Famer Payton looks to make mark as college coach

but off the court how to be a Oakland as it is being able great tradition of Oakland
man, and he’s just a good role to go to school out here and basketball kind of contin-
model for all of us to have in not have to go somewhere ues and carries on with him
our life at this time.” further that’s out of the Bay leading his own team and
Area, it’s just a blessing,” said also with those Warrior con-
They are here for an oppor- Attles. “Couldn’t ask for any- nections,” Kerr said. “That’s
tunity to leave a mark on bas- thing more. We’re in a good exciting. I’m going to have to
ketball-crazed Oakland with position to succeed. It’s all on check it out.”
a leader in Payton who knows us now.”
how much his mere presence Payton is counting on a
guiding this team could mean Lincoln is located downtown packed house when Lincoln
to a city that has seen two but the Oaklanders practice plays at Seattle Pacific on
professional franchises leave in a gym at Merritt College Saturday. The team opens
recently and another explor- and will play games at the Wednesday at Western Wash-
ing its options. The Warriors Warriors’ former home arena. ington then faces Central
relocated to San Francisco, Washington two days later.
(AP) — Way up in the Oak- which has launched collegiate the Raiders from Oakland to “It’s another opportunity for
land Hills, Gary Payton is athletics for the first time in Las Vegas and the Athletics kids in Oakland,” said War- No matter the early results,
hollering good-naturedly its 101-year history, and he are pursuing possibilities in riors guard Juan Toscano- Payton will have his play-
as if he’s still on the court is determined to make a last- Las Vegas if they can’t build a Anderson, who grew up in ers disciplined. He figures
during his days as a dy- ing impression on the young new ballpark here. the city. “Obviously, Gary if he can build fundamen-
namic point guard with players at the small school in is a Hall of Famer, Oakland tally sound athletes commit-
the Seattle SuperSonics, his hometown of Oakland, “It’s the only reason I took legend and I think the kids ted to learning and making
but this time he’s instruct- California. There’s guard this job, is that I can bring will respect that. Everybody big strides the program will
ing his Lincoln University Jairren Lillard, the younger something back to Oakland, in the basketball community gain steam and grow. And, he
assistant coaches exactly brother of Portland Trail California,” said Payton, who in Oakland admires Gary. hopes, eventually attract not
where to stand for a group Blazers star Damian Lillard. wrapped up his Hall of Fame He knows what he’s talk- only top recruits but nation-
photo, moving them into And another guard named NBA career in 2007. “And I ing about, he knows what ally ranked opponents.
position just so. Isaiah Attles, the grandson of can bring a lot of players from he’s doing, so I’m excited to
Golden State Warriors Hall this Bay Area and let them see what happens up there. “Well, I’m not going to tell
“Coach, the other way,” he of Famer Al Attles. see that we’ve still got a lot of It’s just another opportunity you about the way I’m go-
orders Lester Conner on his basketball players that’s good for kids in Oakland to fol- ing about it, but it’s kind of
right, adjusting him by the “His presence is strongly felt around here. These young low their dreams. If it’s not tough,” Payton said with a
shoulders before looking to in any room he steps in,” the kids, they don’t know how to with basketball, opportuni- big grin and chuckle. “And
CJ Ashford on his left and younger Lillard said. “With play basketball right now but ties in the classroom around my kids are understand-
commanding, “You turn this him stepping in the room they will get it.” the game. Hopefully, it goes ing. I’ve got a good group of
way.” with us young men and hav- well.” kids. They know I’m a no-
ing to take that on, it’s differ- Most are upperclassmen and nonsense coach, I don’t take
Payton even throws both ent, because a lot of us came transfers seeking a fresh start. Golden State coach Steve that. I don’t take all the crazi-
hands up almost as if “The from a program where we Isaiah Attles already played Kerr can’t wait to follow how ness. I’m very strict, and once
Glove” is playing his signa- weren’t really coached. They at Contra Costa College and Payton does. you put it into them and they
ture smothering, lockdown threw a ball out to you and Alcorn State. buy in, they have to buy into
defense again. just said ‘play ball.’ With him, “We have such a deeply root- what’s going on, and when
there’s going to be structure. “The support we have from ed connection with Oakland, they buy in they get the re-
Payton is the new men’s He’s going teach you not only Gary and our other coaches so I think that’s cool that Gary sults.”
basketball coach at Lincoln, on the court how to be a man and having the support from is there coaching and that the

Texas Tech fires Matt Wells after demoralizing loss

(AP) — Texas Tech fired coach No. 4 Oklahoma on Saturday. Kingsbury was hired as offensive co- NFL as Arizona’s coach. In his third
Matt Wells on Monday, two days ordinator at Southern California after season, the Cardinals are 7-0 for the
after the Red Raiders couldn’t Hocutt is looking for a coach for the leaving Texas Tech. He never coached first time since 1974.
hold a two-touchdown halftime third time since 2013. Hocutt made for the Trojans, instead going to the
lead in a loss at home to Kansas the latest move after a 25-24 loss to
State. his alma mater, Kansas State, when
the Wildcats trailed 14-0 early and 24-
Wells had a shot at his first winning 10 at halftime before rallying.
record in his third season with the
Red Raiders, but an inability to win Wells’ future was in question after a
Big 12 games plagued him just as it 4-6 finish in the pandemic-shortened
did predecessor Kliff Kingsbury, who season last year left the Red Raiders
also was fired. at 8-14 in his first two seasons. But
Hocutt called a postseason news con-
The Red Raiders (5-3, 2-3 Big 12) ference to say Wells would return.
didn’t win consecutive conference
games under Wells, who came from The first sign of trouble for Wells this
Utah State to replace Kingsbury. Tex- year was a 70-35 loss at rival Texas
as Tech was 13-17 overall and 7-16 in in the Big 12 opener, followed two
conference under Wells. Kingsbury weeks later by a 52-31 loss at home to
was 19-35 in league play in six sea- TCU. That’s the only win in the past
sons. five games for the Horned Frogs.
Athletic director Kirby Hocutt an- Wells is 57-51 in eight-plus seasons,
nounced the move and said offensive including a 44-34 mark at Utah State.
coordinator Sonny Cumbie would He was hired at Texas Tech after a
serve as interim head coach for the 10-2 season with the Aggies.
remainder of the season. Tech visits