Seth Davis and Magic Johnson on the set at last year's Final Four.
Before I get going here, let me just say this: Seth Davis is a pretty funny guy, but television is a filter for a lot of the humor he tends to dish out. The first time I heard the word “fuck” come out of his mouth when talking to him, it was as if all I thought I knew about the man went out the window. But it didn’t, really. That was just jarring, because his CBS personality is pretty clean-cut, wouldn’t you say? CHJ had the opportunity to interview Seth last year, when he was on his publicity tear for “When March Went Mad,” and he’s back again, this time as a partner with Coke Zero.
Seth had a marathon session of interviews with blogs last Wednesday, and I decided to wait to publish my one-on-one with him for the two obvious reasons: let the crowd all publish theirs at once … and procrastination.
So, we’ve got Coke Zero (yeah, that’s right, I bolded it just for them) and its “Department of Fannovation.” What is it about? Take a trip here to see what it is and how you can win 10K, plus a trip to next year’s Final Four.
College Hoops Journal: Given the halts he’s been forced to make the program go through in the past two years, do you believe it’s time UConn and Jim Calhoun parted ways? I wrote that he and the school need to do this, and I think I might be the only one who feels this way.
Seth Davis: Well, then let me correct you, because I wrote something similar for SI.com. I hate to put it on these terms, but we were just talking about Dan Fitzgerald, who died at 67. That’ how old Jim Calhoun is. I don’t think coaching is any more stressful that a lot of other professions, not including college basketball writer or blogger. It draws a very specific species of man. It’s very driven, very intense and you’re immersed in the culture, where you’re supposed to push yourself, physically. And Jim Calhoun embodies that as much as anybody. This is now the fourth time he’s had to step way because of something health related, and that’s on top of the two cancer scares he had. And he’s not looking for my advice; it’s a personal decision. It will be his decision, but I’m trying to look at the long-term right now. He’s 67, he’s had a lot of these things happen, and I want to see him enjoy retirement at some point.
CHJ: Assistant coaches who you think would be a good fit at UConn once Calhoun leaves? A few names? Or would it be only a head coach that could fill the position?
SD: It’s an interesting question, Matt, because there’s no obvious choice in the UConn family. His UConn assistants haven’t exactly lit the world on fire. … So they’ll have to go outside the family, and who wouldn’t want the job? It’s not an easy situation to step into, but it’s not easy to follow someone who got fired for losing, either. At least you’re following someone who was winning. You’re never going to have a chance to win like Calhoun, but I’m sure it’ll be a very attractive job and they’ll certainly be willing to pay.
CHJ: The TV show looks good. Whose idea was it? Did CBS approach you, or was this your brainchild, and you forced their hand/threatened to leave the network altogether? [This is me joking, of course.]
SD: I’ve been with CBS College Sports television for a long time. I was actually on the air on CSTV the first night their studio opened the night of the final four, I want to say in New Orleans. They’re actually doing quite well, cleared for 30 million homes now. … It’s just a fun outlet for me. They’ve given me a lot of say of what the show should be, how it should be structured, who should come on. They’ve also saved me from myself from time to time, which is a good thing. [Laughs.] I’m trying to make a show for hardcore college basketball junkies. My audience, I picture a bunch of kids in a college dorm room getting ready to go out for the night, and they’re huge fans who want their fix.
“It’s been really good for me, as sportswriter, to experience sporting events through the eyes of a fan again, and as a father.”
CHJ: Has it affected how much you write? Let’s compare five years ago and today. How much less time do you have to do stories for SI?
SD: I probably wouldn’t say I’m doing less writing, because I’m writing three columns a week. I’m doing less writing for the magazine, which, in many ways, is regrettable. Because, growing up all I wanted to do was write for Sports Illustrated. The more I was going into doing television, the tougher it was to write for me for the magazine and the less time I now have to travel. Now I have to be anchored to New York City every weekend and New York City every Monday night as well. There’s a lot of upside to that. I’m home more with my family. I can help out with the night feedings (of his newborn boy), which is double-edged sword. You can also stay on top of more from home. I can watch games, be on the phone with coaches, keep up on the Internet.
CHJ: Let’s talk about an issue you addressed on your show — officiating. Jeff Goodman brought it up to me when I talked with him for an interview with the site last week. These officials are clearly overworked. You suggested a way to alleviate the problem to a degree on your show, but do you think this issue gets resolved in the next two, three years?
SD: I don’t think there’s much that can be done, because these guys are independent contractors. Every league hires them separately. If you were to make somebody a full-time employee, it’s an expensive proposition with health benefits, retirement. … Then comes the issue, OK, you’re not going to work as many games, so you have to pay these guys on a metric to what they’ve would’ve done to not to that. You can imagine the logistical nightmare and a financially untenable situation. Conferences need to do a better job, but if you talk to coaches, they would still rather have a very good referee who’s working his fifth game in a row and who is tired over a younger guy who might not be as good. It’s a catch 22 I don’t see any way out of it.
CHJ: You criticized Bob Knight on television a few weeks ago for his inaccurate remarks about John Calipari. How would you assess his job as a color man now that he’s had ample time to be critiqued?
SD: I think he’s doing a great job. I really enjoy listening to him. He might be making the same point somebody else would make in his chair, but when a guy has won 902 games, you perk your ears up a little bit. I notice his preparation has gotten a little better. He’s got a great sense of humor and he’s letting that come out a little more, too. I have enormous respect for his basketball knowledge — there’s no one I’d rather listen to talk about basketball than Bob Knight — but he’s conducted himself in a way over the years that I don’t personally approve of. As I like to say, everybody’s entitled to my opinion. [Laughs.] I call him out when I see fit, but as broadcaster, I see real improvement.
CHJ: You’ve got a newborn. This is your third go-round. Do you have it down to a science? Are you working late at night while watching over your latest offspring offering?
SD: Being a new dad, Matt, hopefully sometime in the distant future, I’m guessing, you’ll experience it. [We both laugh but on the inside I’m crying.] I love it. You can hold your infant son with your left arm and work the remote with your right hand, if you hold him properly. I’m allowed to drop the remote but not allowed to drop the baby!
The other thing I’m getting to experience for the first time is my oldest son, Zachary, is 5 and a half. He’s a good athlete — gets it form his mother. He’s also become a big sports fan. True story: OK, he comes down in his pajamas and I say, “Guess what, Zachary, the Longhorns lost.” He said, “Oh, my God. That means the only team that hasn’t lost yet is Kentucky.” He reads box scores. I’ve taken him to games, like when I wrote to you on Twitter that I brought him to an AHL game last Friday night. It’s funny, that night my wife just wanted me to get him out of the house, I think. I took him to a Patriots game, I’m taking him on Friday night to Lakers-Knicks because he knows all about Kobe.
And it’s been really good for me, as sportswriter, to experience sporting events through the eyes of a fan again, and as a father. It’s fun taking your kids to games. I’m sitting in the stands instead of on press row, wondering what I’m going to write, what food they have for us and doing my job.
“Clark Kellogg is the greatest human being I’ve ever met.”
CHJ: What’s your set-up like at home for watching games? I assume you have a dish, but do you have your own little office/viewing area with a couple TVs so you can keep tabs on games during the weeknights?
SD: Matt … I don’t even know how anyone watched a game before DVR. I don’t want to watch any game live, (when I’m not there) because it’s ineffective. Let’s see, I have two TVs working in (one room), got three more upstairs, in the living room, and then I have one in my basement office. So that’s six Tivo lines at once if I need it. And you can watch some may games online now. It’s funny, I had one weekend day where I was not in studio. It was a Saturday and I had all those games to stay on top of. I took not only my computer, but my wife’s computer and I had three screens in front of me to stay on top of all the games.
CHJ: OK, some quickies here. Better chance at a Final Four, Purdue or Ohio State?
SD: Purdue. Better defensively and a better all-around game.
CHJ: Team most likely to lose a first-round game: West Virginia, Kansas State, Georgetown.
SD: First round game … wow. I’m going to say WVU. I think they’ve been exposed a little bit recently. They don’t have a real point guard.
CHJ: Arena you really want to get back to see a game?
SD:An arena I’ve been to before that I haven’t been back to in awhile?
CHJ: Yep.
SD: I always love to see Allen Fieldhouse. If you can believe it, I have never set foot inside Hinkle Fieldhouse, and I’m surprised I’m allowed to keep my job because of that fact. I would love to see that historic gym some time down the road.
CHJ: Best future all-around pro player that isn’t getting a lot of pub right now?
SD: Luke Harangody. Too many people doubt him.
CHJ: I doubt him, too, but we’ll save that for another time. I am forcing you to pick one here. Don’t cop out on me. Do you think Clark Kellogg’s a better in-studio guy or an at-the-game, color guy?
SD: [Exhales.] I’ll go with game analysis, because it’s more air-time. And if you listen to Clark do a game, count the number of possessions he will go without talking. He’s an easy listen. He’s very smart and the greatest human being I’ve ever met. That’s the truth. Aside from my wife, of course. He’s a better power forward than her, though.
CHJ: Most media-friendly coach? If it’s Calipari, pick someone else.
SD: Bill Self.
CHJ: Really? Wow. OK. The least media-friendly coach. If it’s Calipari, pick someone else.
SD: How about Bob Knight. [This is a total cop-out, and he would admit it.]
CHJ: Better league right now: Mountain West or the A10?
SD: The Mountain West, top to bottom.
