Olson Speaks Up For Fired Parker

Lute Olson likened Southern California’s midseason firing of Charlie Parker to the way NBA management discards coaches no matter the circumstances.

“To me, it sheds a horrible light on USC and college basketball in general,” Olson, the Arizona coach, said. “Suddenly, it’s like the pros, where owners fire the coach in the middle of the season for whatever reason.

“In the professional ranks, you would expect that, but for this to happen in college is unfortunate.”

Ironically, Paul Westphal, fired by the Phoenix Suns last month, reportedly is the leading candidate to become USC’s head coach next season. Former UCLA and NBA player Henry Bibby, hired as a Trojans assistant this year, will serve as the interim head coach the remainder of the season.

Bibby reportedly will become the Trojans’ No. 1 assistant next year if athletic director Mike Garrett is able to hire Westphal, a USC alumnus.

“What USC did is really unprofessional as far as a university is concerned, especially when you look at what Parker has accomplished this year (11-10 record after going 7-21 last year),” Olson said.

“We felt when we played them, they played hard, and a lot of other coaches feel the same. There seemed to be a good feeling as far as the coaches and the players were concerned.”

Parker was hired last year on an interim basis to replace George Raveling, who had retired after an automobile accident. Garrett then signed Parker to a series of four one-year contracts last March.

Instead of waiting one more month to fire Parker, Garrett said he decided to make the change because of a lack of progress on and off the court for the players. Stais Boseman, a senior guard, reportedly was involved in an argument with Parker last week after not taking a charging foul in practice, and Avondre Jones, a junior center, failed to attend study hall.

“Charlie Parker is a class individual,” said Olson. “His wife (Roslyn Simpson) is active in the community, working with underprivileged kids.”