SPORTS & MORE

Syracuse Coach Loses Job After 47 Years

When I was a lot younger, I would knock off any sort of depression or malaise by going to, and probably reporting on, high school sports games near Rochester, New York. I was a rookie sports writer then, at the Rochester Times-Union.

is the owner and operator of Noreaster Sport

Fishing in Marathon. A Massachusetts native, Nick fished for bluefin tuna and striped bass before moving to the Keys in 2005.

The transition from winter to spring here in the Keys, with regard to fishing, can be marked by a number of factors or changes. Here are a few:

• Water temperature is on the rise as low 70s give way to upper 70s. Check.

• Large schools of mullet arrive. Check.

• Tarpon are appearing at the bridges in numbers, whether biting or not. Check.

• Schools of spawning permit arrive on oceanside wrecks. Check.

• Tailing conditions form off the edge of the reef where sailfish can be seen and caught in impressive numbers. Check.

• Bluefin tuna (yes, you read that right) are traveling through. Check.

As winter is on its way out, expect the mackerel to follow. There are still good numbers of Spanish mackerel out in the bay, but likely not for long as that water heats up. But if you’re looking for some action and calm seas, start anywhere in the grass five to 10 miles out in the bay. Get the chum flowing and cast small lures or jigs tipped with shrimp on a light wire for steady action. There should be some mangrove snappers out there as well that can usually be taken on cut bait.

On the ocean side, everything will depend on the current and water clarity, as usual. If you are looking at the bottom in 50 feet, forget about yellowtail. A moderate current and slightly cloudy water is a much better scenario there. Lots of chum and small pieces of bait are the recipe, usually in 40 to 80 feet of water.

If the current is running like a river (to the east) it might be time to go look for those sailfish tailing down sea as they surf waves offshore. A live bait placed just right usually gets the bite. The best tailing conditions will be in very powdery-looking water where you can easily see the dark body of a sailfish or giant tuna coming from far away. Link up with Noreaster or another local charter service to experience this spectacular phenomenon, as it truly is a sight to behold. And if you’re wondering about those big tunas, yes, it’s possible to catch one with the right tackle and the perfect presentation. They are primarily migrating when seen here and not aggressively feeding, but a number of boats last week were successful in catching and releasing a giant.

Out in the deep, good numbers of big mutton snapper have been taken on wrecks in 150-250 feet of water. Live baits on the bottom and patience pays here.

Some permit have begun to show on the usual oceanside haunts and usually will take a well-placed live crab. Again, a seasoned guide will provide you your best opportunity at these trophies.

As far as offshore goes, blackfin tuna at the humps have been consistent, but unfortunately, so have the sharks. Plan on landing half of what you hook trolling small lures and feathers at about five knots.

And the million dollar question: NO, the mahi are not here yet!

Stay tuned for further updates on all these fronts and call or text Captain Nick at 508-769-4189 to set up your next adventure.

I wasn’t assigned to cover any events very far from Rochester. I just did it. No mileage reimbursement, no overtime pay. One evening, I headed to Lyons, New York. I don’t think I’d ever been there. I went, covered the high school basketball game and wrote a short article.

In my story, I did not mention the name of Lyons’ best player, the one who would go on to play and coach basketball at Syracuse University, collecting more coaching victories (1,015) than any other coach except nowretired Duke Coach Mike Krzyzewski.

That would be Jim Boeheim, now also retired as of March 8, when the Syracuse Orange lost to Wake Forest in the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament.

Boeheim’s retirement was not necessarily of his own choosing, despite his successes of 47 seasons. At his post-game press conference, after the loss, he was asked about his future, a normal question for a 78-year-old. He said something like, “You’ll have to ask the university.” Later, a university press release cleared up any questions. Boeheim was being replaced by Adrian Autry, a 51-year-old assistant coach who had played four years for the Syracuse Orange. No one was saying it, but the school was dumping its coach.

One evening, I drove from Rochester to Syracuse, a distance of about 50 miles, to cover a game involving Syracuse and its two stars, Boeheim and Dave Bing, who would go on to a solid pro career of a dozen years and post-pro career that included him being elected mayor of Detroit. I later became acquainted with Boeheim at college basketball’s Final Four when Syracuse wasn’t involved – as it was in 2003, when Boeheim’s team won the National Championship. He took Syracuse to five other Final Fours.

We became acquaintances and often engaged in conversations during Final Four tournaments. I found him to be a very nice person, a good conversationalist. And a good coach.

When everything had settled down after the announcement, Boeheim became his humorous self,

RALPH MORROW saying, “I’ve been unbelievably fortunate that I’ve been here 47 years. Mike Breen is thrilled to have his job (as Notre Dame coach) for 23 years. He’s a puppy.” ralphmoro1936 @gmail.com

... a veteran sports columnist, says the only sport he doesn’t follow is cricket. That leaves plenty of others to fill his time.

I hope that, if Boeheim wishes, another university hires him as coach of its varsity squad.

ONCE AGAIN, I DID NOT attend The Players Championship golf tournament at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.

I’d love to go. I’d take a comfortable folding chair and sit at the 17th hole so I could watch the golfers try to keep their balls out of the water. I’d hope the weather was perfect. And I’d wear my Key West Conchs cap to keep the sun off my head.

I’d root for Jordan Spieth and if he wasn’t playing well, I’d have several other names to take his place.

Prices for tickets appear to be $100 to $200 per day plus extras, according to American Express.

Parking is $40 per day for Thursday through Sunday.

If you’re going for more than one day, you’ll need a hotel or motel, and prices will run the gamut.

Apparently my children should be involved in sponsoring my attendance. As if I haven’t thought of that before.

By: Tracy and Sean McDonald