Two weeks after breaking ties with UNM, former men's basketball coach Fran Fraschilla has had an unlikely change of heart.
Fraschilla says that after soul-searching with his family, he realizes he made a mistake and longs to again prowl the Lobo sideline.
"This is going to shock a lot of people who thought I was just a jerk, but I can admit it - I was wrong and I am sorry," Fraschilla said, fighting back tears. "I just got so wrapped up in the job and my image that I lost track of what is important - the players."
The former coach added that his biggest mistake was his inconsistent discipline, allowing former point guard Marlon Parmer to take control of the team early in his career then breaking from that tone when trying to rein Parmer in three years later.
"I did a bad, bad job when I first
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got here and it only got worse," Fraschilla said. "I now realize that I should have done a better job setting the tone and making it clear that Marlon was not in charge and could not do whatever he wanted on the court. I tried yelling, but they just didn't listen."
Athletics Director Rudy Davalos could not be reached for comment, but UNM Today sources within the department reported Davalos' response included several minutes of overwhelming laughter followed by saying, 'Well that's just bullshit."
Fraschilla says his plan is to contact Davalos as quickly as possible after meeting with players to try to gain their support.
"I figure they will respect me if I am honest with them and that they will want me back," he said. "Who wouldn't want a coach who could lead them to the Sweet 16. I said it before, and I meant it. I just need a couple of extra years to get there."
The former coach's tenure was marred by controversy that included that the departure of eight players, many of whom left citing Fraschilla's verbal abuse as the catalyst that drove them away. One other, Malcolm Battles, was kicked off the team for allegedly beating his girlfriend.
"I know that I made mistakes with the yelling and the shouting but at least I didn't pull down my pants this time," Fraschilla said referring to an incident that led to his termination at St. John's University. "I'll just promise never, ever to use the 'f-word' and the 'a-word' again. That should do it. That's what used to make Patrick (Dennehy) cry."
In Fraschilla's final year, he posted a 16-14 record and 6-8 in Mountain West Conference play, which was good for sixth place in the eight-team conference. One of the more notable exits in final year was Parmer's vocal, mid-season exit.
"Marlon and I will talk, and I am sure we can work it out," Fraschilla said. "We are so much alike, we should be together. He's had some problems, but he can get to the basket and deserves another chance. If I get another shot, so does he."
The former coach also ran into several problems with Dennehy, who walked off the court after an altercation with teammates Ruben Douglas and Tim Lightfoot during a Feb. 9 loss to the Air Force Academy by a score of 47-44 in Colorado Springs, Colo. Fans were turned off by Fraschilla's response that Dennehy suffered from an "undisclosed medical condition" and allowed him to stay on the team after chasing off Parmer.
"That was definitely another opps but I know that I can make this all work," Fraschilla said.
because people would have felt more sorry for me if I had just told them that Patrick was a baby, but I thought we could beat Utah and BYU the following weekend with him in the lineup," Fraschilla said. "That was definitely another opps, but I have learned my lesson. No more of those mistakes, for sure, as long as I'm back."
Fraschilla admitted that he also was wrong to admit that both he and his team had given up late it the team's National Invitation Tournament loss to the University of Minnesota by a score of 96-62 March 13. It was the worst post-season loss in the history of Lobo basketball.
"I guess that didn't come across too well, but I was frustrated," he said. "I blamed the kids because they were being so rude to me by that point. Of course, I figured out that they were just dealing with some repressed issues associated with the loss. Have I mentioned that I've been seeing a psychiatrist? That's important too."
When asked how he planned to regain his credibility with Davalos, players and fans, Fraschilla said he didn't think it would be too difficult.
"I'm honestly a really good guy, so I think it will work," he said. "I expect to be back in charge soon. I will have to say I was wrong and all that, but after I say I'm sorry, it should be fine. I mean, the respect thing was the whole problem, so this should fix everything."
