Canzano: Dana Altman's last stand begins
Can Ducks coach win big again?
Long-time Dana Altman assistant Mike Mennenga is leaving the University of Oregon. After 12 seasons alongside Altman as a lieutenant, he’s going to coach at Creighton, I’m told.
The defection comes one day after Altman addressed the media, explaining that his mass roster departures were related to pay cuts he planned for returning players. They hadn’t produced, or in some cases, were all wrong for his program.
“We’re not underfunded… ” Altman explained. “I didn’t do my job.”
The talent is gone. One of his lead assistants is gone. Altman, 67, has to be asking himself if the sands will ever stop shifting. And yet, I admire him for not throwing in the keys. Then again, he has $8 million in reasons to stick around.