Seattle Sports: In the Morning

The big news is Mike Holmgren's announcement that he'll coach next season but no more after that. Art Thiel thinks that Holmgren wanted the Hawks to offer him an extension, and says that Jim Mora Jr. is a better match for Tim Ruskell than Holmgren is. Dave Boling of TNT writes that Holmgren sounded relieved but also energized, citing this quote: "You know what, for the first time in my career you’re going to see fake punts, you’re going to see double-reverse passes, onside kicks at any time. Don’t be surprised by anything. It’s my last go at it. I’m goin." Steve Kelley agrees, writing that "Holmgren is going to grind like a rookie coach with something left to prove."

Bobby Engram and UW softball pitcher Danielle Lawrie are the P-I Sports Stars of the Year.

Rien Long, the former Wazzu DE, is in critical condition after an auto accident.

Kevin Durant on Kurt Thomas: "He's real old. You can just look at him for two, three minutes and tell. His knees crack and he sits down and gets up real slow." This in an otherwise flattering piece by Jayda Evans about Thomas' unexpectedly big role on this team. Sonics host Houston tonight at 7pm.

Ed Corell, a three-year starter with the Dawgs from 1961-63, still holds the single-game rebound record--30 in a game. Corell played AAU ball and on company teams, and didn't stop playing until a few years ago. He offered his philosophy on rebounding to the P-I's Dan Raley: "I've always maintained it's not how high you can fly, it's how you block them out. They can't get around you if you block them out."

Wazzu is #3 in Everyday Should Be Saturday's Fulmer Cup rankings for off-field malfeasance after one Coug soaked his teammates' contact lenses in rubbing alcohol.

Basketball stat guru John Hollinger sings the Blazers' praises in the New York Sun and concludes: "Here's the really scary part: The Blazers should be much better a year from now. not only will all the children have improved further, but Oden will be back, and his shot-blocking presence should raise the defense another notch. And forgotten amid this sea of young talent is that the Blazers hold the rights to athletic Spanish guard Rudy Fernandez and young Finnish point guard Petteri Koponen."

Mariner broadcaster Dave Sims who began his media career with a Philly newspaper tells Jeff Graham of the Kitsap Sun why he switched from sportswriting to sports broadcasting: "I used to be so jealous of the guys calling the game. When it's over, they'd go home. I'm sitting there after the game and the Vet is dark, the cats are out chasing the rats and everything. And I've got to be there for another hour."