GARNER KEEPS WHISTLE AT SE; CONTRACT EXTENSION, RAISE END JOB TALK WITH BULLS

Gary Garner is basically a small-town guy with simple tastes who likes running the show.

Those were among the major reasons why Garner has decided to remain in Cape Girardeau as Southeast Missouri State University's head basketball coach.

Garner, who had been having discussions with the Chicago Bulls about joining the six-time NBA champions as an assistant coach, elected to withdraw his name from consideration for that job.

In a low-key press conference late Wednesday afternoon attended by a few local media members and Southeast administrators, Garner announced that he was staying with the Indians.

And later, during a one-on-one interview, Garner expressed how relieved he was to put it all behind him and how excited he was to be continuing as Southeast's coach.

"I'm really happy this is behind me and I'm just really excited for the future of Southeast basketball," he said. "We have a chance to be a really good team this coming season and, as I said when I was hired last year, I think we have all the necessary ingredients to have a great basketball program."

Garner said his decision was based on a variety of factors.

"I basically am a small-town guy. Cape is a big city for me," he said with a laugh. "I'm sure I would have been fine in Chicago, but if you ask me where I want to live, Cape is the place my wife Barbara and I want to be.

"I really like it at Southeast Missouri State and my wife and I really love living here. I grew up in Missouri (West Plains) and my dad is 87. My brothers live there. I can see my family a lot easier (than living in Chicago)."

Garner, 54, also said he likes running his own program.

"It's the difference between being a head coach vs. an assistant coach. I like being in control of the program," said Garner, who added with a smile, "I like doing all the yelling instead of having somebody else doing it."

Southeast executive vice president Ken Dobbins said the school is elated to retain Garner. Dobbins also announced a contract extension and raise in salary for the coach.

Garner, in the second year of a three-year contract, will have his annual base salary boosted from $74,160 to $80,000. His contract will also be extended for five years, through June of 2005.

"We are very, very pleased that coach Garner has agreed to remain at Southeast," said Dobbins. "His excellent coaching and recruiting skills, integrity and positive attitude make him one of the top Division I basketball coaches.

"He not only has shown evidence of operating a very successful basketball program, but also is committed to working with our student athletes. He has been a wonderful ambassador for our university and intercollegiate athletic program."

Garner was approached about joining the Bulls' organization by longtime friend Tim Floyd, who was recently named Chicago's director of basketball operations and is almost certain to be the Bulls' head coach next season.

Garner has had several meetings with Floyd and other Bulls' officials in Chicago, the most recent of which was last week.

While Garner has never said that he was definitely offered a job with the Bulls, he did say, "They were talking to me about the assistant coaching position." He would not say that the Bulls definitely offered him the coaching post.

In any event, Garner said he has no regrets about the way things worked out.

"You always take a look at jobs when you're approached. I'm honored that Tim Floyd thought enough of me to talk to me about the possibility of a job with the Chicago Bulls," he said. "But deep down in my heart I knew I wanted to coach at Southeast Missouri State and live in Cape.

"When you look forward to and are anxious and happy to go to work every day, that tells you something. That's the way I feel about my job."

Garner, who was hired as Southeast's basketball coach in June of 1997 after longtime coach Ron Shumate was fired amid an NCAA investigation, led the Indians to a 14-13 record in his first season. It marked Southeast's first winning record in five years.

Southeast, which returns virtually all of its top players from last season and has added some key newcomers -- including two talented transfers -- is expected to contend for a high Ohio Valley Conference finish this year.

"School will be starting in a couple of weeks and I'm eager to get started with this year's team," he said. "I'm excited about the future of Southeast basketball."

Garner's squad will certainly be facing a rugged schedule. While the official schedule has not yet been released, the Indians will have tough non-conference games against Oklahoma State, Louisiana Tech, Arkansas State, Southwest Missouri State, Bradley and Southern Illinois. All of those games except Louisiana Tech and SIU will be on the road.