Trade a pick for a coach? Not anymore

NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue announced last week that teams can no longer trade draft picks for the rights to coaches. It's particularly timely since the picks-for-coaches deal between Oakland and Tampa Bay last year worked out so nicely for both teams.

Jon Gruden was acquired by the Bucs from the Raiders in the offseason for compensation. The last coach who was acquired by the same means? Bill Belichick, the coach of the defending world champion Patriots. Belichick was acquired from the Jets after being chosen as Bill Parcells' successor, a job he turned down. Parcells, coincidentally, was acquired for compensation from the Patriots in 1997.

Is this making sense to you? Try to keep up.

From 1995 to '97 Gruden was the Philadelphia Eagles' offensive coordinator, the team he has to beat on the way to his first Super Bowl on Sunday.

And the reason you should care? In 1988 he was the passing game coordinator for a little school named Southeast Missouri State University.

What a small world.

Today

Gruden's old employer will be active on the hardwood today, only this time in a women's game. The Otahkians host Tennessee-Martin in their third OVC game. 7 p.m.

If you prefer the high-school level, you can see that too. Poplar Bluff's girls visit defending state champs Notre Dame. 7:30 p.m.

Friday

I heard a high-school coach say recently that "going into Jackson is like a trip to the dentist." That's one way of putting it. The Notre Dame boys basketball team get its teeth checked at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday

Notre Dame hosts its annual girls' basketball showcase. The showcase is similar to the boys' Tiger Shootout at Central and, on the local level, includes usual suspects Notre Dame, Central and Jackson. Times vary.

St. Louis University isn't having its best basketball season, but if you're in the downtown area anyway, see the two biggest schools to our north and south. SLU hosts Memphis at 1:10 p.m.

While Gary Payton is busy dishing out dimes to the rest of the Sonics, you'll be spending bucks. It's Buck night again in Memphis and that means hot dogs, soft drinks and peanuts are just a buck for the Grizzlies game

It's a big night for the Missouri River Otters ice hockey team at the Family Arena. The River Otters hold their fourth annual Christian family night when they host the Rockford Ice Hogs. Former Cardinals pitcher Andy Benes will deliver the keynote address. It's also Oscar the River Otter's birthday, and the River Otters will give away baseball caps at the gate. The Christian family program begins at 6 and the game is at 7:15 p.m.

Besides buying you a 20-minute phone call, a dollar can also buy you an authentic Blues jersey. The Blues will sell scratch-off tickets with a chance to win an autographed jersey. The Blues also will give away team yearbooks to the first 15,000 fans. Fans can buy a scratch-off ticket with a dollar donation to the Muscular Dystrophy Association. The Blues host the Stars at 7 p.m.

David Wilson is a student at Central High school and a sports writer for the Southeast Missourian. His column "The Week Ahead" appears every Monday.