sports

Apparently unembarrassed by his mistake, Maturi demanded that the university pay Monson for an extra 30 days this season, on top of the 90 days he was already due.

Monson proved a brilliant negotiator. The terms weren't so favorable until he demonstrated Wednesday just how badly his team could play.

After watching Clemson outpace the Gophers 18-1 on the offensive boards in the first half, Maturi began writing blank checks to Monson, folding them into airplanes and floating them toward the home bench.

Monson gets a package worth more than $1.3 million to not have to coach the lousy team he put together.

Monson got a better deal than Gophers fans, who now have to trust the Red Menace to skip the occasional rowing competition and make a hire vital to the athletic department's health.

Maturi's infiltration of the Gophers athletic department makes you wonder about other Wisconsin expatriates who have hamstrung Minnesota sports. Paul Grant. Michael Bennett. Brad Childress.

Gophers hoops is not Gophers football -- a disadvantaged program with built-in excuses. Gophers hoops plays in the best joint in town, in a metro area that produces plenty of talent, in a state with no other Division I schools.

A good coach can win here.

The Red Menace can be expected to start his coaching search with Jimmy Rodgers.