Richard Phelps leaves ESPN

[Tums Festival]

The guy's always been a joke and to this day is still incredibly jealous of Al and his success.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/10746900/digger-phelps-leaving-espn-college-basketball-analyst

[Norm]

Um, not quite. He had a good run at ND and ESPN. Don't think he lost 1 min sleep over being jealous of Al.

[Tums Festival]

Not saying he wasn't successful, just saying AL was more successful and Phelps has always resented it. Al was 5-2 against Phelps (4-2 at ND and 1-0 at Fordham) and had the more successful program. And, did you ever once hear Phelps pick Marquette to win a game the entire time he was at ESPN? I didn't.

[tower912]

So let us all raise a glass of beer to Digger.....and then pour it on him.    Oops.   Been there.   

[SonofPianoMan]

So let us all raise a glass of beer to Digger.....and then pour it on him.    Oops.   Been there.   

You too??? not the finest hour but I still remember 'digger beats his wife' ringing through the rafters...

[Groin_pull]

Um, not quite. He had a good run at ND and ESPN. Don't think he lost 1 min sleep over being jealous of Al.

Just like I won't lose one minute of sleep over Dick riding off into the sunset.

[tower912]

You too??? not the finest hour but I still remember 'digger beats his wife' ringing through the rafters...

....I'm an a$$hole, I'm an a$$hole, I'm an a$$hole just the same, but I'd rather be an a$$hole than to go to Notre Dame.... (sung to the tune of Oh, my darling Clementine)

[The Loud Guy]

"Marquette fans are the worst fans in college basketball".  Dick Phelps, 1987 after the home game against Sober Dame.

[tower912]

Unfortunately, that was after yet another ND win.    But yeah....

[SonofPianoMan]

....I'm an a$$hole, I'm an a$$hole, I'm an a$$hole just the same, but I'd rather be an a$$hole than to go to Notre Dame.... (sung to the tune of Oh, my darling Clementine)

fantastic memories... I actually made the cover of the Marquette magazine after we stormed the floor for that one... wish I still had a copy.

[DoggyDaddy]

Affectation matched by arrogance (and jealousy of Al, too).  
Phelps did not get close to Al as a coach, as an announcer, or even as a "colorful" human being.
Holding magic markers and wearing matching ties doesn't make you colorful--it makes you silly.      

[ChicosBailBonds]

....I'm an a$$hole, I'm an a$$hole, I'm an a$$hole just the same, but I'd rather be an a$$hole than to go to Notre Dame.... (sung to the tune of Oh, my darling Clementine)

I remember we pulled that at the Joyce on a road trip.  About 15 seconds later the Notre Dame faithful in full throat for the next 5 minutes chanted ND Rejects, ND Rejects.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Digger has a Final Four, he ended the greatest win streak in college basketball history, etc.

I don't think he is losing much sleep over Al and Marquette.  He had an accomplished career.

[bradley center bat]

Digger never picks MU or UW to win. 

[tower912]

Digger was a good coach.   Prior to coming to MU, I actually liked him and his ND program.    His coaching job against Sampson and Virginia was one of the greatest examples I have ever seen of how a junk defense can take a great player out of a game.    He played a triangle-and-two, with both of the 'two' on Sampson, one fronting and one behind him.   Phil Varner (IIRC) in front for most of the game and Woolridge behind.    ND won on a last second shot, by Woolridge,  I think.  

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

....I'm an a$$hole, I'm an a$$hole, I'm an a$$hole just the same, but I'd rather be an a$$hole than to go to Notre Dame.... (sung to the tune of Oh, my darling Clementine)

I remember singing that!

[mumagz84]

One of my favorite moments at a Marquette game was when Doc Rivers hit the shot to beat ND in 1981 when ND was 8-1 and ranked 5th in the country at the time. 

http://marquette.scout.com/2/1038434.html

I think Digger's carnation wilted a bit that day.  Was never a big fan of his back then and I agree with another post that I do not recall him on ESPN ever picking MU to win.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

Digger was a good coach.   Prior to coming to MU, I actually liked him and his ND program.    His coaching job against Sampson and Virginia was one of the greatest examples I have ever seen of how a junk defense can take a great player out of a game.    He played a triangle-and-two, with both of the 'two' on Sampson, one fronting and one behind him.   Phil Varner (IIRC) in front for most of the game and Woolridge behind.    ND won on a last second shot, by Woolridge,  I think.  

I was at that game...it was at the Rosemont Horizon. And it was Woolridge.

[ZiggysFryBoy]

FS1?

[Aughnanure]

FS1?

Says retiring from TV.

[Fullodds]

Digger was an ass wipe and on the Mount Rushmore of hated ND hoop 'legends' with Kelly Tripuka, David Rivers,and Tim Kempton

Great Al story.  He is with medalist and calls Digger for 6 tickets to the USC v. ND sold out game.  Biggest ticket of the year.  Digger says it's a tough ticket and a big favor but he will see what he can do.  Al flies his group down and they all head to the Joyce Center and Diggers office.  Al introduces all his Medalist clients to Digger and Digger gives him the tickets...great seats.  Al walks to the hallway in front of the door, with Digger watching, and says 'ok guys, $100 a ticket, pay up'.  Everyone comes up with a hondo and Al folds the cash and puts it in his pocket right in front of Digger and walks out to the game.

Al keeps the $500 and tells the clients Digger charges for free seats.

[brandx]

Digger was an ass wipe and on the Mount Rushmore of hated ND hoop 'legends' with Kelly Tripuka, David Rivers,and Tim Kempton

Great Al story.  He is with medalist and calls Digger for 6 tickets to the USC v. ND sold out game.  Biggest ticket of the year.  Digger says it's a tough ticket and a big favor but he will see what he can do.  Al flies his group down and they all head to the Joyce Center and Diggers office.  Al introduces all his Medalist clients to Digger and Digger gives him the tickets...great seats.  Al walks to the hallway in front of the door, with Digger watching, and says 'ok guys, $100 a ticket, pay up'.  Everyone comes up with a hondo and Al folds the cash and puts it in his pocket right in front of Digger and walks out to the game.

Al keeps the $500 and tells the clients Digger charges for free seats.

Sorry - if you don't have Laimbeer on their Mt. Rushmore, you don't know ND hoops.

[ChicosBailBonds]

When we retired #77 in honor of Al McGuire in 1997, I was involved in getting a number of coaches to give anecdotes and quips about Al.  Had the opportunity to speak with Ray Meyer, Lou Carnesecca, Dick Vitale, etc.  Also got to speak to Digger Phelps.

I know a lot of people here have a problem with ND and Digger...I get it.  Thought he had some very pleasant things to say about Al then and in many of his interviews about Al.


''I learned defense from Bobby Knight and psychology from Al McGuire. People need to be refreshed on what Al McGuire was. He was a rock. He was the best. He did for Milwaukee in college basketball what Vince Lombardi did for Green Bay in pro football.''