"Rollin' with Nolan." When Nolan Richardson had his Tulsa Golden Hurricane rocking and rolling with win after win after win, everyboy was "Rollin with Nolan." Coach Nolan Richardson got his big time college basketball start way back in 1980 when he was named the head coach of the TU Golden Hurricane from West Texas AM Jr. College. The coach brought along 4 of his starters from the Jr. College National Championship team, a polka dot shirt or 2, and 40 minutes of hell.
The wins continued on, and won the NIT Championship in his first season at the helm. His success got him the job at Arkansas, and during his tenure there, came a national championship. Retired for almost 8 years now, and spending time on his ranch in Fayetteville, maybe he still had the itch to coach. thats why it was no surprise that Richardson got the call from those who wanted to bring a professional basektball team to his second home in Tulsa. It was a move that was brilliant on the part of the new owners.
Now we have a WNBA franchise in Tulsa, and what better man that Nolan Richardson to lead the charge. At the press conference to announce the new team, Richardson was as enthusiastic as ever. His new team begins play in 2010. June will be the first game at the B.O.K. Center. I, for one, will be one dissappointed sports fan if nolan doesn't wear one of those old polka dot shirts on opening day.
