Ricardo Patton has been hired at Northern Illinois after a less than stellar career at the University of Colorado.  Ditto for Rod Barnes, who has made the move to Georgia State after being dumped a season ago by Ole Miss. 

The recycling of coaches who were unsuccessful is not uncommon.  How do you explain Dave Wannstedt?  Dave ship wrecked two NFL franchises (Bears and Dolphins) before getting hired by his alma mater the University of Pittsburgh.  Terry Francona washed out with the Phillies, but given a second chance with the Red Sox broke the curse of the Bambino in 2004.  Joe Torre was a miserable manager for the Mets, Braves and Cardinals, but shocked the world when he won multiple titles with the Yankees. 

The most celebrated second chance guy in history is now heralded as a genius.  Bill Belichick was awful as head coach of the Cleveland Browns (36-44) and with his dour personality and contentious relationship with the media, few thought he would ever succeed as a head coach.  Bill fooled them all.

The point?  People get second chances.  Even if their tenure ends in defeat, there is another opportunity for them.  Jerry Faust got a gig at Akron.  Ron Jirsa got a second chance at Marshall.  Frankie Allen was hired at Howard.  And, there will be opportunities in the future for Tommy Amaker and Porter Moser.

Don't let the record fool you.  If you are passionate about what you do and have knowledge and experience, someone is bound to give you another chance to ride the horse.  Right?

Lightning Round:

• The NHL suspension of Nashville's Jordin Tootoo is a bit of a joke.  Tootoo was about to get blindsided when he spun around and decked Dallas' Stephane Robidas.  Watch the video and judge for yourself. The sad part is, the critics are wailing that this is in the same vein as the Chris Simon incident which it is clearly not.  Simon went out of his way to go after Ryan Hollweg and hit him with his stick, which borders on criminal assault..   And no doubt, the Dallas front office bent the league's ear about this given the fact they have a deep dislike for the Preds anyway.
• Good news!  Gus Johnson is done for the NCAA Tournament.  I strongly disagree with AA on their announcer grades.  TV announcers shouldn't override the games they are doing, like Gus does.  That's what makes Dick Enberg a class act.  And yes, Billy Packer still sucks.
• It's going to be hard for the White Sox finish ahead of the Royals if you they can't beat them.  Is Adam Russell a possible late breaking candidate for the fifth starter role?
• It's a huge year for both Ned Yost and Doug Melvin.  Huge.  If the Brewers come out slow, Yost will be gone by Memorial Day.
  
• This is what happens when you name your stadium after a company.  This is why I still call it "Commiskey Park" because some day, when US Cellular either goes broke or merges with AT&T, I don't want to call it something else. 
  
• Illinois State has a new coach complete with Self serving announcement.
• Man, you talk about the perfect marketing opportunity for Viagra.
• The investigation into the Internet sales of HGH in sports now includes pro wrestlers.  When exactly did wrestling become a sport?
• If you haven't seen this, you need to.  Classic, classic, classic.
• Once again, Jesse Jackson is more concerned about what hand outs he can get  rather than empowering people to go out and do it for themselves.  Jesse, try being an unemployed middle aged white guy for awhile.  That's no picnic either.  But at least I'm not crying about it.
• There are no people on earth greedier and more clueless than music companies. Broadcasters already pay thousands and thousands of dollars a year in rights fees and yet, to the music industry, that's not nearly enough.  And then, out of the other side of their mouths, artists like Don Henley complain about lack of exposure.. Didn't we settle this issue in 2004? 
  
• There's a new saying: "Lick 'em if you can afford 'em."