The Daily Oklahoman from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma • 31

Aubrey Calls It Quits As O-State Cage Coach By Hank Inmau Staff Writer Feb. 22, 1973 31 truth hurts, but I've always been honest with whomever I dealt." Aubrey was an all-Missouri Valley forward on OSU's. national championship team of 1946, then returned to his alma mater as freshman coach in 1953. In 1964, he was elevated to assistant coach under Henry Iba and became-head coach in 1970 when Iba retired. "Sam walked into a bad situation in the first Mr.

Iba in a telephone interview from his vacation cottage in Harlingen, "I never left him decent material in the first place, and no coach could have done a better job with the material he had to work with in the time Sam had to do it." Athletic director Floyd Gass said, "It's with deep regret I accept Sam's, resignation as basketball These been trying times and only a man of great integrity would have emphasized the priorities of loyalty and interest in his team and to the University as Sam" Aubrey has." Speculation now begins as to who will succeed Aubrey. Gass "We'll start looking for a replacement immediately. We will work through the regular channels. It will have to go through the athletic council, then to the board of regents for Oklahoma State. (The regents meet early next month) "It would be to the advantage of the new coach to make the nomination as quickly as possible, because he'll already be behind." STILLWATER Sam Aubrey has resigned as head basketball coach at Oklahoma State effective at the end of the current season.

Aubrey, in his final season of a three-year contract, reportedly has been under pressure to resign due to the Cowboys' 16-57 record under his leadership. Bob Kurland, the former OSU All-American who was a teammate and roommate of Aubrey, feels differently, saying he sees Aubrey as making the decision in the interest of the team. "He is a very unselfish man," said Kurland. "He is a cut above the average He has devoted his entire life to Oklahoma State and youth of that institution. "I know there were some-groups' that thought OSU should have had a better record.

He's had a lot of bad luck and injuries, but I know you can't use that as an excuse. If he was forced to resign, then I think the people there have lost some class." Aubrey said, "I'm still a little. shook right now. I've devoted half my life to coaching and. basketball.

It's hard just to leave it after those many years. I just want to help the university." Even though the resignation is fresh on his mind, he still has priorities. "My primary thing right now is those five games we've got left. We've got Colorado in here this weekend and then Kansas State on Monday. That ought to keep me loose for a while." Aubrey will remain at Oklahoma State in some capacity, but what it.

is, not even he knows': "I'd like to work with young jJeople, though. I' really, enjoy helping the youth. I always have. "I've got a fine group of men I'm working with on this basketball team. The team morale has been I let them know first, but told them I'd have the afternoon off to settle down a bit.

Athletics has been my life, and I still love it." What he couldn't exactly love, though, was recruiting, for which some people have criticized him. "I just never could lie to a kid, just to get him to come to' our school. Coaching doesn't involve coaching any more, you've got to be a recruiter and a fancy talker. Sometimes the Sam Aubrey Resigns O-State job. He's the Best Man I've Ever Met Job May Go To One of Four Former Pokes doesn't have what it takes.

Aubrey's players-think otherwise. Hard luck and inexperience were pointed out by some of the players as leading to the po'or won-loss record. Kevin Fitzgerald, the Cowboys' leading scorer, mentioned the inexperience. "We had to start three sophomores last Then this year, we had to start three sophomores again. Dave Fisher (a junior) got into eligibility problems and' -Ralph Rasmuson (also a junior) broke his hand.

When we lost them, we lost most of our experience." Rasmuson added to the'1 subject. "I figured he did all he could 'do 'in his posi-' tion. He was more or less a victim of' circumstances. It's unfortunate that this had SaidK. Kiricaide, one I of the three starting sophomores, "Hike the man' and I think a man in his position should not be judged by a woh-loss record.

I really hate to see him go. I don't blame him for our record and I don't think any of the other players do either." By Harold Soles Staff Writer STILLWATER "A victim of circumstances." "I think he's the best man I've ever met." "I hate to see him go." Those were comments Wednesday from Oklahoma State basketball players upon learning that their coach, Sam Aubrey, 'was resigning at the close of the present season. Aubrey owns only a 16-57 'record as boss of the as he nears the end of his third season. Some would say such a record indicates the coach simply While Aubrey didn't earn many honors with his won-lost record, he certainly earned one of significance with, his' players respect. Said Fitzgerald, "I'm grateful to him.

He took a chance. -with nie. I wrote several: places' when I got out ofihigh school looking a He didn't, i really-" know much about, me. but he took a chance. Ho (aught me quite a bit and I'm sorry things.

turned out like this. think we've made a lot of progress this year. We are so young- and I think we've come quite a long way even though we haven't won much. "I feel bad for him. I thought he was very fair with us.

Personally, I think, he's best man I've ever met." -added, "Coach Aubrey is a very dedicated man. He 'probably knows as much about the game as any coach. He's a very personable type coach. He's always believer, in making his players men first, then students, then basketball players'. When it came down-to a question of bas ketball practice or studies, he'd always insure you that the studies came first.

I think this is typical of the type individual he is." As for Aubrey's replacement, the players said they are just as much in the dark as everyone else. Asked if the players thought, the school would try to hire a coach with a different such as the ruh-and-gun type offense so many teams now employ, Rasmuson said, "I don't think they're going to go after a coach with any particular style in mind. I think they'll go after a man with a good basketball reputation." Fitzgerald said the players were told the school has some persons in mind for the job but that no one in particular was named. He then added, "I think they'll name someone as soon as they can for recruiting purposes." Kincaide said he has "no idea at all" as to who the new coach will be. "Maybe we can do better with another coach," ho said, "but I think if we were going to win, wc could have won with his (Aubrey's) type of ball." Wm Pro Footballs Pokes Should JSve Cyclones a Battle Back in Town OMAHA, Neb.

It may be a little early to speculate on who will be the new basketball coach at Oklahoma State, but there ara several immediate possibilities with strong ties to the school. As it stands now, soma of the leading candidates are Jack Hartman of Kansas State, Don Haskins of Texas-El Paso, Eddie Sutton of Creighton and Moe Iba, assistant at Nebraska and son of former Oklahoma State coach Henry Iba. Caught Off Guard All arc former Cowboy players, and at least one is interested in the job. Sutton, who coached for seven years at Tulsa Centra! High School, said, "I have a lot of loyalty to the university (Oklahoma State). My wife grew up in Stillwater.

And I have been disappointed they didn't win more games. I would be interested if they had an interest in me. I'd sit down and talk. At this point I really don't know the news caught me off guard." Happy at Crcighlon "I am disappointed Sam has decided to hang 'cm up," he said. "I have a lot of respect for the man, he taught me a lot of basketball.

Sam Aubrey is a super guy and an excellent coach. What happened to him is that he has no players. That's the name of the game." Sutton is in his fourth season at Creighton. His Blucjays stand 14-8 and are fresh from a victory over ninth-ranked Houston last Saturday. "We've worked awfully hard," Sutton said, "We have only two seniors on the ball club and we start only one.

I think we're about ready to cash in our chips. I am very happy at Creighton and it would not be easy to walk away." TV-Radio Log THURSDAY No broadcasts wticdulcd. FRIDAY COIXKfi BASKKTIIALL fi p. in. Central Ststo nt Law-ton.

KWHP I'M (97.7). OU's Warren He'll challenge at 177 By J. Carl Giiymon Starf Writer COLUMBIA, Mo. Rated lops on paper all season, Iowa a 's wrestlers start trying to prove their superiority in the conference and nation Friday when the Big Eight tournament opens in Missouri's Hearnes arena. Both Oklahoma teams, however, plan to seriously argue with Harold Nichols' defending NCAA champions.

Oklahoma Stale, before a full house in Stillwater "last year, swept to five individual crowns and the team title. OU was third behind the Cyclones, but Sooner Jeff Callard stole the show with an upset of national champion Carl Adams to win the outstanding wrestler trophy. As the Cowboys have been the only team to beat Iowa State in a dual this year, the Pokes must be regarded as a serious threat. The Sooners, walloped, 33-5, in Ames Saturday, likely will be third again. But all 10 of Stan A l's wrestlers could qualify for nationals, and Callard, 118-poundor Gary Brccce and 177-pountlcr Warren Reid should carry home medals.

For anyone to have a chance this weekend, they must have a. comfortable edge going into the 167-pound finals. From there on, the Cyclones are extremely solid. Keith Abens, although an underdog because Callard defeated him last week, is NCAA runnorup at 167. Rich Binek was third at 177 last year, and Al Nacin is rated as one of the top 190-pounders in the country.

Mopup man Chris Taylor has done just that with his 400 pounds, rolling up a 77-0-1 career record, including 35 falls this year. Now that unbeaten senior Bobby Stitcs is healthy again, the Cowboys are at full strength. Stitcs is at 134. He won 142 a year ago. Freshman Billy Martin is the choice al 126 and Alan Albright is a slight favorite at 158.

David Domnick, at 142, is how worse than even money. The Cowboys have excellent balance and should place no worse than third at any weight, except possibly at 118. Everett Gomez, national juco champion last winter, has performed well but is in probably the conference's toughest weight 118 pounds; 1 The top three finishers return Breoco, I-State's Dan Mallinger and Colorado's Gil Espinoza. Kansas State's Randy Fisher is a threat. So Gomez may have a' fight on his hands to make the NCAA, tournament.

The conference's top four will qualify. The Soonors have been plagued with injuries. Rapidly improving 142-pounder Dave Rankin is out with a knee injury. Breece. banged his head on the floor during a recent workout then fainted last Thursday and missed OU's weekend swing to Iowa State and Kansas State.

Paul Darrough, 150, is coming off a nagging ankle sprain. But freshman Rod Kil-gore has come a long way at 158 and has a draw against Albright to his credit. Heavyweight Bill Kalkbrenner would be favored in many conferences, but has to put up with Taylor and O-State's Tom Hazell. Warren Reid was second to Binek last year. Although Colorado, Missouri, Nebraska and Kansas State rarely approach the Big Three in points, they nearly always have a or'.

who plata in' the three and Cmxi'. on Col. 1 By Bob Colon Starr Writer Professional football will apparently make a return to Oklahoma City after a five-year absence this summer with the announcement of the formation of a team in the Southwest Professional Football League. State Rep. L.

H. Bengs-ton president and general manager of the newly-formed Oklahoma City Wranglers football team, held a press conference Wednesday to outline plans for the venture. All Bengston and his group need to get things off the ground is $20,000 and he doesn't consider that a problem. "We're forming a community-owned football team," Bengston said Wednesday. "We're going to sell stock at $1 a share and we want to sell 100 shares to 1,000 people.

As soon as wo sell 20,000 shares we'll be cleared for acceptance into the league and I think we'll do that within the next week." A half-dozen players who may play with the city club were on hand Wednesday as was Southeast High School coach Brooks Mosier who'll help coach the Wranglers. The Southwest. Professional Football League opens play June 19 and plays a 10-game schedule. Oklahoma will play Los Angeles that first night in Taft Stadium. The Cityans will have six home games and four on the road.

Other league clubs are Fullerton, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Reno, Albuquerque and San Antonio. Final schedules and official confirmation of Oklahoma City's entrance into the league will be handled at a loop meeting March 3 in Los Angeles. Bengston will attend the session. Mosier, Midwest City coach Jim Darnell and former Oklahoma State player George Thomas will coach the team, Bengston says. State Reps.

Ross Duck-ctt of Mustang and Charles Elder of Purcell are on the board of directors with Mosier. Mosier and Thomas played for the now defunct Oklahoma City Plainsmen until that club folded in 1968. Both are listed as player-coaches with the Wranglers. Former Tulsans Mike Stripling and Ron Cambi-ano, plus former Central Staters Carl McElroy and Bobby Williams and ex-Oklahoma Stater Johnny Carter were present at the Wednesday meeting. They haven't signed contracts but are expected to play.

"We've been contacted by more than 40 players," Bengston explained. "We'll begin signing players and selling stock this week." Bengston says the Wranglers have been talking with throe unnamed Na-t i a 1 Football League clubs and may have a working agreement with all throe. Ho says the club will need to draw 5,000 a game to reach the break-even point. Games will be played on Thursday, Saturday and Monday nights and conflicts with the baseball 89ors will be avoided. Tickets will go for S3.50, S2.50 and $1.50.

Tryouts are planned for April 14. "At first summer fool-ball didn't appeal to me, but I really think it'll go hero," Bengston added. OSU's David Domnick 142-pound favorite Recruiter Wears Smile Over Every Mile Bob Hurt passed on to now coaches at Oklahoma State and Oklahoma. Both prefaced their answers with "it's hard to toll" and then proceeded to paint a fairly glowing picture of recruiting. "Wo feel real good," said Oklahoma State's Jim Stanley.

"We've had some disappointments and we've had some pleasant surprises. In state, we're doing real well. Over-all, we're doing good." Obviously, the coaches are working at it. On the first two days the Big Eight allows signings, Stanley flew to Pauls Valley, Pam-pa, Fort Scott, Clovis, N.M. and Hot Springs and Little Rock in Arkansas.

Some airline pilots log less miles than that. Stanley says the emphasis in recruiting is to get to know the families and backgrounds of the prospects in the hope of reducing Then there was the college recruiter who claimed he virtually had the prize prospect locked up. "Why only last night," said the recruiter, "the boy told mo he had said no for the last time." So It goes al this time of year. Optimism can be gleaned from any statement. And optimism is the order of the day.

Gloom might turn off the unsigned athletes. Realistic appraisals of recruiting arc difficult to make at this point. Sometimes the athletes hardest to get prove to be the hardest to take. And the youngster who looks so great on the high school gridiron sometimes is just another dummy holder in college. The signing is going on now, but the report card won't be in for a year, maybe four years.

Still, the question heard most often is: 1 low's recruiting going? So, to satisfy the whims of our readers, the question was Could any of those contribute substantially as freshmen next year? "I'd hate to say one could and one couldn't now," said Stanley. "But we're pleased with the ones wc have." Oklahoma apparently has been spending most of its recruiting time beyond the state borders. Only 13 of the 31 signed by the Sooners are Oklnhnmans. On the captive list are IS! All-Staters. "We feel like we're doing well," said Sooner boss Barry Switzer.

"Right now, we feel wo need to sign a quarterback and we're working on a couple of key linemen." Oklahoma seems to have the inside track on PurcolPs Joe McUrynolds, a wishbone quarterback and state back of the vear. The Sooners also are locked in a hot three-way battle with Colorado and Texas for a much celebrated nuarterhnrk from Knolownnd. Tom Te.sone. The Soonors already have hoisted three prospects from Ike Denver area and plucked another from under Darrcll Royal's nose at Austin. That would be linebacker Obio Moore, a blue-chipper from Austin Reagon.

Oklahoma has signed 17 backs. "We need a lot," explained Switzer. "In the wishbone, you have to have three running backs and we use four defensive backs and some of th backs will be considered at wide receiver." Could any of the Sooner recruits step into the starting lineup? "I just don't know," said Switzer. "Last year, wv didn't know if freshmen could help us and wc had six or seven who played quite a bit. "We're satisfied now but we've got to get snmo mnrn krv nennlo Three junior college players arc among the 24 signed by Oklahoma State.

Of the 21 prep signcos, IS are from Oklahoma and eight of those arc AU-Stntcrs..