08:58 PM CST on Wednesday, January 4, 2006

Matt Wixon - Dallas Morning News

PLANO – Most of the basketball action this season will be on the court, but sometimes watching the sidelines can be pretty entertaining. That's definitely the case when Plano's Tom Inman is coaching.

"He once hummed the theme to Jeopardy to the refs when they were deciding on a call," said Plano forward Joseph Fulce.

To Inman's credit, he also points out good calls that the referees make. In fact, he points out just about everything – to the referees, to his players and to people at the scorer's table. And he does it with the speed of an auctioneer. Inman talks so fast that Fulce said people ask, "Joe, how do you have a conversation with Coach Inman without saying, 'Huh?' "

But it all makes sense to Inman.

"Basketball is played at a fast pace," he said, "so I should be moving at a fast pace."
A few other area coaches nearly match Inman for sideline animation, including Carrollton Creekview boys coach Rick Perry. He spends games pacing the sidelines, clapping, talking to players and giving stern looks to referees. Last season, he reacted to a turnover with an exasperated fall to the court, where he lay on his back for a moment.

Other animated coaches include Mansfield Summit girls coach Samantha Morrow and Allen girls coach Amy Pool, who stomps on the floor to get her team's attention. Pool also yells out enough critiques and encouragement to lose her voice frequently during the season.

Like Inman, Pool says her emotion on the sidelines shows her passion for the game.
"I was that way as a player, too," she said. "I couldn't imagine being a subdued coach."