Alaska’s Tim Cone is the PBA counterpart of the Utah Jazz’s Jerry Sloan in the NBA. They’re the longest-tenured head coaches in both leagues, the latter actually in the four major sports in the US. Cone began his coaching career with the Aces in late 1989, which was about a year after Sloan started his with the Jazz.
But longevity and the fact that both are Americans are probably the only things they have in common.
For one, Sloan already tendered his resignation last Thursday, citing he didn’t have anything left in his tank and ending 23 seasons in the NBA as Jazz head coach.
The news startled and saddened many, including Cone.
“I’m very sad to see coach Sloan go. Whenever someone asked me how long I’ve been coaching I tell them and add ‘me and Jerry Sloan.' So I’ve always felt connected to him,” says Cone.
When asked how long he intends to keep on coaching, Cone says in jest: “I’m 53, (Sloan’s) 68 so I feel as if I’m good for a few more years yet.”
Many experts consider Cone to be still secure at his post, having led Alaska to last year’s 2010 Fiesta Conference, his 13th in the league.
Sloan never won an NBA title with Utah and not even one Coach of the Year award.
Cone was PBA Coach of the Year in 1996, the year Alaska won the Grand Slam which the Aces nearly won again two years later if not for their responding to the call of duty for country in the Asian Games.
“As long as I can compete with the young ‘uns, I’ll continue to be around,” he says.
Six of the current PBA franchises still weren’t around when Cone started out with Alaska – Air21, Barako Bull, Meralco, Powerade, Rain or Shine, Talk 'N Text.
That’s one more than the five current NBA teams -- Charlotte, Memphis, Toronto, Orlando and Minnesota – which were still non-existent when Sloan started out with the Jazz.
But if there already are 40 of the current NBA players who were not yet born when Sloan began his career at Utah, no current PBA player was born after Cone started his with the Aces.
Right now, Cone can’t imagine what his life would be after coaching.
“I don’t think much about it. Like I tell my players, ‘Stay in the moment.’ I plan to do
the same,” he said.
Looks like Cone is really deadset on surpassing his idol, the legendary Baby Dalupan’s all-time most 15 PBA championships.
But that’s already another story.
