Two years ago, Jay John moved on from the ranks of the UA men's basketball coaching staff to a head coaching position with Oregon State. His OSU program, once one of college basketball's powerhouses, made big strides this season, notably in upset home wins over then-No. 14 Arizona and rival Oregon.
But the Beavers stumbled in their final game of the season Saturday against Southern California, falling to ninth in the Pac-10 and missing a bid to the conference tournament.
On the eve of the tourney's first games, John explained to the Wildcat why he'll be rooting for Arizona.
Wildcat: Your team narrowly missed the Pac-10 tourney recently. I know UA coach Lute Olson said he doesn't like the tournament format because it only allows eight teams. What do you think of the format?
John: Well, I've evolved. It's my second season, and I certainly feel that I have room to evolve some more. A year ago, I don't know how I felt, to be honest with you. I don't like it right now. The way things were set up this year, if we would have won on Saturday, we would have finished in sixth place (in the Pac-10). And we didn't win, so we finished ninth. To me, if there's that range that hinges on a particular game, then it's clear to me that everybody should be invited.
Wildcat: How did it feel to beat Arizona earlier this season?
John: Well, any time we have to play Arizona, I'm full of an extreme range of emotions. As time passes, I won't have the existing relationships with the players I recruited, like I do right now. Some of that will pass. But I consider Lute Olson to be a mentor, and someone who really led by example. So much of how I think and how I've been shaped is from coach (Olson). It's hard to play Arizona. It is, for me. In terms of the game, a game's a game once the game starts, certainly. Both teams are trying to win, and all the emotional things are out of it. I think by the time the game was over, I was more pleased that we beat a team that's ranked. It really was independent that it was Arizona. It was a big night for our fans, it was a big night for our program, and it demonstrated a foundation that we are moving forward and trying to build a better program at Oregon State.
Wildcat: Since you don't have to play the Wildcats again this season, are you going to be rooting for Arizona?
John: Oh, my bias is very pronounced and very obvious. I am fully convinced that they will win the Pac-10 Tournament and they will be in the Final Four. I am convinced of that.
Wildcat: Like you said, you just finished your second year at OSU. Do you feel like the program is starting to turn around, with wins against teams like Arizona and Oregon?
John: Yes, I do. A year ago, we played five games at our gym, five Pac-10 games where we just were blown out at halftime. That never happened this year in our gym. Just in terms of having some cohesiveness and some pride and some connection during close games · the bottom line is that players have to solve a lot of problems on their own. That's why coaches will say, "The players make me look good." If you're a coach, there are a lot of situations where if you have to make a lot of decisions one way or the other because players can't solve things on their own, then there's a lot of pressure on you to be perfect. And nobody's perfect. I feel closer with our team, with a group that all returns plus the addition of a very good recruit, that we are in better position. I feel good with where we are, and that our team will make another significant step forward next season.
Wildcat: Was that a hard transition, from Tucson to Corvallis, and what are the biggest differences between the two?
John: Well, for me, I'm a transient. I was born and raised in Tucson, and (Arizona) was a wonderful opportunity for me to come back after 15 years, but the difference, really, is that you did get used to winning. In Arizona, you know you're going to the NCAA Tournament ÷ it's just a matter of what seed you're in. That type of thinking, I'm pleased that I experienced, because it makes me hold a standard much higher than, maybe, somebody who hasn't experienced that kind of thinking. But at Oregon State, we're certainly nowhere in that area. As far as the differences between the cities, to me, I'm a relationship guy. These people in Corvallis have completely and totally embraced my program, they've embraced my family, they make me feel welcome, make our kids feel honored to be part of Oregon State. And I think those relationships are the things that last. There's no question the weather's better in Tucson, but relationships are what last, and that's why it's been a real positive experience for all of us.
Wildcat: You coached briefly at Oregon, and now you're at Oregon State. How's it feel being on the other side of the Civil War?
John: As head coach, there's no question · I was at Oregon before as an assistant. I was there two separate times as an assistant, and was never there a full 12 months. Even while I was there, I'll be honest with you, I was more into the Arizona-Arizona State rivalry. Having grown up a Wildcat, all sports didn't matter when the Wildcats would win. I still feel that way, when it comes to that rivalry. But now, as the head coach at Oregon State, it's pretty one-sided how I feel about when the Beavers play the Ducks.
Wildcat: I was listening to a local radio show before the Oregon State-Arizona game, and the host called you John Jay about 15 times in three minutes. Does that happen to you a lot?
John: Yeah, all my life. I'm used to it.