Around the horn

Question: How do you know your coach is leaving? Answer: When he insists the speculation is a non-story. Such was the case with new North Carolina basketball coach Roy Williams, who left his job with Kansas after several Final Four appearances. Instead of dispelling the rumors about his future with Kansas, Mr. Williams insisted the questions were moot. Alabama fans won't be quick to forget how former Crimson Tide coach Dennis Franchione dismissed wild speculation of his eventual departure to Texas A&M. In both cases, coaches left for greener pastures leaving schools with open wounds behind.... The latest retirement party for Michael Jordan should have been a joyous event. But then someone asked Washington Wizards coach Doug Collins if his young team had matured under the tutelage of Mr. Jordan. His answer: "I've had guys curse at me in the locker room this year, show no respect. It was insidious."... The Kansas City Royals haven't had this much hope since Danny Tartabull hit 31 home runs a decade ago. This season, the Royals won nine games before losing their first game. And with the emergence of Runelvys Hernandez teams might have to take the Royals seriously not just in April, but also in August. Seriously. c -