Pokey leaves behind a puzzle

Speculation is what the news media does in this age of 24/7 information. They especially have to when the target of their stories aren't talking. Such is the case with the suprise resignation of Pokey Chatman from LSU. Why is it a surprise? She is young, vibrant, went to the past three final fours, spent her entire life in Louisiana, played at LSU, is a Hall of Famer at LSU, was an assistant at LSU and was to carry on what the legendary Sue Gunter could no longer do when her frail body gave out in 2005. What would be so moving as to want to make her leave all that she has ever known?

Athletic Director Skip Bertman left some clues in an interview today, ruling out the possibility of Chatman being under investigation by the NCAA or the University for something dirty. He also offered that no other A.D. had contacted him about Pokey, say like the University of Florida, which is rumored to have wooed the coaching star away to build them a national women's basketball powerhouse. Bertman also offered that money was not the issue and there were no known riffs between administration and Chatman. While he was saddened and surprised, the oddest statement he made was that he had not spoke with her personally and did not follow-up. Seems odd that the LSU A.D. would not at least try to talk her out of it or speak with her in person?

Other pieces of the puzzle make no sense as well. The SEC Championship was in a suburb of Atlanta last week, the same city that is making a push for a new WNBA franchise. A few days later, Chatman is resigning. Could officials have spoken with her about leading an Atlanta WNBA organization. Perhaps Pokey would have wanted this opportunity for the challenge, but what a tremendous paycut she would be facing by going to the WNBA. Maybe it is as simple as she is tired of coaching all together, which would be sad because she has much to offer, but it is a realistic consideration. She has been around hoops her whole life and maybe, though difficult to wrap our heads around, she just wants to try something completely new.

The fact is, leaks will likely occur in the next few days to give us some insight, but we just aren't going to know the full story until Pokey speaks, which won't happen until the Lady Tigers fall in the NCAA Tournament, which doesn't even begin for another week. I like Pokey Chatman and like the LSU program. I always was a supporter and fan of Sue Gunters and I am as curious as the rest of the women's college basketball world to find out who, why, when, what, how? I just hope it all ends in good things for Chatman and for LSU.