At my basketball game this morning I asked what was on the minds of our group of Jazz fans. We’re really liking the kinder, gentler, Jerry Sloan. Taking part of the blame for Andrei’s feelings? What a guy.

Think about it. Rugged good looks (Harrison Ford has gone to the bank with his crooked, previously broken nose), soft spokenness in interviews (read Clint Eastwood), and now sensitive to the needs of his players (Dr. Phil)? Look out George Clooney–well maybe Sean Connery. The new and improved Jerry Sloan will be taking the stage. The question is; for how long?

Season ticket holder “T” has seen this Sloan in the past, she’s not convinced he’ll stick around for long. I for one think Mr. Sloan needs to run with this new persona.

Jerry; you can still be the no nonsense, work ethic kind of guy that you’re well known for. We all love that in you. Just dole out the complements and warm fuzzies once and awhile, and you’ve got yourself an entirely new fan base. There’s a certain je ne sais quoi mystique surrounding a man who can show his softer side. Look at Michael Jordan and Kevin Bacon, it hasn’t seemed to hurt their likeability. (Please under no circumstances mistake that for an invitation to do underwear commercials). I know you don’t care about all that nonsense.

When you accept your Coach of the Year trophy you’ll probably not stand with tears welling in your eyes and pronounce “you like me, you really like me.” But it can’t hurt. Maybe it’s the last piece of the puzzle, the one that you must be missing; which has kept you from being awarded that well deserved and overdue title.

Jerry Sloan: A true Renaissance man. I like the sound of it.