Coach Tony Bennett's successes at WSU means he'll always be wanted elsewhere

The sigh didn't last long. It never does. The relief evaporates so quickly.

Every time Tony Bennett bypasses an enticing opportunity, another one sprouts. In college athletics, when you have a good thing going, weeds are always popping up in your flower garden.

Every time Bennett says no, it only means the next school will be more persuasive. This is the price of basketball success at Washington State. Win in Pullman, and you're the hottest thing since the finger roll.

Every time Bennett expresses his love of being the underdog, the cynics snicker and whip up a fresh batch of job rumors.

It's a never-ending, ever-frustrating cycle. Welcome back to the other side of winning.

On this side, Bennett turns down Indiana, only to be burdened by speculation about Marquette and Louisiana State. On this side, every aspect of a coach's life turns into a reason he might bolt.

Why would Bennett shun Indiana, one of college basketball's all-time great programs, and then be interested in Marquette? Oh, because Marquette is located in Wisconsin, Bennett's home state, and let's ignore that there are flying objects called planes that could usher him home often.

Why would he shun Indiana and then be interested in LSU? Oh, because his wife, Laurel, is from Baton Rouge, La., where the Tigers reside, and let's ignore that there are, well, you know.

Bennett is 52-17 in two years at Washington State, but he can't win at this game. No coach can. Their jobs are so public, and their intentions are so scattered. We tend to believe they all want the best jobs available. We tend to believe there is always a salary that can make them pack up their whistles and dry-erase boards. We tend to befriend skepticism to avoid disappointment.

It's safe to assume Bennett isn't going anywhere this spring. All signs point to him staying. He's about to get some necessary perks — raises for his assistant coaches, promises to continue improving the facilities, solutions to the Cougars' air-travel problems — and for extra sweetening, athletic director Jim Sterk will hand Bennett an enhanced contract.

For Bennett, who is predisposed to loyalty, these improvements will make him tighten his grip.

Until another school tugs at him next season.

It's the unsolvable dilemma. Only losing makes it disappear, and that's just not acceptable.

The tricky thing about the coaching carousel is that it preys upon the most important aspect of sports — competitiveness. There's always a higher level to reach. Satisfaction is rarely achieved.

The coaches from upstart programs, like Bennett, get raided by established schools. The coaches from established schools get raided by the NBA.

About this time last year, I interviewed Rick Majerus, the loquacious Saint Louis coach, and he likened the job market for coaches to an addiction.

"It's like recruiting an alcoholic to a New Year's Eve party," he said.

His message to coaches: Don't let your aspirations overwhelm you.

Although he's only 38, Bennett gets that point better than most. Certainly, having a father who coached for nearly 40 years helped him acquire that perspective. He was raised right in basketball, learning the difference between the superficial joy of coaching at a name program and true joy.

Most of the time, Bennett makes this Cougars job seem like the ultimate thrill. There's nothing like that first head-coaching job, especially when the team exceeds expectations. It will be interesting to see how he handles next season, when the Cougars are rebuilding and losing more frequently. A vulnerable team could also lead to more second-guessing of Bennett's coaching strategies.

Near the end of this past season, Bennett chuckled over the challenge of replacing seniors Kyle Weaver, Derrick Low and Robbie Cowgill.

"Some teams reload. I guess, we recruit," Bennett said.

Then he realized his quip wasn't as funny as he thought it would be and tried to tweak his humor. Nothing worked. So he just ended it with a positive, "We look forward to the next challenge."

I'm convinced Bennett's intentions are true. If they aren't, he's the slyest opportunist ever. I believe he rarely considers jobs until presented with a choice. He's committed to making the Cougars more than just a fad.

Ideally, he would leave Washington State only after he's done all he can do. But it's tough to reach idealistic goals in this game.

As long as there are coaching openings, Bennett will be an attractive and rumored — and sometimes interested — candidate.

Don't blame the coach. Blame the system.

And hope the victories outlast the innuendo.

Jerry Brewer: 206-464-2277 or jbrewer@seattletimes.com. For his Extra Points blog, visit seattletimes.com/sports