Jalen Rose: Steve Fisher isn't in HOF because of Chris Webber
Ex-Michigan standout Jalen Rose is blaming Steve Fisher's absence from the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on former Fab 5 teammate Chris Webber.
Fisher announced his retirement from San Diego State on Monday, after 18 seasons there. The 72-year-old began his coaching career at Michigan, where he led the Wolverines to one national championship and two runner-ups. He was controversially fired in October 1997 after revelations that Michigan players received improper benefits from Ed Martin, a school booster.
"He absolutely deserves to be in the Hall of Fame, and if it doesn't happen, it goes back to where he was implicated in something he was not guilty of," Rose told Dana O'Neil of ESPN. "Chris Webber didn't own what he did and still hasn't apologized, and there's been a lot of collateral damage because of that, the number one person (affected by that collateral damage) being Steve Fisher.
"He wasn't the person who lied to the grand jury. He's not the person not choosing to apologize or reconcile any of that. Yet what he accomplished doesn't get recognized."
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While Rose and other members of the famed Wolverines admitted they received money from Martin, Webber told a grand jury - and has maintained since - that he never did.
An NCAA investigation faulted Fisher for allowing Martin to access his players, but cleared him of other suspicions that he assisted Martin in his scheme. As part of Michigan's self-imposed sanctions stemming from the scandal, the program vacated its appearances in the 1992 and '93 Final Four.
"Because of Chris lying to the grand jury, the banners aren't hung for a coach who coached in three national championship games," Rose added. "It's like he never coached in them. There's nothing to acknowledge his accomplishments."
Rose now works as an analyst for ESPN, while Webber serves in a similar capacity for TNT. The two haven't been on speaking terms for several years.
Fisher put together a career record of 495-268 at Michigan and San Diego State.