CHICAGO - On a quiet Sunday last December, NLEX announced the hiring of Jong Uichico as an assistant to then head coach Frankie Lim.
What seemed like a harmless footnote on that slow news day turned out to be the footsteps of change that was officially put into effect today when Uichico was promoted to Lim's job.
While the Road Warriors have been mum on the issue for months, this move was as predictable as getting wet while standing outside in a rainstorm.
READ Uichico returns to PBA hot seat replacing Frankie Lim at NLEX
As far as I know, Lim didn't request for Uichico's addition to the coaching staff. And when an organization puts in a consultant or first assistant, it usually means an heir apparent has been anointed.
Also, Lim's contract was set to expire this September and when he didn't get word about a possible extension by June, it's not a stretch to assume that the die was cast.
These are what mystery writers exuberantly refer to as "tell-tale signs."
As he processed what just happened, Lim declined to be interviewed other than saying he was "grateful for the opportunity."
CHANGE OF DIRECTION.
In a text message last May 22, Uichico told me "We are scheduled to return to practice on May 27 with coach Frankie as the head coach."
So what changed?
"Management decision," Uichico said.
Curiously, the team's official statement made it sound like Lim left voluntarily by saying he will be "stepping down."
Look, I'm often the dullest man in the room. But deconstructing this MVP group's latest coaching merry-go-round doesn't require a genius for a brain.
Nobody who loves what he's doing just walks away from one of only 12 jobs in the country, a position that pays a six-digit salary plus perks that no other office boss enjoys.
GETTING AXED IS PART OF A COACH'S LIFE.
Coaches are hired to be fired. It's not a stigma. Coaching is a tough gig that doesn't guarantee a graceful exit. But call it like it is.
Look, the Milwaukee Bucks fired coach Adrian Griffin midway through this NBA season when his record was 30-13. The Bulls fired Tom Thibodeau in 2015 after a five-year stretch where his win percentage was a high 64.7.
And it's okay.
NLEX had all the right to replace Lim, who finished his two-year tenure with a 23-29 record. Just don't make it sound like he woke up this morning and decided he wanted to do something else.
Uichico is a good choice, with vast experience and a championship pedigree.
But when a franchise, who hasn't won a championship since joining the PBA in 2014, has three coaches in three years you have to wonder if the management, not coaching, is really the problem.
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