Mike Haywood Award: Top 20 Shortest Coaching Stints In Sports History

In case you were wondering, this is not an actual award given out by the NCAA.

So don't be confused.

But the Mike Haywood Award has been created to honor the shortest coaching tenures in sports history.

As defined by the MHA Committee—that's me—the award "will be given to the coach whose stint with his or her team barely lasted long enough to actually be considered a 'stint.'"

I will note that voting is done by a one-man committee, but write-in results are appreciated and even encouraged.

Those can be sent in through the comment section.

Anyway, without further ado, here are the top 20 vote getters for the Mike Haywood Award.

20. P.J. Carlesimo, Seattle Sonics/Oklahoma City Thunder

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DENVER - MARCH 16: Head coach P.J. Carlesimo of the Seattle SuperSonics directs his team against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center March 16, 2008 in Denver, Colorado. The Nuggets defeated the Sonics 168-116. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges

You know what happens when you hire someone who's been out of the NBA for eight years to be your team's next head coach?

Nothing good. There's a reason why that guy was out of the league.

And the same is true for P.J. Carlesimo, who coached the Sonics, in their final season in Seattle, to a 20-62 record.

The following year, the Sonic—now the Oklahoma City Thunder—started 1-12 before firing Carlesimo.

His tenure was much longer than most others on this list, but still short by sports standards.

At least he didn't have to see Latrell Sprewell this time around, though.

19. Cam Cameron, Miami Dolphins

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MIAMI - DECEMBER 02: Head coach Cam Cameron of the Miami Dolphins watches in the waning moments of the game against the New York Jets at Dolphin Stadium on December 2, 2007 in Miami, Florida. The Jets defeated the Dolphins 40-13. (Photo by Doug Benc/Gett

In 2007, Cam Cameron took over as head coach of the Miami Dolphins.

The team preceded to go 1-15 that season and were a missed field goal away from 0-16.

Guess what happened to Cameron?

Yeah, he got canned.

Can't say I blame ya, Miami.

18. Magic Johnson, Los Angeles Lakers

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 17: Earvin 'Magic' Johnson speaks from the stage after the Lakers defeated the Boston Celtics in Game Seven of the 2010 NBA Finals at Staples Center on June 17, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowl

When your name is Magic Johnson, everyone expects you to be able to levitate or at least pull a rabbit out of a hat.

But even Magic couldn't save the Los Angeles Lakers' season in 1994.

He went 5-11 after replacing Randy Pfund as the team's coach, and the Lakers missed the playoffs for the first time in nearly 20 years.

17. Mike Price, Alabama

Mike Price was hired as Alabama's head football coach in 2003, but he never actually stood on the sidelines.

Apparently, Price decided it would be a good idea to slang dollar bills around at a strip club the night before bringing one of the strippers home, where he allegedly paid for a little "overtime."

Here's an idea: put him and Adam "Pacman" Jones in the same strip club, and what do you get?

A lesson on how to really make it rain.

16. Barry Melrose, Tampa Bay Lightning

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TAMPA, FL - SEPTEMBER 22: Head coach Barry Melrose of the Tampa Bay Lightning discusses a call with referee Don Koharski during action against the Pittsburgh Penguins in a preseasono game at the St. Pete Times Forum September 22, 2008 in Tampa, Florida.

People who watch hockey know Barry Melrose as one of, like, two NHL analysts on ESPN.

I know him as the guy with a slick-backed mullet who rambles on about the sport I could absolutely care less about.

But Melrose is also known as the guy who lasted 16 games with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2008.

Gosh, I can't believe I missed that. How exhilarating it must have been!

15. George O'Leary, Notre Dame

On Dec. 9, 2001, George O'Leary left Georgia Tech to become the next head coach at Notre Dame.

Just five days later, O'Leary went from having his "dream" job to wondering what his next move was.

Why? O'Leary was fired for lying on his resume.

First of all, football coaches needs resumes?

Second of all, who needs honesty, integrity and character as long as you've got your dream job, right?

14. Wally Backman, Arizona Diamondbacks

Shortly after the 2004 season, Wally Backman was promoted to manager of the Arizona Diamonbacks.

But some off-the-field issues, including a DUI and bankruptcy problems, led to Backman getting fired just four days after he got the job.

He's now the manager of the Brooklyn Cyclones.

At least those jobs are of the same caliber, though.

Or not.

13. Bobby Cremins, University of South Carolina

On March 24, 1993, Bobby Cremins agreed to become the next head basketball coach at South Carolina, his alma mater.

Three days later, he changed his mind and decided to stay at Georgia Tech.

I can only imagine that Cremins is no longer invited to attend any events for Gamecock alumni.

Then again, he'd probably agree to go before just changing his mind anyway.

12. George Allen, Los Angeles Rams

George Allen is a Hall of Fame football coach who was successful with the Los Angeles Rams (1966-70) and the Washington Redskins (1971-77).

In 1978, he was brought back for another stint as the Rams head coach.

Take a guess how long he lasted before getting fired.

Answer: two preseason games.

Isn't patience a virtue?

11. Lane Kiffin, University of Tennessee

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LEXINGTON, KY - NOVEMBER 28: Lane Kiffin the Head Coach of the Tennessee Volunteers looks on during the SEC game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Commonwealth Stadium on November 28, 2009 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Let's ignore the fact that if you blinked, then you probably missed Lane Kiffin's tenure with the Oakland Raiders.

Instead, let's take a look as his stint in Tennessee.

On Nov. 28, 2008, Kiffin accepted the position as head coach of the Volunteers.

On Jan. 11, 2010, Pete Carroll left USC to join the Seattle Seahawks

On Jan. 12, 2010, Kiffin agreed to become the next head coach of the Trojans.

He officially should never show his face in Knoxville ever again, unless he likes being bombarded with profanity-laced tirades, of course.

10. Tim Welsh, Hofstra

In 2010, Tim Welsh was hired as the next head basketball coach at Hofstra University.

Just 31 days later, he decided he was tired and took himself a little nap.

Usually, that's no biggie.

But it becomes one when you're actually passed out behind the wheel of your Lexus and you get arrested for DWI before resigning from your job.

Welsh wouldn't last a second down here in New Orleans.

9. Mike Haywood, University of Pittsburgh

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PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 16: The new University of Pittsburgh head football coach, Mike Haywood, speaks during a press conference on December 16, 2010 at the University of Pittsburgh Panthers South Side training facility in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo

On Dec. 16, 2010, Mike Haywood was hired as the head football coach at the University of Pittsburgh.

On Jan. 1, 2011, he was fired by Pitt one day after an incident that's left him facing a felony domestic battery charge.

While this isn't confirmed, rumor has it that Haywood will not be a guest speaker at the school's next seminar on domestic violence.

8. Dick Howser, New York Yankees

In 1980, Dick Howser led the New York Yankees to 103-59 record.

In 1978, he was fired after one game as the team's manager.

I guess both parties decided to let bygones be bygones, huh?

7. Bobby Petrino, Atlanta Falcons

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NEW ORLEANS - OCTOBER 21: Head coach Bobby Petrino of the Atlanta Falcons watches his team take on the New Orleans Saints at the Superdome on October 21, 2007 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Saints defeated the Falcons 22-16. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Imag

While the head football coach at Louisville, Bobby Petrino signed a 10-year contract to remain with the school.

Shortly thereafter, he signed a five-year, $24 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons.

Then, just 13 games into his first season there, he flatout quit on the Falcons to go back to college ball as the head coach of Arkansas.

Razorback fans might want to start worrying soon, because it seems like Petrino's due for another move anytime now.

6. Lou Holtz, New York Jets

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ATHENS, GA - SEPTEMBER 13: Head coach Lou Holtz of the South Carolina Gamecocks lowers his head after an interception by Sean Jones #6 of the Georgia Bulldogs during the game on September 13, 2003 at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia. Georgia defeated

Before he was losing all control of his speech and his mind on ESPN, Lou Holtz was hired as head coach of the New York Jets way back in 1976.

He then pulled the orginal Bobby Petrino.

With the Jets struggling and just three games left in the regular season, Holtz resigned to take over as the head coach at...Arkansas.

Talk about deja vu, huh?

5. Rick Majerus, USC

On Dec. 14, 2005, Rick Majerus was named the head basketball coach of the USC Trojans. 

After his hiring, he famously remarked, "I hope I die here. I hope I coach here the rest of my life."

If by the rest of his life Majerus meant five days, then he's a man of his word.

4. Billy Donovan, University of Florida

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ATLANTA - MARCH 31: Head coach Billy Donovan of the Florida Gators calls a play during their game against the UCLA Bruins during the National Semifinal game of the NCAA Men's Final Four at the Georgia Dome on March 31, 2007 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo b

The day is June 1, 2007, and Florida basketball coach Bill Donovan, who led the Gators to back-to-back national championships, bolts Gainesville for a lucrative contract as the head coach of the Orlando Magic.

The day is June 2, 2007, and Donovan announces he is having second thoughts about his decision.

The day is June 6, 2007, and Donovan announces he will not become the Magic's next head coach.

At that time, he signed a clause which prevents him from leaving the school for five years.

I know I'm not just speaking for myself when I say that I'm glad those contracts don't exist outside of sports.

If I had to sign one every time I made a bad decision, I'd be under contract for life...and then some.

3. Eddie Stanky, Texas Rangers

In June 1977, Eddie Stanky took over for Frank Luchessi as the manager of the Texas Rangers midway through the MLB season.

After ONE game, a win by the way, Stanky said, "Screw this. I hate this job."

He quit, and was succeeded by Connie Ryan.

Ryan subsequently left the Rangers' bench after just six games.

Does anyone want that job?

2. Bill Belichick, New York Jets

In Jan. 2000, Bill Belichick was named as Bill Parcells' successor in New York.

One day later, Belichick resigned over issues with the Jets ownership.

Oh, wait. It gets better.

On Jan. 27, he agreed to become the next head coach of the New England Patriots.

He then decided put Jets fans through 10 years of hell as he helped lead the Patriots to three Super Bowl championships and a No. 1 seed in this year's playoffs.

Nice.

1. Rollie Massimino, New Jersey Nets

After leading Villanova to a huge upset over top-seeded Georgetown in the 1985 NCAA Championship, Rollie Massimino reportedly accepted an offer to coach the New Jersey Nets.

A press conference was scheduled to announce him as the new headman in New Jersey.

OK, now picture the exact opposite of what recently happened to Eli Manning.

Yeah, Massimino didn't even show up!

He never coached the Nets.