So nearly useless have sports cards become that they now sell old packs, assorted randoms, and individual stars for a dollar (in a machine resembling a candy-dispenser) after the checkout line of my local grocery store. Still, some of the items were going too low. Before the stockers realized what they had, I'd bought a 1992 Derek Jeter prospect/rookie card for a dollar. In a supermarket many avoid because of its high prices, here was a possible bargain.

Recently, I pulled a Danny Manning from a makeshift pack of randoms. My first thought was, "Isn't he a college coach somewhere?" Indeed, Manning coached Tulsa to the NCAA Tournament this year. Though his team lost pretty badly to UCLA in the first round, he's one of many coaches "on the move" this offseason.

Manning, according to ESPN, is linked to Wake Forest at the moment. The Demon Deacons have a strong interest in the former Kansas star and number one NBA pick. The success Kevin Ollie is having at Connecticut might be slightly helping his cause. Both are former NBA players in a profession filled with guys who never made it past college's divisions.

A prototypical example is Cuonzo Martin, Tennessee's head coach. He played for Purdue. Martin was on Marquette's radar for a while, but recent reports have him staying in Knoxville. Why shouldn't he? The Marquette position is only slightly more prestigious, except Tennessee is in the suddenly resurgent SEC (two teams in the Final Four).

Rather than pluck a "hot" coach fresh from the NCAA Tournament, Washington State hired former Oregon coach Ernie Kent, who hasn't been in the profession since being fired in 2010. (Before that, he made two Elite Eights with the Ducks.)

As one coach returns to the game, another leaves it, likely forever. Mike Montgomery announced his retirement today as California's head coach. He'd been with the Bears for the last six seasons. Previously, he coached Stanford (18 seasons), Montana (six seasons), and the Golden State Warriors (two years). My guess is he'll stay on the west coast for retirement.

South Florida hired current Kentucky assistant and first-time head coach Orlando Antigua. The move comes after they reached an agreement with Manhattan's Steve Masiello and then discovered he never completed his bachelor's degree... at the University of Kentucky. I haven't read of too many Calipari protégés getting head coaching opportunities. In combination with his team's recent run, perhaps he's developing into more than just a hot shot recruiter.

Finally, the last bit of news today involves current New Mexico coach Craig Neal and his two-year extension. The Lobos had a great regular season, but lost in the first round to Stanford. Neal took over for current UCLA coach Steve Alford last year. Alford also had great regular seasons at New Mexico, but no big tournament runs.