During the Boomer & Gio morning show on WFAN, a caller recently asked, “What’s the best sports month?” 

April was mentioned for a variety of factors: the NCAA men’s basketball Final Four, the beginning of baseball season, the Master’s, the NFL Draft, the NBA and NHL playoffs starting, etc. Additional reasons like the college hockey Frozen Four and women’s basketball Final Four weren’t even mentioned, but also take place in April. There is an argument for April, despite the fact that it was written here a few months back that October takes the crown.

Upon further examination, however, perhaps the best conclusion to reach is the one that was reached on the show: the best sports month is the one you’re in.

So it’s only fitting to end the hiatus and make a return as the crier during what is (maybe) the calendar’s best sports month. 

• As the HBO series “Celtics City” continues and concludes, there will be further thoughts. For now, is there a franchise that’s a more American story than the Boston Celtics?

• The Celtics won over 60 games for a second consecutive season and snapped out of a winter spell to play championship basketball down the home stretch. A reigning champion with virtually the same roster who sports a victory against every team in the NBA (save for the Thunder, who won’t be a worry until a possible Finals matchup) helps build confidence for the playoffs. But the most important element that will determine a repeat is health. 

• I tend to agree with most of what Jay Bilas says, but the main argument he’s made that I align with most is pointing out the double standard of coaches continually leaving while players transferring is pointed out as a problem. In theory, player contracts will remedy the transfer portal madness, but contracts and buyouts don’t prevent coaches from leaving for bigger, better, and more lucrative jobs. And for all the arguments saying that the transfer portal has robbed March of Cinderella due to brackets being chalk this year, let’s check in on some of this season’s mid-major tournament teams and where their coaches immediately sought greener pastures: Eric Olen (left UC San Diego for New Mexico), Nennie Acuff (left Lipscomb for Samford after Bucky McMillan, a tournament coach in 2024, went to Texas A&M), Richard Pitino (left New Mexico for Xavier), Phil Martelli Jr. (left Byant for VCU), Niko Medved (left Colorado State for Minnesota), Ben McCollum (left Drake for Iowa), Alan Huss (left High Point for Creighton coach-in waiting job), Will Wade (left McNeese for North Carolina State), and Ryan Odom (left VCU for Virginia). And that’s not even including Kevin Williard, Sean Miller, and Buzz Williams headlining movement at the major level for tournament teams.

• The great James Jones of Yale, Travis DeCuire of Montana, Robert Jones of Norfolk State,Tony Madlock of Alabama State, Duane Simpkins of American, Ritchie McKay of Liberty, Dwight Perry of Wofford, Takayo Siddle of UNC Wilmington, and Chris Crutchfield of Omaha, among others, were left out of the coaching carousel. 

• Lastly, congrats to coach Todd Golden, of the Florida Gators, who according to those who don’t like when a player transfers, should have stayed at the University of San Francisco his entire career. It’s very easy to feel sick for Kelvin Sampson and his son, Kellen, though. 

• This might not be the most important championship in the UConn women’s basketball team’s storied history, but it might be the most satisfying and fulfilling for fans.

• For the modern UConn fan or alum, there aren’t many items left on the bucket list. With the women finally getting back on top, the recent back-to-back men’s basketball national titles (in addition to last season’s conference dominance resulting in long-awaited Big East regular season and tournament championships), and the football team winning the Fenway Bowl, the top three sports are in good shape. As a football independent, aside from a dream, miracle football season that would have them included in a major bowl or dare I say, the expanded playoff, making bowls will hopefully be the norm. A Pinstripe Bowl berth after last season’s bowl in Boston would be another welcome event for proximity purposes. For the men and women basketball teams, keep the Big East titles and NCAA tournament berths (with Final Fours) coming. I think in the school’s current state, functioning as Big East and Hockey East members, as well as an independent, the two wish list items for UConn fans would be a men’s hockey Hockey East championship and Frozen Four berth (with a chance at national title- look what Western Michigan just did) and a trip to Omaha to the College World Series for the baseball team. Of course, the bucket list would be altered if UConn receives a major conference invitation. 

• Dan Kelley, on X, made a great point about the New England Patriots upcoming draft strategy. He said, “In 1989 the Packers took OT Tony Mandarich No. 2 overall. The next 3 picks were Barry Sanders, Derrick Thomas, and Deion Sanders. In 2004 the Raiders took OT Robert Gallery No. 2 overall. The next 3 picks were Larry Fitzgerald, Philip Rivers, and Sean Taylor. Get the best player!” If the top three picks become quarterback-heavy, and Travis Hunter and/or Abdul Carter, two of the best and most skilled players by all accounts, are there, then take the best player available rather than reaching for a lineman. Get a playmaker. If both are gone, then trade back. 

• For all the shortcomings of Jerod Mayo’s first and only season as head coach of the Patriots (4-13), outright dismissing him as someone with no future of success as a leader of a team is so shortsighted. After the Patriots set him up for failure, provided him with a joke of a roster during his lone year, and promoted the hiring as someone they’d develop only to pull the plug after he led them to the amount of victories Las Vegas predicted, I wouldn’t blame Mayo for taking the contract payout and going back into the private sector. But should he ever return to the sidelines in some capacity, I’d hope, as Robert Kraft slurred himself, that another team would give him a head coaching shot. And before scoffs are audible, here’s a list of Super Bowl-winning, Hall of Fame, or soon-to-be Hall of Fame NFL head coaches and their first season’s records: Andy Reid (5-11), Bill Belichick (6-10), Chuck Noll (1-13), Bill Parcells (3-12-1), Tom Landry (0-11-1), Jimmy Johnson (1-15), Bill Walsh (2-14), Tony Dungy (6-10), Dick Vermeil (4-10), and Tom Coughlin (4-12). Even as a current example, the Lions let up and coming Dan Campbell develop after a 3-13-1 debut season. Who else am I missing? I’m sure there’s more. 

• It would be foolish for the crier to try to talk golf. As is said every year, the Masters is why high definition television was invented. And on Sunday, the scenery wasn’t the best part of the broadcast in HD, it was seeing Rory McIlroy’s emotion up close after his winning putt. Justin Rose was all class in the loss. 

• I’ll save baseball takes for the next column. For now, it’s just nice to turn on a ballgame. The MLB coming back every spring is enjoyable in itself. The lockout in 2027 will suck. 

• Happy Birthday to my father, Jim. 

• Good luck to everyone and their respective football teams on Draft Day. Just remember, “Vonte Mack No Matter What.”