Warning: Sloan is still Sloan

The Beatles had "Yellow Submarine." Ford had the Pinto. Broadway had "Mr. Sycamore." And Jerry Sloan had the 2004-05 Utah Jazz.

Everyone's entitled to an occasional clunker, right?

That's what the Jazz think, so Sloan is back — for an 18th, 19th and 20th season if he wishes. After that, it's pretty much up to him.

"If Jerry wanted six years, we'd sign him for six years," said Jazz owner Larry H. Miller. He added that it's doubtful anyone will ever end Sloan's coaching career except Sloan himself.

Notice to any and all malcontents, troublemakers and potential mutineers: Find another team. Nobody's going to run Sloan out. "We didn't want any players to have any inkling of a thought that Jerry was a lame-duck coach," said Miller.

The Jazz held a press conference Thursday to announce Sloan's decision to return and that the Jazz have extended his contract through the 2007-08 season. Some would say that is a risk. A sixtysomething coach matched with twentysomething players is asking for trouble. Also, Sloan is coming off his worst season since joining the team as a scout in 1983. On the other hand, anyone who knows Sloan knows he won't hang around just for the paycheck. Another bad season or two he'll quit on his own.

After agreeing this week to return, Sloan thanked Miller for the vote of confidence, noting there aren't many owners that would offer his coach a two-year contract extension after a 56-loss season. "I said . . . there aren't too many guys who would come back to finish the job," said Miller.

So this is where it is. Sloan has business undone but is happy with his employer. Miller thinks Sloan is the greatest thing since automatic transmission. Both believe the Jazz can get back to the playoffs.

You were expecting anything different?

Actually, there were several reasons for Thursday's press conference. First, to clear up any remaining doubt about Sloan's status.

Second, it was a chance to announce his two-year contract extension. But there was another issue, too. It was a prime opportunity for the Jazz to get back on the sports pages and airwaves. For years, the Jazz dominated the coverage in Utah, sometimes almost through the summer. But now that they're no longer a playoff team, they aren't much of a story in the off-season.

By holding a press conference, rather than merely issuing a news release, the Jazz were able to get major coverage from all the Salt Lake TV and sports radio stations, as well as every major newspaper in the state.