MIKE TRANGHESE is getting out while the getting is good.

Good, that is, for the schools he represents.

Which is exactly what one would expect from the retiring Big East commissioner.

Many in the college athletics game are wheelers and dealers. They simply want to make the right move, make the money and avoid pratfalls.

And, truth be told, Tranghese has some of those characteristics. You have to wheel. You have to deal. But this guy has been an anomaly all along. For it's always seemed like he's cared. About the student-athletes. About the administrators and schools he represents.

And - stop the presses - about reputation and integrity.

That's why his nature was blindsided when John Swofford and the Atlantic Coast Conference raided the Big East back in 2003. That's why he reacted so angrily when the deed was done.

"I think what bothers me the most is the way the whole thing has happened," Tranghese said at the time. "We could argue about who has the right to do what. And that's interpretive. I've heard that what happens to [the Big East] is an unintended consequence. It is not an unintended consequence. It's there, they see it and I don't sense one iota of concern about it.

"If I were IBM, I would understand it. I'm not IBM. I'm representing 14 educational institutions. Educational institutions and intercollegiate athletics are supposed to be controlled by presidents. That's what I've been told [by the NCAA] for the last 10 years - presidential control.

"Welcome to the world of presidential control."

On Thursday, Tranghese revealed he considered retiring before the raid because of a fear of flying.

"But I couldn't then," he said, "because the schools were leaving."

WVU athletic director Ed Pastilong, who, likewise, is retiring, said Tranghese shined in those dark days.

"We were in Florida," Pastilong said. "We were at our annual meeting. And I watched him walk up to the podium before all of us, including the media, which he invited.

"He just gave a great presentation on how we'd proceed after losing three members. He handled it so well that he gave us confidence. Now we're stronger than we were in the old days."

That may be debatable. But what's not is the impact Tranghese has had on the Big East.

"I was a little Italian kid from Springfield [Mass.],'' he said. "I couldn't play [basketball]. I was a manager. Yet I became the Big East commissioner. It's fairy tale. I got to walk with the giants.''

And become one. Tranghese mentioned being around for the basketball days of Patrick Ewing, Chris Mullen and Lou Carnesecca. In football, there's been Pat White, Michael Vick, Marvin Harrison and the great Miami teams. Now add a banner for Tranghese, right beside Gavitt.

Why?

Let us count the reasons.

Good, that is, for the schools he represents.

Which is exactly what one would expect from the retiring Big East commissioner.

Many in the college athletics game are wheelers and dealers. They simply want to make the right move, make the money and avoid pratfalls.

And, truth be told, Tranghese has some of those characteristics. You have to wheel. You have to deal. But this guy has been an anomaly all along. For it's always seemed like he's cared. About the student-athletes. About the administrators and schools he represents.

And - stop the presses - about reputation and integrity.

That's why his nature was blindsided when John Swofford and the Atlantic Coast Conference raided the Big East back in 2003. That's why he reacted so angrily when the deed was done.

"I think what bothers me the most is the way the whole thing has happened," Tranghese said at the time. "We could argue about who has the right to do what. And that's interpretive. I've heard that what happens to [the Big East] is an unintended consequence. It is not an unintended consequence. It's there, they see it and I don't sense one iota of concern about it.

"If I were IBM, I would understand it. I'm not IBM. I'm representing 14 educational institutions. Educational institutions and intercollegiate athletics are supposed to be controlled by presidents. That's what I've been told [by the NCAA] for the last 10 years - presidential control.

"Welcome to the world of presidential control."

On Thursday, Tranghese revealed he considered retiring before the raid because of a fear of flying.

"But I couldn't then," he said, "because the schools were leaving."

WVU athletic director Ed Pastilong, who, likewise, is retiring, said Tranghese shined in those dark days.

"We were in Florida," Pastilong said. "We were at our annual meeting. And I watched him walk up to the podium before all of us, including the media, which he invited.

"He just gave a great presentation on how we'd proceed after losing three members. He handled it so well that he gave us confidence. Now we're stronger than we were in the old days."

That may be debatable. But what's not is the impact Tranghese has had on the Big East.

"I was a little Italian kid from Springfield [Mass.],'' he said. "I couldn't play [basketball]. I was a manager. Yet I became the Big East commissioner. It's fairy tale. I got to walk with the giants.''

And become one. Tranghese mentioned being around for the basketball days of Patrick Ewing, Chris Mullen and Lou Carnesecca. In football, there's been Pat White, Michael Vick, Marvin Harrison and the great Miami teams. Now add a banner for Tranghese, right beside Gavitt.

Why?

Let us count the reasons.

"He's done a heck of a job balancing," said Big East associate commissioner John Paquette. "There are no other conferences quite like we are with football and basketball. No conference approaches our uniqueness. Yet day to day, year to year, he's kept everyone together.''

A tough job. Leading us to the obvious question: Who follows Tranghese's act?

"[Syracuse basketball coach] Jim Boeheim has already called and told us what we should do," Tranghese told an Orange beat writer Thursday with a laugh.

It will be interesting. Early indications are no one within the current Big East office will land the job.

Those in the know say the selection will have to have a strong personality. ("We've got to remain one of the leaders within the BCS,'' said a source.) ("It's not only administrative abilities,'' said another, "but someone with a presence.")

He or she has to be media savvy. And look for someone with a football and basketball background. If Tranghese had a flaw, it was that he was perceived as a "basketball guy."

The retiring commissioner said he didn't think he'd be involved in the selection.

"That's up to the [school] presidents," Tranghese said. "They'll decide how the selection process will go.''

He just made a plea that the successor have an "appreciation'' and "understanding'' of how the league reached this point.

I believe Tranghese should be involved in the hiring process. Why the heck wouldn't the presidents tap his expertise? Heck, make Tranghese a consultant after next June. Call it an insurance bet.

Trust me, it will be difficult to find Tranghese's replacement. One writer jokingly asked Gavitt if he's ready to take the job back.

"No,'' laughed the Providence legend, "Mike has set too high of a standard."

For the next Big East commissioner.

Let alone small Italian basketball managers everywhere.

To contact sports editor Mitch Vingle, send e-mail to mitchvin...@wvgazette.com or call 348-4827.