In this wild and crazy election year, Harvard Coach Joe Restic should consider running for public office.

The sixtysomething football coach has the gruffgrumpy-old-man-vote sown up. He's got the gumption to say what he thinks.

And he's got the press-bashing part down cold.

Restic is not often mentioned in the same breath as Chicago Bears Coach Mike Ditka or New York Giants Coach Ray Handley for his coaching skills, but his post-game press conferences are equal, if not superior, to both.

His latest performance was a masterpiece. After Harvard's 31-29 loss to Lafayette, Restic waited in the locker room until nearly all his players had boarded the bus. When he finally emerged, the following exchange took place:

The Crimson (a.k.a. me): "How did you feel after the game?"

Restic: "Terrible. We lost."

The Crimson: "But what about the positives?"

(Harvard had nearly come back to win for the first time in two years. The question was a softball to get him talking. And oh, did Restic start talking.)

Restic (after a pause, then with disgusted look on his face): "Sure I do, my gosh (starts walking toward the bus at a rapid clip), why would you even ask a question like that...why would you even ask...my gosh...silly question...we lost..."

The Crimson (running behind him): "Your offense scored 29 points."

Restic: "How do you expect me to feel? I feel positive about that. Jesus...assume that. What should I think about that? Jesus..."

Still muttering at high speed, Restic jumped on the team bus. The conference was over.

The whole incident was quite revealing. I did not know, for instance, that Restic was so religious. Also, Restic has some pretty nifty running moves of his own.

And I can take a hint. I won't try to put a positive spin on the next loss.