BRUINS' BRAIN TRUST : WOODEN WILLING TO SHARE WISDOM AS HIS TORCH IS PASSED ON TO LAVIN.

Byline: Steve Bisheff Orange County Register

He is UCLA's human security blanket, the aging but distinguished presence it turns to whenever the basketball program needs comfort and solace.

John Wooden's shingle always has been out:

Have Wisdom, Will Share It.

This dark, controversial November in Westwood is no different. Even at age 86, the most honored coach in the school's history is ready to serve, if needed.

``You might say, or assume, a new young coach such as Steve Lavin would use me more than some of the others in the past,'' Wooden said. ``But you don't know that. If he wants me to, I'm certainly willing. But I would have been willing to do that for any of UCLA's head coaches.''

This is a difficult time for Wooden. The only man to be elected to the National Basketball Hall of Fame as both a coach and a player, he has remained close to the program he elevated to a national power since he retired in 1975.

So the sudden firing of head coach Jim Harrick shook him, as it did everyone else connected to the Bruins family.

``I'm disappointed,'' Wooden said. ``I'm not putting the blame anywhere. But I worry for the program, in general. I like to feel I helped build it to where it is today, and I'd hate to see anything damage it.''

Is he uncomfortable with what happened?

``Of course,'' he said, ``regardless of what was involved. But I was uncomfortable in the past, too. When Larry Brown's team was put on probation, when Larry Farmer left, when Walt (Hazzard) was fired. They were all uncomfortable situations.

``That doesn't mean I'm not concerned for the individuals involved this time. Of course I am. There are lots of people affected by this. Take the current assistants, some of whom have families and are just starting out. I am concerned for their future.''

The early reports had Wooden assuming a role as ``interim adviser'' for Lavin, the 32-year-old assistant who has taken over in the aftermath of the Harrick dismissal.

``I don't know, maybe it's just semantics, but I never wanted to be in a position as adviser,'' Wooden said. ``My role is really no different than it has been. I was always available to anyone who wanted to talk, from (Gene) Bartow to (Gary) Cunningham to Jim (Harrick).

``But I never tried to push my way in. I tried to stay out of the limelight as much as possible. But I was always willing and agreeable to help, if anyone needed it.''

Most of the other coaches who succeeded Wooden wanted to establish their own identities. It was difficult enough coaching in the shadow of a man who won 10 national championships. They did not want to run to him at the first sign of a crisis.

With Lavin, it might be different. This is an inexperienced coach thrown into a position for which even he readily admits he is not fully prepared.

UCLA is rated fifth in the country in the preseason Associated Press rankings. Welcome to the instant pressure cooker of college coaching, Mr. Lavin.

Does he want to use Wooden's expertise? Wouldn't you?

``Coach Wooden, as he always was, is a tremendous teacher,'' Lavin said. ``He's been someone the last five years I've really leaned on a lot for his wisdom and his experience.''

Chances are, he will lean on him even more now.

``Do I intend to be at all the practices? Oh no,'' Wooden said. ``But if Steve asked me to come down to a practice, I will. But I will never just go. I will have to be asked.''

It helps that Wooden and Lavin already have established a rapport.

``Steve's dad was an outstanding player at USF under Pete Newell,'' Wooden said. ``I saw him play many times. Steve spent a semester or so at Indiana, observing Bobby Knight. And of course he was a graduate assistant at Purdue.''

Wooden, originally from Martinsville, Ind., was a captain and three-time All-American at Purdue.

``Last year, when I was honored by the university, Steve went with me on the trip,'' Wooden said. ``He helped me a great deal.''

Now he has a chance to return the favor.

Wooden reiterated, however, that it will hardly be on a full-time basis.

``I will have to miss the opening game with Tulsa, for instance,'' Wooden said. ``They are retiring Gail Goodrich's number at The Forum that night, and Gail has asked me to be there.

``Besides, the Lakers are playing the Utah Jazz, and it is a chance for me to meet John Stockton, the one player I admire the most among today's pros. I like Stockton not just for the unselfish way he plays, but for his contributions to worthy causes off the court, too. I also like the fact he's not caught up so much in the showmanship part of the game.''

There is another key date on the UCLA schedule Wooden will miss. It is Dec. 7, the day of the third annual Wooden Classic at Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim.

The Bruins play No. 2 Kansas that same afternoon at Pauley Pavilion.

``I will be at the Wooden Classic,'' he said. ``It is an event with much of the proceeds donated to children's hospitals, and I've always been close to that cause.''

On most UCLA game days, though, Wooden will still be found in his customary seat, courtside at Pauley. Observing, studying, taking mental notes.

If Steve Lavin is as bright as some seem to think, he will take every opportunity he can to pick the grand, old coach's mind.

I mean, this is like writing a first novel, and having Hemingway seated right there, in the next room, waiting to help.

From Papa Ernest to Great Grandpapa John. When genius like that is available, you'd be crazy not to use it.

?Photo: (1) John Wooden

(2) During his long UCLA career, John Wooden, center, coached some of the game's best. His players included Lynn Shackelford, left, and Walt Hazzard.

Daily News File Photo

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