Coaches' corner.

MIKE LUPICA, syndicated columnist, on his trust in Ted Turner's veracity: "If he told me that Christopher Columbus discovered America, I would get a second opinion."

RED AUERBACH, after watching Earl Strom call the 4,000th personal foul against Elvin Hayes: "I guess the NBA will name a whistle after him."

DIGGER PHELPS, on the advantage of having a father who was an undertaker: "I could always send my girlfriend fresh flowers every day."

CASEY STENGEL, to a little high school shortstop named Phil Rizzuto trying out for the Dodgers: "Kid, with your natural equipment, you oughta be shining shoes."

JIMMY JACOBS, watching a boxer named Chuck Wepner take one uppercut after another to the chin: "By the time that guy retires, he'll be tall enough to play center for the Harlem Globetrotters."

JUD HEATHCOTE, upon comparing his basketball press conferences at Michigan State and Montana: "I never had any trouble with the press at Montana. He and I got along great."

STEVE SPURRIER, after hearing a graduating senior tell the press that playing for Spurrier was harder than majoring in advanced physics: "I'm very flattered, but the kid actually majored in spelling."

MARY LEVY'S philosophy: "Coaches who talk a lot about being great teachers are usually coaches who are doing a lot of losing."

LOU HOLTZ: "A team that won't be beaten can't be beaten - until they start playing Division I teams."

JACK RAMSAY, basketball hall of famer: "A star can win any game; a team can win every game."

JOHN WOODEN: "Any time you want to know what a kid is all about, place him in a position of authority."

DARREL ROYAL, football legend: "Luck doesn't go around looking for losers."

TIM MCCARVER, who spent a whole season with the Phillies just as a catcher for Steve Carlton: "Steve and I had a great understanding: We are going to be buried in the same cemetery, 60 feet, 6 inches apart."

EDDIE ARCARO'S advice to beginning jockeys: "Always remember: 75% of all the horses you ride don't want to win."

FOOTBALL COACH, on why he doesn't believe in team prayer before a game: "We've got so many things to pray for that we'd always be penalized 15 yards for delay of game."

JOHN DALY, the corpulent pro golfer, on why he dislikes flying: "They don't have McDonald's up there."

TOM LANDRY, on why he retired from football: "My butterflies were still going strong, but there were no longer flying in formation."

EDNA HAGEN, wife of the great Walter: "Whenever I needed him for something, I had to check the sport pages to find out where he was."

BOBBY HULL, hockey immortal: "I have to admit that my wife made me a millionaire. I also have to admit that before I met her, I was worth three million."

GEORGE RAVELING, the basketball maven: "The neighborhood in which I grew up was so tough, the Avon Lady was Mike Tyson."

BILL PETERSON, the former Florida State football coach, to his team captain: "I want you to lead the team in a few words of silent prayer."

ALEX KARRAS'S classic definition of place-kickers: "Hired feet."

ROCKY BLEIER, on the most self-assured person he has ever known: "It has to be Chuck Noll. He bought an airplane before he learned to fly."