Break’s Over: Back to the Salt Mines
Whenever Jim Grobe returns to campus from some of the rare down time a college football coach’s life provides, I ask him ``How was Tahiti?’‘
Jim tells me he’s yet to make it to Tahiti, but he and Holly have been a few times to Hawaii.
I’ve never made it to Tahiti either, but I have made it a few times to Spudtowne. In fact I’m headed there tomorrow to play some croquet and frolic with some good-timing buddies from a long-time back. It’ll be May, the sun will be shining and fun, I’m quite sure, will be had by all.
I know some in the Peanut Gallery have been worried about me, what with MTOW taking a hiatus over the past week or so. And I truly appreciate the concern. It makes me feel wanted, which is nice. But guys, I hit the wall and just needed some time away. I’d wrapped up the last real news from the coaching change once Jeff Bzdelik hired Mark Pope as the other assistant, and Bzdelik himself was not available because of the five million things he had on his plate. So I covered some Winston-Salem Dash, played some guitar, even played the Garage with Hootie and my son Nate the drummer who was back from Rochester for a week. The news there is that Nate has been accepted to SMU to pursue a Masters in performance, so he’s headed to Dallas in August.
But I did make it by Wake on Wednesday for a hour-long sit-down with Bzdelik which I found both enjoyable and enlightening. We had a fine talk, and from it I wrote a long piece that will run Sunday in the Journal. We discussed pretty much all the issues that have been raised here, the style of offense and defense, his early impressions of the talent on hand, who plays the point, his reasons for hiring Pope, his reasons for leaving Colorado and why he says he wants to stay at Wake. I hope you check it out.
What didn’t make the Journal piece will be dusted off and posted here. Here’s a tease for Sunday’s piece.
“I was just writing this note here,’’ Bzdelik said. “Here’s really what I’m saying to all our recruits. `As we discussed, Wake offers a unique blend of academic excellence, ACC basketball and an experienced coaching staff. We will work tirelessly in assisting you in improving your game with 17 years of coaching in the NBA. Fast breaks, quick hitting pro-style sets, frequent pick-and-roll sets will be our style.’ ”
Back to the main page.
By Dan Collins on 04/30/2010 (11:23 am)
Comments
Twelve days and counting without my daily fix from Dan.
If it is slow sportswise at least hit us with one of your wonderful musical ramblings. We are dying here (:
This coming Monday, May 24th, I will be attending the Grobe/Wellman/Bzdelik dog and pony, barbeque and fried chicken circuit event in Raleigh.
If Country hasn’t posted by then, I will give everyone a Demon Deacon update. I know I am not alone in needing a fix.
We love you Dan, please come back home.
Tim Cary on 05/19/2010 (11:02 am)
Congrats to Nate… Since I remember when you got married… Wasn’t it the year you coached little league? Nate going to Grad school really makes me feel old.
Keep up the great work on the blog.
DTFIX on 05/01/2010 (12:18 pm)
Dan,
Glad you had a great well-deserved getaway. But you have spoiled us; we were getting withdrawal symptoms.
I’m sure you are proud of your son. Now you will have to go cover the Super Bowl in Dallas in 2011.
Looking forward to reading about your talk with Bzedelik.I have heard a couple of interviews in which he said essentially the same thing he said at the televised introductory press conference. I’m sure you have some fresh stuff.
Thanks
Jerry on 05/01/2010 (11:41 am)
Dan
Congrats to your son and keep up the good work. Really enjoy this blog
thomas on 05/01/2010 (8:31 am)
Glad your are back after some well deserved down time! Congrats to your son! That is great news. Looking forward to the article on Sunday…these are interesting times for Wake Forest Sports..
Andy on 05/01/2010 (8:29 am)
Ditto on what Lee J said,I live in eastern NC also, scarce Wake coverage, I live vicariously through WSJ, ESPICALLY your blog—take short breaks or slip a blog in weekly via your “PUTER” when away. You wouldn’t believe what that would do for your minions/followers (:>)
DC #68/WFU81 on 05/01/2010 (7:24 am)
Congrats to Nate. Bet you’ll miss his beat backing you up!
Looking forward to Sunday’s article but you are due for some down time. Long spring, eh?
Play some music and enjoy the summer. I’m gonna surprise you at the Garage one Wednesday!
ken green on 04/30/2010 (10:39 pm)
Welcome back. Live in Atlanta and the only way Wake would be mentioned in the AJC would be to play Georgia in football. Playing GT doesn’t work either as they get very little attention in this bulldog town.
In addition basketball as a sport has not yet been recognized in GA, although they grow some terrific players in the HS system (Aminu).
Counting on you Dan to keep me informed as to what is happening in Deacon athletics.
jcg on 04/30/2010 (8:27 pm)
Country,
Enjoy the time with your family and congrats to your son…
Have a good Summer and will be looking for the article Sunday on BZ!
Tom on 04/30/2010 (4:51 pm)
Dan, I am one of those who has sorely missed your blog. Thank you for all your reporting!!
crm on 04/30/2010 (4:38 pm)
Glad you are back. I always enjoy your work. Keep it up.
carl on 04/30/2010 (2:43 pm)
Still not sure that Dan isn’t having the blog ghost written but at least he’s teasing us back into reading the blog… After graduating from Wake and returning to eastern NC, I found that there is very little interest in Wake Forest sports outside the Triad. I like it that way - small and exclusive with no hangers on, but I still need my fix on the Deacs… so Dan… just know that those of us outside the paperboy’s throw of the WSJ you gotta keep bloggin’... and I’m in for the Grobe, Bzdelik, Collins, Jackson 4some in Fiji…
Lee Jackson on 04/30/2010 (2:39 pm)
I hope that last paragraph translates to the floor of the Joel next season. Now, after I get to read the article on Sunday and the additional info here, let’s get on to football! I’m excited with the direction the offense is going, but concerned when I read everywhere else and little to nothing is being said about WF. Is there any chance this could be another 2006?
blitzball on 04/30/2010 (2:08 pm)
Good to have you back. Congrats to you and your son, BTW. Looking forward to Sunday’s story.
Chris on 04/30/2010 (1:54 pm)
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