Comments

Just want to make note of the fact that the statement “Without the class, Bzdelik would have had only five scholarship players—Gary Clark, Tony Woods, Ty Walker, C.J. Harris and Ari Stewart—available to start next season” isn’t completely correct. There is also Georgetown transfer Nikita Mescheriakov who is on scholarship and eligible in mid-December. Granted, he wouldn’t be a starter when the season begins, but certainly could’ve become a starter at some point if the worst case scenario of losing our incoming recruits had occurred. Maybe you have some insight into what type of contributions Nikita might bring to the team next year.
Thanks for your great reporting on the Deacs!

deacfreke on 04/25/2010 (11:07 pm)

Hey Doug,
Thanks for the great quotes, helps create a positive vibe.  Too many people are being negative.

Charles on 04/21/2010 (1:38 pm)

It’s a positive first step and excellent initial impression. Coach Bzdelik’s next challenge comes in coaching these talented young men and developing schemes to optimize their abilities. The ACC is talented and equipped with some of the best coaches in the country so the challenge is formidable, but doable!

Larry on 04/21/2010 (9:02 am)

always stressed trust, hard work and togetherness, and he has always been about the players first.  From the NBA to college, Jeff has seen it all in this game, has handled everything with class, and has been successful at every stop.  Wake Forest got a good one in Jeff Bzedlik.”
Jay Bilas, ESPN Basketball Analyst

“What a wealth of experience Wake Forest is getting with this hire. Jeff has been a head coach in the NBA, a college assistant and a college head coach – at very different types of schools. Jeff has been an outstanding coach and person in all of them. Wake Forest is getting a terrific coach in Jeff Bzdelik.”
Mike Krzyzewski, Head Coach, Duke University

“I’m very happy for him.  I had an opportunity to work under Coach Bzdelik in Miami. He was very passionate and very hard working and did a lot for me while I was at Miami.  Then he moved on and coached a little bit in the pro ranks and then went to college and I think he’s going to do a terrific job.  He’s very knowledgeable about basketball, very hard working and just an extraordinary human being.  I couldn’t be happier for him.
Dan Majerle, Phoenix Suns Assistant Coach

“Jeff is a great coach who I thought did a good job in the NBA when he had the opportunity.  He has visited us at training camp in the past and I have enjoyed spending time with him.  He is a nice guy and I wish him the best of luck in his new position at Wake Forest.”
Jerry Sloan, Head Coach, Utah Jazz

“I think Coach Bzdelik is a very talented coach.  I had a chance to work with him my first year in Denver.  With his insight and knowledge of the game, I can definitely say he’s going to be a head coach for a very long time.”
Marcus Camby, Portland Trail Blazers

“I am really happy and proud of Jeff. This is so well deserved. Jeff is not only a terrific coach, but a great person as well.”
T.R. Dunn, Houston Rockets

“Jeff Bzdelik is a coach’s coach. He is in the select company of people who have been successful at the college and at the NBA level. And, after stints at Colorado, Air Force and Northwestern, he’ll understand and embrace the unique athletic and academic culture of Wake Forest University.”
Fran Fraschilla, ESPN Basketball Analyst

“Jeff Bzdelik will be a great addition to the Wake Forest program.  He brings a ton of knowledge and experience having coached in the NBA.  His coaching style and understanding of the game will help Wake Forest achieve success not only in the ACC, but on the national level as well.”
Flip Saunders, Head Coach, Washington Wizards

Doug on 04/21/2010 (8:26 am)

“I know he’s hard-nosed. He preaches defense, which I think with any team, is going to be the biggest key to success, getting them to play defense. He’s had success with the different schools he’s been with. I hope he can bring that to Wake and get us back on the right track.”
Tim Duncan (Class of 1997), San Antonio Spurs

“Coach Bzedlik was my first coach in the NBA.  We learned a lot with each other.  That first year, we made it to the playoffs after only winning 17 games the year before.  He did a good job here and I enjoyed playing for him.
Carmelo Anthony,  Denver Nuggets

“Jeff is very highly regarded in the NBA and could have had a long career in this league if that is what he wanted.  It is a great hire for Wake Forest.  He will bring energy and enthusiasm to the team along with a ton of experience.  Wake Forest has hired a good man for the long run.  Deacon fans will be pleased with Jeff’s ability and energy.  He has a Wake Forest-type personality.  It takes a special talent to be a Demon Deacon and Jeff has that talent.”
Pat Williams (Class of 1962), Senior Vice President, Orlando Magic

“Jeff was an instrumental part of the Miami HEAT in the early years. He was an incredible resource and played a key role in us re-launching the organization. He was a very hard-working and dedicated scout and then as he has moved on in his career has become a very good head coach. I wish him nothing but the best. Wake Forest has picked the right man.”
Pat Riley, President, Miami Heat

“Jeff Bzdelik is one of the smartest, most knowledgeable, hardest working coaches I have ever worked with. His teams in the NBA and college have achieved beyond their talent levels. Recruits to Wake Forest will play for a coach who was successful in the NBA for a long time and will teach them what they need to know to make it to the NBA.”
Stan Van Gundy, Head Coach, Orlando Magic

“Wake Forest has definitely hit a grand slam with Jeff Bzdelik. I’ve known Jeff since we worked on the same staff at Davidson College back in the late 1970s, and I’ve always respected how hard he has worked at every step in his coaching career. People around the ACC will find out very quickly that Jeff is an outstanding basketball coach.”
Rick Barnes, Head Coach, University of Texas

“Jeff Bzedlik combines an incredible work ethic with a razor-sharp basketball mind and will certainly be a credit to Wake Forest both on and off the court.  In our 30 years of coaching, he ranks at the top in his ability to relate to players and develop programs.”
Gregg Popovich, Head Coach, San Antonio Spurs

“Jeff Bzdelik is one of the top coaches in the country, and one of the most prepared and experienced.  Jeff may be quiet and soft spoken in demeanor, but he is also an intense competitor that understands the pursuit of excellence on and off the court.  Jeff has

Doug on 04/21/2010 (8:23 am)

Yippeeee!!!!!!!!!!!! Glad those guys are deciding to come to Wake!!

Cliff Daniel on 04/20/2010 (10:50 pm)

The WF Five are solid.  Great news.  Wellman rolled the dice and wins the first round.

Dan S on 04/20/2010 (10:12 pm)

Thanks for the great news, Dan! Hope Bzdelik can recruit like he re-recruits!

Now, take some time off and play some music, will you?

Ken Green on 04/20/2010 (8:20 pm)

Saw “Dino Must Find…” (poetry???) “Ode to Dino”.  He/she should quit while he’s/she’s behind.  It’s called Doggerel.  It’s usually written for comic effect, and is marked by triviality and/or inferiority.

Lee Anglin on 04/20/2010 (5:19 pm)

this is very good news and now
ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL !!
and more very good news -
AS ALWAYS IT IS GOOD TO BE A DEACON—
(well most of the time)

Paul on 04/20/2010 (3:45 pm)

Dan,

Thanks for the update (especially because you’re passing along such excellent news!).  I’ll be interested to hear what the conversations with each player were like.  The bottom line is that Wake Forest is still Wake Forest, and Coach Bzdelik brings a lot to the table with his NBA experience.  I think that our recruits made a good decision to reaffirm their commitments.  I also think that Coach Battle and Coach LaRue probably deserve just as much congratulations as anyone.  It’s nice to see the new coaching staff achieve some success right off the bat.  Thanks again.

DC on 04/20/2010 (2:08 pm)

I figured with Jeff and Rusty’s assistance he would land them all. Was encouraged Sunday PM when I saw the ESPN story which I posted here about Desrosiers coming…

Give BZ the benefit of the doubt…Let’s see how he does recruiting new talent. Now that this recruiting class is set will be interested to gauge recruits interests for subsequent years.

Thanks for all the updates Country. I know I owe you a cool one! Now it is on to football!!!

Tom on 04/20/2010 (2:02 pm)

Great news, thanks for scooping this Dan!

Thomas on 04/20/2010 (1:56 pm)

Dan,
This is good news for the Deacons.  Good move on Wellman to maintain continuity with the assistant coaches.  Now we get to see X’s and O’s, game strategy and adjustments.  But we still have a super young team, lots of talent that needs to be groomed.  I know you don’t scoop yourself in the Journal, thanks for the link.

EJ on 04/20/2010 (1:27 pm)