Gaudio Gone
Well my ears are ringing from the bombshell that landed on what was previously a pretty quiet April afternoon.
Dino Gaudio has coached his last basketball game at Wake Forest.
I got wind that there will be a media conference today at 4:30 at Deacon Tower and after calling around found out that Gaudio will be relieved after three years as head coach. What I’m hearing is that Gaudio’s 61-31 record aside, Athletics Director Ron Wellman wasn’t satisfied with the way the Deacons closed the past two seasons. They laid a big egg last season when they were knocked out of the ACC Tournament by Maryland and then never showed up for an 84-69 first-round loss to Cleveland State in the NCAA Tournament. This season, after losing four of their final five games of the regular season, they were blown out by No. 12 seed Miami 83-62 in the first round of the ACC Tournament.
They made partial amends by beating Texas 81-80 in overtime in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, but were then trounced by Kentucky 90-60 in the second round.
No successor will be named today. I imagine Wellman has some candidates in mind, but knowing him, he’ll conduct a full and thorough search.
Gaudio signed a contract extension before the season that runs through the 2013-14 season, but not having seen the contract, I have no idea what clauses and contingencies it includes.
I’ll say this about Ron Wellman. When he makes up his mind, he moves on it.
Be back with more as soon as possible.
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By Dan Collins on 04/07/2010 (3:06 pm)
Comments
While I already thought Wellman had a replacement before his press conference i am completely sold after watching it. When asked the promotion of walt he said that he was in a difficult position because one day he would be promoted and the next day he would be released. He also sidestepped the question about time line. I’m not sure about you Dan, but I see a coach being named within a week (however long it takes to write up and sign the contract)
Aaron on 04/07/2010 (5:04 pm)
I think G is a good guy, a terrific defensive coach, a fantastic assistant that one day will be a good head coach, BUT (and there is almost always a BUT) he wasn’t ready for this job. He did a good service to the Wake Forest family in a tragic time post-Posser and I hope our fans remember that.
Lee on 04/07/2010 (4:37 pm)
Wow. I was one that believed that the time had come for this action to occur, but it is still shocking that it actually has happened.
WFU1990 on 04/07/2010 (4:28 pm)
Oh what a great day this is turning out to be! hate it for Dino, he seemed genuinely intent on doing the best he could, but it just wasn’t what worked. Glad we’re making a change at the top. I hope it’s not an instant promotion of Rusty though. That could be disaster.
Roger on 04/07/2010 (4:07 pm)
I’m convinced Wellman already has somebody. No way this happens without somebody already in line. I saw people thinking it will be Rusty, but I don’t see that happening in a million years. It’ll be interesting to see what happens to the current recruiting class.
Aaron on 04/07/2010 (4:07 pm)
