The Word on Jeff Bzdelik
Brother Doug of the Peanut Gallery has sent in a number of comments about Jeff Bzdelik from notables throughout the game who know him. I’ve been asked why I haven’t included them in my coverage of the hire, either in the Journal or on my blog. They were provided by the Wake Forest media relations department which, in itself, doesn’t make them irrelevant. Neither does the realization that they are reflective of what one professional will usually say about someone else in their field. They smack of testimonials. But all that said, they do give insight to the man who has been hired to coach the Wake Forest basketball team, a man who we’ll be getting to know more about as time goes by.
Some of them are obviously better than others. What Pat Riley has to say about Jeff Bzdelik is more relevant because of the six years the two worked together with the Miami Heat. Here’s what Riley had to say about Bzdelik, along with some other assorted comments.
“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 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.
“Jeff is very highly regarded in the NBA and could have had a long career in the 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, Sr. Vice President of the Orlando Magic and Wake Forest alum, class of 1962,.
“Wake Forest has definitely hit a grand slam with Jeff Bzdelik. I’ve known Jeff since we worked together on the same staff at Davidson College 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.’‘—Head Coach Rick Barnes of Texas.
Back to the main page.
By Dan Collins on 04/21/2010 (1:39 pm)
Comments
Mark,
I hope that you’re right about Coach Bzdelik being a good hire. Regarding next year, I think that you are right to temper expectations.
However, the fact that we have a lot of talent (albeit young) should still provide some context for evaluating Coach Bzdelik next season.
I, for one, will be keeping a close eye on how the players (and the team as a whole) develop over the course of the season. Previous Wake Forest teams flamed out prior to March because they did not evolve or adjust as the year progressed. Even if the end result is not a deep run in March, that kind of evolution is what I expect to see during Coach Bzdelik’s first year.
More specifically, I am incredibly curious to hear Coach Bzdelik’s assessment (from a scouting perspective) of each one of the players, current and incoming. From his resume, it seems like he should be well equipped to diagnose a player’s strengths and weaknesses. And then I want to know the plan to improve upon both. How the team progresses along that plan will determine how I judge Coach Bzdelik in his first season.
DC on 04/30/2010 (8:24 am)
I think coach B was a very good hire. You think there are many doubters now, I think the real heat will come after Wake has a so so year next year. They have a young average group returning with a good, yet unproven class coming in. It will take 1-2 years for Wake to get back on the top half of the ACC. SO at the end of next year, the I told you so doubters will be heard. That is when the heat will be on, but I feel in the long run, Wellman will get the last laugh.
mark on 04/30/2010 (1:28 am)
Dan is likely taking some much time needed off… he’s been working like crazy trying us “my take on wake junkies” up with the latest info (not even espn insider could get me the info as fast as country on the new coach). Enjoy some time off dan. football will come soon enough!
Aaron on 04/29/2010 (11:59 pm)
Dan,
I have been going through MToW withdrawal the past week because you have not posted anything new. I hope that you are okay and are lying on the beach somewhere, cold drink in hand, while the rest of us are at work…
Just wanted to let you know that I continue to appreciate your blog and read it first (if there’s new content) when I am able to be online.
G in OH
G in OH on 04/29/2010 (2:55 pm)
Has “MY TAKE ON WAKE” become a dead blog? Dan, Don’t let it die… keeps us pumped up and primed and informed and gives us something to read at work… get back on the blog big boy
Lee on 04/29/2010 (2:13 pm)
McKie is the top rated recruit in the upcoming class.
The reason I ask about Derosiers is because when I hear, “Face-up Center with touch” I tend to think, “Weak white kid with lead in his shoes”
Thomas on 04/24/2010 (6:04 pm)
Dan,
I don’t know if you participate in recruiting speculation, but I have a recruiting question for you.
Gorgui Dieng is a 6’10” C/PF in Huntington WVA. He is a 3-star, one of the best unsigned players in 2010 class. According to some web sites, he was recruited by Colorado. The latest is that he almost signed with Loiusville, with Marshall a close second. But now it is said that he has recently been asked by an ACC school to visit before signing anywhere. I wonder if this is Bzdelik and Battle at work, Bzdelik having recruited him and Huntington WVA being Battle’s old stomping grounds.We could sure use him. What do you know that you can talk about? Anyone else have any info?
Thanks.
Jerry on 04/24/2010 (12:37 pm)
Dan,
Now that the dust from the coaching change has settled somewhat, I have a few questions:
In the spirit of “digging deeper” into personnel decisionmaking, was Ron Wellman dissatisfied with the progress made in the area of player development (both during the course of the season as well as year-to-year) under Coach Gaudio?
What are the rules regarding the interactions between the coaching staff and the players during the offseason? Can the coaches work with the players individually? As a group? If not, can they provide the players with drills, workout routines, etc. to do independently?
If any of this is possible, what does Coach Bzdelik hope to accomplish during the offseason? What is each player (including incoming freshmen) expected to work on before reporting to practice in the Fall?
What is the status of Rusty LaRue’s summer league? I presume he is no longer directly involved. Do Wake Forest players and alumni still participate?
Thanks, as always, for the input!
DC on 04/23/2010 (12:14 pm)
Thomas, Carson Desrosiers is the highest ranked of all of them according to Scout, which is usually the most reliable for basketball. He is perfectly suited for Bzdelik’s offense, as he is one of the best passing big men in the nation.
Jake on 04/23/2010 (12:04 am)
Dan, do you have any immediate plans for an in-depth interview with Bzdelik?
GARY BARNEY on 04/22/2010 (9:47 pm)
These quotes sound like the ones author’s pay for to put on the back cover of their books. Glad the recruits are staying and I hope my gut is wrong on this guy.
steve on 04/22/2010 (9:43 pm)
Dan,
Going back to an earlier entry—-
I know all five guys are staying with Wake, but how close was it? I had heard Chenault was iffy. Is that true? What about the others? Who in your mind is the most unsung recruit of the five? McKie is the top rated, but I have a feeling about Terrell and Chenault. Who plays where when these guys come in? Who’s the point? C.J., Chenault, Terrell?
Is Derosiers “Casey Crawford 2.0” and just an add on? What about 2011? Who we looking at?
It’s a long summer. I’m sure you’ll get to it.
Thomas on 04/22/2010 (5:41 pm)
So now that the Dino mascot has been taken to the attic at the Joel… do you think we’ll be seeing a really large Bumble Bee with the floppy antennae that John Belushi made famous on SNL for the BZZZZ of Bzdellic or a computer to represent the DELL (almost closed down now in W/S so they may be able to contribute a large empty box like they are leaving) or just some ICK oozing from the scoreboard? I hope it’s the Black and Gold (yellow) Bumble Bee…. and maybe he will wear a black and gold (yellow) striped shirt and black pants to each home game… If nothing else we’re at least still talking basketball in April…. GO DEACS
Lee Jackson on 04/22/2010 (3:41 pm)
Dan - could you give us some details about these 5 recruits - I know it’s a top-10 class, but what can we expect. Are any of them game-changing, John Wall or Chris Paul-like recruits, or are they recruits who have a lot of potential but will nonetheless look like typical freshmen when they first step on the course.
Michael on 04/22/2010 (1:53 pm)
Not even Einstein could come up with a better one :). ESPN couldn’t stop quoting Dan on their ESPN Insider. Dan is the man!
Aaron on 04/22/2010 (1:32 am)
Dan,
I would just like to thank you again for your coverage of Wake Forest Sports. I cannot immagine anyone doing a better job.
Bo on 04/21/2010 (9:07 pm)
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