Comments

I read the Andy Katz article late last week where he praised Wellman for being so straight up at the press conference - for simply stating the facts behind his decision.  Wellman told us all that he fired Dino for the inability to win games when they matter most - post-season.  He now appears ready to hire someone with a miserable record over the last three years and exactly zero NCAA lieftime wins.  Katz may now want to write a follow up article because it is clear more was at play here. Dan, like the others I appreciate your ongoing coverage.  Please ask some tough questions at the press conference.  I agree that the kids at Wake are entitled to fan support, but fans and alums making contributions and paying ticket prices are also entitled to answers.

RGH on 04/11/2010 (3:33 pm)

For the first time I can ever remember, and other than the period after Skip’s death when I didn’t know how to feel, I’m not looking forward to next year’s basketball season (or thereafter).  Wrong coach, wrong time, wrong decision.

Hugh on 04/11/2010 (2:57 pm)

It’s funny how in today’s world folks form their opinions and bias based on what they read on internet boards or through some media article (sorry Dan).  I don’t know the guy, but if he comes to Wake I will support him as part of Wake basketball.  He could lose my support if he fails to win, win in post-season, graduate his players or conduct unbecoming of a WF representative. 

When and if he arrives, I will judge him on his time at Wake as he should be judged.

jcg on 04/11/2010 (2:55 pm)

Source: Wake Forest, as expected, to hire Bzdelik
Posted on: April 11, 2010 12:31 pm
Edited on: April 11, 2010 12:37 pmScore: 129Log-in to rate:Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate:
Colorado’s Jeff Bzdelik, as expected, will be named the next head coach at Wake Forest, a source confirmed to CBSSports.com on Sunday.

The above is a copy/paste from CBSSports.com. Note time.

If this is true, it appears on the surface to be an arrogant display of position and power by Wellman. If that is true I will be greatly disappointed in Wellman and the coaching search process at Wake. But I am struggling to keep an open mind.

Who am I to judge? I have always had great respect for Wellman ,and I need to maintain that attitude and let him do his job and hope for the best for Wake.He is not going to deliberately hurt our program and school. Wellman knows things we don’t know.

Jerry on 04/11/2010 (2:33 pm)

All the wailing and gnashing of teeth, threats to take your support elsewhere, demanding an explanation, e-mail campaigns to Dr. Hatch, phone numbers, invoking the Bob Staak defense, my gosh folks, you sound like a bunch a tea-baggers out there that don’t like what the administration is doing.  We have an All American AD and he knows what he is doing, let him do his job.  Our job is to support him, the school and the team.  Face it, it doesn’t matter who the coach is, we are going to be one hurting ball club next year.  To loose the amount of starting minutes/scoring/skill that has left, we are looking at a starting five consisting of only one person that has ever started a game in college before.  (Two if you count Wood’s three starts.)  Whatever the case, whoever the coach, we can’t expect all that much.  At least with a new guy that understands the game, can do the X’s and O’s, we can show improvement and be competitive.  So, take your tantrum elsewhere, I am buying tickets and looking forward to a new era.  Dan, keep up the good work, look forward to hearing your analysis of the new guy and reading the behind the scenes of your first of many interviews.  Would be interesting to see how he intends to “walk on water” to please the folks that would be disgruntled unless we got Saint Roy or someone like that.  Thanks.

EJ on 04/11/2010 (2:22 pm)

Link to Katz’s story: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=5075291

If this comes to pass, only proves to me I severely overestimated Wellman’s ability to be a leader. Hiring an old friend. I just don’t know nor do I understand…

Maybe Wellman feels BZ will only stay 2-3 years giving him time to groom Rusty LaRue for a 30 year run…

I do expect the team to lose several signees for next season. If they keep all of them it will be a miracle & I will personally meet Country @ the Garage and buy him a cold beer!!!

Tom on 04/11/2010 (2:01 pm)

Looks done now per Andy Katz and ESPN. Can’t believe this is the best WF can do.

thomas on 04/11/2010 (12:37 pm)

This is unbelievable. We always thought Ron was the best AD in America and he’s earned that title. But I don’t understand how anyone can justify this hiring. You cannot fire a man for his lack of post-season success and then hire a man who hasn’t won an NCAAT game. He’s never stayed committed to any one position and seems he just wants to better himself at the expense of the schools that look a chance on him. If Ron is lying to the media and going behind the CU AD’s back to secure his next coach, he is not the man we thought he was.

A Wake Fan on 04/11/2010 (11:19 am)

If what Tom says is true here, perhaps we fired the wrong guy. Wellman is Dino’s boss and has been the boss for how many years? I’m just saying perhaps we need to look at this another direction, especially ie wellman hires someone who clearly doesn’t have the credentials such as Bzdelik. Never heard of him, perhaps because he’s had who many loosing seasons?

Tony C on 04/11/2010 (11:11 am)

BZ’s daughter attends Wake…His daughter was ill last year so Mom and Dad had to fly halfway across the country to be with her…Commendable and certainly understandable.

So Gaudio is dismissed, and now Wellman wants to hire his friend so he can be near his daughter for her final two years at Wake…

Sounds to me if he is hired and based on his history @ other institutions two years is about the length of his average stay…

Does anyone here remember Coach Bob Staak??? His only claim to fame was recruiting Mugsy Bogues! Other than that, Wake was the doormat of the ACC…Please say it ain’t SO!

May have to switch my allegiance to Tony Bennett and UVA if these ominous signs in fact come to pass!!!

Tom on 04/11/2010 (8:57 am)

Folks, I keep reading consternation at the fact that Wellman may make an offer to someone we know very little about. Well its really not up to us. I am sure he has better contacts within the coaching fraternity than we do. You can’t always go on records now can you? Remember Coach K’s record at Army and then the first few years at Duke. I think some of us need to chill. Ron Wellman knows how important this hire is and I can assure you he is operating on better information about Bzdelik that any of us have.

pensive1 on 04/11/2010 (8:40 am)

Here is Dr. Hatch’s e-mail address.  Let him know what you think. 

hatch@wfu.edu

DP on 04/11/2010 (1:04 am)

Does Ron Wellman have any idea how the Wake Forest fanbase is responding to these rumors and how upset season ticketholders will be if he hires Jeff Bzdelik as our next head coach?

Concerned Wake Fan on 04/11/2010 (1:03 am)

Colorado AD Mike Bohn has confirmed that Jeff Bzdelik has been in contact with Wake Forest for several days, taking about the head coaching position there.

Bohn said the news was “disturbing” and he was unaware of any communication until Saturday.

http://www.9news.com/sports/article.aspx?storyid=136573&catid=345

DP on 04/10/2010 (11:50 pm)

This is classic Ron Wellman…help his long time friend in Colorado build some local Co. credibility while having everyone in the Carolinas and Va. wondering if he is actually foolish & insane enough to hire a late 50 something year old guy who obviously does not have the energy, stamina, or staying power of a 35 or 40 year old…Trust me I know what I am talking about as I am in my late 50’s…and what you had in your 30’s and 40’s disappears in your late 50’s. This guy would maybe have 5 years @ the most before father time took its toll!

If Wellman in fact hires BZ my opine of Mr. Wellman drops considerably…

Like you Dan, I feel this cat Wellman has a few tricks up his sleeve and we will all be surprised soooooon! Just hope it is a pleasant surprise!!!

Tom on 04/10/2010 (9:57 pm)

Dan,

Thanks for all the work you are doing on this story. I appreciate it. I’ve been a Deacon Clubber for 12 years and always big a fan of Wellman, but I can’t support this decision if indeed he hires Bzdelik.

Thomas on 04/10/2010 (9:55 pm)

Kent, you’re welcome. Good to see you on here. Long time since, what was it, Rancho Dinardo days? Are you still picking?
Donny Baseball, I’ll float that name next chance I get. He’s an impressive man. I still think there are guys in this story who have yet to appear.

Dan on 04/10/2010 (8:31 pm)

I think its funny that anyone with WIN access and thus access to the internal Wake directory can have access to Bzdelik home phone number in Colorado. If they do announce this guy as the new coach they might want to take caution to take that down because I know a lot of disgruntal Wake fans who probably would see it fit to contact his Colorado home number. Just a thought…

wfustudent on 04/10/2010 (8:22 pm)

Disco Dan - have you heard anything at all about Anthony Grant?  Seemed to be a really hot name around these parts after Skip’s death.  He is a name I believe would be a winner - recruits would like him, he would sell tickets and get people excited about the program.  Coach B - I assume you have taken a gander at the boards recently - would not sit well with the locals to say the least

Donny Baseball on 04/10/2010 (8:19 pm)

Great news, assuming the search is, in fact, still ongoing.  If this hire does happen, I really want to hear Ron explain why it is a good hire.  Thanks for staying on top of this.

Kent Newsome on 04/10/2010 (8:18 pm)