Wellman Wings West to Pick up Bzdelik
If the process goes according to plan, Jeff Bzdelik will be named Wake Forest’s basketball coach on Wednesday.
That’s no scoop I know. You’ve been reading that since Jeff Goodman of Foxsports.com reported it Friday. The Boulder DailyCamera, citing sources close to the search, reported Saturday that it was a done deal. I haven’t been reporting it was a done deal because Athletics Ron Wellman of Wake Forest told me last night while the leaders were wrapping up the last couple of holes down in Augusta that it wasn’t.
“It’s not a done deal, I can guarantee you that,’’ Wellman said. “That’s conjecture on their part. There’s no agreement with anyone, and we’re still in the search process.’‘
In fairness to all involved, it may be that no formal agreement has been struck. But the deal was far enough along that Wellman booked a flight to Denver today and Bzdelik called a meeting to tell his team he was, at the very least, ready to talk with Wake Forest.
Wellman’s first flight, I was told by someone close to the search, was delayed because Bzdelik called after the meeting to say he didn’t know if he could leave his team. After a spell of apparent soul-searching, Bzdelik called Wellman to tell him to come on out to Colorado after all. Wellman left this evening on a flight to Denver.
The two are expected to return to Winston-Salem Monday, in time for Bzdelik to be formally interviewed at Wake Forest on Tuesday.
A person I’ve been talking with in Colorado who has stayed up on the story just called to say that the Buffaloes’ assistant coaches have been told they will not be offered a position at Wake Forest. One Colorado assistant, hired on March 20, is Tom Abatemarco, who as an assistant under Jim Valvano at N.C. State from 1982 through 1986.
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By Dan Collins on 04/11/2010 (3:14 pm)
Comments
The part about the CU assistants is interesting. I believe Ron said last week that the new coach would decide who the assistant coaches would be as is typically the situation. I fully expected Ron to put in a good word for the current assistants but not to force the new coaches hand.
Telling him he can not bring his assistants with him (which is what it sounds like is happening) goes against the norm and against what Ron said last week. Also, if you do not think Bzdelik did a good job picking his assistants at CU, why do you think he is the right guy to run our program? It is a bit confusing. But this whole process has been somewhat confusing as a alum/fan.
Philbert on 04/12/2010 (10:54 am)
Wellman couldn’t talk anyone into loaning their plane to pick up his pall Bzzz? I’m sure one would have been made available for Tubby, Stevens, or a number of others.
DP on 04/11/2010 (7:20 pm)
This guy is letting Wellman tell him can’t bring his staff? Maybe Ron should just take the job himself.
DP on 04/11/2010 (5:16 pm)
OH man…I hope this is the right move…but in all honesty, what coach in their right mind, completely comfortable with what they’re doing, would leave a place and NOT take assistants with him who know the guy’s system? Haven’t we done enough “retaining staff in order to keep recruits?” How in the world can a piecemeal staff work for a new coach with quite possible an entirely new system. For that matter, how can anyone, even Wellman, judge whether or not Dino’s assistants have performed greatly???!!! We don’t have access to practices and team functions to tell. Sounds to me like another recruit grab
Ronnie on 04/11/2010 (5:08 pm)
I’m trying to give Ron Wellman the benefit of the doubt, but this is not at all the hire that I think most fans expected. I feel like we were somewhat misled by Ron’s comments at the press conference. I hope things work out well, but I fail to see how this is an improvement over Dino. Let’s hope next year’s recruits feel better about it than most Wake Forest fans.
Steve on 04/11/2010 (4:42 pm)
Dan,
I know a lot of people are going to be down on this hiring because of The Bzzz’s poor record at CU and in the NBA. But here’s the deal — If Rusty and Battle stay on, then more than likely the recruits will as well. Also, to have a coach with NBA ties and NBA cred can’t hurt in attracting new talent and keeping the current talent. For me, this looks like an act of positioning. By bringing in “The Bzz” they set forth the events which I believe will culminate with the coronation of Rusty LaRue as Wake’s head coach within the next 5 years. It’s not a bad plan. An established coach who probably isn’t interested in staying at Wake more than 5-7 seasons who can offer an NBA style mind setting the table for the reigns to be handed over to someone who is part of the “program” in every sense of the word. If it works, Wellman is a genius, if not, he’s a GOAT. Either way it’s probably his last big hire as AD. But I like it and I think it will energize the fan base after such underperforming teams over the past five years.
Thomas on 04/11/2010 (4:35 pm)
Maybe I am not old enough to remember a more bizarre coaching hire than this one. First you fire somebody based on results, but bring in somebody who has done nothing but lose recently. Second, his assistants are not offered assistant coaching positions. So it’s going to be the same coaching staff minus Gaudion?!
I can understand if you want to move in a different direction, but this just seems so strange. I’m still trying to figure this one out Dan. If this lasts more than a couple years it will be a miracle. Wellman will totally get some heat if this doesn’t work out too. All of the stories talk about this guy basically being Wellman’s friend/buddy/etc from the past. Maybe Wellman knows something nobody else does, but I think he is the only one riding the new coach’s bandwagon
Aaron on 04/11/2010 (4:27 pm)
I’m pumped. Rusty and Jeff Battle will keep our recruiting lines open, and BZD will supply the scheme and the X’s and O’s. It’s a good time to be a Deacon!
JGG on 04/11/2010 (4:12 pm)
Ron’s comments make me question his integrity. It’s been reported that this was a done deal as of Friday, yet nothing was done as of last night? I highly doubt that.
Rich on 04/11/2010 (4:05 pm)
For the very first time, I am embarrassed to be a fan of Wake Forest basketball. The search for a new coach and hiring process could not have been handled more poorly. I hope Mr. Wellman is prepared for a significant decline in ticket sales and Deacon Club contributions.
Concerned Wake Fan on 04/11/2010 (4:04 pm)
Are you going to let that Abatemarco hiring just slide right by? How is that doing things the Wake Forest way?
Brendan on 04/11/2010 (4:02 pm)
Like I mentioned in an earlier post. Will probably hire BZ and retain the present Wake assistant coaches. Since BZ cannot stay put in any one job for more than 2-3 years, groom Rusty LaRue or Jeff Battle to take over when BZ has had enough…
The key will be keeping the incoming recruits committed to Wake.
Just have to face it…and hope for the best but prepare for the worse!
Tom on 04/11/2010 (3:56 pm)
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