Will Deacs Go Into Battle Without Battle?
To know Jeff Battle is to want what’s best for him. He’s really that good of a guy.
But we humans can be selfish creatures and I, for one, would hate to see Battle leave Wake to accept an assistant’s position at Providence. He’s mulling the offer, which you can read about Here
When I first got wind that Battle might leave for Providence—not exactly the scourge of the Big East—I wondered along with apparently many others if he felt the need to get out of Wake. I was always under the impression that he and new coach Jeff Bzdelik got along pretty well. They certainly take every opportunity to say nice things about each other, but you never know everything.
Once I got him on the phone this morning, Battle said his relationship with Bzdelik had nothing to do with him considering Providence. It wasn’t only what he said, but how he said it that convinced me this was the case. Instead the tug was his special friendship with Ed Cooley, named head coach at Providence on May 22.
Knowing Battle, it will come down to what’s best for his only child, son Jordan. Battle has been a single parent since his wife Joyce died of lung cancer in August, 2008. In fact, if Joyce hadn’t been sick, Battle might be head coach at Wake today. But he took his name out of consideration after Skip Prosser died in July of 2007, and the head job went to the other veteran assistant on the staff Dino Gaudio.
Jordan will be a senior in high school next year. My bet is he will spend that year in Winston-Salem, with his father remaining as an assistant at Wake Forest.
As members of the Peanut Gallery know, I’m not much of one for predictions. But in this case, I hope I’m right.
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By Dan Collins on 04/08/2011 (12:33 pm)
Comments
Dan…..We hope you are right too!
Robert Sharpe on 04/14/2011 (8:34 pm)
I think Coach Battle seriously considering going to Providence says a lot about what Battle things about what is going on with Bzdelik at Wake Forest. Of course Battle won’t admit to that as he is 100% class all the way around, however this speaks for itself.
Andy Y on 04/10/2011 (11:18 am)
I hope Coach Battle does what is best for him….which hopefully means continuing to coach at Wake Forest!
C’mon Jeff….we need you at Wake Forest!
Ken Green on 04/08/2011 (11:35 pm)
I am praying that Coach Battle will stay with us. When he helps get us back on our feet lots of places will want him as a head coach. And if, in spite of his efforts, we don’t get a lot better pretty soon, WE will want him for our head coach! Whatever he decides, we all certainly appreciate what he has done for us and wish him well.
DannyB on 04/08/2011 (7:00 pm)
Re your prediction ... from your lips to God’s ears. My first wish is that Coach Battle will do what is best for him. My second wish is that means staying put.
Rick on 04/08/2011 (2:40 pm)
I hope he stays as I believe it would be a huge loss for Wake, especially in regard to recruiting. However, after observing the interaction (or more aptly, the lack of interaction) between him and Bzdelick during games, I’ve often wondered if he felt left out. I rarely saw them talking during games and he certainly wasn’t part of the timeout huddles. I want him to stay, but if he leaves, I think Bzdelick will have a lot more to do with that decision then will ever be let on.
Jim on 04/08/2011 (1:54 pm)
Mr. Wellman do the right thing. What ever Providence offers—-double it.
Doug on 04/08/2011 (1:44 pm)
Dan,
I tend to agree with you.
I don’t believe he would take his son away from his friends and support system( I sound like a social worker,I’m not)to further his own career.
He is too much of a class person and gentleman to say bad things about his boss.
If he ever leaves Wake I hope it is for a head coaching job. Would be happy for him.
Jerry on 04/08/2011 (1:06 pm)
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