Barring something apocalyptic it appears that Jeff Bzdelik will be the new head basketball coach at Wake Forest. In fact OSG is ready to project that Bzdelik will get the job.Those who condemn the move will tell you that Bzdelik doesn't fit the criteria of post season success that got Dino Gaudio fired and it does hurt Wake Forest athletic director Ron Wellman's credibility for the move.
Gaudio post season record in 3 years at Wake 1-5. Bzdelik's at Air Force & Colorado 0-5 in conference tournaments and 0-1 in the NCAA's. Ok, Bzdelik gets a break with a 3-1 NIT record.
Deacon fans are barbecuing Wellman in the Wake Forest message boards on the potential move. Its falling on deaf ears.
Jeff Bzdelik is Ron Wellman's man and he doesn't care what you think of the hire, that includes the media. If Wellman wants to hire a coach with 3 straight losing seasons to replace one that had 3 straight winning seasons that's his choice. Talk about losing the press conference that will be a laugher.
Bzdelik does have NBA credentials, won at a school that has no basketball tradition when head coach at Air Force and was just beginning the breathe some life into a flat-lined Colorado program that was among the worst of the worst. Bzdelik can coach but his post season numbers contradict what Ron Wellman publicly stated as to why he canned Dino Gaudio.
Then again, Ron Wellman is the A.D. that gave Jim Grobe a shot of taking over perhaps the worst Division 1-A football program in the country and look what Grobe has done since.
I believe Ron Wellman can spot great coaching talent but hiring Jeff Bzdelik is as tough a sell as their can be. One that Deac fans are very reluctant to buy.
Photo Courtesy: University of Colorado Athletics
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