Coach Les

[versace4pres]

Didn't take long to get back to ISU...again. Yes, Jankovic is scheduling for Ws and is looking for the next step up, but don't you think that ADs at other institutions who might want to hire him are going to take a closer look at the numbers than take them a face value.

Once again, 129-106 is no reason to name a building after him. After the S16 run was Les in the mix for any other job?

[SFP]

This is getting old. If you need your fix go and look at some old threads because as we know not much as changed between April 2009 and November 2009! Most on this site believe JL has been good for the program but want a bit more and probably expect to see more the next 2 years or there may be an uproar. Most here believe that Dana Altman without doubt has ran the most successful program in the Valley the last 10 years. Let's just leave it at that.

[romar]

This is getting old. If you need your fix go and look at some old threads because as we know not much as changed between April 2009 and November 2009! Most on this site believe JL has been good for the program but want a bit more and probably expect to see more the next 2 years or there may be an uproar. Most here believe that Dana Altman without doubt has ran the most successful program in the Valley the last 10 years. Let's just leave it at that.

Hey SFP are the things you write reasons or excuses? I seem to get them confused all the time. What's the old saying one man's reasons are another man's excuses? or is that trash & treasure - guess it works for both!!

BTW - well stated. Still waiting for someone to decode the twitter quote I put in here though.

[shaunguth]

So.....it's ok to forget about the most successful season in recent memory while some would like to include the years before that in JL's losing MVC record? Those first three seasons, by the way, account for more than half of JL's losses in the Valley.

Interesting.

[dogsrus]

So.....it's ok to forget about the most successful season in recent memory while some would like to include the years before that in JL's losing MVC record? Those first three seasons, by the way, account for more than half of JL's losses in the Valley.

Interesting.

S...I don't think anyone is "discounting" the season....just putting it into context regarding the topic.

It was a good season with a pretty terrific ending.......some would rather trade that ONE season, alphabet tourneys, middle of the pack Valley for multiple bids...tourney championships....valley titles/finals...and MVC top finishes thats all.

[shaunguth]

S...I don't think anyone is "discounting" the season....just putting it into context regarding the topic.

It was a good season with a pretty terrific ending.......some would rather trade that ONE season, alphabet tourneys, middle of the pack Valley for multiple bids...tourney championships....valley titles/finals...and MVC top finishes thats all.

Right.....and some also point out his sub-.500 record in Valley games, most of which happened BEFORE the distant memory of the Sweet 16.

[Braves4Life]

I always figured it was Les' cockiness as a player and coach and the fact that he's the coach of Bradley that causes the rest in the Valley to despise him. But I can't figure out why so many Bradley "fans" hate the guy and always look for a reason to put him down. And, before all the "haters" start spewing their cockamamie reasons, let me just say save your breath. I'm just gonna think anything you say is horse$4!t anyway.

[BradleyBrave]

Right.....and some also point out his sub-.500 record in Valley games, most of which happened BEFORE the distant memory of the Sweet 16.

Hey...the thread was started talking about Dana's first 7 seasons compared to JL's...so his first few years are fair game. If we want to compare the year each had their first winning season, the comparison doesn't work out favorably either. I have no idea why people still want to make this comparison, as all it does is fuel people to look at what the gold standard of success in our league is, and see how far we are from it.

What's funny is that JL is the last person that would ever make excuses or say that those first few years were acceptable.

[SFP]

What's funny is that JL is the last person that would ever make excuses or say that those first few years were acceptable.

That's why I personally believe he is still the right guy! I bet he is also not satisfied where the program is right now but is optimistic where it is heading and the potential that is now in place.

[shaunguth]

Hey...the thread was started talking about Dana's first 7 seasons compared to JL's...so his first few years are fair game. If we want to compare the year each had their first winning season, the comparison doesn't work out favorably either. I have no idea why people still want to make this comparison, as all it does is fuel people to look at what the gold standard of success in our league is, and see how far we are from it.

What's funny is that JL is the last person that would ever make excuses or say that those first few years were acceptable.

I also hope he wouldn't expect us to push aside the most successful season Bradley has had in a good number of years.

I'm just saying that many people seem to "ignore" or chalk up the Sweet 16 as just a fluke or whatever else they may think of it. Those same people are probably just as quick to point out JL's sub-.500 conference record, without pointing out more than half of those losses came in the years even more distant than that Sweet 16.

[shaunguth]

That's why I personally believe he is still the right guy! I bet he is also not satisfied where the program is right now but is optimistic where it is heading and the potential that is now in place.

I would certainly hope any head coach would not be "satisfied where the program is right now" when the team hasn't finished in the top 3 in the Valley. It's time to start looking for a new coach whenever/wherever that happens.

[dogsrus]

I always figured it was Les' cockiness as a player and coach and the fact that he's the coach of Bradley that causes the rest in the Valley to despise him. But I can't figure out why so many Bradley "fans" hate the guy and always look for a reason to put him down. And, before all the "haters" start spewing their cockamamie reasons, let me just say save your breath. I'm just gonna think anything you say is horse$4!t anyway.

Hate is such a strong word and I can assure you its something I wouldn't even use for ISU fans, players or coaches.

Again....start at the threads begining and take the corresponding information in the context it is being used in.

No one in this thread HATES Jim Les. IF I hated the guy I wouldn't have the guts to shake his hand and wish him luck like I did at the Vegas send off party like I did the other nite.

I wouldn't follow his team from Illinois to California through Texas and back to Vegas like I (we) do.

We are simply saying this program under JL has been mostly mediocre to just above mediocre because of a terrific Sweet 16 run. Some simply want more, as far as Wins go, then middle of the Valley, Alphabet tourney's, etc.

We are pulling for him and the team to take that next step...I think he can do it but the proof will be in the puddding..... i.e., results.

Hate.....I don't think so. Its NOT in my vocabulary when it comes to things so realtively meaningless as sports.

[versace4pres]

I always figured it was Les' cockiness as a player and coach and the fact that he's the coach of Bradley that causes the rest in the Valley to despise him. But I can't figure out why so many Bradley "fans" hate the guy and always look for a reason to put him down. And, before all the "haters" start spewing their cockamamie reasons, let me just say save your breath. I'm just gonna think anything you say is horse$4!t anyway.

Classy. I'm not getting that fans hate him, just that they want more and 2006 showed that more can be obtained. I do not believe one has to be a "hater" to expect more from their program. Are you happy with an overall record of 129-106, and Valley finishes, etc.? Is the program heading in the right direction? Hopefully. Put the Kool Aid down and take a look at where we are. I am not saying fire the guy, but I expect more from this program. Hopefully, this weekend in Vegas has everyone

[BradleyBrave]

I also hope he wouldn't expect us to push aside the most successful season Bradley has had in a good number of years.

I'm just saying that many people seem to "ignore" or chalk up the Sweet 16 as just a fluke or whatever else they may think of it. Those same people are probably just as quick to point out JL's sub-.500 conference record, without pointing out more than half of those losses came in the years even more distant than that Sweet 16.

There's no pushing it aside. It was the most successful season since '96, but let's call a spade a spade - it was a pretty frustrating 2/3 of the season, and a magical late season/postseason. However, each year we don't go back to the NCAA's it looks more and more like a fluke than the beginning of something special for this program. Even if you only look at the overall record, conference record, and conference finishes since the Sweet 16 on up to now, we're a slightly above-average team and program. Comparing us favorably to a program like Creighton, who regularly beats us, finishes above us, and has been to the tournament 6 more times in the last 11 years than we have is downright silly.

[dogsrus]

I bet he is also not satisfied where the program is right now but is optimistic where it is heading and the potential that is now in place.

And thats EXACTLY how many very good BU fans feel yet we are admonished and scolded for those feelings.....