I dont blame the coaching

[BradleyJD]

I don't necessarily think JL is that bad of a coach, but everyone has strengths and weaknesses. I think for the most part we're prepared, and for the most part we play the right guys. I think we do well out of timeouts. I don't think we're taught very well in practice, don't think we defend or rebound great, and don't think we use timeouts or adjust well at the half. Get a competent staff that's strong in those areas, and we may be onto something. The problem is I am not sure we'll ever have that with the current guy at the top. Too many other factors seem to be in play.

I agree. This staff was doomed when Jim did not keep Chuck. Les cannot do this job himself, that much is clear.

[tornado]

we is Da Coach and I both of whom want to know names of other coaches we ought to pursue..now that some have offered examples of names, I appreciate it..(btw - I am not the only one who uses "we", NINE other posters on this page alone use the pronoun "we" when posting....so are the others also using multiple names??)
most of those names wouldn't be likely to move horizontally and come to BU as we can't pay the $ millions required to lure them...others have had little more success...eg-- Akron plays a weaker schedule and has almost exactly the same record as we do since 2006/
Are any of those names flat out blow-you-away candidates that you'd place at the top of the list??

I hate to spend the time responding to the guys that just aren't worth the rebuttal...

[warren5]

Rick Malnati is available. He's got connections out the wazzoo in the Chicago area HS ranks, was an outstanding HS coach for several years and produced several DI players, and is a Bradley alum from the Les (Tom/Jim) era. Fits the mold of what we're looking for. Hire him, then add another guy or two with his kind of pedigree...and we might have a staff comparable to rest of the teams in the MVC!

Agree. Sign up Malnati

His New Trier teams actually ran a real offense and played defense!

[BradleyBrave]

we is Da Coach and I both of whom want to know names of other coaches we ought to pursue..now that some have offered examples of names, I appreciate it..
most of those names wouldn't be likely to move horizontally and come to BU as we can't pay the $ millions required to lure them...others have had little more success...eg-- Akron plays a weaker schedule and has almost exactly the same record as we do since 2006/
Are any of those names flat out blow-you-away candidates that you'd place at the top of the list??

I hate to spend the time responding to the guys that just aren't worth the rebuttal...

So what you're saying is we're doomed to eventually be Evansville? Might as well pack up and leave the MVC as soon as we can if that's the case. For some reason I don't think you truly believe that...

[BradleyJD]

we is Da Coach and I both of whom want to know names of other coaches we ought to pursue..now that some have offered examples of names, I appreciate it..
most of those names wouldn't be likely to move horizontally and come to BU as we can't pay the $ millions required to lure them...others have had little more success...eg-- Akron plays a weaker schedule and has almost exactly the same record as we do since 2006/
Are any of those names flat out blow-you-away candidates that you'd place at the top of the list??

I hate to spend the time responding to the guys that just aren't worth the rebuttal...

Well Jim is getting $400,000+ to coach here, so I think many many up-and-coming coaches would be willing to come here for a chance to be the head coach.

The other thing about coaching candidates is this.....until you make the move how do you know what will happen? So as far as names that blow you out of the water, it's not relevant exactly.

Give me a coach who WANTS the job and will work his butt off and improve BU. This .500, no conference titles, no REAL postseason, no Valley tourney titles stuff is not cutting it.

I don't want change for change's sake. I want change for a better and successful program

[lefty]

I just hope the AD doesn't read this board, unless he can keep it in the proper perspective.

I'm not worried whether or not the AD reads this board. I'm guessing he can he can think for himself.

[SaintLouBrave22]

Give me a coach who WANTS the job and will work his butt off and improve BU. This .500, no conference titles, no REAL postseason, no Valley tourney titles stuff is not cutting it.

I don't want change for change's sake. I want change for a better and successful program

I agree!

There's nothing worse than someone who goes into a job and gets real comfortable while doing nothing to improve their team and situation, only to think they walk on water and are unfireable.

[BradleyBrave]

I agree!

There's nothing worse than someone who goes into a job and gets real comfortable while doing nothing to improve their team and situation, only to think they walk on water and are unfireable.

Agreed.

I'm pretty sure there are several successful mid to low major coaches not making close to what Les is making. Same thing goes with top assistants at other top programs. Same thing goes with guys who aren't currently coaching. The ones currently employed may be getting 6 figures, but they aren't getting what they could/would be getting at BU.

I find it interesting that we just built these multi-million dollar facilities, draw well in an 11,000 seat arena, but it's being spun by some that we couldn't possibly afford to pay anyone MVC-caliber coaching money to come to poor old Bradley University. As I said earlier in this thread, just call us Evansville and let's pack up and move to the OVC if that's the case. The thing is, I don't think it's the case at all, and I don't think those spinning it that way believe that's truly the case either...

[Beninator]

Agreed.

I'm pretty sure there are several successful mid to low major coaches not making close to what Les is making. Same thing goes with top assistants at other top programs. Same thing goes with guys who aren't currently coaching. The ones currently employed may be getting 6 figures, but they aren't getting what they could/would be getting at BU.

I find it interesting that we just built these multi-million dollar facilities, draw well in an 11,000 seat arena, but it's being spun by some that we couldn't possibly afford to pay anyone MVC-caliber coaching money to come to poor old Bradley University. As I said earlier in this thread, just call us Evansville and let's pack up and move to the OVC if that's the case. The thing is, I don't think it's the case at all, and I don't think those spinning it that way believe that's truly the case either...

IMO, the new facilities should have been completed probably 10 years ago... There are times in which I feel BU is continually playing catch-up with what is needed with the basketball program. Like you on earlier posts, I have been harping on our staff as well. What I want to see is a commitment from the administration to support financially etc a winning program. I am and will be very curious as to what the new AD will do in the after the basketball season is over.

[tornado]

So what you're saying is we're doomed to eventually be Evansville? Might as well pack up and leave the MVC as soon as we can if that's the case. For some reason I don't think you truly believe that...

no those weren't my words at all..
and I think you know me enough to know I like winning better than losing...
I'd love to be 25-2, but I don't want to play cupcakes to get there..
and I am not ready to jettison a good coach and good players, who I think have as much chance to win in St. Louis - barring injury - as anyone else..

We don't always play well, but then neither does Wichita (see last night) or UNI (we nearly beat them there playing one of our worst games)...

I don't like the losses, but I will stick with the guys we have, support them, and cheer hard for them...
I am stumped as to why MY support for the team of MY choosing seems to anger other people who insist I need to justify my actions and support or change my point of view.
Sorry- I won't change..I feel good about giving them my 100% support and loyalty, and I won't return the favor by insisting that others must feel as I do...
But if they do win the MVC Tourney and go to the NCAA will people find something else to bit*h about or will they still want the coach's head?
Fortunately I won't have to worry about that choice...

[Dallas Brave]

BU has played 14 conference games so far and they are 7-7. Here is Bradley's conference record after 14 games going back to 2002-03

2002-03 6-8
2003-04 4-10
2004-05 5-9
2005-06 7-7
2006-07 7-7
2007-08 7-7
2008-09 7-7
2009-10 7-7

That is correct ... we have been 7-7 at this point of league play for 5 consecutive seasons.

I think way too much is made of CB's contribution as an assistant coach. I think he was solid, but the numbers don't support that he had much of an impact outside of the miracle end to 2005-06 season. Was the miracle season of 2005-06 due to CB or did an over-abundance of talent finally start playing up to their potential?

[Buesch N Chips]

His New Trier teams actually ran a real offense and played defense!

Exaggeration alert! Do you honestly think we don't run a real offense and don't play defense?

Also, for some reason I have it in my head that Malnati has a problem with this area. Where am I getting that?

[tornado]

BU has played 14 conference games so far and they are 7-7. Here is Bradley's conference record after 14 games going back to 2002-03

2002-03 6-8
2003-04 4-10
2004-05 5-9
2005-06 7-7
2006-07 7-7
2007-08 7-7
2008-09 7-7
2009-10 7-7

That is correct ... we have been 7-7 at this point of league play for 5 consecutive seasons.

I think way too much is made of CB's contribution as an assistant coach. I think he was solid, but the numbers don't support that he had much of an impact outside of the miracle end to 2005-06 season. Was the miracle season of 2005-06 due to CB or did an over-abundance of talent finally start playing up to their potential?

so you don't say...surely you must be totally wrong...this is really a down year - have you not seen all the complaining??

[BradleyJD]

I don't like the losses, but I will stick with the guys we have, support them, and cheer hard for them...

I feel good about giving them my 100% support and loyalty

You just described every fan of Bradley.

I do all the things you just said as well.

[BradleyJD]

so you don't say...surely you must be totally wrong...this is really a down year - have you not seen all the complaining??

No, that was my point last night. Sadly, this isn't a down year.

It's another wait til next year again.

This is the best we can expect with this staff. .500