Florida Gulf Coast University

[Da Coach]

After a brief stretch earlier in the season when Florida Gulf Coast showed some life and won 5 out of 6 games, including wins over DePaul and one of the best teams in the Atlantic Sun Conference, Belmont, FGCU now has lost 8 of their last 9, and and 14 out of their last 17. They have fallen to within 1/2 game of last place in the A-Sun.
New Athletic Director Ken Kavanagh has worked to increase funding for the basketball program, and will soon make a decision about a possible coaching change.

http://www.news-press.com/article/20100227/FGCU/2270380/1010/sports/Decision-near-on-FGCU-coach-s-fate

[BradleyBrave]

Hello Steve Merfeld!

[Da Coach]

I suspect he's stocking up on bermuda shorts and SPF 30 now.

[LittleBrave]

FGCU (my alma mater), is a nice school with nice facilities.
I really have no interest in its basketball program, and my Bradley fanship would never shift to the Eagles. Been a Brave fan since I was little.
I don't think too many in the area are into hoops. SW Florida is centered around football all year round.

I'm glad KK is there to move the program in a positive direction. I'm sure he likes the area (Ft. Myers).

I also hope that we continue a home-and-home series with them (selfishly) so I can take a trip down there to see my family and get prime seating to the game...though it won't do much for our RPI.

[Da Coach]

FGCU does have some advantages that a strong recruiter could use to his advantage. I think they have a very good chance to build a solid midmajor program over time. They will probably have to take some transfers and go after some kids with issues, but it wouldn't be that big of a step to rise to the top of the Atlantic Sun Conference.

[Da Coach]

Florida Gulf Coach coach Dave Balza was given a 1-year extension today by Ken Kavanagh, and will remain at Florida Gulf Coast coach through 2012.
FGCU had a bad year, but Balza was a very successful coach for FGCU in Division II for many years. He also has a couple kids redshirting and returns a lot of his current players, so they should be better next year.

http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2010/mar/11/fgcu-gives-1-year-extension-mens-hoops-coach/