Report of Jim Les firing

[TheAsianSensation]

I imagine they wouldn't make this move without a clear idea of what the coaching search will go like.

I'm not worried about finances. Good coaches are good coaches. There are good expensive coaches and good cheap coaches. Just find a good one and everything solves itself.

And remember, the answer on if it's a good hire or not won't come in the next few weeks, but in the next few years.

[Murph]

Rumors of SM, TB and WL walking away...

Its too bad they're going to do that but I guess we can finish last without them too.

[Stryker]

Rumors of SM, TB and WL walking away...

dang it. I do not want to see any of them leave..........argh.

[DjhIrish]

Others have told them the same, so obviously they don't care, and the only thing that matters is having their way.

The only person I do not feel sorry for is Jim. He'll be paid fully for 3 more years, and I have no doubt he'll land on his feet. But a move like this will burn a lot of bridges, with financial supporters, with players, and with former Bradley players.

That is the perfect statement to some this all up. Well done Coach. Let the silly season begin. Time to head for an afternoon cocktail!
Will post if i get a comment from the guy i'm trying to get ahold of. Won't quote him by name. But I'm sure many will figure it out later.

[amckillip]

dang it. I do not want to see any of them leave..........argh.

Agreed, I had heard a couple more rising stars and a recruit would be gone as well. I guess we'll wait and see. At least I'll be able to watch wherever Sam goes next year and root for them too.

[theBUer]

I think the task of finding a new person to patrol the sidelines is not going to be as arduous. For me anyway, there are benefits to taking a job here. The fan base is dedicated, the team has a storied history, good academics and growing enrollment, good foundation of players to build upon and develop, new facilities and centrally located.

I have faith in JG, the AD and the trustees in finding an ideal candidate. The men's basketball programs stirs the drink of the athletics program, and is one of the top things that puts the university on people's minds.

[BUBrave28]

I didn't want to see Jim go for various reasons. I also think that we will have some great candidates who are interested. My fear is that: 1. they find out about our dictator and decide this isn't the place for them 2. The dictator goes against whatever choice emerges as the favorite to put her "Stamp" on the hire 3. We don't pony up to get the best candidate available.

We need to get this done, and quickly, so that whoever the new coach is can come in and make his pitch to current players/recruits. Once he knows if anyone/who won't be here he can hit the recruiting trail and maybe grab a couple guys for next season.

I'm very cautiously optimistic about the program's direction. I think the next few weeks will decide our fate for the foreseeable future in a lot of ways.

[BradleyBrave]

But a move like this will burn a lot of bridges, with financial supporters, with players, and with former Bradley players.

We will see about that.

[amckillip]

I didn't want to see Jim go for various reasons. I also think that we will have some great candidates who are interested. My fear is that: 1. they find out about our dictator and decide this isn't the place for them 2. The dictator goes against whatever choice emerges as the favorite to put her "Stamp" on the hire 3. We don't pony up to get the best candidate available.

We need to get this done, and quickly, so that whoever the new coach is can come in and make his pitch to current players/recruits. Once he knows if anyone/who won't be here he can hit the recruiting trail and maybe grab a couple guys for next season.

I'm very cautiously optimistic about the program's direction. I think the next few weeks will decide our fate for the foreseeable future in a lot of ways.

Sums up my opinion entirely.

[Rusty 54]

The person we have been trying to get ahold of to confirm, has already said if they fire JL now, that he will never give them another dime. And he has A LOT of dimes in his pocket that have been given to BU. Only 1 guy, but that kind of $ makes people put their ears up.

This is pretty sad to me. I would hope that the decision to keep or fire a coach would be based on a number of things, including winning, recruiting, player behavior, classroom performance, money, and how the boosters are feeling. Obviously not all of those are equal.

[BradleyBrave]

I didn't want to see Jim go for various reasons. I also think that we will have some great candidates who are interested. My fear is that: 1. they find out about our dictator and decide this isn't the place for them 2. The dictator goes against whatever choice emerges as the favorite to put her "Stamp" on the hire 3. We don't pony up to get the best candidate available.

We need to get this done, and quickly, so that whoever the new coach is can come in and make his pitch to current players/recruits. Once he knows if anyone/who won't be here he can hit the recruiting trail and maybe grab a couple guys for next season.

I'm very cautiously optimistic about the program's direction. I think the next few weeks will decide our fate for the foreseeable future in a lot of ways.

Why would we want to get this done 'quickly'? I think it should be done thoroughly with the utmost care and consideration. I would anticipate nothing happening before the Final Four, as that's when many candidates are interviewed. Les wasn't hired until April, and was still able to get nearly all of the current players to stay.

Not that it matters, but the moderators on the Illini Premium Board says he hears that our top choices are two 'big time' program top assistants. Take it FWIW.

Onward and upward. We had great years with each of our last 4 coaches. We can be great again.

[DjhIrish]

Agreed, I had heard a couple more rising stars and a recruit would be gone as well. I guess we'll wait and see. At least I'll be able to watch wherever Sam goes next year and root for them too.

Sam is graduating and would have only used the redshirt for Jim. He is going on to start a career and probably will be a coach somewhere sooner than later. IN MY OPINION.

[MacabreMob]

Good luck Jim!

[SaintLouBrave22]

But a move like this will burn a lot of bridges, with financial supporters, with players, and with former Bradley players.

So, what you're saying is that the whole Once a Brave Always a Brave motto only really matters if you always get what you want?


I guess I see it differently and see things as maybe all parties involved should listen to the next coach before they decide to turn up their nose and run for the hills...


Then again I would also be the one to keep an assistant to bridge the gap to the next guy, either Willie or Platt...

[amckillip]

Sam is graduating and would have only used the redshirt for Jim. He is going on to start a career and probably will be a coach somewhere sooner than later. IN MY OPINION.

Sam will be playing D-1 ball next year. BOOK IT!