Report of Jim Les firing

[shaunguth]

While I don't like her, I say we let the hire speak for itself...

I agree with this.....along with the product on the court, and hopefully attendance will be much better next season.

[amckillip]

http://www.pjstar.com/news/x15121218...out-at-Bradley

Confirm'd

Haha, in other words Bobby found out from this board and had to frantically make calls so he could confirm and is trying to clean up this mess that JG created.

[shaunguth]

http://www.pjstar.com/news/x15121218...out-at-Bradley

Confirm'd

BU released that information to the press? Today?

[BUBrave28]

Haha, in other words Bobby found out from this board and had to frantically make calls so he could confirm and is trying to clean up this mess that JG created.

Ding, ding, ding!!!!

[sousaman2089]

As someone who has been a student here for 3 years, I would like to say President Glasser is an excellent face for Bradley, she's over seen a dramatic face lift for the campus and is welcoming and warm to all students. While I don't like the decision, the attacks on her are a bit ridiculous right now.

This is her biggest move so far, and she should be judged on what happens after this decision, who she hires and how that pans out.

I'm trying not to be a JG apologist, but this seems very strong.

[SaintLouBrave22]

So a player decided 4-5 years ago to come to Bradley, stay here four years, and they are somehow considered selfish for deciding to get on with their lives when a coaching change is made in year five?

Well, while they may all have their own reasons, I think it's pretty ridiculous to just up and leave before a coach is named like some have speculated...


Besides, a couple that were mentioned would either have to go DII or just up and quit...

I just have a hard time with people being ok with guys deserting their teammates, fan base, and university just because the coach got fired when he clearly was not improving the program in the present.


It really says to me more about the player in that they'd rather have someone they like leading them than someone who achieves results.


Look at Lawson at Creighton...he went from the best returning player at Creighton to their 6th man, but didn't whine or complain one bit, just played basketball, and all to be a Bluejay...


Like I said, when did it all become playing so much for yourself and a coach than the overall entity that you committed to?!

I can say that I went through coaching changes when I played...and let me tell you, if I had told my father I wanted to leave a school to go elsewhere for any reason, he wouldve told me:

You committed to this program, you suck it up, and you stick it out...it will benefit you somewhere down the road.

[pfunk880]

Everyone really needs to calm down a little.

[BUfan14]

Well, while they may all have their own reasons, I think it's pretty ridiculous to just up and leave before a coach is named like some have speculated...


Besides, a couple that were mentioned would either have to go DII or just up and quit...

I just have a hard time with people being ok with guys deserting their teammates, fan base, and university just because the coach got fired when he clearly was not improving the program in the present.


It really says to me more about the player in that they'd rather have someone they like leading them than someone who achieves results.


Look at Lawson at Creighton...he went from the best returning player at Creighton to their 6th man, but didn't whine or complain one bit, just played basketball, and all to be a Bluejay...


Like I said, when did it all become playing so much for yourself and a coach than the overall entity that you committed to?!

I can say that I went through coaching changes when I played...and let me tell you, if I had told my father I wanted to leave a school to go elsewhere for any reason, he wouldve told me:

You committed to this program, you suck it up, and you stick it out...it will benefit you somewhere down the road.

May they are being loyal to their coach because their university "deserted" their coach. I like how you use wording to make it sound like the players are disloyal, but getting rid of the coach is completely different and just fine. These kids do not need to get a message board poster's opinion on things that will have a lifelong affect on them. These are college kids building the best future possible for themselves, not professionals.

[Braveman]

Dave Reynolds just posted a blurb confirming the decision..

Wish Jim the best- he is a great guy, good friend, true to BU

[BradleyJD]

Haha, in other words Bobby found out from this board and had to frantically make calls so he could confirm and is trying to clean up this mess that JG created.

BP knew before today.

This news was in STL over the weekend. I heard this news on Friday.

[AE Braves Fan]

Like I said, when did it all become playing so much for yourself and a coach than the overall entity that you committed to?!

If a player isn't looking out for himself then he's not real smart. Many of these players are trying to position themselves to make a career out of basketball. Lawson lost a lot of money by taking this season and being a good teammate - and for what? What did it get the team? Nothing. This is a time when players SHOULD be selfish.

[BradleyBrave]

BP knew before today.

This news was in STL over the weekend. I heard this news on Friday.

So did I. This isn't some sort of shocking blindside, although that's how some are spinning it.

[Da Coach]

Official BU release-
Bradley Basketball Coach Jim Les Released Courtesy: BradleyBraves.com
Release: 03/06/2011

Jim Les was 154-140 in his nine-year career as Bradley head coach


PEORIA, Ill. - Director of Athletics Dr. Michael Cross today announced that head men's basketball coach Jim Les has been released from his duties, effective immediately.
"I want to acknowledge Coach Les' service to Bradley University," Cross said. "An alumnus of Bradley, Jim has served as head coach for nearly a decade and is an important figure in Bradley's rich basketball history."
Les completed his ninth year as Bradley head coach with a final 154-140 (.524) record, including a 74-88 (.45 mark in Missouri Valley Conference games. He guided the Braves to four consecutive postseason appearances in the middle of his tenure, highlighted by a run to the 2006 NCAA Tournament Sweet 16.
"Bradley University is committed to philosophically and competitively moving our basketball program forward," Cross said. "While changing head coaches is always difficult, this action is in the long-term, best interests of Bradley basketball, our student-athletes and the University as a whole.
"There were a number of factors that were considered in my analysis," Cross said. "This decision was made after a great deal of thought and research, and was not made lightly."
Les was informed of his release during a meeting with Cross today.
"Honoring Bradley's basketball tradition demands high expectations for our program both on and off the court," Cross said. "We have made and will continue to make significant investments in our program in order to achieve future success."
There is no timetable or deadline to hire a new head basketball coach.
"Bradley will aggressively pursue a new head coach with outstanding leadership skills, one with values that are aligned with the University's and modeled for our student-athletes. We fully expect to hire a coach who will also provide our student-athletes the opportunity for both a distinctive education and a championship experience."
A confidential national search for the next head coach of Bradley basketball will begin immediately. Bradley will be utilizing the services of Parker Executive Search, a nationally recognized firm that conducts searches for high-level athletic coaches and administrators. No further statements are anticipated about the search or candidates until the hiring announcement.

[Braves4Life]

just got off the phone with a "higher up" in the athletic dept who also has heard nothing -- so apparently this is an action between two people only, as nobody else who really ought to know does know...
interesting......it'll sure make BU look classy..............not sure why those touting who is a good BU fan seem to want BU to look so bad publicly??

The players have been tweeting..... You can't stop modern technology.

[Dallas Brave]

I am offering up my apologies to KW. You were right ... JL's days were numbered less than 20.