If True-Thank You Jim Les

[Rusty 54]

Thank you Coach Les. You were the coach during my 4 years at BU and I don't know anyone who cared about the BU basketball program more then you did. It was a fun 4 years of basketball. CR's shot, watching AW play, a lot of great memories. I loved watching the offense in the NIT year, that was a lot of fun. No one will ever forget the Sweet 16 run.

I really wish it had worked out. Good luck to you and your family in whatever you pursue next.

Once a Brave...

[ifarania]

I always appreciated Coach's demeanor, that good character guys were a part of the program, and that you could tell how much he loved his job and the university. I understand the split, but I was one of the few on the "save les" campaign... I thought he deserved to coach Sammy's senior season and see if he could break the top four. But I appreciate his service to the university and for comporting himself with class and representing us with class.

Whatever tomorrow holds, HAIL RED AND WHITE.

[AZ BU Fan]

JL took a team, and a program, that was down and raised it up during the first decade of the new century. Took the program to great highs that will always be remembered by anyone associated with BU or the BU basketball program.

He leaves a huge legacy with his player graduates, his quality kids, a S-16 run, and the new facilities.

Perhaps the practice court or some part of the new on campus facility should receive some sort of dedication to JL for his accomplishments...The JL floor etc.

Perhaps a JL named endowment to fund a graduate assistant on the BU staff who wants to take a shot at the coaching profession, starting at BU.

I would have to guess there hasn't been another coach in modern NCAA history who took a team to the S-16 with only 4 years of any level of college coaching experience. This would have to be a record.

Good luck to JL and his family in the future.

[SFP]

If this is the end.....


I want to say thank you to Jim. In the face of so much adversity he cared more about his university and players than himself. He could have put a 50% Sammy out there this year, he could have pushed to try to rush TB back for the MVC tourny to save his job, but he didn't. He cared more for their future than his own. He made all of these young men into class adults and good students. These things mean a lot to me.

I feel so bad because he had so much bad luck. I think we were going in the right direction and had a lot of good recruits coming in. The Sweet 16 was the greatest thing I've experienced as a Bradley fan.


Thank you for everything you have done Jim Les. You are a class act. I wish you were still our coach next year, as I think great things were coming. This day is very sad for me as a fan of Bradley and Jim.

Good luck to you and your future.

Can I request no one say anything negative in this thread? Thank you.

+1

JL has been an ambassador to the University and a great role model for countless young men and women. Good luck in your next venture whatever that may be. You always did things the right way and that is where I find the most value.

[Beninator]

Hopefully turning this thread back to the positive side, I also want to thank Coach Les for everything he has done here while at Bradley both as a player and as a coach. I think that there are better things ahead for Coach Les as he handled a lot of issues off the court such as graduating players, recruiting, and community involvement to name a few the right way.

Best of luck with everything Jim

[Dallas Brave]

Unless a coach retires, most separations are messy. JL got a pretty good deal out of his opportunity to take on the head coaching job at BU. He will do OK as a result of the university having given him a great opportunity to run the program. What other D1 school would have given him the chance to step in as head coach with no coaching experience? Although he was fired, overall, JL came out way ahead. I have a great deal of respect for him and wish him the best. He is going to be OK.

Bradley will remain a fantastic institution for young men to play basketball and get their college degree. I would hope that would still be the case for potential transfers from Yuba as well as any JC we recruit in the future.

[Chico]

As soon as Coach Les was hired at BU I went to his office at the Fieldhouse and asked him to come speak at the Peoria Elks Club. As busy as he was with all his speaking engagements he always took the time, when asked, to stop by our club, once even calling from the road saying he was returning to town and would be a little late, and give us great insight into the program. One year he couldn't make it, so he had Coach Buescher attend. I will always appreciate what he did for our club. I know he recruited a few more BU fans out of there. The only regret I have living in Arizona during the Winter is missing Bradley basketball. Thanks Jim and good luck.