Requirements met, extend Jim Les now

[BradleyBrave]

As many know, I personally had 3 requirements coming into this season to retain Jim Les as coach, they were as follows:

1.) A career coaching record above .500 at season's end
2.) Be a force in St. Louis
3.) Have a significant postseason

Well, at 12-9, it looked like NONE were possible. I freely admit that I was more than ready to look in a different direction, because it seemed pretty obvious this program was going nowhere. Well, 20 wins, a MVC title game, and an NCAA bid later, things look a lot different. Every requirement has been met - The coach reached .500 by year's end, and has surpassed it since. We made the MVC title game. We are going to the NCAA Tournament. Les has earned his place, and now must be given a contract extension.

Yes, there are concerns about the longevity of this success, and whether this is the exception or going to be the norm. Only time will give us the answer to that. However, we are all in agreement that we cannot have a lame duck staff and expect to be able to capitalize on this success. The fruits of this success won't be felt until next fall's signing period, and the season that follows that. The only way to maximize that is to secure the staff. What better time to announce it than now, on the heels of our best season and 1st NCAA bid in 10 years?

[thefish7]

Re: Requirements met, extend Jim Les now

I agree with you BradleyBrave-- though maybe it'd be better to announce it after our NCAA run is over. I think Les still has a lot of growth in him as far as coaching is concerned... but I think he's proven that he did grow a bit. Next year will be tough with all of the important seniors that are graduating and maybe a bit of a rebuilding year. But, we need to follow success with success in the years after.

[Grassman]

I am pleased to hop on this bandwagon. I too, was ready for a dump Les campaign, in January!
Now it is obvious, a 3 year extention is mandatory!
Get er done It will help recruiting.
Right now, we have a lot to sell! Do not handicap Jim Les.

[BradleyBrave]

It's really a no-brainer to me. As I said in earlier posts on this subject, it's a performance business. We weren't performing then. We are now, big time.

[SFP]

Put me on the bandwagon, also let's give him some more tools to recruit. 4 years would go a long way in helping!

[TheAsianSensation]

2 months ago, everyone wanted his head on a stick.

Funny how things change.

[BradleyBrave]

2 months ago, everyone wanted his head on a stick.

Funny how things change.

I don't think anything has changed. We demanded a winner, plain and simple. 2 months ago, he was 10 games under .500 for his career, we were struggling to stay out of the play-in game, and any postseason was a pipe dream. It was the 4th year of such occurences. You tell me what feelings weren't justified. Losing isn't acceptable. I think even Jim himself would tell you that. We're not losing anymore.

[Big Mike]

I wonder if it hasn't already happend..........and maybe their just waiting for the right time to let it out..........JL is going to work for Bradley for a while and I for one am all for it! They really need to get it out.........but remember what KK said last month when a rumor was out on an extension........we are a private institution and it's nobody's business? The recruits know what's going on and that's all that matters?.....to me things rings out.......that it's already done?