Kent State University President interview - some interesting words on Geno Ford

[bradleybraves1]

I would say by the fact that approximately 0.9999% of all the fans that visit here have ignored these claims is pretty darn good proof that Bradley fans are all strongly on Geno's side.

I guess we just see things differently then Da Coach. I believe in confronting bully's and liars so as to expose their motives and hypocrisy. When someone blatantly attacks my friends or "family" I'll meet their fire with fire of my own. You obviously believe in turning the other cheek and that's OK... Sometimes, I wish I could, too.

[Da Coach]

I guess we just see things differently then Da Coach. I believe in confronting bully's and liars so as to expose their motives and hypocrisy. When someone blatantly attacks my friends or "family" I'll meet their fire with fire of my own. You obviously believe in turning the other cheek and that's OK... Sometimes, I wish I could, too.

Really? I don't recall you ever standing up to the bullys and liars who lambasted Jim Les? There were lies and falshhoods posted to try to get him run out of town. There were even supposed fans who claimed to be cheering for Bradley to lose, and mocking players' injuries. Seems to me you were on the other side when that was happening.

Anyway, to paraphrase the JL-haters, all Geno needs to do to shut them up is just win. So far, 7-win seasons won't do much to quiet some criticism.

[lake Camelot]

Fight !!!

[bradleybraves1]

Really? I don't recall you ever standing up to the bullys and liars who lambasted Jim Les? There were lies and falshhoods posted to try to get him run out of town. There were even supposed fans who claimed to be cheering for Bradley to lose, and mocking players' injuries. Seems to me you were on the other side when that was happening.

Anyway, to paraphrase the JL-haters, all Geno needs to do to shut them up is just win. So far, 7-win seasons won't do much to quiet some criticism.

No, no, no, no, no! I stood up for Les. I changed my tune on him, however, in late February 2010. I supported the decision to replace him as coach. You, and many others, didn't and that's OK too. I will not ever personally bash Jim Les, nor will I ever tolerate it. I speak up in his support on occasion... when I feel it is necessary or when things cross the line. I have stood up for Sammy when some m0ron wished him injury. I don't want to turn this into a "Les thread" and stray OT... I wish him well and hope he is successful at UCD and I hope he can get back to "the big time"... and I have publicly stated that... You know that.

Regarding Geno and winning to shut up his haters... Again, I agree as I have publicly stated that. He must begin winning in 2013-14 or many (including me) will begin turning up the heat on him.

[bradleybraves1]

Fight !!!

No. I respect what Da Coach is saying and understand why he feels that way. I'm just trying to set the record straight regarding my views. I appreciate him providing me this forum.

[BeBrave]

This thread is awesome. It is nice to see some fire among Bradley fans that is not directed at each other.

Let's get Kent State on the schedule!

[Mikovio]

A few points.

1. Breaking a contract isn't immoral or illegal. Anyone is free to break a contract at any time, pay for the consequences of the breach, and the law imposes no penalty. Pro ball contracts are different because Major League Baseball will step in and prevent one team from signing away another's coaches; the NCAA has no such authority. That said, I have no idea if Ford broke anything, but if he did so what? Personally I don't care.

2. Back to back regular season titles and COY awards are good enough for me. This Kent guy harps on tournament championships, but a regular season title earned over the course of months tells me a lot more about a coach than a tournament title won by getting hot for a weekend.

3. There's no great mystery as to why Ford left. Maybe Bradley's tradition and facilities played a role, but when you offer to double anyone's salary they'll jump.

4. He should have had a team meeting with his players he was leaving before they heard it elsewhere. Maybe it wasn't his fault and Bradley/Cross was quick on the trigger by putting the press release up. Either way the next time we go through this it should be handled more delicately.

5. I think Les isn't the intended target of the people tracking his failures at UC Davis so much as those who predicted the downfall of Bradley basketball if we didn't keep him. Personally, though the Sweet 16 run was wonderful zero top-3 MVC finishes in 9 years is/was reason enough so I was glad we made the change, but I'll be tracking Les' record at UC-Davis over the next few years to see if my gut was validated. That said, I wish Les (and Ford!) the best of luck.

[LittleBrave]

Fight !!!

Man, I wanted to see one too! Bummer.
Here's the summary of what ensued in the last 3 hours or so:

BB1 and DC had some nice swings in there, a couple jabs, but no KO.
In the end, they shook hands and went back into the BU fan van together...at peace and playing cards (not WAR - maybe Go Fish) like good buds!
Will there be a rematch when things start to heat up again? People will be on edge for the next press-conference between these two, who have 2 contrasting fighting styles, both of which are quite effective.

[TheAsianSensation]

I never paid much attention to the thread.

You see, the entire MAC and their fans are more or less bitter. This should've been the premier non-BCS basketball conference in the country. They should be on par with or ahead of the MVC, MWC, and A-10. They have the fan bases, the assets, and the quality to do that.

But instead they focused on football, and their entire west division completely failed on the basketball court.

Now, the head coach of one of the top 2 programs (I think it's debatable between Akron and Kent, but you get the point) leaps from the MAC to the MVC. Now, from their perspective, they see a last-place Bradley team when we know the resources we have are closer to the top of the league. But still, the idea that MAC schools are now stepping stones to the top mid-majors, has to be infuriating to them. Losing a coach to the Big 10, fine. Understandable. But to a MVC team? The MAC was always supposed to be on the same level as the MVC. Geno leaping from a great MAC program to a great MVC program was just simply the sign that the MAC has failed completely in basketball, and fans of Akron, Kent St, and Ohio should be furious about that.

[Old Coach]

A lot of high profile people have twitter and Facebook accounts under assumed names to maintain their privacy. So taking that into consideration, this is a possibility.

I'm going to tell you that this is possible only if you believe Coach Ford to be a liar.

[tornado]

A few points.

1. Breaking a contract isn't immoral or illegal.

3. There's no great mystery as to why Ford left.
...

Very correct - contract law is civil court and there's always 2 sides, plus we have really never heard Geno's so I am amazed so many people claiming to be Bradley fans or KSU fans seem to already know something that's never been revealed - even 100% certain that no private twitter or contacts existed.
Again - with omniscience & arguments like this, then I guess we can solve the Jack the Ripper and DB Cooper cases.

And you say "double" but it's really danged near tripling of his salary.

[Buesch N Chips]

Here we go again. Going down the only road we've ever known.

[Da Coach]

Kent State fans are free to discuss this issue all they want, but I have not seen or heard from a single Bradley fan that is the least bit concerned about what went on between him and his former employer.

The original mention in this thread was just to show what an ass the president of Kent State is for dragging his one-sided personal feelings into the public. And regardless whatever happened, whether we ever know the truth or not, the statements by KSU Pres. Lefton, which were essentially unprovoked, were ridiculously inappropriate.

[amckillip]

Kent State fans are free to discuss this issue all they want, but I have not seen or heard from a single Bradley fan that is the least bit concerned about what went on between him and his former employer.

The original mention in this thread was just to show what an ass the president of Kent State is for dragging his one-sided personal feelings into the public. And regardless whatever happened, whether we ever know the truth or not, the statements by KSU Pres. Lefton, which were essentially unprovoked, were ridiculously inappropriate.

I'm a Bradley and I'm concerned about what when on between Bradley, and by extension Geno, and his former employer. Where you fire you old coach and refuse to pay him, then hire another coach, but refuse to pay his buyout, there are most definitely going to be sour grapes.

[bradleyfan20]

I'm a Bradley and I'm concerned about what when on between Bradley, and by extension Geno, and his former employer. Where you fire you old coach and refuse to pay him, then hire another coach, but refuse to pay his buyout, there are most definitely going to be sour grapes.

Bradley hasn't refused to pay the buyout. Bradley isn't on the hook for Coach Ford's buyout. Coach Ford is the person that agreed to pay Kent money if he broke the contract. And, his contention is that he does not owe the full portion. Kent's stance is he does. The court will figure that out. But, Bradley signed nothing and owes Kent nothing. Many schools agree to help a new coach with their previous buyout as terms of their agreement with the new contract. Bradley may have told Coach Ford they would help with some portion.