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I think we should start a grass roots movement to get Versace back. It could be great for all parties involved. Regardless of what BU's record would be he would bring excitement and perhaps relevance to himself and this drowning program.
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I talked to Dick at length just a month ago. As much as we'd all like to see Versace back coaching, and he'd do a great job, he is 74 years old now and happily retired. For that and for one other key reason that most could guess, there is no possible way he'd take the job, even if we offered him double Geno's salary. -
It sounds like he is still interested in coaching (EIU a couple years ago), he likes the area, BU comes begging, wouldn't his ego cave and he could take over the Hilltop again.Comment
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When you take a look back at what Dick did for BU, it is pretty impressive. He knew much more about basketball than at times, he was given credit for. In addition to knowing the game, he was a great teacher of the game. He had tremendous teaching/communication skills from being an English/Literature teacher in high schools. When Jim Les transferred here from Cleveland State he was not a great shooter. Dick and his staff turned him not only into a great shooter, but also a great passer. Times and rules have changed since "Dixie" was here. He use to bring kids in from junior college after their freshmen year. Now they have to complete 2 years and get an associates degree before transferring. Also, with many new academic standards in place by the NCAA, some of the players he recruited as freshmen would not be eligible now. The Dick Versace era may have been the most successful and colorful years of all the years I've followed BU. When he was hired, everybody said "Who is he? I've never heard of him"? Ron Ferguson deserves the credit for hiring Dick. In my opinion Fergie was the best A.D. we've had since I've followed BU. It's too bad we can't change the hands of time and bring those people back. Remember how excited we all were to move to the civic center so more people could see the games and we could get better non conference teams to come here to play. Now we have a coach and A.D. that want to go back on campus. Ferguson/Versace vs. Cross/Ford.....not even close. It's embarrassing how far the program has sunk. Glasser, Cross and Ford should be ashamed and embarrassed about it.Originally posted by Da Coach View PostComment
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Unfortunately, those current people don't really know or appreciate any of that history, and what's worse, they don't care. As I have said before, I once heard one of our athletic department people say, "Bradley fans are too hung up on their past".
That pretty much sums up what the problem is and why it won't get better. There is virtually nothing about Bradley basketball that they haven't changed or tried to change (nickname, logo, mascot, arena, changing coaches, changing AD, watered down schedule, ticket price increases, removing games from TV, and all the events that don't exist any more, etc.) and none of their changes have resulted in any trace of improvement or any benefit to the fans, the few who are left.Comment
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but there was also one other HUGE factor...Originally posted by Vent View Post
Jim Les (and other players Versace recruited) had TREMENDOUS work ethic, competitiveness, and the will to get better and WIN...
We just don't see that much any more....and sure haven't seen it at all since Cellus, Tony Bennett, Will Franklin, Sammy Maniscalco, and a few others - maybe even give ya TP but nobody else lately.......
We have a bunch of softies, coddled by the system and AAU handlers, told every step along the way how great they are, how soon they're gonna be in the NBA, etc..
I posted a few months ago about a few of our own players who were tweeting about their expectations that they were gonna be in the NBA in a year or so...
seriously - think about - we're talking about kids who average 2ppg for a bad DI team and can't stay out of foul trouble.
But even if they DO have NBA dreams and aspirations - and I admire that they have those goals - it would be better to shut up about them, stop tweeting, get in the gym and get better
Anyway -- I offer this rhetorical challenge - name for me the current player or for that matter - ANY current player - who appears to be working hard to get better - to improve his shot and his shooting percentages, or boxing out or getting better defensively..
NONE come to mind - and some of our other recent players only lasted a year here and were run out because their work ethic was horrible - goofing off in practice and totally foolish & immature....thus creating the revolving door we've had every spring.
Sadly (I think even Geno knows this and keeps looking for kids with better work ethic - but the pickings are slim)....the intensity and will to win just isn't there...Comment
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Originally posted by tornado View Post
I think much of that comes from the top, and isn't necessarily instilled before they get here. It seems nobody minds losing all that much, since they will still be paid for years to come.Comment
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For those who want Geno fired, have him have a 32-3 season. Bradley will fire him.What part of illegal don't you understand?Comment
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I could not agree more!! It definitely starts at the top. It appears this team has no discipline at all. It looks like an AAU team and at that, not a very good one. I don't think these players had bad work ethics or habits prior to getting here, or they would not be getting recruited by other schools. We are bad, just plain bad.Originally posted by Da Coach View PostComment
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There simply doesn't seem to be anyone, players or coaches, who are all that intent on winning. It's like a YMCA game, they go through the motions, then they seem glad when it's over. Then they go back to whatever else they like to do. There is no pain with losing to these guys, IMO.Comment
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In the words of my brother who I couldn't agree with more: "Ford should be a man and resign."Comment
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If he had any dignity at all he would. As would the athletic director and president. The only people I feel bad for are the coach's and athletic director's wives and children. I can't imagine the stuff they over hear from fans at the game. Yes, it's part of the job, but that is the ugly side of the job.Originally posted by Braves2006 View PostComment
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Maybe, but no coach would resign with more than $2 million still owed them, and I guarantee Geno won't either. This is on the AD, who feverishly kept writing notes that he used to evaluate the last coach, but I have not seen him jotting a single thing this year or the last couple, and on the President.Originally posted by Braves2006 View Post
When is enough, enough. Time to pull the plus on this woeful disaster.
But considering Mike Cross wrote a recommendation in March, 2011 to retain Jim Les as Head Coach for another season, but was over-ruled by the University President, the onus for change now clearly rests on the one person who is most responsible for destroying Bradley basketball, and Bradley athletics. However, she won't do the right thing either, because she would be admitting her mistakes, something I do not believe "The Best President in school history" (according to some clueless people) will ever have the integrity to do.Comment
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I didn't realize that Cross wanted to keep Les for another year. I figured he was behind his firing. What did Glasser have against Les?Comment
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simple personal issues...
I think every fan who wants to make a change should sit in the stands with a pad of paper and a pencil and feverishly take notes...Comment
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