MVC coaches contract extensions

[Da Coach]

UNI's Ben Jacobson gets a contract extension through 2029-

https://unipanthers.com/news/2021/7/1/mens-basketball-jacobson-signs-contract-extension-through-2029.aspx

A couple weeks ago, Missouri State's Dana Ford was given a 2 year contract extension that runs through the 2024-25 season-

https://www.news-leader.com/story/sports/college/msu/2021/06/18/missouri-state-basketball-dana-ford-given-two-year-contract-extension/7718917002/

For the record, the last reported contract extension for Bradley head coach Brian Wardle was 3 years ago and extended his contract through the 2022-23 season-

https://bradleybraves.com/news/2018/3/27/mens-basketball-brian-wardle-receives-contract-extension-through-2023.aspx

Is it time to extend his contract again?

[PhiAlphaBoy]

For the record, the last reported contract extension for Bradley head coach Brian Wardle was 3 years ago and extended his contract through the 2022-23 season-

https://bradleybraves.com/news/2018/3/27/mens-basketball-brian-wardle-receives-contract-extension-through-2023.aspx

Is it time to extend his contract again?

Last season was not a good look for Wardle and he did nothing to deserve another extension...yet. If Wardle can right the ship this season he would deserve to be extended. If not, he'd probably deserve to go into a final season as a lame duck and have to earn that extension.

[lb071964]

So winning the MVC tournament for the first time in 31 years and then winning it back to back for the first time since the 50’s doesn’t count for anything?

I agree last year was disappointing but his body of work deserves an extension in my opinion. In the new world of NCAA recruiting it’s difficult enough without having a Head Coach in a lame duck year.

I understand other opinions but I would extend him now. By the way can anyone name the last Bradley Head Coach to move on to a higher level job and wasn’t fired by Bradley?

[Da Coach]

.... By the way can anyone name the last Bradley Head Coach to move on to a higher level job and wasn’t fired by Bradley?

Forddy Anderson (1948-1954) is probably the correct answer, though there have been a couple other coaches who left voluntarily to take other jobs. Anderson coached Bradley through some of their greatest years, and was hired away by Michigan State in 1954 after leading Bradley to his second National Championship game in 4 years.
The next Bradley head coach was Bob Vanatta (1954-1956). Though technically he left on his own in 1956, there was reportedly pressure put on him to leave because Bradley fans were used to a winning program, and he went 9-20 and 13-13 in his two seasons at Bradley. He left Bradley to take the head coaching job at Memphis State. Memphis State (now Univ. of Memphis) was not really a "higher level job", though they were a program on the rise. He went on to a long and successful career in coaching and as an AD.
The next head coach, Chuck Orsborn (1956-1965), retired from coaching in 1965 to become Athletic Director at Bradley.
Joe Stowell (1965-1978 ) was fired in 1978 after 3 straight losing seasons in the MVC.
Dick Versace (1978-1986) was offered only a 1 year contract in 1986 after going 32-3, but was told it would not be renewed beyond that. It was a bit insulting and would have handicapped Versace's ability to recruit, so he left to take an assistant coaching job in the NBA.
Subsequent head coaches Stan Albeck (1986-1991), Jim Molinari (1991-2002), Jim Les (2002-2011), and Geno Ford (2011-2015) all were fired.

[bradleyfan124]

So winning the MVC tournament for the first time in 31 years and then winning it back to back for the first time since the 50’s doesn’t count for anything?

I agree last year was disappointing but his body of work deserves an extension in my opinion. In the new world of NCAA recruiting it’s difficult enough without having a Head Coach in a lame duck year.

I understand other opinions but I would extend him now. By the way can anyone name the last Bradley Head Coach to move on to a higher level job and wasn’t fired by Bradley?

I totally agree. Last year was an exception to the total time he has been here and the success Bradley has had since he took over. I see great things ahead for Bradley based on the foundation he has built

[Dub]

=Is it time to extend his contract again?

I’ll trust Dr Reynolds on the timing, but as to the merit of an extension for Wardle, it’s an EMPHATIC yes from me. And make it as long and as lucrative as possible.

[Tommy]

I’ll trust Dr Reynolds on the timing, but as to the merit of an extension for Wardle, it’s an EMPHATIC yes from me. And make it as long and as lucrative as possible.

I agree. Last year was an anomaly with the COVID restrictions on practicing, no crowds, weird scheduling. Wardle's is a great coach, but last year they took away the ability to do just that. Hopefully this year gets back to normal and we find our way back to the top. I believe Wardle is the best coach we've ever had and I expect another MVC championship this year, but then, I expect that every year.

[PhiAlphaBoy]

I believe Wardle is the best coach we've ever had and I expect another MVC championship this year, but then, I expect that every year.

Better than Versace? Better than Molinari? I like Wardle but I'm not sold on a "long and lucrative " contract extension just yet. I also trust Dr. Reynolds but would be inclined to wait until at least just before the start of the MVC season for that extension.

[Tommy]

Better than Versace? Better than Molinari? I like Wardle but I'm not sold on a "long and lucrative " contract extension just yet. I also trust Dr. Reynolds but would be inclined to wait until at least just before the start of the MVC season for that extension.

I would say yes to both of those. If Wardle had Hersey Hawkins, they'd probably go undefeated, but I can definitely see your point from the other side of the argument. Just my personal opinion on pure coaching, I think Wardle is the best mostly because recruiting to mid-majors is a much different atmosphere than it was in the 80's and 90's, so I think it's difficult to compare the two.

[PhiAlphaBoy]

Good points Tommy. I hope Wardle puts this all to rest in the coming years when he gets Bradley back to the Promised Land.

[Tommy]

Good points Tommy. I hope Wardle puts this all to rest in the coming years when he gets Bradley back to the Promised Land.

Amen to that!

[Dub]

I’d say he’s actually pretty much a mix between Mo and Versace. He’s got Mo-like integrity, character, and discipline and Versace-like drive and competitive fire.

[lb071964]

Coach has a contract through the 2024-2025 season not 2022-2023.

[Da Coach]

Coach has a contract through the 2024-2025 season not 2022-2023.

That's great to hear. There must have been another extension since the last report of him signing this extension in 2018-
Bradley extends Wardle through 2022-23 season

https://www.pjstar.com/sports/20180327/bradley-extends-wardle-through-2022-23-season