Comments on: Colorado’s Jeff Bzdelik to Wake Forest

By: jack

jack — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 04:15:19 +0000

The season has progressed and Wake is at the bottom. I think that the powers to be really have second thoughts
about hiring Bzdelik without utilizing a serch committee. The importance of selecting a new coach for a known
basketball team should entail more than just someones gut feelings. Remarks like that just open question after
question in the minds of everbody concerned about Wake(fans,alumni,players,coaches,donors etc.). Let’s
hope for the best but I see more negatives than positives.

By: deacfan

deacfan — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 20:48:33 +0000

Some people are “glass half empty”.

Big, BIg, Mistake firing Gaudio. We are now in a time where players will be at schools 1 or 2 seasons and jump to the NBA. No one is giving Gaudio credit for recruiting, Wake had 3 first round picks over the past two seasons. RECRUITING is everything. Fans want to see exciting players. Who cares about ‘xs” & “Os” when a James Johnson stuffs the basketball. Wake should have been grateful and thanking Dino Gaudio for a great 1st three years. I think Andrew’s comment is telling “Wake just vaulted themselves to the back of the pack in the ACC”

By: Andrew

Andrew — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 17:46:12 +0000

I think Wake just vaulted themselves to the back of the pack in the ACC and they’ll likely be going through this whole coaching search thing in 2-3 years, likely at the same time they begin looking for a new AD.

And, with all this coaching turnover in the ACC, how the hell is Paul Hewitt still employed?

By: Jeff

Jeff — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 11:29:35 +0000

Everyone knows in this economy, you look to buy low and expect a payoff down the road. For example, buying real estate may be a great option right now. I think Wellman knows that it’s the right time to hire Bzdelik, that Bzdelik has the necessary variables that fit with Wake Forest. Wake Forest offers solid recruiting, loyal fan base, and solid academics. What it was missing was the brain trust to make the chess moves on the court, to teach the “x’s” and “o’s”. I can’t tell you how many games Wake would have won this year if the team had just spent more time learning the fundamentals of free-throw shooting. I did not see one iota of improvement throughout the season. As a child, I went to basketball camps in NC, and I know that it doesn’t take that long to learn a) bend your knees, b) hold the ball the right way, c) placement of fingers, d) follow through and spin with arms out-stretching towards the rim. I didn’t see any improvement, and I think the team shot in the 60s percentage wise when they need to be nearer 75%.

I’m playing my trust in Wellman. The recruits need to understand that learning and upgrading skills is important. Look at Tim Duncan. He developed skills at Wake, and look where it got him. If Wake recruits stay, if Coach Bzdelik can really, and I mean realy coach by putting in a running style of play and using Princeton type offense only sparingly during half-court situations, if the Wake screamin’ Deacs give this a chance, then we may have something good here.

By: Fred

Fred — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 07:32:58 +0000

There’s no other way to spin it…Gaudio got a raw deal…in this day of “one and dones”, what Gaudio has accomplished at Wake was pretty remarkable…coaching VERY young teams and going to the dance the past two years AND has a 75% winning percentage?…hiring a coach that was 36-58 over the past 3 years in a weak conference?…Wellman has not class or loyalty…Good Luck Wake…you’re going to need it!!

By: John Chis

John Chis — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 03:24:25 +0000

Quitter!!!!!!!
Wake Forest will just be another stepping stone for the man who has quit two jobs in CO before his job was done. If WF does not win in the first two years he will be off the the next highest bidder.
Godspeed Buzz

By: JR

JR — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 00:43:55 +0000

And I would be surprised if it ended the Skip Prosser classic. It should continue and I hope it does. Win-Win for all involved. RPI booster most years, chance for a quality win and raising money for charity.

By: JR

JR — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 00:42:52 +0000

As a WFU alum, I think I am in the minority when I say I think this may be a good hire. Many fans are irate about it and wonder how his slightly above average rate tempo (110th ranked last year) will translate to the ACC. I think that as long as the recruits stay this year, he will be an upgrade over Dino since he has the x and o’s mentality (something Dino sorely lacked) If he loses some recruits and Wake has a poor season, people are going to call for Wellman’s head. Should be an interesting few weeks with the spring signing period).

The one thing everyone seems very incensed about? His age. This seems to be a quick fix with an unproven coach instead of given a young coach (Shaka Smart, etc) a chance to prove himself. I think fans would have been happier with a young mid-major coach instead of Bzdelik.

This hire could blow up in a few weeks if Terrell, McKie, Desrosiers, etc go elsewhere. If they stay, it could prove to be a great hire.

By: Milbarge

Milbarge — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 21:50:27 +0000

I wonder if this will spell the end of the Skip Prosser Classic game between Wake and Xavier.