Looks like even Dan is getting tired of the entire basketball situation.

That's as pretty damning as you are ever going to get out of a beat writer. Professional, yet pointed with a few shots in at RW and Jeff Bzdelik.

http://www.journalnow.com/sports/wfu/my_take_on_wa ke/article_771d88b0-489c-11e2-83bc-001a4bcf6878.ht ml

Working link:
http://www.journalnow.com/sports/wfu/my_take_on_wa ke/article_771d88b0-489c-11e2-83bc-001a4bcf6878.ht ml

If you’re a Wake fan content with the state of the basketball program these days, well sorry, but you’re not a Wake fan.

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But disappointing as those two were, they weren’t of the really, really wretched variety like the 74-39 flogging by a Georgia Tech that won all of 13 games all season, or the 76-40 stomping Mark Gottfried, in his first season at N.C. State, administered last season. (That was the game that the Wake players didn’t need to know the offensive plays. Assistant Bobby Lutz of N.C. State spent the whole game telling them, his team and everyone else within earshot where they were going before they got there).

Even with that, the lowest of the low moments, the absolute nadir, had to be 80-55 home shellacking by N.C. State the season before. The Wolfpack finished their season at 15-16 and Sidney Lowe finished his without a job.

Fixed link.

I think the opening is well stated as is his criticism of how things are going.  I agree with him that at this point it looks highly unlikely Bzdelik will turn things around.

Appreciate the fixed link guys. Usually it does it on its own. Must not have clicked the entire hyperlink.

Chrispy wrote: Fixed link.

I think the opening is well stated as is his criticism of how things are going.  I agree with him that at this point it looks highly unlikely Bzdelik will turn things around.

The frustration that many fans feel is that it's looked highly unlikely since the first few months of Season 1.

Fantastic column, uses stats and facts to explain why Bzdelik really has no business being here

I wish we could just fast forward to March 15th past all the curb stompings to come. The search for Bz's replacement will be a fascinating thing to watch.

WakeForestIndy wrote: I wish we could just fast forward to March 15th past all the curb stompings to come. The search for Bz's replacement will be a fascinating thing to watch.

March 15th of 2014.

Good for Dan!  I appreciate what he writes for the Wake Forest community.  You can tell he really cares.  I got to know him pretty well about 10 years ago, during the hey day of the WF Basketball program.  He is a good guy!

RacerDeac wrote:

WakeForestIndy wrote: I wish we could just fast forward to March 15th past all the curb stompings to come. The search for Bz's replacement will be a fascinating thing to watch.

March 15th of 2014.

2013.  Don't get caught up in AD speak.  The guy is toast as soon as the season ends.

WakeForestIndy wrote: I wish we could just fast forward to March 15th past all the curb stompings to come. The search for Bz's replacement will be a fascinating thing to watch.

If anything at all happens, be assured we won't be watching.  This will be held as close as the Bzz hiring. I just hope that it isn't the same shoddy "search" we have already experienced.

WakeForestIndy wrote:

RacerDeac wrote:

WakeForestIndy wrote: I wish we could just fast forward to March 15th past all the curb stompings to come. The search for Bz's replacement will be a fascinating thing to watch.

March 15th of 2014.

2013.  Don't get caught up in AD speak.  The guy is toast as soon as the season ends.

This.

WakeForestIndy wrote:

RacerDeac wrote:

WakeForestIndy wrote: I wish we could just fast forward to March 15th past all the curb stompings to come. The search for Bz's replacement will be a fascinating thing to watch.

March 15th of 2014.

2013.  Don't get caught up in AD speak.  The guy is toast as soon as the season ends.

I don't buy it. Coach speak would be simple. "We aren't happy with where the program is right now, but we're behind Coach Bzdelik and believe he is going to get the job done." Instead, we get effusive praise, quotes about how we shouldn't expect good attendance in December anyway, etc, etc.

The same guy gave Dino an extension then fired him six months later.

At the end of the season, Wellman will have a decision to make about whether to fire Bz or give him an extension. Recruiting demands it because the kids he will be signing will need some sort of assurance that he will be their coach when they get on campus. An extension is out of the question given the state of the program and the mood of the fanbase.

So Bz will be fired.

WakeForestIndy wrote: The same guy gave Dino an extension then fired him six months later. 

Yeah, we've established that he's a bad AD. That said, he never praised Dino, even in his success, the way that he praises Bz in his failures.

WakeForestIndy wrote: At the end of the season, Wellman will have a decision to make about whether to fire Bz or give him an extension. Recruiting demands it because the kids he will be signing will need some sort of assurance that he will be their coach when they get on campus.

Making coaching decisions based on recruiting is part of what got us into this mess. If anything, any coach coming in is going to be handcuffed with an 8 man class (due to redshirt) and two more commitments. There's no room for new coach to move unless some kids decommit or we get some more transfers. I hate to see anyone leave, but it's probably a net benefit for a new coach to have room on the roster.

WakeForestIndy wrote: An extension is out of the question given the state of the program and the mood of the fanbase.

So Bz will be fired.

Hope so. But I have no confidence that it's the case. We're expecting Wellman to make rational decisions. Wellman hired Bz in the first place. And then he encouraged him to keep the staff that was a large part of whatever "problem" Wellman had with Dino's teams. Throw out anything approaching rationality and assume the worst.

RacerDeac wrote:

WakeForestIndy wrote:

RacerDeac wrote:

WakeForestIndy wrote: I wish we could just fast forward to March 15th past all the curb stompings to come. The search for Bz's replacement will be a fascinating thing to watch.

March 15th of 2014.

2013.  Don't get caught up in AD speak.  The guy is toast as soon as the season ends.

I don't buy it. Coach speak would be simple. "We aren't happy with where the program is right now, but we're behind Coach Bzdelik and believe he is going to get the job done." Instead, we get effusive praise, quotes about how we shouldn't expect good attendance in December anyway, etc, etc.

agree with racer. from that article, everything else wellman has said, and some insiders who have some contact with those "in the know" wellman has doubled down on bzz. he is all in. if there is ANYTHING wellman can do to keep bzz next year he does it. he needs this experiment to keep going so maybe, just maybe it turns around and makes his decisions look better.

there are only three ways bzz is gone after this season. 1 - wellman is forced to can him    2 - wellman himself is gone 3 - bzz resigns.

i can't imagine someone resigns after all he has been through knowing he will have a tough time finding any job in this profession. i am sure he would also like to be able to point to a winning record on his way out the door and say "see we fought through all that adversity and left this program on the cusp of greatness. unfortunately it's my time to retire and leave the program in good hands.

of the three scenarios i think #1 is most likely. unfortunately, option #2 is best for the long term health of wake forest athletics. no other ad in the league has as much tenure and while there are certainly positives to that (bringing in money with long term relationships for example) he is far to out of touch with today's atmosphere around college athletics to consistently field competitive teams with good coaches.

RacerDeac wrote:

WakeForestIndy wrote: The same guy gave Dino an extension then fired him six months later. 

Yeah, we've established that he's a bad AD. That said, he never praised Dino, even in his success, the way that he praises Bz in his failures.

WakeForestIndy wrote: At the end of the season, Wellman will have a decision to make about whether to fire Bz or give him an extension. Recruiting demands it because the kids he will be signing will need some sort of assurance that he will be their coach when they get on campus.

Making coaching decisions based on recruiting is part of what got us into this mess. If anything, any coach coming in is going to be handcuffed with an 8 man class (due to redshirt) and two more commitments. There's no room for new coach to move unless some kids decommit or we get some more transfers. I hate to see anyone leave, but it's probably a net benefit for a new coach to have room on the roster.

WakeForestIndy wrote: An extension is out of the question given the state of the program and the mood of the fanbase.

So Bz will be fired.

Hope so. But I have no confidence that it's the case. We're expecting Wellman to make rational decisions. Wellman hired Bz in the first place. And then he encouraged him to keep the staff that was a large part of whatever "problem" Wellman had with Dino's teams. Throw out anything approaching rationality and assume the worst.

I look at the upgrades to Groves Stadium, the new baseball stadium, the new tennis center ... I'm not convinced that RW is a bad AD.  He's not bending over backwards to appease irrational fans, but that doesn't make him bad at his job.

I don't think he had to praise Dino -- other people were doing that for him.  When the press/fans/talking heads are praising the coach, it's not like he has to come out and support him.  And, if he were getting flack from the faculty, let's say, about the academics of the team, then to praise the person who is leading the program could cause a schism on campus ... like they have at UNC.  I don't know that there was an academic issue -- just a hypothesis.  But, RW would have more reason to speak in a way to appease the faculty than to appease the fans.

When we have people offering ideas such as "revolution" to remove the coach/AD, then it behooves the AD to publicly support his coach.  Even if the replacement search has already begun.  

Not everything that is said in the press is designed to appease each of us individually.  Most of what is said is lies.  If the person has a microphone in front of them, assume they are lying.  It will save you some heartache.

RacerDeac wrote:

WakeForestIndy wrote:

RacerDeac wrote:

WakeForestIndy wrote: I wish we could just fast forward to March 15th past all the curb stompings to come. The search for Bz's replacement will be a fascinating thing to watch.

March 15th of 2014.

2013.  Don't get caught up in AD speak.  The guy is toast as soon as the season ends.

I don't buy it. Coach speak would be simple. "We aren't happy with where the program is right now, but we're behind Coach Bzdelik and believe he is going to get the job done." Instead, we get effusive praise, quotes about how we shouldn't expect good attendance in December anyway, etc, etc.

I don't buy it either which makes me worried.  Wellman wasn't just overly praising Bz, he basically lied about attendance (and IMO some other issues).  Making something up......after being called on it repeatedly......isn't just engaging in AD-speak knowing a change is imminent, it's justifying a made decision and basically acting like the fans don't matter.

Dino's quick turnaround in fate is certainly hopeful......but Bz was hired to deal with long term culture issues (Dino not) and those issues have been successful as stated by Wellman.  I think he is willing to hang his hat there. You don't go on and on and on about culture issues and have a coach that fixes those culture issues...and then sack said coach.  If he truly believes that cultural issues are what prevents us from being Butler...which is insane IMO...but nevertheless, if that's the case and those issues are resolved then he WILL believe Bz deserves a chance because in his mind Bz will become Stevens.  He's just making that "hard tough unpopular" decision Goodell style.

On top of that there are rumors that the BOD greenlighted another year regardless of what happens....at least two claiming a ~10% chance Bz gets fired.  Disturbing if true.

I personally think the heat will keep increasing because of things like that stupid interview so Bz will be gone, but at this point in time....I don't think that's the case.  If we just sit around on our thumbs and act like it's going to happen because it's all AD-speak....2014 is the correct year.

RoRo wrote:  I look at the upgrades to Groves Stadium, the new baseball stadium, the new tennis center ... I'm not convinced that RW is a bad AD.  He's not bending over backwards to appease irrational fans, but that doesn't make him bad at his job.

Ok, so he's a good fund raiser from big $$ donors during times when things are going really well for Wake Forest sports. I know a lot of great fund raisers...especially in up times. He's been pretty awful as a whole where it counts when things get tough: firing/hiring and media relations.

There's nothing irrational about the fans. The ONLY thing irrational in all of this was hiring Bz, with a career losing record, and expecting him to succeed. Why is this hard to understand? What great love for Wellman makes certain fans want to label all of the perfectly sane fans who want Bz gone as irrational?

RoRo wrote: I don't know that there was an academic issue -- just a hypothesis.

There wasn't.

RoRo wrote: Not everything that is said in the press is designed to appease each of us individually. Most of what is said is lies. If the person has a microphone in front of them, assume they are lying. It will save you some heartache.

"We're not happy with _____________, but we aren't complacent and we believe Bzdelik is the man to get the job done."

It's really that simple. That's ALL he needs to say to take care of the need to stand behind Bzdelik. The insults to fans who call in to "his" radio show, the defense of the indefensible, the multiple lies and explanations for the firing/hiring (postseason wins, culture, leaked stories meant to tear down Dino, etc, etc), the explaining away of December attendance numbers, the "couldn't be happier" and "Oh heavens yes" quotes, etc, etc are all unnecessary for accomplishing the goal you outlined. Disco Dan sees it, multiple national writers see it, most of the fanbase sees it...the only thing irrational is trying to explain away what Wellman is doing and saying as necessary. Realize you're in the tiny majority here. If you think you're the smartest man in the room, you probably aren't...or, your name is Ron Wellman.

RacerDeac wrote:

RoRo wrote:  I look at the upgrades to Groves Stadium, the new baseball stadium, the new tennis center ... I'm not convinced that RW is a bad AD.  He's not bending over backwards to appease irrational fans, but that doesn't make him bad at his job.

Ok, so he's a good fund raiser from big $$ donors during times when things are going really well for Wake Forest sports. I know a lot of great fund raisers...especially in up times. He's been pretty awful as a whole where it counts when things get tough: firing/hiring and media relations.

There's nothing irrational about the fans. The ONLY thing irrational in all of this was hiring Bz, with a career losing record, and expecting him to succeed. Why is this hard to understand? What great love for Wellman makes certain fans want to label all of the perfectly sane fans who want Bz gone as irrational?

RoRo wrote: I don't know that there was an academic issue -- just a hypothesis.

There wasn't.

RoRo wrote: Not everything that is said in the press is designed to appease each of us individually. Most of what is said is lies. If the person has a microphone in front of them, assume they are lying. It will save you some heartache.

"We're not happy with _____________, but we aren't complacent and we believe Bzdelik is the man to get the job done."

It's really that simple. That's ALL he needs to say to take care of the need to stand behind Bzdelik. The insults to fans who call in to "his" radio show, the defense of the indefensible, the multiple lies and explanations for the firing/hiring (postseason wins, culture, leaked stories meant to tear down Dino, etc, etc), the explaining away of December attendance numbers, the "couldn't be happier" and "Oh heavens yes" quotes, etc, etc are all unnecessary for accomplishing the goal you outlined. Disco Dan sees it, multiple national writers see it, most of the fanbase sees it...the only thing irrational is trying to explain away what Wellman is doing and saying as necessary. Realize you're in the tiny majority here. If you think you're the smartest man in the room, you probably aren't...or, your name is Ron Wellman.

Holy crap.  Talk about ignoring the obvious.  Nothing irrational about our fans?  There are people calling for "revolution."  Rational?  Even Disco Dan calls out the idiots on this board and the other for mocking his ties (an entire website dedicated to that), a car that I'm not sure he even drives, and he exercise routine.  Rational?

An entire message board was established because unbalanced fans suspected that the administration was spying on them ... rational?  How can they call for censorship, when all we are calling for is "revolution?"

Rational?  Please.

Read what you wrote:  you are upset because RW didn't tell YOUR lies.  Instead, he told his own lies.  It's still lies.

And, just to clarify:  yes, I am the smartest guy in the room.