If Heath is Gone, Remember this Name

[WilsonHog]

http://goairforcefalcons.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/bzdelik_jeff00.html

It may become important.

[WindyCityHog]

http://goairforcefalcons.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/bzdelik_jeff00.html

It may become important.

YES.

The guy has brought the Air Force Academy out of...well....nowhere.

I'll take him.

[jkstock04]

I'll need to be able to pronounce his last name before I can rememeber him.

[BigE_23]

http://goairforcefalcons.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/bzdelik_jeff00.html

It may become important.

Everyone seems to have already anointed Gillespie, but there are other guys out there that would do great at the UA. I've watched this guy's teams, and I'm always impressed. In my opinion, if he can have the success he has at the AFA, then he could turn our situation around in only 1 season.

[hogtusk]

I don't think we will go to a Mid Major for a coach, we have one now.

[Hogtropolis™]

http://goairforcefalcons.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/bzdelik_jeff00.html

It may become important.

YES.

The guy has brought the Air Force Academy out of...well....nowhere.

I'll take him.

Remember, not too long ago a guy named Stan Heath brought Kent State out of...well...nowhere.  Are we sure we want to go down that road again?

[Unibarber]

Two words:  Steve Shields
He's earned a chance.

[BigE_23]

I don't think we will go to a Mid Major for a coach, we have one now.

This guy's not just a first year mid-major coach, I think you need to read the bio again. His resume is alot more impressive than 1 cinderella year at Kent State.

[jkstock04]

I don't think we will go to a Mid Major for a coach, we have one now.

Thats what I was thinking.  Maybe we should stop going after the experimental coaches just to save a buck.  I like Stan Heath, but when he gets the boot, I think we should go after a big name guy.  Isn't that what colleges commited to winning do??

[Winner]

http://goairforcefalcons.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/bzdelik_jeff00.html

It may become important.

Everyone seems to have already anointed Gillespie, but there are other guys out there that would do great at the UA. I've watched this guy's teams, and I'm always impressed. In my opinion, if he can have the success he has at the AFA, then he could turn our situation around in only 1 season.

any coach that comes in will have a great season next year with the talent on campus.  the question will be can they keep the talent coming in.

[BigE_23]

I don't think we will go to a Mid Major for a coach, we have one now.

Thats what I was thinking.  Maybe we should stop going after the experimental coaches just to save a buck.  I like Stan Heath, but when he gets the boot, I think we should go after a big name guy.  Isn't that what colleges commited to winning do??

Eddie Sutton came from Creighton, Nolan came from Tulsa. Both coaches from mid-majors and I'm pretty sure they did OK.

Don't think that a good coach can't come from a mid-major program just because we made one bad hire.

[Winner]

I don't think we will go to a Mid Major for a coach, we have one now.

Thats what I was thinking.  Maybe we should stop going after the experimental coaches just to save a buck.  I like Stan Heath, but when he gets the boot, I think we should go after a big name guy.  Isn't that what colleges commited to winning do??

thank you.  stop gambling.  it's like betting a longshot horse.  the reward is greater but you don't usually get it.  take the sure thing, and pay for it.  like we did with Van Horn, and amazingly, he's got Arkansas in the Top 5.

[WindyCityHog]

A poster PMd me and asked a good question....

Is the "z" silent in the last name.

I have heard both....anyone know?

[Winner]

I don't think we will go to a Mid Major for a coach, we have one now.

Thats what I was thinking.  Maybe we should stop going after the experimental coaches just to save a buck.  I like Stan Heath, but when he gets the boot, I think we should go after a big name guy.  Isn't that what colleges commited to winning do??

Eddie Sutton came from Creighton, Nolan came from Tulsa. Both coaches from mid-majors and I'm pretty sure they did OK.

Don't think that a good coach can't come from a mid-major program just because we made one bad hire.

there's probably plenty that would do great.  but my thinking is, why risk it?

[football17]

Sorry for those who hate women's basketball, but if Susie Gardner is indeed gone and White and Bev don't give Joe Foley at UALR a chance, then they have no sense whatsoever....

[hogtusk]

I don't think we will go to a Mid Major for a coach, we have one now.

Thats what I was thinking.  Maybe we should stop going after the experimental coaches just to save a buck.  I like Stan Heath, but when he gets the boot, I think we should go after a big name guy.  Isn't that what colleges commited to winning do??

Eddie Sutton came from Creighton, Nolan came from Tulsa. Both coaches from mid-majors and I'm pretty sure they did OK.

Don't think that a good coach can't come from a mid-major program just because we made one bad hire.

It is kind of like a 2-star or 4-star recruit, both have a chance at being great but your odds are better with a 4-star.

[jkstock04]

I don't think we will go to a Mid Major for a coach, we have one now.

Thats what I was thinking.  Maybe we should stop going after the experimental coaches just to save a buck.  I like Stan Heath, but when he gets the boot, I think we should go after a big name guy.  Isn't that what colleges commited to winning do??

Eddie Sutton came from Creighton, Nolan came from Tulsa. Both coaches from mid-majors and I'm pretty sure they did OK.

Don't think that a good coach can't come from a mid-major program just because we made one bad hire.

Good point.  But why should Arkansas be the school to give these up and comers a chance to show what they can do?  Why take the gamble?  Let some other school find out if they really are a good coach, while we go after someone who has already proved himself.

If they are truely commited to winning in basketball.....unlike football, they'll go after a proven winner and quit screwing around with the up an comers.

[razorpimp]

I just don't believe that Bill Self will come here.......I think that guy from AFA would be a good fit here.  He makes his players play hard....so..so long: Townes and the rest of our lazy players.

[BigE_23]

I don't think we will go to a Mid Major for a coach, we have one now.

Thats what I was thinking.  Maybe we should stop going after the experimental coaches just to save a buck.  I like Stan Heath, but when he gets the boot, I think we should go after a big name guy.  Isn't that what colleges commited to winning do??

thank you.  stop gambling.  it's like betting a longshot horse.  the reward is greater but you don't usually get it.  take the sure thing, and pay for it.  like we did with Van Horn, and amazingly, he's got Arkansas in the Top 5.

Hiring Heath was a huge gamble, we hired him after his FIRST season as a head coach of a mid-major program.
But look at the hire Tennessee made with Bruce Pearl, was that a gamble?
West Virginia made a "gamble" by hiring Beilein, and it has paid off.

Here's the bottom line, some of these coaches that you call "gambles" have, at the present, built better programs than what we have right now, I just don't see those guys as gambles.

Are you telling me that you wouldn't be excited if the coach of Southern Illinois came here?
Look at the passion and hustle those 6'8" post players play with, what could coach Chris Lowery do here with the Talent we have and the facilities we have?
I think we need to take a long hard look at we are calling a "gamble"

One bad hire doesn't mean that there aren't great mid-major coaches out there.

[Hollywood_HOGan]

Maybe we can set a New and Distinctive path for Men's NCAA basketball.   We go and Get the Best Woman to coach our boys. 

if those kids won't listen to heath, how are they going to listen to a woman?

Not being sexist, its just the way things are.

[hogsanity]

I want a coach who realizes that guard play, ABOVE ALL ELSE, determines success or failure in college bb right now. 

[blueshog2001]

Wilson, can you describe his style of play and coaching?

[Hollywood_HOGan]

no doubt there are some good mid major coaches out there but some coaches are just made to coach at the mid major level.

Dana Altman is a good mid major coach

Stan Heath is another good mid major coach.

However i think Chris Lowrey (SIU) would be a very good fit here at arkansas. His team is rated in the top 15 and he's been there a while if im not mistaken.

[Unibarber]

I change my mind.  We should pay for the best we can get while we still have a chance at a coach that remembers the national championship.  

[Hollywood_HOGan]

I want a coach who realizes that guard play, ABOVE ALL ELSE, determines success or failure in college bb right now. 

before Nolan left there were a TON of fans screaming for some good big men.

We have those but they just aren't coached very well.

But you do have a point.  A team with good guards will take you a looooong way. A good example is Nolan's 00 team. We really struggled and got beat up inside but that team full of guards exploded and took 4 games in 4 days.

Thats the last time i felt really good about the basketball program.

[Jaison Black]

http://goairforcefalcons.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/bzdelik_jeff00.html

It may become important.

YES.

The guy has brought the Air Force Academy out of...well....nowhere.

I'll take him.

Remember, not too long ago a guy named Stan Heath brought Kent State out of...well...nowhere.  Are we sure we want to go down that road again?

JB has been at Air Force for more than one year. He has some of his own players in there now. He has also been a head coach in the NBA.

Stan had one good year with a team that had been to the NCAA tourney the year before. That team should have gotten deeper the next year with all the returning starters they had and another year of experience.

[hogsanity]

I want a coach who realizes that guard play, ABOVE ALL ELSE, determines success or failure in college bb right now. 

before Nolan left there were a TON of fans screaming for some good big men.

We have those but they just aren't coached very well.

But you do have a point.  A team with good guards will take you a looooong way. A good example is Nolan's 00 team. We really struggled and got beat up inside but that team full of guards exploded and took 4 games in 4 days.

Thats the last time i felt really good about the basketball program.

People wanted GOOD big men because they ASSUMED that was the problem with Nolans teams, but the problem was poor shooting guards, which limited the ability to press. 

The 00 sect is a great example.  Dean, Gipson, Cleveland, heck all the guards, were unconscious shooting for 4 days. 

Look at the "mid majors" that make runs in the NCAAT.  95% of the time they win the battle of the guards. 

[Bacon The Saddle Again]

What about Lickliter the Butler head coach?

[BigE_23]

I want a coach who realizes that guard play, ABOVE ALL ELSE, determines success or failure in college bb right now. 

before Nolan left there were a TON of fans screaming for some good big men.

We have those but they just aren't coached very well.

But you do have a point.  A team with good guards will take you a looooong way. A good example is Nolan's 00 team. We really struggled and got beat up inside but that team full of guards exploded and took 4 games in 4 days.

Thats the last time i felt really good about the basketball program.

People wanted GOOD big men because they ASSUMED that was the problem with Nolans teams, but the problem was poor shooting guards, which limited the ability to press. 

The 00 sect is a great example.  Dean, Gipson, Cleveland, heck all the guards, were unconscious shooting for 4 days. 

Look at the "mid majors" that make runs in the NCAAT.  95% of the time they win the battle of the guards. 

Remember this discussion come March, I PROMISE that every one of the teams that make the sweet sixteen will be teams that have a good point guard that can take care of the ball, and At least another guard that can shoot. Success in March is always contingent on good guard play, and that will never change.

[Dr Swineglove]

I want a coach who realizes that guard play, ABOVE ALL ELSE, determines success or failure in college bb right now. 

before Nolan left there were a TON of fans screaming for some good big men.

We have those but they just aren't coached very well.

But you do have a point.  A team with good guards will take you a looooong way. A good example is Nolan's 00 team. We really struggled and got beat up inside but that team full of guards exploded and took 4 games in 4 days.

Thats the last time i felt really good about the basketball program.

Good points.  We were also screaming for 'classy,' 'rebounding', 'fundamentals,' and 'good recruiter.'  Heath either is or coaches all the above; unfortunately, he is also not a good motivator.  I think we had a low opinion of good motivators during the ugly divorce from the Richardson era.  Oh, how we'd like to have our good motivator back (which, by the way, I take as synonym for 'good head coach' or a coach who gets the team to play hard, not the sort of backhanded compliment Nolan always thought the term implied).

[Buk69]

Why not lure Eddie out of retirement?

[BigE_23]

What about Lickliter the Butler head coach?

The list of good mid-major coaches can go on and on. There are plenty out there and I think it would a mistake to not consider them just because we got burned one time.

By the way, I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that I think when it's all said and done Stan Heath will coach again and will be successful, I think he was in over his head when we hired him and he's been struggling to survive ever since. I think he'll eventually land at another mid-major program and will do well.

[fanofthehog]

Reggie Theus, New Mexico State.  Nolan style ball, energetic coach who has pulled NMSU out of a deep hole.  He is a coach that isn't scared to get up in a ref's face from time to time.  Also, he is cocky as heck, I like that in a coach. 

[Hollywood_HOGan]

I want a coach who realizes that guard play, ABOVE ALL ELSE, determines success or failure in college bb right now. 

before Nolan left there were a TON of fans screaming for some good big men.

We have those but they just aren't coached very well.

But you do have a point.  A team with good guards will take you a looooong way. A good example is Nolan's 00 team. We really struggled and got beat up inside but that team full of guards exploded and took 4 games in 4 days.

Thats the last time i felt really good about the basketball program.

People wanted GOOD big men because they ASSUMED that was the problem with Nolans teams, but the problem was poor shooting guards, which limited the ability to press. 

The 00 sect is a great example.  Dean, Gipson, Cleveland, heck all the guards, were unconscious shooting for 4 days. 

Look at the "mid majors" that make runs in the NCAAT.  95% of the time they win the battle of the guards. 

no doubt
back in the old NCAA basketball days it was all about the big man

Here in the past 15 or so years its been about the guard. Mainly point guard.
If a team gets hot from three, they can pull off some upsets and beat some good teams.

These teams like Bradley, Valpo, Mason, UWM, Kent State etc etc all have (or had) good solid fundamentally sound guards who can handle the rock and stroke it from three.

Usually your NCAA champion will have a really good group of guards also

[oldbooniehog]

No More "up-and-comers" from mid-majors.

No. Stop it. Now.

Lay out the long green and go buy a quality, proven D-1 head coach.

oldbooniehog

[razorpimp]

no doubt there are some good mid major coaches out there but some coaches are just made to coach at the mid major level.

Dana Altman is a good mid major coach

Stan Heath is another good mid major coach.

However i think Chris Lowrey (SIU) would be a very good fit here at arkansas. His team is rated in the top 15 and he's been there a while if im not mistaken.

I think this year is Lowery's third year at SIU......but the team he inherited had been to 2 straight NCAA tourney's before he became head coach.  So he didn't exactly build the program, but he has taken what was there and made it better....

I like him to.....I don't think we need a proven head coach to come in here.....we just need a head coach that knows how to coach and light a fire under these player's butts.  We have the talent, just need some fear put in them.  I think Lowery is the right fit.

[Pignominious]

I don't think we will go to a Mid Major for a coach, we have one now.

Thats what I was thinking.  Maybe we should stop going after the experimental coaches just to save a buck.  I like Stan Heath, but when he gets the boot, I think we should go after a big name guy.  Isn't that what colleges commited to winning do??

This guy isn't a mid major coach.  His credintials are impressive.  He has 5 years of head coaching experience, which includes 3 years in the NBA.  He has won at Air Force for two years in a row.  In my book he's a winner. 

[Razorod]

http://goairforcefalcons.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/bzdelik_jeff00.html

It may become important.

Do you know something? Please say you do.

[Razorod]

a true up-and-comer.

I know many are nervous about getting a coach from one of the mid-majors. But remember, both Heath and Nutt were only at their resective universities for ONE season prior to coming to the UA. There are plenty of solid coaches out there who could do a great at the UA if given a chance. I think the guy at Air Force may well be one of them. In addition to his experience at the Academy, he was a head coach in the NBA. The key issue for him would probably be recruiting.

[Karma]

Wilson, can you describe his style of play and coaching?

I'm not Wilson, but I've watched them play and its a bit of a slow down game. Of course, that may have more to do with winning with his current talent than anything. Also, they only average 1 point a game less than we do this year. Of course I think that says more about us than them.

A buddy of mine in Boston said BC coach Al Skinner will be looking to move after this year. He's been a winner in a tough conference. What do you think?

[Razorod]

Pesonally, never been impressed with Skinner coached teams. Would get us back to tourney, but not much more than that in my opinion.

[TMc]

We are going to go after a name coach and will spend the money (within reason).., no more up and comers and betting on the come.

[ASUHog]

How about Dickey Nutt?

[Mister_BS]

Jeff Bzdelik (pronounced Buzz-DELL-ick), the Air Force coach, is known for tough defensive teams that look to run and shoot the 3.

Air Force is still running a halfcourt version of the Princeton offense that was put in here in 2000 by Joe Scott, who returned to Princeton when that job came open after the '04 season.

I covered the game in November when Air Force beat Wake Forest by about 36 points. They looked to run and hit a bunch of 3s.

Bzdelik was the Nuggets coach from 2002-04 after spending 1988-2001 in the NBA with three teams as an assistant or scout.

Bzdelik is rumored to be a top candidate for the Colorado job, whose coach has resigned effective end of the season.

[Space Man]

Sorry for those who hate women's basketball, but if Susie Gardner is indeed gone and White and Bev don't give Joe Foley at UALR a chance, then they have no sense whatsoever....

Joe Foley is the best coach in the state, and I am not talking about just women's basketball. 

[Space Man]

a true up-and-comer.

I know many are nervous about getting a coach from one of the mid-majors. But remember, both Heath and Nutt were only at their resective universities for ONE season prior to coming to the UA. There are plenty of solid coaches out there who could do a great at the UA if given a chance. I think the guy at Air Force may well be one of them. In addition to his experience at the Academy, he was a head coach in the NBA. The key issue for him would probably be recruiting.

You can not lump coaches into one category based on previous coaching levels.  Billy Donavon came from Marshall, and most of the great college coaches, such as Nolan came from mid-majors. 

[PintailKiller]

Two words:  Steve Shields
He's earned a chance.

NO way.  He's not up to the caliber of previous UALR coaches such as Mike Newell - Mr Suntan or Porter Moser.

[joshUARK]

I've always heard his name pronounced:
Bizz - del - ick

I think he'd be an outSTANDING hire.