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Woelk: Bzdelik made decision for good of team
F or a variety of reasons, Xavier Silas just never fit in to Jeff Bzdelik's system.
As a result, Bzdelik pulled the plug earlier this week, dismissing Silas from the Colorado basketball team.
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Folks who follow the program even relatively closely were surprised -- mildly -- only by the timing.
The general consensus for the last few weeks, at least since Bzdelik benched Silas for the entire Kansas game, was that Silas would not return to CU next year. The easy road for Bzdelik would have been for him to simply leave Silas languishing on the bench until season's end.
But instead of waiting until the last buzzer, Bzdelik ended the misery on both sides. He did the politically incorrect thing -- but the right thing -- by turning Silas loose now and allowing him to begin the process of finding another place to continue his career.
No doubt, the move raised a few eyebrows. Silas was not in trouble, either academically or in any way legally. He also becomes the fifth player on the team Bzdelik inherited a year ago to be pushed out the door before his eligibility at CU had expired.
Now, Bzdelik's critics arewondering whether CU's head coach has become too capricious in his decision-making process. There are those who wonder if his moves are, in the words of a fellow scribe, "against the fundamental mission of the university and the athletic department."
The answer is "No."
When a coach is hired, it is expected that he (or she) will do things honestly --meaning he will not cheat. It is expected that he will require his student athletes to succeed in the classroom. It is expected that he will require his student athletes to be good citizens by instilling the virtues of integrity, discipline and teamwork.
Those are part of any college coach's job description.
And, in a day and age when college athletics are a multi-million dollar business, when two programs (football and men's basketball) are asked to produce enough revenue to support at least a dozen non-revenue producing programs, a coach's No. 1 requirement at a Division I school is simple:
Win.
Do not confuse expectations and requirements. A coach today can fulfill all of those expectations and still be fired in a heartbeat if he does not meet that most important requirement.
The process of meeting that requirement sometimes means making decisions for the greater good of the team.
Bzdelik dismissed Silas, in his words, "In the best interest of the future of Colorado basketball."
Translation: Bzdelik decided that Silas' presence would be more of a detriment than a benefit. If Bzdelik is indeed supposed to look out for the good of the entire program -- meaning all the players, not just one -- then it is up to him to make those decisions.
Players becoming unhappy under a new coach is by no means a new phenomenon. One need only remember that a handful of players left football coach Dan Hawkins' program after the first year. It happens every time there is a coaching change, particularly when a program is downtrodden.
There is also this fact: Bzdelik did not recruit the players he asked to leave. If this kind of trend would continue over the next couple of years -- with players that he recruited -- it would be a fair to ask whether he is adhering to the expectations incumbent upon all head coaches.
But today, Bzdelik has been asked to rebuild a program. He has been charged with the task of looking out for an entire team, not just one player.
Obviously, he felt strongly enough about Silas' presence that he believed a change was necessary -- and at the same time, he sent a strong message.
Bzdelik will win or lose his way. In the words of old-time coaches, "my way or the highway."
Whether Bzdelik's "way" is the right way remains to be seen. The gut feeling from this corner hasn't changed since the day he was hired: Bzdelik will win, and he will do it the right way. He will teach discipline and teamwork, and he will be successful.
But the bottom line today is that he made a decision based upon his analysis of what would be good for the entire program. That means every player this year and those that he has given scholarships to for next year.
If one player was indeed more of a detriment than a benefit, Bzdelik did the right thing.
Posted by barney56 on February 24, 2008 at 2:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Another load of tosh from America's most overrated sports columnist!
Bzdelik's dismissal of Silas was all about ego - Jeff Bzdelik's ego that is!
When a coach is desperate, he makes desperate moves. That's what the Silas dismissal smacks of - desperation by a man who has clearly lost his team's respect.
And don't give us this baloney about Silas having more time to find another school to play for. Bzdelik could have just as easily told Xavier privately that he wouldn't be playing much more this season and ought to think about transferring. Instead, Bzdelik tarnished the kid and hurt his "marketability" as a transfer. The real problem is with Bzdelik - but he has instead tried to make everyone think the problem is with Xavier.
A cynical ploy by a desperate coach who shows us all what a small "man" he is!
Bzdelik told the sycophant media (that means you, Neill) just a few days ago that "I cannot coach effort." Well then, could he please return that portion of his $800k salary which requires a Division-1 coach to do exactly that??? Certainly, a middle school or high school coach realizes that his players' effort on the court is at least 50% of his job description!
Perhaps someone should also clue Bzdelik into the fact that effort stems from hustle drills in practice, the pregame talk, game strategy (to mention a few), but most of all from the "BELIEF AND TRUST" which each player has (or has not) in the head coach!!!
Posted by NC2ABOUND on February 24, 2008 at 7:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Barney56 - I see you are choosing to post your groveling half truths here as well as other sites. Get over it, you are still sore that your close relative is not on the team anymore. Bzdelik is doing everything he can to make a winner and if you have watched even one game - you cannot help but see he is coaching effort but there comes a point where tough decisions can/must be made for the best of the team. Bzdelik is a winner, professional, and cares down to the core for kids and the program... GO BUFFS
Posted by extrapoint on February 24, 2008 at 7:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
We all knew from the very beginning that bringing Bzdelik's style of play, that was successful in a culture foriegn to Boulder, like Air Force, was going to be initially very stressful.
And, I'm sure the private conversation suggested by Barney above, did take place.
The system employed by Bzdelik requires every single player on the floor working together as a unit. This is the only kind of basketball I enjoy(ed) as an ex-player or a current fan. I am glad we are (we are, arent we?)giving it a chance here in Boulder.
In the mean time, I would suggest Barney go grab some Nuggets tickets where he can get his fill of forced shots, virtual D, traveling and clear out - one on one hoops.
Posted by WhosYourDaddy on February 24, 2008 at 8:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It's too early to tell, but my guess is that Bz will do fine. The centerpiece of his offense is having a big that can pass and shoot: and he just doesn't have that now. Next year, when the kid from Wake Forest can play we'll see a different game.
Also, it's good to see Beckley get some minutes. He moves very well for a big guy.
Posted by roscoebuff on February 24, 2008 at 11:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
There's a reason, Barney, why you wear a purple suit and dress up as a dinosaur year round.
That would be because, ahem, you are an idiot. Bzdelik didn't tarnish any kid. If you have ever played for or coached a winner in your life you know two traits that any leader or role player should have: an ability to sacrifice himself or his statistics AND be a positive influence to teammates.
Silas did none of the above. If you watch basketball and have seen the Buffs play at all the last two years you would see with your own eyes that Silas has always had a poor attitude and hasn't exactly been hungry on the defensive end. What he does like to do is look the part of a player (All-Airport Team for sure) and jack up ill-advised shots, barreling out of control in the lane and making mistakes. I didn't like Xavier ever since the Wyoming game of his freshman year when he panicked in the waning seconds and had his pocket picked while burying his head toward the floor dribbling --- erstwhile a wide open Richard Roby was waiting for the ball at the top of the key. Because James Silas is his dad little X thinks he's entitled to stardom and to play on his own.
With new recruits coming in and Xavier a to-be junior next year, Coach Bz was smart enough to see this kid can't lead with words or by example. He's expendable and his porous attitude isn't worth having around. Why should the coach want him? A marginal talent isn't worth the headache. Cory Higgins is the perfect example of a kid with lineage and pedigree but who understands the game --- time, situation, roles, and mismatches. Xavier's bball IQ is akin to Vince Young's score on the Wonderlic. This was a smart move done for the right reasons, for both Xavier and the future of the team.
The kid has an attitude problem despite what he or Barney wrote in a press release. Bzdelik is staying true to his guns to run his system with the type of team mantra required to win consistently. We'll see how often Barney chimes in come 2009 and 2010 when the buzz is about Bz.
In the meantime, stick to educating pre-schoolers about what you know, Barney. We all know and can tell it isn't basketball.
Posted by barney56 on February 24, 2008 at 5:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
roscoe, I suggest you get off the pipe and clear your mind.
The point is - and you are missing this completely - Bzdelik could have accomplished the very same thing without taking it all public. He simply benches Silas and tells him privately he should look for another school. INSTEAD, Bzdelik shames the kid publicly and hurts his chances to transfer to a high D-1 school. WHY? Because Bzdelik is an EGOMANIAC.
Put that in your pipe and smoke it.
Posted by roscoebuff on February 24, 2008 at 6 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yeah, that would be a winning formula and stroke of coaching genius, Sizzlechest. Tell a kid "quietly" to start looking for another school in the middle of the conference season and keep him on the team, especially an athlete who already has an attitude problem and a chip on his shoulder.
Bzdelik didn't owe this kid anything.
Less you forget, college hoops and programs are run by the coaches, not the players. Coaches have more control in bball than any other D1 sport, running their own programs and making decisions for the betterment of what they are trying to accomplish. It isn't the NBA, Nitz, so the players don't have any asset to leverage other than a year-to-year scholarship.
Mark my word: Xavier Silas will take his herky-jerky game, weak handle, erratic jumper, and lazy defense to a top tier Division 1 program --- and still average 8-11 pts a game and be a 40 percent career shooter. Bzdelik didn't hinder the kid's chances one bit. He hindered himself with a lazy work ethic, me-first attitude and an overall lack of ability. If his last name wasn't Silas and daddy's jersey wasn't hanging from the rafter's in San Antonio, he'd be playing at North Texas or Northern Illinois.
Just the facts, Babay.
Posted by barney56 on February 24, 2008 at 9:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Another mentally vacuous posting, roscoe!
In your twisted world, a kid's talent on the basketball court is all that matters. What about respect for him as a person? Bzdelik showed him none!
A good coach is able to work with his players, motivate them, adjust himself and his system to the talent he has available. Bzdelik is apparently a failure in those areas, so he instead makes Xavier the scapegoat for the team's string of losses.
Ask yourself this: If the Buffs weren't on a losing streak, would Silas have been dismissed?
And SHAME ON YOU for running down Xavier's game in a public forum! Coaches are fair game, it comes with the territory, but going after a player the way you have is completely out of bounds.
Posted by Ralphie2 on February 24, 2008 at 10:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Unfortunate situation for all. Best to "X" and best to the Buffs!
Posted by coereg on February 24, 2008 at 11:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Xavier is a young kid who has made some mistakes, and apparently pushed too many buttons with Bzdelik. Whether he should've been let go or not is not my place. But to be honest, it didn't suprise me with everything that I have heard and seen.
However, I know that Xavier was looking at a way to get a transfer at seasons end. This is something that was on the horizon. I wonder if he maybe approached Bzdelik with that ... maybe even threw it in the coaches face (considering his recent benching, and less focus on playing time), and it maybe blew Bzdelik away- you know?
I understand that X had some run-ins with fellow players, and the coaching staff, and did kind of have a me-me approach. But that still isn't quite enough to just let a player go. There is something here -that none of knows about- that caused this to go down.
AND I DON'T VIEW COACH BZ AS THE TYPE TO JUST FLY OFF THE HANDLE. HE'S A GOOD, LEVEL HEADED COACH. HE'S NOT A BOBBY KNIGHT TYPE, AND HE'S REALLY HERE TO MAKE THIS PROGRAM AS GOOD AS IT CAN BE.
Posted by barney56 on February 25, 2008 at 12:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
A level-headed post from coereg... Question for you : Why didn't Bzdelik give Silas more than "two minutes" to explain his decision? More of the Air Force "my way or the highway" mentality? Is this coach the right fit for Colorado?
Posted by extrapoint on February 25, 2008 at 7:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
amother level headed post? They all look level headed to me. You are the one with your hair on fire, Barney. What is your comnection?
All coereg did was throw in behavior off the court that matches his behavior on the court.
And if you dont think any "private" conversation ever went on you are a fool.
Bzdelik has been given a ramshackle D1 program to turn around and you want him to babysit spoiled headcases? We have our Barney lover on the football side....Dr Tom et al al al.
Do we have a jilted Patton lover here? or just another twisted troll?
Posted by JBuff on February 25, 2008 at 8:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If it's true, it's unfortunate that Bz gave Silas the heave-ho in a 'passing' conversation - if it's true.
The only real 'stick' to motivate any player to do better in team sports is to have someone waiting in the wings to replace them. I think Bz is trying to do that but did it clumsily.
Also didn't Patton have an extraordinary high number of players, he recruited, leave the program? Didn't he drive them out faster than any other coach? We're not talking players bolting to the NBA either. Give me Bz over the horrible Patton any day.
Posted by gkups on February 25, 2008 at 10:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
hi, thats not the problem their losing its lucille barry and charles johnson. they need to be replaced! barry the mouth! johnson not a good fit!
Posted by WhosYourDaddy on February 25, 2008 at 11:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
With his father's connections Silas will have no trouble finding another program.
Posted by localbuff on February 25, 2008 at 11:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't post or read too often, so I don't know the history of barney56, but I do know this...he has a point. Right now Bzdelik is coming across like he cannot handle college-age players.
I've heard people say "a coach has to have his own guys to succeed". Hmmm...doesn't seem to be an issue at Kansas St and Texas A&M (who both have brand new coaches). And why then does Air Force suck? Clearly those guys have to be considered "Bzdelik's players"?
As to JBUff "didn't Patton have an extoradinary high number of players leave" The answer is yes, but Bzdelik has gotten rid of 6 players in less than 6 months. Nothing like that ever occurred under Patton (not saying Patton is a great coach, just saying the exodus of players under Patton pales in comparison to what we've seen from Coach Dik in just one season). And remember, if these players don't go on to get a degeree it counts against CU and could cost scholarships in the future.
Also, gkups - God you are so right about Ceal Barry commentary - she does NOT stop blabbering!
Posted by WhosYourDaddy on February 25, 2008 at 12:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Caleb Patterson will be the next guy to go. Walk-ons are playing more minutes than he is; and he just isn't the shooter/passer they need in thise offense.
Posted by extrapoint on February 25, 2008 at 12:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Maybe handling NBA players disillusioned him, but I would think after the NBA, handling college players would be as pleasureable as eating ice cream.
We needed to get rid of Patton....I don't see any disagreement there.
We also hired Bzdelik, and if there was any opposition at the time, it was minimal.
And the guy is the coach. let him blow the whislte for a resonable amount of time, anyway.
Why does airforce suck?
Maybe because Bz is nor there anymore.
KState has Michael Beasley, who was probably recruited by Huggins, who is a big name in the college game.
CU is not going to get any Michael Beaslys soon so Bzdelik is going to have to have "his" players to produce a winning record.
Posted by localbuff on February 25, 2008 at 5:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Agreed (for the most part) extrapoint. I guess I just wasn't all that big a fan of the Bzdelik hiring in the first place, and now I'm liking it even less (and not for wins and losses - the guy just seems like a bit of a jerk, like when he came here only after citing a list of his demands that would have to be met for him to accept the job).
But, I'll have to trust that Bohn knows what he's doing and hope I'm wrong on this one in the long run.
Posted by extrapoint on February 25, 2008 at 5:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You maybe right about him being a jerk. No reason to dispair though. Bobby Knight is a jerk and he won games and graduated players. Doubt seriously if Bz is on the same jerk level as Knight.
Posted by cuav8er on February 28, 2008 at 6:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Localbuff extrapoint sort of addressed your why questions. When Turgeron left Wichita State he stepped into a team that has a high level of talent from starter to bench, we don't have that at CU (Bz is trying to change this). Your Air Force why can be best answered like this. Most of the team from last year graduated and they are now rebuilding just like CU except that they have an even harder job trying to bring in recruits because of the military commitment after graduation.
Posted by ZIPPO on February 29, 2008 at 10:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Since when is a coach excused from having to coach effort, attitude, aptitude, etc? Maybe the AF Academy has a better brand of player but every Div I school is filled with kids who have been told they are "great" for years.
Seems a bit bush league to get your butt kicked by TT and then unload on a kid who has no record of discipline, legal, academic, social issues.
Seems a bit low class to give some kind of cryptic no comment comment. What happened coach? Shoot straight.
In any event, give the kid his release and cut him loose.
Posted by extrapoint on March 3, 2008 at 7:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
the cryptic, no comment comment is most likely in deference to Silas.
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