Woelk names names, Daytripping

There it is, that name again.

It keeps popping up.

Mike Dunlap.

Jeff Goodman of FoxSports.com mentioned it. Mike DeCourcy of The Sporting News said it too.

Could the former Metropolitan State general turned Denver Nuggets' assistant be the next head coach at Colorado, replacing the departing Ricardo Patton?

Neill Woelk of the Daily Camera thinks it might be possible.

However, Woelk believes former Nuggets' head coach and Air Force's Jeff Bzdelik is the front runner for the opening, according to the story in his newspaper today.

Others Woelk mentioned were Fort Lewis' Bob Hofman, Southern Illinois' Chris Lowery, which is another name that comes up frequently, and Duke assistant Steve Wojciechowski (what is it with those Duke coaches' names; spelling-bee mania).

Here is the the Black and Gold Truth rundown on those candidates. Not handicapping the race here, just being the wise-guy Italian and speaking my mind, you know?

Bzdelik

BGT: A winner, no doubt and would have credibility from his association with Pat Riley, his NBA experience and his success in Colorado Springs but you don't think negative recruiting wouldn't be used as to the style of play he used in Denver and at Air Force? Could he overcome that challenge? He's good but something tells me he is not athletic director Mike Bohn's type -- young, vibrant, people person with some pop to his coaching style.

Dunlap

BGT: A guy who invokes strong feelings one way or another. Some think he would be a perfect match while others dismiss him due to his lower-level experience and doubts about securing talent. Bohn hired Dan Hawkins, didn't he?

Hofman

BGT: Little credibility outside the state, too old on top of that for the demands of this job, and well, the longest of longshots. Not happening.

Lowrey

BGT: Interesting idea. He played, he has been successful, coaches hard, his teams play hard, and is reportedly very charismatic. Could be a Bohn-type guy.

Wojo

BGT: What Duke assistants have come close to resembling their mentor? Tommy Amaker started fast at Seton Hall but has not quite made Michigan a power. Mike Brey is a solid coach who has Notre Dame playing at a high level this season but he isn't a household name. Quin Snyder had initial success and then got kicked to the curb at Missouri. David Henderson at Delaware? Who?

Another longshot. No head coaching experience. Maybe he could rock Bohn in an interview but highly unlikely he would be invited to Boulder in the first place to do so.

Bottom line...of the names in Woelk's piece, and he's one terrific writer, Dunlap and Lowery would seem most like Bohn picks and the most attractive candidates.

NOTE...later on today, a post with quotes from the best local minds on topics such as Adrian Peterson, Bobby Knight and more.

thebgtruth@yahoo.com


Daytrippin' on Sims, Colt, Knight and Saban


Questions floating, answers needed, the streets hit.

Ran into friends, with something to say.

Does Oklahoma's superlative running back, Adrian Peterson, stay in school to break legendary Billy Sims' school-rushing record, contend for the Heisman Trophy and play for big team goals, or, does "All Day" decide the money is where it's at in the NFL draft?

"He's going. This year should have taught him how fleeting it call can be. The risk of injury is too great in football. Not turning pro could cost him millions."

Kyle Ringo, Daily Camera


Colt -- what a name for a quarterback. This Texas signal caller, Colt McCoy, 29 touchdown passes and just seven interceptions in his freshman season, the first year for UT after Vince Young. Is this six-shooter a Longhorn legend in the making or, you know, a nice player who simply had a bust-out year?

"I think it's a little early to hang 'legend in the making' on him. After 2005, legendary Texas quarterbacks always will be measured against Vince Young.

Young Colt has a ways to go before he reaches those heights but he did very well in year 1 as a starter. There's no doubt he'll be a very good player before he's done in Austin."

B.G. Brooks, Rocky Mountain News


Bobby Knight's record for all-time wins -- do people really want to celebrate him and his achievements, especially compared to an easier guy to like and admire, Dean Smith and does the public even respect Knight and his methods, especially in this day and age?

"People in most quarters respect what Knight's done to get to 880 wins (and counting) because of his reputation for playing by the rules, graduating players and because he's so good at coaching the fundamentals of basketball.

The fact that the player at Texas Tech and his parents came out in defense of Knight after his most recent "incident" put it into perspective and made ESPN look like sensationalists for playing the clip over and over and over.

But most of all, Knight's got respect because he does something this culture is so infatuated with -- he wins. Let's face it, Bobby Knight may be a bully, he may have a temper, he may have an ego to match those outsized character traits, but he's back in vogue."

Mark Collins, BuffaloSportsNews.net


Nick Saban to Alabama -- probably a great move for the Crimson Tide's fortunes on the football field but how much credibility does the man have now with his players when he shows he will up and leave them at any point. He did it at LSU and two years later, did the same to the Miami Dolphins. How can Saban sell a player on sticking it out at Bama when things aren't going well, when the player is frustrated? How does he convince a player to remain in school for another season and not turn pro? Can Saban be taken seriously, especially when he seemed less than honest about his interest in the job in Tuscaloosa?

"I don't think he'll have any trouble with the players. He made a pretty impassioned speech about his love for college football and a contract like he got tells recruits he'll be there awhile. He won't have any trouble with potential recruits until rumors of the next NFL gig start popping up.

"I think the interesting thing to consider here is that Alabama may not be the great job its' perceived to be. (Dennis) Franchione left there for (Texas) A & M. Would any of us considered that a 'step up' before?

"I think Saban will do to Bama what he did to LSU and Michigan State. After a few years, he'll bolt for greener pastures...probably back to the NFL. He has to look at that as unfinished business. That's more of a problem for the school, boosters and fans than for players, who themselves come and go.

This is a great move for Alabama (if they had not gotten Saban, who would they have gotten?) for the short term. Then again, it's tough to look at any college coach these days as being 'long term.' After Fisher Deberry, they'll be Sonny (Lubick) leaving some time, (Bobby) Bowden and (Joe) Paterno, too.

As for the bigger names, I see (Pete) Carroll, (Bob) Stoops, (Bill) Callahan and (Charlie) Weis all going to the NFL at some point. Time$ have changed."

Mark Knudson, Mile High Sports Magazine