Bohn has choices playing in his backyard

Saracastic or insincere as this might sound, Ricardo Patton has done the next head coach at Colorado some big favors.

For one, he leaves better-than-average talent for the new hire in Richard Roby, Xavier Silas, Jeremy Williams, Kal Bay and Jermyl Jackson-Wilson, no matter how many bad habits he allowed them to develop, especially on the defensive end.

He also leaves his replacement with no place to go but up as the Buffs are a longshot to win 10 games this season.

With those two presents, almost anyone will be a hero in year 1. Throw in the kicker that the new kid in town will be the anti-Patton and well, that's all a good start for a new day in CU basketball.

Kyle Ringo's article in the Daily Camera on Sunday took a deeper look at one of the most-mentioned candidates in the search, Denver Nuggets' assistant Mike Dunlap. Interesting read for one main reason -- it focused on his people skills, something that many I've spoken to say Patton lacks and doesn't care much about.

I've also been told that Dunlap is highly-respected in the basketball world, maybe more so outside of Colorado than inside the state. Along with former Nuggets' head coach and current Air Force commander Jeff Bzdelik, Dunlap is the hot property to replace Patton for many fans.

Both are outstanding candidates and would likely instantly instill the structure that the program has long been deficient in and sorely needs.

I can only assume CU athletic director Mike Bohn has tremendous peripheral vision and is not limiting his interest to Dunlap and Bzdelik, which would be shortsighted (see Neuheisel, Rick). For such an important and yes, critical hire, few should be disqualified without an FBI-type background check on them first.

The Black and Gold Truth file on Dunlap says he would be the best basketball hire the school has made since it has followed the program (Bill Blair days). Bzdelik's appointment to the position would earn an equal endorsement.

For starters, those are heart-beating names to hear as potential leaders and more so when you believe those two men are sincerely interested.

Want more on Dunlap, take a look at Ringo's blog, right here.

Like the rollercoaster ride that isn't ready to stop yet when you're sick, this season rolls on, not allowing fans to get off, but when it does, there should be room for mass optimism.

Bohn really can't go wrong. The only question is how right can he get it with his hire.

Truth