I'll admit the firing from Illinois has been a big factor in how I view BW. So I'm trying my best to imagine we hired him after his really good five years at SIU. Would I feel differently?
Actually, I think I would. I could kind of buy in to many of the pro-one-more-year arguments. Bad apples that had to be sent packing. Some freshman talent. Hopeful recruits coming in.
But his time at Illinois and the striking similarities to what is happening now at K-State do indeed exist. Bruce went a remarkable 28-4 in the Big 10 his first two years. Over the next seven years he went 61-61
Year 5 at Illinois and year 4 at K-State are mirror images. Bruce finished year 5 at Illinois with a 16-19 overall record and 5-13 (9th place) in the Big 10. Many Illini wanted him fired. But he stayed on and recovered to 24-10 and 11-7 (T 2nd) the next year. His team lost in the 1st round of the NCAA tourney. Excellent! The ship has been turned around! Not so much. He followed that with conference records of 10-8 (5th), 9-9 (T4th) and 6-12 (9th) his last three seasons. Then he was fired. After nine years. Nine freaking years.
Do I believe he can elevate us to a middle of the conference team? Absolutely. Is that good enough? Unfortunately, in my opinion, he will be just mediocre enough to be our coach for nine years as well.
Actually, I think I would. I could kind of buy in to many of the pro-one-more-year arguments. Bad apples that had to be sent packing. Some freshman talent. Hopeful recruits coming in.
But his time at Illinois and the striking similarities to what is happening now at K-State do indeed exist. Bruce went a remarkable 28-4 in the Big 10 his first two years. Over the next seven years he went 61-61
Year 5 at Illinois and year 4 at K-State are mirror images. Bruce finished year 5 at Illinois with a 16-19 overall record and 5-13 (9th place) in the Big 10. Many Illini wanted him fired. But he stayed on and recovered to 24-10 and 11-7 (T 2nd) the next year. His team lost in the 1st round of the NCAA tourney. Excellent! The ship has been turned around! Not so much. He followed that with conference records of 10-8 (5th), 9-9 (T4th) and 6-12 (9th) his last three seasons. Then he was fired. After nine years. Nine freaking years.
Do I believe he can elevate us to a middle of the conference team? Absolutely. Is that good enough? Unfortunately, in my opinion, he will be just mediocre enough to be our coach for nine years as well.
