Thank you Dr Husak and Coach Bayno

[LIONS90045]

I want to thank Coach Bayno and Dr Husak for bringing excitement to LMU basketball. On the whole, Bayno was great even with his departure so early in the season. I enjoyed seeing him coach in only two games – the intra squad scrimmage which went to overtime before I don’t know which team won but we did have 4 players in double figures including Chris Kanne in that event. And the win over Hope International – thanks to Hope for giving our guys a good workout. Bayno brought excitement to the fans, brought us DuBois, Amstead, Young, Hamilton, Davis and Viney and next year Kalpinde (sp??) and Garibay. Who would want to go back at this point with these kids (even with an injury laden roster) playing so well in recent games? Thanks Coach Bayno! And thanks and best wishes to Coach Good (whom Bayno also brought) for keeping this team playing with spirit in light of the odds!
Incidentally, we are not the PAC 10, the Big Ten, the Big East, or the ACC. Bayno would have fit well in those environments (without comment on his capacity to endure the cost of building a team to win) but really Max Good and Myke Scholl are better fits here and will do us proud in our future.
Go Lions! And lets give those Gonzaga guys something to think about!

[ironlions]

Let's wait till we have a winning season before we thank anyone.

[lmu2008]

this thread comes out of left field

[crazycagegirl]

I know. I wasn't sure if I was supposed to take it seriously or not.

[oldestlion]

Check your diet before posting, Iron. If you have already taken your anger pills, delay for a few hours.

[ironlions]

Oldest, we have a long long way to go before we start handing out "thank yous". There is no reason to personally attack me.

Go Lions

[smc4]

Heckuva job Bayno!

[LIONS90045]

I'm glad I got some interesting responses.
Left field - well yes I am a Democrat.
Serious, yes indeed. If you attended the games last season, you'll recall when LMU was pressed (and the word got out to full court press LMU), the team thought it was a victory to get the ball over the mid court line! But then did nothing with it on their end of the court. We had very limited aggressive play on the offense. And the team did not progress over the season, ending with weak late season play.
Personally, Rodney Tension seemed like a very nice guy; I liked his style - self-disclipined and in control. But his winning seasons came with Aggers' players, including Worthy and Knight. And his 2009 recruits were three high-average guards when we needed help in the front court.
In contrast, the present team has played through rough times - I have been there with them - but now the freshmen know what they are capable of, our injured players (except Sutton) will Redshirt and Ashley Hamilton will have 4 years eligibility remaining and Tim Diederichs 3 years and they'll both be stronger and more mature next season.
Davis and Viney and the new recruits will be here and we will have turned around the team. And it would not have happened if Bayno had not come. I may be an optimist, but this is my vision and we would not be here without Bayno's short tenure.
I admit, three years with Bayno with his recruiting and coaching style would have produced great results. My guess is that Bayno probably would have drawn offers he could not refuse from bigger time schools where Bayno would have gone on to greater achievements - if only he could have dealt with his personal demons. We all have them to some degree and I can only wish Coach Bayno well in the future.
And the team now believes in itself - you can see it in their play. They have always played hard and motivated ball and now things are coming together but we don't have the bangers inside to keep up.
Wait until next year. Go Lions.

[stonewall]

I appreciate the sentiment, and do hold a very modest hope for the future, but this is taking the term "silver lining" to whole new level.

Kind of like thanking President Hoover for that wonderful Great Depression, 'cause hey, it gave us a chance to revamp our banking system, build some character as a nation and without it, we never would have gotten such a fine successor in FDR!

[oldestlion]

That's not a personal attack, Iron, just some advice from someone who cares. I've been through the same thing before.

We do owe a degree of thanks to Bayno for bringing in better caliber players and to Max for getting the most out of them, whether or not we are winning. What was the alternative?

You are the one that got me drinking the Kool Aid - now take another deep slug - we will be better, and win. Relax - it's a long way until next year.

[crazycagegirl]

Honestly, I'm not trying to sound like I'm a Debbie Downer, but I'm soooooooooooooooooooooooo tired of hearing, "We'll do better next year...."

[LIONS90045]

The remainder of the season will be difficult. We have a chance to beat SF at home but I'm not sure we can compete with the others on the schedule. Regarding next year, let's see. I can hardly wait!

[t]

Being a bit of a traditionalist (I mix my Manhattans with Rye Whiskey) I’ll reserve any thanks and praise to the ruling junta and cartel of coaches until, I don’t know…say, someone other than a current senior graduates or LMU is extended an invitation to play in the NIT…whichever comes first.

[ihatehusak]

Very nice. I did not know that Husak posted on this board. The only question is why do you use the name wrschnicke? Please come out and use your real name so we can identify you as the worst AD in Division I. Congrats Bill, your decisions continue to drag LMU's major sports lower and lower and lower. You are a disaster. Max Good is nothing more than Steve Aggers "Gym Rat" good with X and O's. No chance in the recruiting arena for mid tier division I prospects. 3 year contract....nice work Husak. Start speculating on our next coach because it won't be long!

[ironlions]

Hmm why don't you use your real name ihatehusack...could it be you lionspride?