LMU Offers Job to Bayno

[fanblade]

Column about Bayno from Daily Breeze, somewhat negative.

www.dailybreeze.com/sportscolumnists/ci_8858628

[LMUpepbander]

I've never been a fan of Waldner. He essentially has the equivalent of tenure at the Breeze, and in this case, he's all the sudden acting like he's an expert of LMU history when the paper only has maybe 2 or 3 actual articles on the team a year. And, it's funny how he seemingly transitions from the team accepting below mediocrity to wanting to attract scandal. Pure tunnel vision on his part.

[rebelred22]

Hey guys, don't mean to be a troll but I am a UNLV graduate, and life-long UNLV basketball fan. So, naturally, when I heard the news that Bill Bayno was hired to coach your team I was intrigued to find out what you guys thought of the hire. If I may, I would just like to chime in my two cents about Bayno seeing as how I am very familiar with his coaching (for obvious reasons).

First, the good. The guy can flat out RECRUIT. No joke. He is awesome at recruiting big men especially (power forwards and centers). For those of you who may not know, he recruited Shawn Marion to UNLV. Obviously, he was solely responsible for recruiting Lamar Odem (we won't discuss the debacle that turned out to be) as well. This proves that he knows how to get big time talent to snub powerhouse programs in favor of lesser-known teams in even lesser known conferences.

As I remember the days when Loyola and UNLV were concurrent powerhouse programs I would like to see you guys get back to that level as I feel that Lon Kruger has us headed back in that general direction. The fact that you hired one of our old coaches just adds fuel to my desire to see you guys do well.

Now, for the bad. I won't even discuss his past transgressions as it pertains to alchohol, strip clubs, etc. as I feel this is obviously in his past and he has grown much since then. Instead, I will keep it solely basketball related. First, although he was masterful at landing big-time recruits he was not as savvy at a.) getting them to stay in school and b.) Fully developing them to reach their potential while under his instruction. Now, obviously and hopefully) this has changed as he has garnered glowing remarks from the Trailblazer staff and players. No doubt, his time in the NBA and overseas has probably helped him tremendously in that area.

Finally, he was not the best x's and o's coach the world has ever seen. Seeing as how he developed under Calapari this is not hard to imagine. But, again, I'm sure he has also made huge strides in this area for all the reasons mentioned in the previous paragraph.

I wish you guys the best of luck and I truly believe you got a gem in coach Bayno as I know he is more than capable of putting you guys back on the map. Good luck!

[ironlions]

Loyola Marymount
Hiring Billy Bayno could be considered a gamble since he's on the rebound from coaching at UNLV and then a stint in the NBA with the Portland Trail Blazers. But Bayno did get to the NCAA tournament with the Runnin' Rebels. He can get players. Expect LMU to be much more of a player in the WCC.

[fanblade]

Thanks rebelred22 for your input.

More positive press

www.nba.com/blazers/news/Bill_Bayno__Drawing_Star_Powe-197866-1218.html

It’s August in Atlanta at the Georgia Tech gymnasium, where Trail Blazers assistant coach Bill Bayno sweats it out three practices a day with forward Zach Randolph.

"Zach has an excellent work ethic," says Bayno. The pair works through continuous situational drills fine-tuning Randolph’s game, improving his offensive versatility and building his confidence shooting with his right hand.

A month later, a motivated Randolph returned to Portland in his best condition ever and jumpstarts the Trail Blazers season flashing All-Star capability by executing a immediate series of double-doubles.

"Coach Bayno is a good person," said Randolph. "He pushes me hard and is there for me every day. I thank him for helping me to get to where I needed to be."

Bayno clearly has a way of authentically connecting and resonating with the young Trail Blazers in a way that few can match.

Trail Blazers assistant general manager Kevin Pritchard who was once a student of Bayno himself as a freshman at the University of Kansas reflects on his proficiency, "He has a way of gaining the trust of athletes by working as hard if not harder than they do, with zero agenda in mind. He’s a basketball guy that’s all about development."

Bayno built a solid resume early in his career, mentored by P.J. Carlisimo at Seton Hall and as assistant coach under Larry Brown at Kansas, before spending seven seasons at his alma mater working with John Calipari at the University of Massachusetts.

By the age of 32, Bayno had accepted the head coaching position at UNLV and later coached the Runnin’ Rebels to four conference titles. Thereafter, he led the Yakima Sun Kings to the CBA title in 2002.

In 2005, he led Portland’s Summer League team in Las Vegas as head coach and later accompanied Martell Webster to Fort Worth, Texas last January to play for the NBA Development League. Webster returned to Portland with visible improvement and a newfound confidence fostered through Bayno’s mentorship.

With success under his belt and a knack for motivating some of the NBA’s most challenging youth, there is promise in Bayno’s ability to draw out the star quality in every player.

Pritchard concludes, "Bayno truly cares about people and he’s genuine. When you find a person like him in this business, you hold on to them tight."



and a 4/11 story from SportsHubLA blogger
www.sportshubla.com/2008/04/11/lmu-has-its-guy-bayno-gets-2nd-chance/

[dedicatedlionfan]

after reading this, I have full confidence in him! i don't know how anyone could deny Bayno. Just BAYNO!!!!

[fanblade]

ESPN's Jay Bilas gives a quick comment about Bayno

Jack - Los Angeles: What do you think about LMU hiring Bill Bayno?
SportsNation Jay Bilas: I like it. LMU is very close to where I grew up, and I think it can be a good program. Billy is experienced and has been through a lot to get to this point. I think it is a good fit. He is in a tough league, though. It will take a little while to get rolling.

[ironlions]

Nice find Fanblade.