I thought Bryce was building something special. He assembled a solid staff and proved to be a great X's & O's guy since the beginning. His shift in philosophy post Homer was evident from the start, leading a quasi-talented team (compared to now) to back to back Regular season titles.
I am a bit heartbroken (Ok way more than a bit). I really want more details (solid reporting) before I make judgments. On one hand, you could tell after Valpo did not get an at large while having potentially the best team in the History of the program, fear took over. A lot of work went into getting Valpo to this point, but it still was not enough. With obvious obstacles of difficulty of non-conference, and playing in a conference not committed to aggressive schedule practices, there seemed no end in site to the problem he faced. On the other hand, there is still a pretty talented team left if he would have stayed: Jubril, Peters (under an assumption he would return to Bryce), Smits, Bradford, Tavon, Skara, Hammink, and the possibility to fill perceived weaknesses with 3 available roster slots.
Now that Bryce is officially gone, I feel angry. I feel he left at a critical juncture of a Butler like development. Maybe I held him at too high of regard their, but it is impossible to deny the change in culture. Leaving now while leaving 3 scholarships open, while opening the door for players wanting the leave seems like a disrespectful move for a person I believed held his Alma Matter to a higher regard. Additionally, if Roger Powell has been convinced to go along, this hurts Valpo's recruiting to the highest degree, as he opened the door to the Chicago market.
I need facts to deter me from the rollercoaster of emotions I feel at this moment. Until their is some clarity, it is hard not to feel terrified for what is to come.
I am a bit heartbroken (Ok way more than a bit). I really want more details (solid reporting) before I make judgments. On one hand, you could tell after Valpo did not get an at large while having potentially the best team in the History of the program, fear took over. A lot of work went into getting Valpo to this point, but it still was not enough. With obvious obstacles of difficulty of non-conference, and playing in a conference not committed to aggressive schedule practices, there seemed no end in site to the problem he faced. On the other hand, there is still a pretty talented team left if he would have stayed: Jubril, Peters (under an assumption he would return to Bryce), Smits, Bradford, Tavon, Skara, Hammink, and the possibility to fill perceived weaknesses with 3 available roster slots.
Now that Bryce is officially gone, I feel angry. I feel he left at a critical juncture of a Butler like development. Maybe I held him at too high of regard their, but it is impossible to deny the change in culture. Leaving now while leaving 3 scholarships open, while opening the door for players wanting the leave seems like a disrespectful move for a person I believed held his Alma Matter to a higher regard. Additionally, if Roger Powell has been convinced to go along, this hurts Valpo's recruiting to the highest degree, as he opened the door to the Chicago market.
I need facts to deter me from the rollercoaster of emotions I feel at this moment. Until their is some clarity, it is hard not to feel terrified for what is to come.