Hamiti has announced he will transfer to Oklahoma State, says it has been his dream since he was little. this will hurt!!
He's seems to be a pretty smart person on and off the mat. He knows the ship is sinking. Thanks for the good years Dean.
People that have left or changed their commitment since Bono took over. Most of these had nothing to do with NIL. 19 people in 5 years.
Evan Wick (Cal Poly)
Ethan Rotondo (Cal Poly)
Connor Brown (Missouri)
Kyle Burwick (Nebraska)
Austin Gomez (Michigan)
Greyson Clark (Purdue)
James Rowley (Purdue)
Hayden Copass (Purdue)
Ismael Ayoub (Nebraska?)
Laird Root (North Carolina)
Miguel Estrada (Iowa)
Michaela Beck (Iowa HWC)
Erin Golston (TWU)
Ronna Gross (Coaching at UWSP?)
Matt McDonough (Cornell DIII coach in Iowa)
Ben Askren
Sean Smalley
Newt Smerchek (Helping out with high school wrestling Monona Grove McFarland, still listed on RTC site)
Dean Hamiti (Oklahoma State)
Quote from: Harris on March 27, 2024, 06:18:02 PMPeople that have left or changed their commitment since Bono took over. Most of these had nothing to do with NIL. 19 people in 5 years.
Evan Wick (Cal Poly)
Ethan Rotondo (Cal Poly)
Connor Brown (Missouri)
Kyle Burwick (Nebraska)
Austin Gomez (Michigan)
Greyson Clark (Purdue)
James Rowley (Purdue)
Hayden Copass (Purdue)
Ismael Ayoub (Nebraska?)
Laird Root (North Carolina)
Miguel Estrada (Iowa)
Michaela Beck (Iowa HWC)
Erin Golston (TWU)
Ronna Gross (Coaching at UWSP?)
Matt McDonough (Cornell DIII coach in Iowa)
Ben Askren
Sean Smalley
Newt Smerchek (Helping out with high school wrestling Monona Grove McFarland, still listed on RTC site)
Dean Hamiti (Oklahoma State)
I know he got his 5 years in but was out the door very quick and went elsewhere. Trent Hilger.
Just got a DM and added 3 more to the list.
People that have left or changed their commitment since Bono took over. Most of these had nothing to do with NIL. 22 people in 5 years.
Evan Wick (Cal Poly)
Ethan Rotondo (Cal Poly)
Connor Brown (Missouri)
Kyle Burwick (Nebraska)
Austin Gomez (Michigan)
Greyson Clark (Purdue)
James Rowley (Purdue)
Hayden Copass (Purdue)
Ismael Ayoub (Nebraska?)
Laird Root (North Carolina)
Miguel Estrada (Iowa)
Michaela Beck (Iowa HWC)
Erin Golston (TWU)
Ronna Gross (Coaching at UWSP?)
Matt McDonough (Cornell DIII coach in Iowa)
Ben Askren
Sean Smalley
Newt Smerchek (Helping out with high school wrestling Monona Grove McFarland, still listed on RTC site)
Dean Hamiti (Oklahoma State)
Jared Krattiger (Minnesota)
Graham Calhoun
Hunter Ritter (Minnesota)
The kids brought to Madison have scored way more Badger NCAA points than kids after they left or changed their mind.
Keep them coming.......
People that have left or changed their commitment since Bono took over. Most of these had nothing to do with NIL. 25 people in 5 years.
Evan Wick (Cal Poly)
Ethan Rotondo (Cal Poly)
Connor Brown (Missouri)
Kyle Burwick (Nebraska)
Austin Gomez (Michigan)
Greyson Clark (Purdue)
James Rowley (Purdue)
Hayden Copass (Purdue)
Ismael Ayoub (Nebraska?)
Laird Root (North Carolina)
Miguel Estrada (Iowa)
Michaela Beck (Iowa HWC)
Erin Golston (TWU)
Ronna Gross (Coaching at UWSP?)
Matt McDonough (Cornell DIII coach in Iowa)
Ben Askren
Sean Smalley
Newt Smerchek (Helping out with high school wrestling Monona Grove McFarland, still listed on RTC site)
Dean Hamiti (Oklahoma State)
Jared Krattiger (Minnesota)
Graham Calhoun (Southeastern)
Hunter Ritter (Minnesota)
Jacob Covaciu (Indiana)
Paul Konrath (Indiana)
Quote from: Numbers on March 27, 2024, 07:37:05 PMThe kids brought to Madison have scored way more Badger NCAA points than kids after they left or changed their mind.
More than the kids that didn't go to WI because they didn't like the coaches?
Keep them coming.......
People that have left or changed their commitment since Bono took over. Most of these had nothing to do with NIL. 28 people in 5 years.
Evan Wick (Cal Poly)
Ethan Rotondo (Cal Poly)
Connor Brown (Missouri)
Kyle Burwick (Nebraska)
Austin Gomez (Michigan)
Greyson Clark (Purdue)
James Rowley (Purdue)
Hayden Copass (Purdue)
Ismael Ayoub (Nebraska?)
Laird Root (North Carolina)
Miguel Estrada (Iowa)
Michaela Beck (Iowa HWC)
Erin Golston (TWU)
Ronna Gross (Coaching at UWSP?)
Matt McDonough (Cornell DIII coach in Iowa)
Ben Askren
Sean Smalley
Newt Smerchek (Helping out with high school wrestling Monona Grove McFarland, still listed on RTC site)
Dean Hamiti (Oklahoma State)
Jared Krattiger (Minnesota)
Graham Calhoun (Southeastern)
Hunter Ritter (Minnesota)
Jacob Covaciu (Indiana)
Paul Konrath (Indiana)
Joey Sanchez (Oklahoma State)
Tyler Shilson (Augsburg)
Devin Bahr (Northern State)
That list tells a story. Anyone that thinks this is an Askren issue is not seeing the whole picture. Lots of these wrestlers left and had nothing to do with Askren.
Out of the blue he drops all of the women from the RTC. No explanation.
How many atheletes are training under the RTC that are trying to make a world or olympic team?
I predict if Reader gets the CMU job and takes Gross, you will see Bono struggle to get quality assistants that will have the pull to bring in top recruits. Anyone in wrestling knows he is under a big spotlight and won't want to come knowing he may get fired in a year. Knowing that, he needs to be gone now before the program becomes the Titanic.
AWA has taken quite a hit on kids not coming but who is at fault for these kids leaving? Sure like some one says they haven't scored many points after leaving but man there is alot of people leaving regardless.
Nice to see a few coming back and Bono needs some credit for those coming back and the ones that are there also.
Littleguy. Credit? You serious Or April fools? No disrespect to Bono? But This senior class is top 3 ever since I can remember in Wisconsin. Probably number 1 and only one kid is going to Wisconsin. That's a major problem and these kids are from all different clubs in Wisconsin, not just Askren.
Quote from: WrestlerSB80 on March 27, 2024, 10:11:03 PMLittleguy. Credit? You serious Or April fools? No disrespect to Bono? But This senior class is top 3 ever since I can remember in Wisconsin. Probably number 1 and only one kid is going to Wisconsin. That's a major problem and these kids are from all different clubs in Wisconsin, not just Askren.
I like that few athletes are coming back and the badgers have landed a couple in-state kids. Sure with the past few classes it is hard to see most all of them go but trying to be positive that some came back and stayed!
Yes AWA takes alot of blame but it isn't like any of the clubs are turning out badgers at this point, a few but not many.
All ten of Ohio States starters were recruits. No portal guys. Not sure who they have lost but to have all 10 guys be Ohio State guys is uncanny. Wonder what they are doing? During the tournament Shane Sparks did talk about Tom Ryan doing his best to retain his talent. Always liked him.
Quote from: WhoKnows on March 28, 2024, 11:13:40 AMAll ten of Ohio States starters were recruits. No portal guys. Not sure who they have lost but to have all 10 guys be Ohio State guys is uncanny. Wonder what they are doing? During the tournament Shane Sparks did talk about Tom Ryan doing his best to retain his talent. Always liked him.
Well Ohio State has facilities.
That list is hard to look at. I really liked watching Hamiti wrestle. It seems that in Wisconsin, our clubs have a problem with not promoting UW. Maybe I'm wrong. I know kids have to do what is best for them. But why not Wisconsin? Now I'm wondering how bad the Barry Davis days really were. Didn't seem this bad.
Quote from: Numbers on March 28, 2024, 11:31:36 AMQuote from: WhoKnows on March 28, 2024, 11:13:40 AMAll ten of Ohio States starters were recruits. No portal guys. Not sure who they have lost but to have all 10 guys be Ohio State guys is uncanny. Wonder what they are doing? During the tournament Shane Sparks did talk about Tom Ryan doing his best to retain his talent. Always liked him.
Well Ohio State has facilities.
UW has facilities too. All a wrestler essentially needs is a mat to wrestle on and some weight and exercise equipment to build strength and cardio. Many wrestlers have used the UW facilities and become AAs or world team members. Sure some facilities are bigger and nicer and newer, but I think the coaching staff and the school are more important than how big, nice or new the facilities are. Braxton Amos could have gone anywhere but he chose UW despite its facilities. Sure a new bigger facility might help a bit,but lets not exaggerate its importance as I can't recall hearing a recruit say I chose tOSU because of its nice facilities.
Quote from: BadgerOne on March 28, 2024, 12:00:07 PMQuote from: Numbers on March 28, 2024, 11:31:36 AMQuote from: WhoKnows on March 28, 2024, 11:13:40 AMAll ten of Ohio States starters were recruits. No portal guys. Not sure who they have lost but to have all 10 guys be Ohio State guys is uncanny. Wonder what they are doing? During the tournament Shane Sparks did talk about Tom Ryan doing his best to retain his talent. Always liked him.
Well Ohio State has facilities.
UW has facilities too. All a wrestler essentially needs is a mat to wrestle on and some weight and exercise equipment to build strength and cardio. Many wrestlers have used the UW facilities and become AAs or world team members. Sure some facilities are bigger and nicer and newer, but I think the coaching staff and the school are more important than how big, nice or new the facilities are. Braxton Amos could have gone anywhere but he chose UW despite its facilities. Sure a new bigger facility might help a bit,but lets not exaggerate its importance as I can't recall hearing a wrestling recruit say I chose tOSU or any other school because of its nice facilities.
That's simplifying things quite a bit. Yes, you don't need great facilities but it's crazy to think that recruits aren't going to compare facilities in making their college decision. It's like saying you don't need a nice house, just walls and a roof. We know people want what's nice and are drawn to it. Ohio State has what's nice. I think Wisconsin Badgers wrestling has bigger issues than facilities though. I don't blame on state club coaches for not pushing kids to wrestle at UW. Looks at that list of names. Kind of speaks for itself.
Everyone listen...Sure we are 8th in the Big Ten, 18th in the NCAA's, top recruits are not coming in, we have a 20+ list of athletes leaving and our best hope of an AA next year left. But its NOT coaching, its because of academic standards, facilities, the portal, Ben Askren, Pinnacle, Sebolt, Izzy, NIL, liberalism, Women in RTC's, not enough true local support/$, the moon never in the correct phase over Lake Monona, and seriously kids just don't want to hustle, attitude, and effort anymore...but it isn't coaching. Sure every coach in the nation has obstacles to overcome, but really its NOT coaching at UW.
Do I like the school?
Does the school have a good reputation for what I want to study and is it the best school to prepare me for my life after graduation?
Do I like the coaches?
Do I like the practice partners and other guys on the team?
Can I make the lineup?
Is it close enough for my family to watch me wrestle?
Those listed above are pretty important questions.
Does the school have plenty of hot chicks?
Is the school the right size for me?
Will I fit in socially?
Are the facilities nice?
Does Ben Askren approve?
Any of the above might be important, but might not be. I don't think a school needs to have the best facilities to be able to recruit top recruits. Sure, a few might balk in going to a school with lesser facilities, but others will come if the other factors are viewed favorably.
Hot chicks question should go to the top.
Quote from: Numbers on March 28, 2024, 11:31:36 AMQuote from: WhoKnows on March 28, 2024, 11:13:40 AMAll ten of Ohio States starters were recruits. No portal guys. Not sure who they have lost but to have all 10 guys be Ohio State guys is uncanny. Wonder what they are doing? During the tournament Shane Sparks did talk about Tom Ryan doing his best to retain his talent. Always liked him.
Well Ohio State has facilities.
https://ohiostatebuckeyes.com/sports/2023/5/24/jennings-practice-facility
I was just listening to the Mark Hellar show on the Big 1070 am. They of course were talking basketball. However, they said repeatedly, that the UW has to follow more stringent academic standards for recruiting than most of the top national teams including the big 10 and in state rival Marquette. That even before NIL and when Bo had them as a top 10 team, he simply wasn't allowed to recruit the same talent as others.
They went on to expand into the nil money trail and how UW has the money to bring in top 50 talent but they can't afford the top 15 other than an occasional one year.
Regardless of who's coach of the Badgers, these things, poor facilities, and let's admit it, AWA, are and will always be factors. UW was the 5th best Big 10 team at nationals. The other four have been national championship contenders for the last three decades. Make a list of transfers for each of those teams so everyone can then speak objectively.
DH is going to be paid to wrestle for one year, just as Gomez was. Good for him. As far as his development at UW, while he AA'd last year, this year he was one of the most dominant in the sport, I'd bet the bank that this years DH would have destroyed previous years DH. In fact you can probably go through the lineup and say the same thing about each guy.
Quote from: vsmf2010 on March 28, 2024, 01:02:27 PMQuote from: Numbers on March 28, 2024, 11:31:36 AMQuote from: WhoKnows on March 28, 2024, 11:13:40 AMAll ten of Ohio States starters were recruits. No portal guys. Not sure who they have lost but to have all 10 guys be Ohio State guys is uncanny. Wonder what they are doing? During the tournament Shane Sparks did talk about Tom Ryan doing his best to retain his talent. Always liked him.
Well Ohio State has facilities.
https://ohiostatebuckeyes.com/sports/2023/5/24/jennings-practice-facility
Yeah, if I'm an 18 year old and being recruited equally to OS or UW, Dang right the facilities would be a major factor. That place is top notch.
Quote from: vsmf2010 on March 28, 2024, 01:02:27 PMQuote from: Numbers on March 28, 2024, 11:31:36 AMQuote from: WhoKnows on March 28, 2024, 11:13:40 AMAll ten of Ohio States starters were recruits. No portal guys. Not sure who they have lost but to have all 10 guys be Ohio State guys is uncanny. Wonder what they are doing? During the tournament Shane Sparks did talk about Tom Ryan doing his best to retain his talent. Always liked him.
Well Ohio State has facilities.
https://ohiostatebuckeyes.com/sports/2023/5/24/jennings-practice-facility
Guess we will never catch UNI now
https://twitter.com/Andy_Hamilton/status/1708703655010906586?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1708703655010906586%7Ctwgr%5E252d8a18d44342fb52dae663f12e6051c8d8dc5d%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.flowrestling.org%2Farticles%2F11279961-northern-iowa-wrestling-perseveres-despite-facility-instability (https://twitter.com/Andy_Hamilton/status/1708703655010906586?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1708703655010906586%7Ctwgr%5E252d8a18d44342fb52dae663f12e6051c8d8dc5d%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.flowrestling.org%2Farticles%2F11279961-northern-iowa-wrestling-perseveres-despite-facility-instability)
https://ourtomorrow.uni.edu/wrestlingtrainingfacility (https://ourtomorrow.uni.edu/wrestlingtrainingfacility)
Quote from: Handles II on March 28, 2024, 01:12:32 PMI was just listening to the Mark Hellar show on the Big 1070 am. They of course were talking basketball. However, they said repeatedly, that the UW has to follow more stringent academic standards for recruiting than most of the top national teams including the big 10 and in state rival Marquette. That even before NIL and when Bo had them as a top 10 team, he simply wasn't allowed to recruit the same talent as others.
They went on to expand into the nil money trail and how UW has the money to bring in top 50 talent but they can't afford the top 15 other than an occasional one year.
Regardless of who's coach of the Badgers, these things, poor facilities, and let's admit it, AWA, are and will always be factors. UW was the 5th best Big 10 team at nationals. The other four have been national championship contenders for the last three decades. Make a list of transfers for each of those teams so everyone can then speak objectively.
DH is going to be paid to wrestle for one year, just as Gomez was. Good for him. As far as his development at UW, while he AA'd last year, this year he was one of the most dominant in the sport, I'd bet the bank that this years DH would have destroyed previous years DH. In fact you can probably go through the lineup and say the same thing about each guy.
Actually, they were not fifth best, but rather sixth as the top five were PSU, Michigan, Iowa, Nebraska and Ohio State. But there was a huge separation between the top 5 and the rest. So yeah UW was best of the rest but they still finished 18th overall. Next year, they only return one qualifier who netted 1.5 points, so unless Bono works some real magic in the portal, its not looking good next year.
Quote from: BadgerOne on March 28, 2024, 01:46:34 PMQuote from: Handles II on March 28, 2024, 01:12:32 PMI was just listening to the Mark Hellar show on the Big 1070 am. They of course were talking basketball. However, they said repeatedly, that the UW has to follow more stringent academic standards for recruiting than most of the top national teams including the big 10 and in state rival Marquette. That even before NIL and when Bo had them as a top 10 team, he simply wasn't allowed to recruit the same talent as others.
They went on to expand into the nil money trail and how UW has the money to bring in top 50 talent but they can't afford the top 15 other than an occasional one year.
Regardless of who's coach of the Badgers, these things, poor facilities, and let's admit it, AWA, are and will always be factors. UW was the 5th best Big 10 team at nationals. The other four have been national championship contenders for the last three decades. Make a list of transfers for each of those teams so everyone can then speak objectively.
DH is going to be paid to wrestle for one year, just as Gomez was. Good for him. As far as his development at UW, while he AA'd last year, this year he was one of the most dominant in the sport, I'd bet the bank that this years DH would have destroyed previous years DH. In fact you can probably go through the lineup and say the same thing about each guy.
Actually, they were not fifth best, but rather sixth as the top five were PSU, Michigan, Iowa, Nebraska and Ohio State. But there was a huge separation between the top 5 and the rest. So yeah UW was best of the rest but they still finished 18th overall. Next year, they only return one qualifier who netted 1.5 points, so unless Bono works some real magic in the portal, its not looking good next year.
They don't call him the magician for nothing, I see a top 10 finish next year
Quote from: Handles II on March 28, 2024, 01:18:29 PMQuote from: vsmf2010 on March 28, 2024, 01:02:27 PMQuote from: Numbers on March 28, 2024, 11:31:36 AMQuote from: WhoKnows on March 28, 2024, 11:13:40 AMAll ten of Ohio States starters were recruits. No portal guys. Not sure who they have lost but to have all 10 guys be Ohio State guys is uncanny. Wonder what they are doing? During the tournament Shane Sparks did talk about Tom Ryan doing his best to retain his talent. Always liked him.
Well Ohio State has facilities.
https://ohiostatebuckeyes.com/sports/2023/5/24/jennings-practice-facility
Yeah, if I'm an 18 year old and being recruited equally to OS or UW, Dang right the facilities would be a major factor. That place is top notch.
Pretty easy to see why Ben Davino chose OSU over the UW. The facilities has to be at least part of the decision.
"Sure every coach in the nation has obstacles to overcome, but really its NOT coaching at UW."
UW has never won a B1G title nor an NCAA title. It's best NCAA finish is fourth. It's best conference finish is second.
The state's wrestling Hall of Fame is named after former UW head coach George Martin, who never won anything coaching at UW-Madison. Barry Davis won more duals than any coach at UW-Madison. Didn't win anything either. Nor did Duane Kleven or Russ Hellickson or Andy Rein.
So all of these coaches were either all idiots or there's this magic coach out there with great powers (ahem...Ben Askren) ::) who can somehow come to Madison and fix everything that's wrong with UW Wrestling with those said powers that nobody else in entire history of the program has been able to figure out!
Having lived through the whole Davis debate and then being excited when Bono, the "hot" coach at the time was hired, just count me as skeptical.
"Now I'm wondering how bad the Barry Davis days really were. Didn't seem this bad. "
They weren't bad. Not bad at all. Not in the situation UW has to deal with in college wrestling.
Unfortunately to a certain group of posters around here (Lizard King, JaguarWrestler were worst) along with Ben Askren himself, that wasn't good enough. So they made it their mission to cut him down online and demand his ouster. They ridiculed an Olympic medalist and B1G champion. Think about that for a minute.
So their wishes were granted and they got what they asked for. And seven years later are we any better off? And if not then why? Seriously, why? Because Bono sucks too? This fellow who built up the SDSU program and coached a national champion in Seth Gross? And given the ultimate outcomes these two head coaches weren't any different than past UW head coaches i.e. not first place, then can the question be asked is something structurally wrong with the program that just hiring and firing coaches when we get tired of them isn't going to fix?
Quote from: BadgerOne on March 28, 2024, 12:01:18 PMQuote from: BadgerOne on March 28, 2024, 12:00:07 PMQuote from: Numbers on March 28, 2024, 11:31:36 AMQuote from: WhoKnows on March 28, 2024, 11:13:40 AMAll ten of Ohio States starters were recruits. No portal guys. Not sure who they have lost but to have all 10 guys be Ohio State guys is uncanny. Wonder what they are doing? During the tournament Shane Sparks did talk about Tom Ryan doing his best to retain his talent. Always liked him.
Well Ohio State has facilities.
UW has facilities too. All a wrestler essentially needs is a mat to wrestle on and some weight and exercise equipment to build strength and cardio. Many wrestlers have used the UW facilities and become AAs or world team members. Sure some facilities are bigger and nicer and newer, but I think the coaching staff and the school are more important than how big, nice or new the facilities are. Braxton Amos could have gone anywhere but he chose UW despite its facilities. Sure a new bigger facility might help a bit,but lets not exaggerate its importance as I can't recall hearing a wrestling recruit say I chose tOSU or any other school because of its nice facilities.
Very true about that. Problem is guys like Andy Rhien and Hamiti have probably practiced in the same facilities! 40 years has gone by and outside some mat replacements and some.new paint not much has changed. To draw in kids a newer facilities would be nice. I bet there are several rooms in the state high school that ate better than the Badgers!
Barry Davis would have retired with this current NIL environment
Quote from: DocWrestling on March 28, 2024, 08:47:18 PMBarry Davis would have retired with this current NIL environment
This 100%
However, if Davis would have been able to transition to Brandvold... And I know. Brandvold at the time wasn't a big name. I didn't feel like he was ready to be the head coach, and thought the program was in a place where a big name would move the needle for national recruits.
And posters from this forum DID NOT get Barry Davis fired. That's as absurd as it gets. Just like we aren't getting Bono fired.
Quote from: asdf on March 28, 2024, 12:35:29 PMEveryone listen...Sure we are 8th in the Big Ten, 18th in the NCAA's, top recruits are not coming in, we have a 20+ list of athletes leaving and our best hope of an AA next year left. But its NOT coaching, its because of academic standards, facilities, the portal, Ben Askren, Pinnacle, Sebolt, Izzy, NIL, liberalism, Women in RTC's, not enough true local support/$, the moon never in the correct phase over Lake Monona, and seriously kids just don't want to hustle, attitude, and effort anymore...but it isn't coaching. Sure every coach in the nation has obstacles to overcome, but really its NOT coaching at UW.
100%
and thought the program was in a place where a big name would move the needle for national recruits.
And it did. Unfortunately in the opposite direction
And posters from this forum DID NOT get Barry Davis fired. That's as absurd as it gets. Just like we aren't getting Bono fired.
Maybe. Maybe not. It all depends on who wrote to Barry Alvarez as well as just spout off on a webpage. All I know is I found it surprising at the time that BD was basically forced into retirement by the AD who had been protecting him from the complaints of a vocal group of fans demanding his immediate ouster. From that point forward everything these fans wanted: a "name" coach with a bump in salary to get him, increased PR, hiring Askren to run the RTC, all of this was done just as BA was on his way out (which either he or Mac handled). Everything was perfectly set the way these fans and really all the fans wanted it...
...Until now. There are many reasons why it hasn't worked out but don't let it be said that when Bono was hired and brought Askren on board that wasn't any celebration for a new era in UW wrestling. And no one bemoaned the fact that Brandvold was let go at the time. And then we've found out the hard way that there was no "new era", it's still the same mediocre program it always has been, just another different person in charge discovering how difficult it is to coach it. Except for those misguided few who still think changing coaches all the time will somehow lead to better results within the same program. If going from Barry to Bono hasn't changed this mindset, I don't know what will.
Things were definitely trending in the right direction the first year or two under Bono. The bad breakup with Askren soiled that good start. There is still decent energy in the program compared to when BD was a coach. The fieldhouse feels alive for duals, we hear more about the program, etc. Just because it hasn't worked great with Bono doesn't mean the program should have kept BD around.