Athletic Director Mike Bohn is a busy man.
With his efforts to bring in head football coach Dan Hawkins and a new practice bubble facility coming in the fall, the football program appears to be pointed in the right direction. Now Bohn turns his attention to a new men’s basketball coach who can help the team compete in the Big 12.
“We really recognize that momentum is important.” Bohn said. “Whether it’s the new bubble or a great recruiting class that’s filled with some great young men, to our ability to upgrade our other facilities, to continuing to make progress on our marketing front. All those things contribute together and really create a contagious atmosphere.”
Bohn, the sixth athletic director in CU history, feels the new facility will be an improvement to the campus and the community.
“It’s really a special feeling,” Bohn said. “I think it’s really important to understand that it’s just going to be a great asset to the entire campus and the community at large as well.”
Bohn also talked about upgrades to the Dal Ward Athletic Center and other improvements with the football offices.
The program is focusing right now on finding a new men’s basketball coach to replace Ricardo Patton and rebuild the program.
After the Buffs were pummeled by Kansas on Feb. 14, Patton talked about the team’s attitude and effort.
“When I came in here and announced I would step down at the end of the season it was the right thing to do,” Patton said. “It is time for a new and fresh face on the program, and just because I won’t be here next year is no reason for our players to quit.”
Bohn said he realizes this is a difficult situation and the team’s attitude is not surprising, but he still has faith in the team to continue to improve.
“I recognize that during a period of transition and having 10 freshmen, and facing some adversity the team’s had, I think that’s probably not unexpected,” Bohn said. “But again, I have confidence in Ricardo and the players to continue to use this as a tool for them to continue to build for a bright future.”
The program needs a coach who can be first and foremost a leader. Bohn talked about the characteristics CU is looking for in the new basketball coach.
“Well, there is no question that we’re looking for someone who has a passion for wanting to be in Boulder and wanting to lead the basketball program,” Bohn said. “But with that responsibility comes the importance of being passionate in recruiting and community outreach efforts.”
Bohn said there is no timetable for finding a new coach, but the new coach has to be someone who will engage the campus’ faculty and student body.
Finding a coach who also realizes CU is a special institution is another quality the Buffs are looking for, Bohn said.
Among the candidates are Jeff Bzdelik, head coach at the U.S Air Force Academy, Denver Nuggets assistant coach Mike Dunlap, Phoenix Suns assistant coach Alvin Gentry, and Bob Hofman, head coach at Ft. Lewis College.
Prior to coaching at the U.S Air Force Academy, Bzdelik was the head coach of the Denver Nuggets. Dunlap won two NCAA Division II titles as head coach with Metro State College of Denver before joining the Denver Nuggets and Hofman was a guard for the Buffs in the early 1970s.
Whoever the new coach is, the task of turning around the program will not be an easy one. It will take a lot of effort and hard work to bring this program out of the Big 12 cellar.
Bohn and Buffs fans alike will have to wait and see, after the new coach is hired, if the pieces are in place to bring about a big change in the basketball program.
Contact Campus Press Staff Writer Kyle McDaniel at kyle.mcdaniel@thecampuspress.com
