Jeff Bzdelik starts inaugural season as head coach of men’s basketball
Jeff Bzdelik knows how to put teams on the right track. Over the past five years he transformed the Denver Nuggets and the men’s basketball team at the Air Force Academy from squads with losing records into playoff contenders.
CU’s 17th head coach of the men’s basketball team, Bzdelik brings with him 29 years of coaching experience at both college and NBA levels. Many feel that Bzdelik is the man who can put the Buffs on a track to success – a viewpoint expressed by both the Athletic Department and fans of the CU basketball team.
Holding the future of the CU basketball program in his hands, Bzdelik is about to embark on his first season as head coach. The Campus Press recently sat down with him to talk about his goals for his new team in a community with high expectations.
Campus Press: Why did you decide to take the head coaching position at CU?
Bzdelik: I actually got an excellent impression of CU from the leadership of President Brown and Chancellor Peterson, as well as the athletic director, Mike Bohn. This school has a great basis of leadership that will really be able to help us accomplish what we want to with this program.
CP: How are you starting your preparations for the new season?
Bzdelik: Preparations for the season actually began the moment I got here. We really want to create an environment that is conducive to winning right from the start. We want our players to be all that they can be. We want them to succeed in the classroom and be responsible citizens in this community. We want them to develop not only their physical strength, but their minds as well. We’re preparing them not just on the basketball court but their everyday lives as well.
CP: How are you planning to turn CU’s program in the right direction?
Bzdelik: All I want to do is get better every day. I want to create a program people can be proud of. We also want to produce a team that will be able to compete in post-season play. But we want to create a team that can do that without compromising the moral and academic integrity of the university.
CP: What do you like about coaching college basketball compared to the NBA?
Bzdelik: There are good and bad aspects in both. Each is unique and different, and there are different situations you can be in. Fortunately, I’m in a great situation here. The leadership here really parallels my vision. In our conference especially, there are chancellors who will just turn their head and tell a coach to get the win regardless of right or wrong.
CP: How do you think CU’s recent decision to move the student section to the area behind the basket will affect the success of the team?
Bzdelik: We as a basketball team want to be as disruptive as we can to the other team, and having the help of the fans is always a huge thing. I think they will be in a location that will make it really uncomfortable for the opposing team. It should promote a better environment for success and I think students will have a lot more fun with that level of interaction.
CP: How do you feel about the team you have this year?
Bzdelik: The team has really reacted well to the things that we have asked them to do. Those that didn’t are not on the team anymore by their own choice, which makes it a lot easier for me. The guys are all working really hard and they care about the team, which is important for us.
CP: What are some of your goals for the team in this first season?
Bzdelik: We really just want to get better with every day. The winning and losing will take care of itself. We just need to play with passion and play the game the right way. If we can follow through with the things we talk about off the court then we will be successful. I’m no miracle worker, but this team has a lot of potential.
Contact Campus Press Staff Writer Amanda Walck at amanda.walck@thecampuspress.com
