I can't really understand all the hand-wringing about Bernsen possibly taking the Moberly job. The guy knows how to coach. I've been told that Charlie Spoonhour, Rich Daly, and Dana Altman have all placed calls on his behalf. He had success at Jefferson College with virtually zero support (the administration supported hoops so much, they dropped the program entirely a few years after he left). He didn't do too bad at SMS, as they had just joined the MVC and were still trying to win with Mid-Continent Conference-level talent. The situation at UMSL was impossible. Very little fan or administrative support, the school has minimal appeal to recruits, and they had just joined the Great Lakes Valley conference (a much tougher league than the MIAA). Macfessel (sp?) had a little success at UMSL in the MIAA years ago, but the program had grown very stale. It will take long-term rebuilding and a little luck to ever accomplish anything there. You certainly cannot blames SEMO's troubles on him. That program was a sinking ship when he arrived, and will continue to sink after he leaves and until a new head coach is hired.
Folks, I can name many, many great juco coaches that for various reasons have struggled at the four-year level. To me, it in no way diminishes their coaching ability. Yes, Bernsen is an old-school coach and perhaps a little rough around the edges. However, old school coaches are succeeding at every level of basketball today. Coaching success depends a lot on being at the right place at the right time, and Bersen has been a little snake-bit in that regard. Bernsen knows basketball, is well-respected in coaching circles, and can continue the winning momentum at Moberly. The other candidates (especially Glash) are solid, too, but you could do a lot worse than Mark Bernsen.
This post was edited on 6/10 6:18 PM
Folks, I can name many, many great juco coaches that for various reasons have struggled at the four-year level. To me, it in no way diminishes their coaching ability. Yes, Bernsen is an old-school coach and perhaps a little rough around the edges. However, old school coaches are succeeding at every level of basketball today. Coaching success depends a lot on being at the right place at the right time, and Bersen has been a little snake-bit in that regard. Bernsen knows basketball, is well-respected in coaching circles, and can continue the winning momentum at Moberly. The other candidates (especially Glash) are solid, too, but you could do a lot worse than Mark Bernsen.
This post was edited on 6/10 6:18 PM
