By Matt

March 19, 2009 1:08 AM | Link to this

I for one don’t really get this. He makes the NCAA’s as one of the last 3 in the tournament during the weakest bubble in years and is rewarded basically 9 more years. The past 3 years have been mediocre at best in the A-10. One decent season and you give him basically a lifetime contract. Really seems like an un-necessary move to me. God forbid this team lays a big egg on Friday.

By Mini-Me Gregory

March 19, 2009 1:55 AM | Link to this

Xavier fans are happy to hear this, I’m sure.

By Vern

March 19, 2009 5:50 AM | Link to this

Some people just love to be negative. If I were a Xavier fan I would be worried. Flyers are loaded for the future.

By tds70

March 19, 2009 6:12 AM | Link to this

It makes allot of sense for 2 reasons. Recruiting the type players that fit his system, & if the A10 is going to improve, they have to have stability in the coaching ranks. He also is getting guys to stay , & graduate which many don’t value but I think that is 50% of his responsibility. Right now the A10 has 10 really good coaches . If they can continue to recruit, get some help from the league (which is sorely lacking) the conference should continue to rise, all be it slowly. If BG does not succeed , I am sure he will be the first to admit it , and make whatever changes necessary along with the University. These guys are grown-ups and have been around the block, they know there is a lot at stake on many fronts. I am more concerned about the assistant coaches, and who they have to support & help lead the team , as they tend to have specific jobs and are a bigger part of the teams progress than most realize.

By stat-boy

March 19, 2009 6:43 AM | Link to this

Check the stats the man is a winner. Good move. Keeps Dayton on the path of success.

By Bob

March 19, 2009 7:25 AM | Link to this

It’s an excellent decision to keep an excellent coach. You’d have to be an idiot to think this is a bad move.

By null

March 19, 2009 7:50 AM | Link to this

I like BG and happy he is staying. I must admit though, I would have liked to have seen Anthony Grant on the Flyer sidelines but that is not gonna happen now.

By Rich

March 19, 2009 7:56 AM | Link to this

I think the contract extension makes a great deal of sense as it fits within the overall mission of the University of Dayton—academic excellence combined with superior athletic performance. Brian Gregory is man of character and conviction, and fits well in the lineage of Bro. Fitz, Tom Frericks, Don Donoher, Dan Curran, Ted Kissell, Tim Wabler and so many other fine people who have led the University of Dayton the past 30 years. Right now, the University of Dayton (and Miami Valley Hospital and WPAFB) is the best thing going for the City of Dayton proper and the surrounding region. Would I like UD to be in the NCAA tournament each year? Sure. But it is very difficult for the mid-majors to send at-large teams (this year, there were only four). I am very pleased with the high graduation rate of UD’s student athletes, and their conduct on and off the court and field. I am very pleased with not only the level of talent that Gregory is able to recruit, but also that he is able to bring in young men who represent the mission and vision of UD. It is also encouraging that the best players from the area are now considering UD; after graduation, it is more likely that they will stay in the area and, with a fine education offered by UD, they hopefully become tomorrow’s leaders. Congrats to Tim Wabler for getting BG’s verbal commitment. Go Flyers!!

By nullDon Haun

March 19, 2009 8:08 AM | Link to this

unlike Detroit at least we have had one thing to lift Dayton’s spirit, The Flyers. Coach is one more in a line of great coaches that we are lucky enough to get and I for one hope he retires in Dayton.

By sec 312

March 19, 2009 8:25 AM | Link to this

good move, BG CAN motivate and coach. It should have been 3 post seasons in a row, NIT screwed us over , then NCAA made big mistake last year, and now. Go Flyers!! Matt could you please change the oil for the french fries?

By Joe

March 19, 2009 8:46 AM | Link to this

I think he has done a great job assembling the team so I like the move. I don’t bigger schools are really looking at BG this year but this team should be an absolute monster next year so we’ll have to wait and see what schools pursue him then. I think UD will start next season in the top 25 and will be the A-10 favorite. With all that press, it will be hard to keep him around (contract or not).

By Jerry

March 19, 2009 8:58 AM | Link to this

I think coach Gregory deserves a great deal of credit for the job he has done this year, as I feel this team has really overachieved. It also seems as though he is a great fit for the University and what it stands for. However, I also feel his team’s under-achieved the previous two years. How can you not make the tournament once with Brian Roberts? Gregory is a great recruiter who may mature into a better game coach/strategist, but was it really necessary to tie him up for nine years?

By Don

March 19, 2009 8:58 AM | Link to this

WHAT A GREAT WIN WIN. Coach is a CLASS ACT that knows how to build a winning program. Coach has turned the tide of who is the powerhouse in the A10. The x is the past. The Flyers will soar with Brian. The think I like best about Coach Gregory is that he is man who is not going to do anything that other than positive things for UD. We will need a bigger arena in 5 years. Great move UD!! Go Flyers!!

By Jerry

March 19, 2009 8:58 AM | Link to this

I think coach Gregory deserves a great deal of credit for the job he has done this year, as I feel this team has really overachieved. It also seems as though he is a great fit for the University and what it stands for. However, I also feel his team’s under-achieved the previous two years. How can you not make the tournament once with Brian Roberts? Gregory is a great recruiter who may mature into a better game coach/strategist, but was it really necessary to tie him up for nine years?

By Jim O'Hora

March 19, 2009 9:23 AM | Link to this

Absolutely, Especially because he is not locked into one coaching style he can be flexible depending upon his talent and he is a great recruiter. I was at UD during their hay days,58-62, always in the top twenty, I think under Coach G we can get back to that! Way to go UD!

By Steve

March 19, 2009 9:24 AM | Link to this

The wisdom of this move depends on the goals UD has for its basketball team. I will assume that UD views ethical conduct and a high graduation rate as a prerequisite for a coach. And to his credit, Gregory is fulfilling this expectation. But so did Oliver Purnell, and Don Donoher for that matter (I refuse to even acknowledge Jim O’Brien’s existence). However…if UD wants to achieve more than the NIT/very occasional NCAA-level of success in basketball, then this is a ridiculous move. Gregory is a decent recruiter, but is currently a below-average game coach and a very below-average developer of talent. Can he correct his weaknesses? Who knows. Therefore, there was absolutely no need to commit to a longer contract at this time. Why not wait to see if he can correct his issues? If he can, do the extension when that happens. If he can’t, UD will want a coach who can take them higher, but they’ll now have a big financial millstone around their neck.

By Kevin M

March 19, 2009 9:57 AM | Link to this

The contract extension for Brian Gregory is well deserved.He represents the UD values in the Don Donoher model.Congratulations to both the University and Brian.

By rah

March 19, 2009 10:01 AM | Link to this

It is about putting a$$es in seats. This,he has done.

By Reggie98ud

March 19, 2009 10:02 AM | Link to this

I agree with Jerry and Steve. The talent BG had this yearshould not have been a bubble team and should have won the A-10 Tourney. Gregory still has not figured out how to make in-game agjustments and apparently places no importance on free throw shooting. If either of these were in place, UD would have walked away with the A-10 and been the 4 seed instead of X. Dayton’s talen is better than X, but X has the better coach, that is why they are the 4 seed and Dayton is at 11 and one of the last 4 in. Bad move for UD

By George

March 19, 2009 10:15 AM | Link to this

As a Xavier fan, I am delighted that UD extended Gregory. I am tired of the A-10 being the coach’s stepping stone conference. It is about time that all of the other teams step up and make the commitment to basketball that X has made. Coach Gregory is as good a coach as you will find in the A-10, he’s right behind Miller, Martelli, Dumphy, Everhart, Baron, Giannini, Lutz, Whittenburg, Schmidt, and the fat guy at St. Louis.

By Andy

March 19, 2009 10:19 AM | Link to this

Not sure if this is a bad move in the long term. For now, it’s a good one. BG is a solid recruiter, there is no doubt about that, and extending him based upon that is almost worth it. However, I do agree with the concerns about him being a good “coach”. He doesn’t seem to develop the talent he recruits very well and his in-game adjustments don’t look to be working. Hopefully he continues to improve in this aspect of his career. Additionally, I’m not sure if UD could guarantee themselves a better coach if they didn’t resign BG. I’ve heard a lot about Anthony Grant, but that’s VCU, a different program than Dayton. There is no guarantee that winning at the small school leads to winning at the bigger school. Just like there is no guarantee that BG would be better at a bigger program like in the Big Ten, etc.

By Scooter

March 19, 2009 10:32 AM | Link to this

Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy they’re signing BG, and I feel he has done a great job with the program. But I do hate seeing the AD say they will do “whatever it takes to keep him”, I feel that starts giving BG more leverage, remember this coaching stuff is still a business.

By Harry the Horse

March 19, 2009 12:53 PM | Link to this

Coach Gregory has done a fantastic job for UD and the Dayton community.. As great a basketball town Dayton is it is not Chapel Hill. It’s not Durham It’s not Philadelphia… He has kept most of the best prospects from the Dayton area schools at home and has run a clean program… What more can you ask of a coach from a mid-major program in a bad economy… The best times are ahead for the Dayton Flyers and Brian Gregory… Go Flyers!

By Tony D'Elia

March 19, 2009 1:21 PM | Link to this

Back on the map??? UD is rarely on ESPN. Fox and ESPN didn’t even report the first round A10 scores and UD was the least known 16-3 team in the country rolling up to the tournament. The Flyers have got to start competing with the X-outs and get those cupcakes off that schedule.

By RUDY

March 19, 2009 2:55 PM | Link to this

I like Gregory but….I thought coaches were rewarded for success not doing an OK job. I think it is silly to think if he gets a better offer elsewhere he will not leave because he will in a New York second.

By flipper

March 19, 2009 3:05 PM | Link to this

Brian Gregory is a good average coach for a good average team. He has helped UD but not to the extent of making the sweet sixteen every year.

By Andy

March 19, 2009 4:36 PM | Link to this

You could look at it this way, the last three years, UD went from no post-season to NIT to NCAA. That, in and of itself, warrants some kudos to BG and his staff. BUT, in terms of making UD another Xavier or Gonzaga? He’s still a ways off. Thus, it’s a good short-term move, but long term…this tourney appearance and next season should tell us a lot about whether BG can get this program to the next level. Certainly none of the “sane” Flyer fans expect a Final Four run anytime soon, but it would be nice to be in the NCAA tournament discussion on a consistent basis (rather than 2 of the last 5 years!).

By NickM

March 19, 2009 6:23 PM | Link to this

Its very easy to have a 26 win season when your non conference schedule consists of Coppin State, Delaware State, Bethune Cook, and Little Sisters of the Poor. Thats why we were not top 25 and thats why we were almost in the NIT. Until he can put a schedule together like X, and recruit guys who can do something besides dunk, this is a horrible move. Flyer fans need to take off their homer glasses and really look at what he has done. Im sure everyone will quiet down when WV blows us out of the gym tomorrow. Sorry, but its the truth.

By BJ

March 19, 2009 6:55 PM | Link to this

NickM…you are a complete idiot with your senseless deductions. Though I’m not a BG fan at all…we have moved in the right direction as far as making tournaments and getting some local talent to stay in Dayton. And all you have to do is go back to the Jim O’Brian days which were a complete disaster. Winning 26 is much better than only 4 in back to back years. The glass is half full you butt wipe not half empty. And X wishes they had as much tradition as UD does when it comes to any sports program. Must be a jealousy thing for all X fans.

By Rich

March 19, 2009 8:46 PM | Link to this

Gregory has nothing—absolutely nothing—to do with the scheduling. That is the responsibility of the athletic director. UD’s mens basketball team has to schedule a high percentage of home non-conference games, in order to generate the revenue that is needed for all sports teams, including football. It is difficult to attract top 25-50 teams to UD because of the fear of a loss to a mid-major. UD could play a more difficult schedule, but it would require Dayton being willing to reduce the number of home games, and being willing to play the better schools on their courts, with no promise of a return match. Economics, and the Selection Sunday process have more to do with UD’s schedule, than Gregory’s willingness to play the top teams. Remember—X does not have a football team to support.

By JasonS

March 19, 2009 9:18 PM | Link to this

first nickm said UD would never make the NCAA and now that he is WRONG he has to find something else to B***H about. Go back behind your mom’s apron strings little boy

By NickM

March 19, 2009 11:25 PM | Link to this

First, i am not an X fan. Im just a UD fan who can see the real picture. UD fans are getting to be like OSU football fans. OSU plays a weak schedule and plays in a weak a weak conf, wins 10, goes to a bowl game and gets spanked by an SEC team and the fans wonder why. UD has gotten no respect all year long. Why is it that 19 of the top 25 teams had fewer wins than UD, yet we were not in the top 25 at seasons end? I think Delaware State, Coppin State, Bethune Cook had quite a bit to do with that. Who was X playing when we were playing Troy and UNC Greensboro? Oh yea, some no name basketball schools such as Duke and Memphis. Coaches do have a say in the schedule. As far as Gregory keeping the local players? Who cares? They still cant do anything but dunk. Yes we have some great athletes at UD. But let me ask you this. If tomorrow, UD trails by 1 with 2 seconds to go, any member of the team at the free throw line, do we win? Answer that truthfully. Answer another thing for me Gregory lovers. If you have a guy that went off for 17 points against the team your playing in the previous game against that team, and then you have a guy that averages 3 points and 4 rebounds a game, who do you start. Why does Fabrizious only play 11 min? Why does he get put on the bench after hitting back to back threes? Why is your best shooter on the bench in the second half when your down 12? Face it. It hurts to hear the truth. Plus, i never said UD would not make it. I said they were not a lock. Judging by their seed, I was right. I bleed red and blue. I am a UD alum. I also know an overrated basketball team and coach when i see it. Im sorry if that makes some of you mad. Just because i have a different opinion, does not make me a bad fan or an idiot. Also, Rich, why wouldnt UD reduce the number of home games? We NEED to! have you seen our road record? Ya think getting some practice on the road would help our team? Help our SOS AND prepare us for the NCAA? Yea, to bad we dont play at UD arena tomorrow huh?

By CJ

March 19, 2009 11:27 PM | Link to this

Rich…everything you said was so right. Best post of the year. Most of these morons posting are still on mom’s nipple. Fricken a******s!!!

By DEENA

March 20, 2009 3:27 AM | Link to this

NICKM YOU HIT RIGHT ON HEAD,AND YOU ARE SO RIGHT. SO I AM NOT MAD AT YOU. SO LET SEE HOW WE PLAY.GO U.D.

By RC

March 20, 2009 12:53 PM | Link to this

OK NickM, let me try to explain a few things from my POV: 1) UDs SOS wasn’t particularly good this year, true, but let’s not pretend that’s always been a problem - last year’s SOS was 28. Scheduling’s hard for mid-major. 2)Free throws at the end of the game - well, the odds are probably not in our favor. It’s a weakness, and it’s cost us games. Every team has weaknesses. 3) Fabrizius sits because he’s a sieve on defense. Gregory’s sub pattern is strictly intended to keep fresh defensive legs on the floor as much as possible, often at the expense of offensive efficiency. On the whole, I think it’s been an pretty good strategy with this particular group of players this year. Huelsman starts and plays because even when he’s not pulling down boards himself (and the numbers say he’s not), he’s occupying the other team’s big - which is why guys like MJ and LW wind up with several rebounds a night. We are outrebounding our opponents on the season, y’know. Huelsman is also a better defender than Searcy, and way better than Breeze - although that is a pretty low bar.