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Post by thetulsawarrior on Mar 10, 2021 21:13:00 GMT -6
In the wake of the success of Dick Bennett the first few people who took over as head coach in Green Bay had a difficult if not impossible standard to measure up to. Coach Kowalczyk got the Nix program back to respectability if not to the heights of Coach Bennett. In eleven years at Toledo -- Kowalczyk has built his own legacy tallying five, 20 win seasons in the past eight years.
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Post by Heartbroken Phoenix Fan on Mar 11, 2021 8:25:20 GMT -6
In the wake of the success of Dick Bennett the first few people who took over as head coach in Green Bay had a difficult if not impossible standard to measure up to. Coach Kowalczyk got the Nix program back to respectability if not to the heights of Coach Bennett. In eleven years at Toledo -- Kowalczyk has built his own legacy tallying five, 20 win seasons in the past eight years. How many NCAA tourneys? His biggest problem has always been choking in March. Let’s see if he can finally beat his own kryptonite this year. A legacy isn’t choking year after year.
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Post by thetulsawarrior on Mar 11, 2021 15:12:14 GMT -6
Life is a journey and I believe we can grow. Kowalczyk's path has shown a positive trajectory. I wouldn't be surprised if he gets a shot at a high major with this resume. Kowalczyk reminds me of Jim Larranaga's path to a high major. I met him when I was covering Virginia basketball. It was Jim's third stop as an assistant. He did mid-major heading coaching stops at Bowling Green and George Mason before getting the shot in the ACC at Miami.
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Post by fansincebuss on Mar 11, 2021 15:44:11 GMT -6
In the wake of the success of Dick Bennett the first few people who took over as head coach in Green Bay had a difficult if not impossible standard to measure up to. Coach Kowalczyk got the Nix program back to respectability if not to the heights of Coach Bennett. In eleven years at Toledo -- Kowalczyk has built his own legacy tallying five, 20 win seasons in the past eight years. How many NCAA tourneys? His biggest problem has always been choking in March. Let’s see if he can finally beat his own kryptonite this year. A legacy isn’t choking year after year. Toledo survived a close call today, I hope this is the year he makes it. Year after year his teams seem to have a significant injury right as the league tournament is about to begin. I don't know about this year.
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Post by Heartbroken Phoenix Fan on Mar 12, 2021 17:58:08 GMT -6
I rest my case.
The timing of this post couldn’t have been more perfect.
Once a choker always a choker. Some “legacy”.
If the guy wasn’t a complete prick I’d have some sympathy but I just don’t 🤪
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Post by thetulsawarrior on Mar 12, 2021 19:21:54 GMT -6
Your post says more about you than it does about Kowalczyk. As a journalist, I've covered a lot of stories and a lot of people. We all have victories and defeats -- screw-ups and times over the years when we should have done better by the people we interact with. Holding a grudge is a cancer. Taking joy in another person's setback should make you think about the kind of individual you are. If it doesn't, may God bless you.
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Post by Heartbroken Phoenix Fan on Mar 12, 2021 20:28:41 GMT -6
Your post says more about you than it does about Kowalczyk. As a journalist, I've covered a lot of stories and a lot of people. We all have victories and defeats -- screw-ups and times over the years when we should have done better by the people we interact with. Holding a grudge is a cancer. Taking joy in another person's setback should make you think about the kind of individual you are. If it doesn't, may God bless you. I believe in a little something called karma. I don’t hold any grudges. He’s not a nice man and I believe his lack of success in March is karma for that. If you want a guy to rebuild your program but never get you over the top Kowalcyzk is definitely your guy. Otherwise give me Darner or Wardle any day. Until he changes the narrative this is how he will be perceived fair or not.
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Post by fightphoe93 on Mar 12, 2021 22:53:29 GMT -6
Nothing against the former coach, but I was rooting for Ohio. Any team that has a starter who is the offspring of 2 UWGB alums is worth rooting for. Bennett Vander Plas reminds me of his dad, except he's a little taller and maybe even a notch above the level his dad was. Plus his mother lived right below me in the dorms at UWGB in the '80s and she was a very cool person.
Not only is Ohio worth rooting for because of Vander Plas, that Jason Preston kid is an incredible story and you can't help but root for him once you learn his background (was a bench player in high school, mother died during high school, father was never in his life). I really hope Ohio wins the MAC, gets to the NCAAs and I will root for them. It would be pretty cool that in 1991 Dean Vander Plas got a chance to play in the NCAA Tournament and exactly 30 years later, his son might do the same. I really hope it happens!!
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Post by thetulsawarrior on Mar 12, 2021 23:09:58 GMT -6
That GB connection with the younger Vander Plas is neat. His dad was a heck of a player from the get-go, an undersized frontcourt player who could pass and shoot. Great genes going for Bennett from mom and pop.
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Post by fansincebuss on Mar 14, 2021 13:13:41 GMT -6
I had mixed emotions watching the Toledo / Ohio game. I respected coach Kowalczyk having met him several times but it was hard to not cheer for Vander Plas, I was really disappointed when he chose Ohio over Green Bay, his father was one of my all time favorites. I had to cheer for Ohio after Toledo was eliminated. See the article below about the VanderPlas / Preston relationship. suacbobcats.com/2021/03/14/of-love-and-basketball/
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Post by thetulsawarrior on Mar 14, 2021 15:49:45 GMT -6
When it got to Ohio vs Toledo game I felt I couldn't lose or win. Ohio with VanderPlas and Jason Preston was a great storyline. You have to be happy for both of those players.
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