Behler to Boise, new guy from Charleston Southern

BishopMVP · Post by **BishopMVP** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 10:03 am

Used to be VOR wrote:Ford was a lying prick on the way out (and while he was here to be quite honest), Behler on the other hand has been nothing but AWESOME by all accounts and standards.

Does that explain it to you?

Oh, I understand the slick personality that rubbed people the wrong way, and that Behler's probably a much better person. Regardless, UMass is Cool's rebuttal to hate for Behler was "if you had a job offer at a place willing to pay more, willing to cut down on your behind-the-scenes responsibilities and willing to give you an opportunity you feel you can use to better yourself, are you trying to say you wouldn't take it?"

I don't see why that being an acceptable rationale for leaving applies to Behler but somehow not Ford.

bleedmaroon · Post by **bleedmaroon** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 10:06 am

Bob, good luck in Boise. Their gain is our loss

I read the media guide and saw what Bob's job entailed. It wasn't JUST play by play for football and basketball. For those who are lobbying for George to return, my guess is don't hold your breath. I've visited his family business on several occasions in South Deerfield. I can't imagine him leaving that to come back and do what this job seems like it entails (again, based on the media guides description...maybe someone could enlighten me).

Then again, do they blow up that position Bob held...or hire someone just to do the play by play? I mean, August and the football season are almost here.

This will be interesting. George was very good obviously.

And again if you somehow read this Bob, GOOD LUCK!!!

MassMan06 · Post by **MassMan06** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 10:08 am

BishopMVP wrote: I don't see why that being an acceptable rationale for leaving applies to Behler but somehow not Ford.

Bob never promised he was staying. Ford did.

Kosty · Post by **Kosty** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 10:10 am

BishopMVP wrote:I don't see why that being an acceptable rationale for leaving applies to Behler but somehow not Ford.

To me, the rationale is......Behler was here 9 years, he covered football and hoop and many many other things in his job. He NEVER said last week that he wanted to stay here and build the program. He NEVER said that he feels he's closer to a national championship with Boise State than here. He NEVER made a big deal out of wanting to stay after turning down the Providence job. Does that help??

Chris20 · Post by **Chris20** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 10:54 am

The comparison is completely invalid. The differences between the profession and expected/normal behavior make it so.

Bob deserves no venom for leaving, obviously.

On the other hand, some of the venom towards Ford is absurd. The Ford-bashers need to grow up a bit. He left us for an opportunity that no one with a brain would turn down, after answering questions about his future in the way every coach does. And he left us in WAY better shape than he found us. Get over it.....

Used to be VOR · Post by **Used to be VOR** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 11:20 am

Not sure why people who defend Ford cannot understand that I personally do not give a crap that Ford left for Oklahoma St. I care that he was a prick while he was here, I care that he so comfortably lied every day he was here, and I care that he was massively unprofessional on his way out.

That is what I care about. In fact, I love the fact he is no longer at UMass and that DK is our head coach. It is a MASSIVE upgrade in many ways.

Bob Behler on the other hand has shown nothing but class, hard work, and integrity since he has been at UMass. He deserves nothing but congratulations and respect.

Post by **MikeUMA** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 11:49 am

Bob sent this to me late last night, and asked me to post it for all to see...

I'd like to thank all of the members of the UMassHoops.com board for their support of UMass Athletics and my broadcasts in particular. To know that your descriptions and accounts of the game are listened to by so many avid fans is a great thrill. My nine years behind the mic for the Minutemen has been a wonderful time in my life. I have enjoyed working with all of the coaches and players and in getting to know many of you personally (even if I don't know you by your screen names). I appreciate the kind words and am glad that you appreciated my hard work.

I would like each of you to know that it was a tough decision to leave a very comfortable situation in Massachusetts. I feel that I needed a new challenge and Boise State provided me with that opportunity. As many of you know, I grew up in California, and getting to a place that is a 90 minute plane ride (as opposed to a whole day's journey) from home was important to me. The Broncos also play three teams in the WAC that are less than 2 1/2 hours by car from my family. I will get to see my family significantly more.

Many people have called or emailed and I want to apologize if I can't respond to each one of them. I am trying to tie up my affairs in Massachusetts and get a moved to Idaho in two weeks. I have also spent a lot of time on the other end of an interview as most of the Boise media has called.

Again, thanks for your kind words. I have been blessed to work at two fine places - Bucknell and UMass - and hope that I will have just as good of an experience at Boise State. I was told the Bronco basketball team will be playing at Siena next season as a return for the Bracket Buster game. It will be their only Eastern appearance for '08-'09. Maybe UMass will have a home game the night before.

Bob Behler

Quann · Post by **Quann** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 12:52 pm

Honestly, Bishop, your comparison doesn't make any sense. Why even mention Ford in this thread?

I met Bob a couple times at the Hangar for the coach's show and he was a genuinely good guy. I hope the next guy that gets hired has as much integrity and school pride as Behler had.

I wonder if there will be separate play-by-play guys for baskeball and football?

Umass89 · Post by **Umass89** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 12:54 pm

All the best Bob, you deserve it. Be well.

You will be missed.

DrG · Post by **DrG** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 12:56 pm

Good luck, Bob! We'll miss you. Maybe you can interest Boise in inviting us out for a football payday!

Minutemaniac74 · Post by **Minutemaniac74** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 1:41 pm

Matty V posted an outstanding blog about Bob's departure. Best of luck Bob, and congratulations to Boise St fans, you've got yourself a good one!

http://www.gazettenet.com/node/191349

Chris20 · Post by **Chris20** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 1:47 pm

VOR,

I didn't think he was a prick while he was here. To my knowledge, the only thing he "lied" about was the fact that he planned on being here long term....and that is something every coach says, and it could have been true at the time. All accounts I've seen indicate the OSU thing came on out of nowhere and closed very quickly. And I don't know what he could have done that would have been substantially more "professional".

Coaches don't say things like, "Well, I decided Providence wasn't the best move, but obviously I'll answer the phone if anyone is interested! I am certainly ready to jump for a big time job and big time raise!".

And lastly, I apologize for taking the Behler thread on tangent.....I, too, will miss his work.

BostonBert · Post by **BostonBert** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 3:49 pm

I can't even think of something to say in reply to the ridiculous comparison of Behler and Ford.

However, did T. Ford ever send a thank you note to UMassHoops?

Used to be VOR · Post by **Used to be VOR** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 5:14 pm

Chris20 wrote:VOR,

I didn't think he was a prick while he was here. To my knowledge, the only thing he "lied" about was the fact that he planned on being here long term....and that is something every coach says, and it could have been true at the time. All accounts I've seen indicate the OSU thing came on out of nowhere and closed very quickly. And I don't know what he could have done that would have been substantially more "professional".

#1 - If you do not know what was unprofessional about Ford's departure, than I feel bad for your employers.

#2 - If you think Ford only lied about that, I suggest you use the search function on this board to review some of his comments during his tenure here.

#3 - If you believe for a minute that he actually believed he would be here long-term at ANY point in his tenure, I have some prime ocean front property in Iowa to sell you.

GuntherSAM · Post by **GuntherSAM** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 5:36 pm

Saying thank you hardly seems enough. It has been a pleasure Bob. Good luck.