#BuzzOut: Jeff Bzdelik By the Numbers

I consider myself similar to most Americans today.

I’ve gotten caught up in the buzz of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. I’ve filled out several brackets and watched games on multiple screens while not even feigning interest in professors or lectures.

But before today’s first tipoff, I couldn’t suppress the feelings of jealousy and resentment due to my alma mater’s noticeable absence.

And as of about 25 minutes ago, anger and confusion.

The ACC Sports Journal just reported Wake Forest University Athletic Director Ron Wellman’s announcement of his “full confidence in the progress of the basketball program, including coach Jeff Bzdelik. As a result, Bzdelik will be returning for a fourth season.”

Cue the outcry from Deacon Nation.

Let’s rewind for a second. I’m a Master’s student at Wake Forest. A “Double Deac,” if you will. When I first started at Wake as a freshman in 2008, the Deacs were the last undefeated Division 1 Men's Basketball team in the country and number 1 in the nation for several weeks.

Fast forward. Wake hasn't cracked the Top 100 in the past 3 seasons.

When I began my IT Management class a few weeks ago, my professor (who was a UNC grad and has no ties to the university other than her salary) said this: “That Ron Wellman. Who knows what he’s doing. Jeff Bzdelik must have naked pictures of him or something, cause I can’t think of any other reason why he hasn’t fired his ass yet.”

I’m not here to bash Jeff Bzdelik. I’m not here to rant or give my opinion on his coaching abilities, although I assure you that mine mirrors that of so many.

What I will do is show you Jeff Bzdelik by the numbers.

This is the number of scholarship athletes lost to early dismissal and transfer during Jeff Bzdelik’s first two seasons at Wake Forest. As a result, the Deacons had a 2012-2013 team featuring only three seniors and one junior.

The number of wins Jeff Bzdelik currently needs to match former head coach Dino Gaudio’s winning percentage at Wake Forest.

Wake Forest’s scoring margin against ACC teams since Jeff Bzdelik took over as head coach.

Double-digit losses of Jeff Bzdelik’s teams since the 2008 season.*

(*Note: This includes part of Bzdelik’s tenure at University of Colorado.)

Wake Forest’s losses to teams ranked lower than #131 under Jeff Bzdelik

Wake’s average final ranking under Jeff Bzdelik.

Let’s move on to records.

Jeff Bzdelik’s road conference record in the Big 12 and ACC. That is a 0.041 winning percentage.

Wake Forest’s record in February and March under Jeff Bzdelik.

Bzdelik vs. Top 100 teams. Compare that to Dino Gaudio’s 35-30.

Wake’s record vs. ACC teams under Jeff Bzdelik.

Wake’s overall record under Jeff Bzdelik.

I don't know about you, but if I had put up numbers like this in even the most meager jobs I've held, I would have been promptly and unceremoniously fired.

Let me assure you: I love my school. I will ALWAYS root for the Deacs.

But one great victory in three seasons (80-65 vs. then-number 1 Miami) should not equate a coach’s job security. Especially when previous head coach Dino Gaudio was fired abruptly for “lack of success in the post-season,” despite leading the Deacs to the NCAA Tournament 2 of his 3 seasons at Wake Forest.

If Wellman was still making decisions based on late- and post-season statistics, the Bzdelik Experiment would have ended after a 0-11 February and March record in Bzdelik’s first season.

Or maybe after being 0-3 in NCAA Tournament appearances since Bzdelik took the reigns.

Wake Forest Nation undoubtedly wants answers.

But like I said. This is just Jeff Bzdelik by the numbers. #BuzzOut

For more statistics, quotes and links, visit FireBz.Com