Bradley extends Wardle

by **freddycat68** » March 27th, 2018, 7:59 pm

Through 2023 with undisclosed raise. No surprise here.

**Sponsor**

by **pafan** » March 27th, 2018, 8:34 pm

This is the kind of extension that stranded UE with Marty Simmons for so many years. Three years of "meh" records (even though trending better) should not warrant five more years.

by **freddycat68** » March 27th, 2018, 9:38 pm

pafan wrote:This is the kind of extension that stranded UE with Marty Simmons for so many years. Three years of "meh" records (even though trending better) should not warrant five more years.

He had a couple years on his contract to begin with, so BU added 3 more. A 5-year deal seems fine here--recruits want to see that, and with what Wardle has coming back the next couple years (remember that Brown/Bar/Childs are still 2 yrs away from being Sr/Sr/Jr), this is a pretty low-risk move. If things go sideways the next couple years, no more extensions and it's a manageable buyout. If things keep going the way they're going, keep extending him out so he always has 5 years remaining.

by **Mikovio** » March 28th, 2018, 6:44 am

2015–16 Bradley 5–27 (3–15)
2016–17 Bradley 13–20 (7–11)
2017–18 Bradley 20–13 (9–9)

I wouldn't call that "3 years of meh records." It's tangible progress each year, and this last year we were the only team to beat fully healthy Loyola and gave them a good scare in Arch Madness. If we could just hit a shot those last 5 minutes...

by **pafan** » March 28th, 2018, 9:03 am

Yes, I know.

Simmons' first four years also showed clear progress (with a few recruiting mis-steps in year 3).
Year #4 was UE's first 9-9 or better MVC record since 2001. But at that point progress stopped. Years 4-8 were: 9-9, 9-9, 10-8, 6-12, 9-9.

But, if you're right and BU is willing to buy out two or three years if things go sideways, this extension is a good move.

by **Mikovio** » March 28th, 2018, 9:56 am

2007–08 Evansville 9–21 (3–15)
2008–09 Evansville 17–14 (8–10)
2009–10 Evansville 9–21 (3–15)
2010–11 Evansville 16–16 (9–9)

I think Wardle has done more to warrant an extension than Simmons did and with all due respect to E-ville, Bradley has deeper pockets and less patience so if things do go sideways or backwards we'd be quick to buy him out like we did Geno.

by **freddycat68** » March 28th, 2018, 4:02 pm

Mikovio wrote:2007–08 Evansville 9–21 (3–15)
2008–09 Evansville 17–14 (8–10)
2009–10 Evansville 9–21 (3–15)
2010–11 Evansville 16–16 (9–9)

I think Wardle has done more to warrant an extension than Simmons did and with all due respect to E-ville, Bradley has deeper pockets and less patience so if things do go sideways or backwards we'd be quick to buy him out like we did Geno.

Yes, this comparison doesn't hold water. Those trajectories are not even in the same universe.