With all the threads about Wellman, Buzzout/in, Randolph, etc., I started thinking about Jeff Battle.
By about April 10th or so, we will know if Jeff Battle will be returning to W-S. By then most of the head coaching jobs will be filled. Hopefully, he'll get one of them.
Also by then the top assistant jobs will also be filled. He may take one of those.
I'd love for Jeff to stay a Deac forever, but that is likely is not in the cards. For the past years he has been a great coach and a better man. We have been blessed and graced by his presence.
Sometimes it's just time to move on in life. This may be one of those times.
If he does we should celebrate his days as our coach and friend and wish him the best of everything.
He'll have both great and terrible memories of his days in W-S. He helped build two teams that reached #1. He helped a lot of kids become great young men. He watched his family grow.
Conversely he saw his friend and mentor die suddenly. After which he was put in a position no one should ever see. He was offered a chance at his dream of being a high D1 head coach.
Then he showed his character in saying no. The other terrible moments were due to his wife's failing health. I'd guess she told him to take the job. She'd be OK. That's what husbands and wives do in such situations.
Jeff couldn't do it. That's what people of great character do. Most wouldn't.
Somehow Jeff carried on. He has helped Wake Forest and raised his son.
From his actions, I'm sure Jeff is torn. He truly cares about Wake Forest and looks like he has helped put us back on the right track with this incoming recruiting class.
If another opportunity comes for Jeff this year, my greatest hope is that this community handles it as it should. We should thank Jeff for all he's given us and celebrate the next chapter in his life.
We should show him the same class and grace he's taught us.
By about April 10th or so, we will know if Jeff Battle will be returning to W-S. By then most of the head coaching jobs will be filled. Hopefully, he'll get one of them.
Also by then the top assistant jobs will also be filled. He may take one of those.
I'd love for Jeff to stay a Deac forever, but that is likely is not in the cards. For the past years he has been a great coach and a better man. We have been blessed and graced by his presence.
Sometimes it's just time to move on in life. This may be one of those times.
If he does we should celebrate his days as our coach and friend and wish him the best of everything.
He'll have both great and terrible memories of his days in W-S. He helped build two teams that reached #1. He helped a lot of kids become great young men. He watched his family grow.
Conversely he saw his friend and mentor die suddenly. After which he was put in a position no one should ever see. He was offered a chance at his dream of being a high D1 head coach.
Then he showed his character in saying no. The other terrible moments were due to his wife's failing health. I'd guess she told him to take the job. She'd be OK. That's what husbands and wives do in such situations.
Jeff couldn't do it. That's what people of great character do. Most wouldn't.
Somehow Jeff carried on. He has helped Wake Forest and raised his son.
From his actions, I'm sure Jeff is torn. He truly cares about Wake Forest and looks like he has helped put us back on the right track with this incoming recruiting class.
If another opportunity comes for Jeff this year, my greatest hope is that this community handles it as it should. We should thank Jeff for all he's given us and celebrate the next chapter in his life.
We should show him the same class and grace he's taught us.
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