As I stepped off of the bus onto campus yesterday, I saw the Technician's headline that read "Herb jumps ship." The Technician, known for its poor journalism, couldn't have been more wrong. The correct headline should have read "Herb sets sail for brighter days."
Herb didn't bail on NC State; rather, NC State bailed on Herb. The "faithful" Wolfpack Nation bailed on Herb Sendek. The rain of criticism was torrential on the job that Sendek had done.
What had he done? Well, he compiled a record of 191-132. Made 5 straight NCAA Tournament appearances, made post-season appearances in 9 of his 10 seasons and made 3 ACC Tournament finals. And considering where the program was under Les Robinson, Sendek worked a near miracle.
As I said in "Embrace Herb," it takes time to build a national powerhouse basketball program. A note from last night's National Championship game...It took John Wooden 15 years at UCLA before he won the first of his 10 titles.
"Herb Sendek will never win a National Championship at NC State," is a statement I have heard and disagreed with for some time now. But, now I must say I agree because Herb is now at Arizona State.
I'm sure that after the end of the season Herb felt little if any support. Especially, after no one from the University did anything to quiet the Herb haters. Lee Fowler and Chancellor James Oblinger have done nothing other than their statement following ASU's press conference in support of Herb.
It has been my stance all along that Sendek is the man for the job. It takes time. It took time for Everett Case to put State on the map, and he never won a national championship. After 10 seasons Herb had built a solid foundation for the future. He left the program in better shape than when he took it over.
We have a solid foundation at NC State, but we lack a coach to head the program.
The News came as a surprise to me late Saturday night as I drove home from work. The news was confirmed on Sunday, and made official on Monday. When it finally set in, I felt the pressure release and I knew better days were ahead for Herb. Herb Sendek was let down and deserved better than he was given during his tenure at State.
There was once a time when going from NCSU to ASU would have been career suicide. I must say that now it is a step up. I don't know much about the Sun Devils' fan base, but I'm sure that 5 consecutive tournament appearances will make Herb a desert legend.
I was able to watch the webcast of the ASU press conference. Herb looked like a brand new man. Like the weight of the world had just been lifted from his shoulders. He looked happy, refreshed and ready to go.
In his 10 years at state Sendek probably aged 30 years. Sendek, 43, is a youngster in coaching years. And at ASU he has the chance to become a legend.
Be careful what you wish for my fellow Wolfpacker's! If we can't hit a home run with the next coach, then we may be facing a decade of losing. All the while Herb will have a smile on his face knowing that we are getting what we deserve.
Those who know basketball, including National Championship winning coach, Billy Donovan, and national runner-up coach Ben Howland have come out in praise of Herb. Donovan called Sendek "the complete package," and howland, a fellow PAC-10 coach, said, "Our league is a great league. Herb just made it tougher."
Herb did not jump ship. A person only jumps ship when the ship is sinking. And the ship called Wolfpack basketball is definitely afloat and going strong. Prior to his hiring the program was heading down faster than the Titanic.
Congratulations Herb! And I wish you the best of luck!
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