Belmont Deconstruction then Rebuilding

Mass Exodus Before the Rebuild

(Chicago, IL) – We knew when Casey Alexander left Belmont for Kansas State the upheaval would be significant in Nashville. There has been a tidal wave of change. First, Director of Athletics Scott Corley moved quickly to hire Duke assistant and Belmont great Evan Bradds to become the next head coach, but the deconstruction then rebuilding is painful.

Almost immediately players were announcing their intent to transfer. Assistant coaches were hired on to Alexander’s staff in Manhattan, Kansas and emotions are raw in Music City. In another wise move, Corley retained long-time assistant Brian Ayers. His voice, presence and knowledge will be important in the rebuilding of the Belmont staff and roster.

As of this writing, Tyler Lundblade, Sam Orme, Brigham Rogers and Drew Scharnowski have announced their portal intentions. Three key, fall signees are gone too. While Jack Feldhaus announced he was re-opening his recruitment process, Jaylen Alexander (no relation) and Devin Hutcherson have announced their signings with K-State.

While we’ve seen conflicting reports, it appears that assistant coaches Kerron Johnson, J.J. Butler and Luke Smith are making the move from Nashville, to the Little Apple. We’re hearing that Bryce Haase and Lee Scott are coming to the Big Twelve too.

With virtually the entire staff gone and multiple players in the portal, the deconstruction seems almost complete, but Belmont fans probably have to brace for more departures. What about Jack Smiley and Eoin Dillon? Those outstanding freshmen could return and bring some great stability to the program.

If they leave, then the deconstruction would be totally complete.

How Bradds fills out his coaching staff and hits the recruiting trail seem like daunting tasks for one of the program’s all-time great players. Clearly, he has connections and a history in the game. All of that will be tested by his current circumstances.

His involvement in Duke’s March Madness participation is a hindrance right now to Bradds’ ability to (at least publicly) create that offseason momentum of staff building and roster building. Belmont fans need Duke to lose on Sunday.

Do Good