[Southsider2k12]

http://www.thenewsdispatch.com/articles/20...e_adam/col0.txt

Edwards did the right thing

Three weeks ago I suggested that it was time for Michigan City's boys basketball program to make a change.

The change was made this week when coach Bennie Edwards resigned after five years as the Wolves' top man Thursday.

So maybe some of you are rejoicing this week, happy that Edwards is no longer in charge of the Wolves. Perhaps you're hoping that I'll share in your happiness.

Well, hold off the party favors for a second, please. This isn't really a happy time.

I find it difficult to crack a smile when I hear about a man like Edwards abandoning something he's enjoyed doing for as long as he has. Edwards has been a coach in some form or another for 31 years. Now, with the simple submission of a resignation letter, that career is over.

Here's a man who has abandoned his livelihood, stepping aside so someone else can try and do the job better.

Edwards is a good man, and I personally like him.

That said, his resignation was necessary. I honestly feel that the program will soon be in better hands. Five years was long enough, and the results just weren't there to justify having another chance at creating a winner.

But he's not evil. He's not someone that you should necessarily root against as a person. He always had the players' best intentions at heart, despite what many in this city might believe.

Anyone who thinks that Edwards is content with his overall record of 34-73 in five seasons is crazy. It's just as upsetting to him as it is to the fans that have been calling for his head over the last couple years. In fact, it's probably more distressing to him.

I'm also not going to say that he should be applauded for doing an admirable thing and stepping aside, even if It does happen to be the right thing. He recognized he wasn't getting the job done, and decided to let someone else have a crack at it.

Now, the question is who's going to be that person? Allow me to present three candidates just off the top of my head. Keep in mind not every one of these people has personally informed me of their interest. Rather, I feel given their experience level and current job status, they may become viable candidates.

The first will be a very familiar name, the 1981 Mr. Basketball winner while playing at Rogers, Dan Palombizio. Palombizio has made no secrets about wanting to return to coach in the town where he was a superstar more than 25 years ago. He actually has informed me of his interest in the job, even though he's technically still the head coach at New Buffalo. Look for Palombizio's name to be in the hat.

The second won't be so familiar, but is someone I know athletic director Bob “Bear” Falls holds in high regard. Rob Walker has served as an assistant coach for the last couple years at City, but has varsity experience at LaVille. In his only and only season with the Lancers, he guided them to an 8-12 record before accepting a teaching position at City. He may have some interest in the position, and I'm sure he'd get a good look with him already being in the system.

The third name is Bob Buscher. Area basketball fans will remember him as the five-year coach at Chesterton whose son, Brett, went on to have a nice four-year career at Purdue. In his five years he compiled a 61-48 record before leaving his position. This past year he served as a varsity assistant to coach Tom Peller. My sources tell me that he has some interest in becoming a head coach again, and City could be a logical destination.

Bottom line is, it should be an interesting search. I'm sure other candidates will emerge, and City should have an opportunity to make a good hire that can lead this program back to respectability, and perhaps beyond.

If administration does indeed make a quality hire, it's perfectly OK to crack a smile and conjure up some hope.

In the meantime, be careful about trampling the reputation of a departed coach who struggled for wins, but always conducted himself with class in the face of adversity.

Have an idea for Home Cookin' or Parky's People? Contact Sports Editor Adam Parkhouse at aparkhouse@thenewsdispatch.com or 874-7211, Ext. 461.

[Ang]

Adam Parkhouse writes such good columns. I love his writing style and often find myself agreeing with him on many points. Bennie Edwards is not excluded. I worked with Bennie and agree that he has the players' bests interests at heart. Bennie is a coach first and a teacher second (He was coaching at Elston when I was in high school!!). I imagine he will still involve himself some how with coaching kids. He can't be idle like that for too long. But, I also agree that it is time for a change in MCHS basketball. I'm curious to see who the new head coach is going to be. I know for a fact that Dan Polumbizio wants the job so bad he can taste it (after all, his picture IS hanging up in the Wolves den). As a matter of fact, the last conversation I had with Dan was about two years ago--right before he got the job at NB--I had told him that unless Bennie resigns there is no way he's going to get the job right now. He said to me, "There's always tomorrow. Bennie won't be there forever, and when he's gone, I'll be the first in line." or something like that. I haven't followed Dan at NB to see how he's doing there, but I guarantee you that he was on the phone today calling Bear.

[Southsider2k12]

DB could be a great choice for this school. He is a guy who has succeeded as a coach and a player and knows what it takes to accel at both. It seems our biggest problem right now though is making sure our best athletes succeed in the classroom as well as on teh courts.

[Southsider2k12]

This might really happen.

http://www.michigancityin.com/articles/200.../27/news/n2.txt

NB coach quits, wants job at MCHS

By Adam Parkhouse, The News-Dispatch

New Buffalo, Mich., coach Dan Palombizio watches the action with La Lumiere coach Delray Brooks in the foreground in this file photo from Jan. 25, 2006. N-D files

Dan Palombizio sees an opportunity to fulfill a dream, and Monday he took a step toward helping him achieve that goal.

The former Rogers High School standout and 1981 Indiana Mr. Basketball resigned via e-mail Monday as the head boys basketball coach at New Buffalo High School. In doing so, Palombizio officially declared his intention to pursue the now-vacant Michigan City High School boys basketball coaching position.

“I'm going to give every effort I possibly can to get that job,” Palombizio said. “I'm from Michigan City, and back in the '70s and '80s, you feared Michigan City. Now you don't fear Michigan City.

“They're just an average team right now, and they need someone that can bring the fire back into this town. I'd give it 110 percent, just like I did when I played.”

Last week, the City job became open when coach Bennie Edwards resigned. He had compiled a 34-73 record in five years, and the Wolves lost their first sectional contest in 2007.

Palombizio racked up a 37-27 record in his three years with the Class D Bison, including winning the school's second-ever Red Arrow Conference championship this past season. However, the team couldn't parlay a great regular season into postseason success, losing to Lawrence in the first round of the district tournament.

Palombizio indicated that City isn't the only job he's pursuing, even if it's the one he wants most. He also is looking at filling the Portage position, as well as a collegiate spot at Purdue University-Calumet in Hammond.

He did insist, however, that City is where he wants to be.

“I want kids at the lower levels to be excited and want to play for the high school team,” Palombizio said. “I have a lot of people behind me, and I feel like I'm the best candidate.”

Palombizio said he would stress teaching fundamentals and good, basic basketball. He also indicated the importance of developing a strong feeder system.

“My philosophy is you start from the bottom up,” Palombizio said. “There's all kinds of things I've learned over the years, playing for Gene Keady, playing for George Karl over in Europe. I've learned a lot of good things from good coaches and done some things on my own.”

Though he has his eyes set on other things, Palombizio did indicate that leaving New Buffalo wasn't an easy decision.

“There's a lot of good kids there,” Palombizio said. “They're terrific kids, and it's gonna be tough to leave.”

There is no official timetable on replacing Edwards at City. City officials have yet to offer public comment, pending the school board's approval of Edwards' resignation.

Contact Sports Editor Adam Parkhouse at aparkhouse@thenewsdispatch.com or 874-7211, Ext. 461.

[Ang]

I told you he wants that job so bad he can taste. I think Dan would be very good for MCHS. I really do. I don't know how Bear feels about him, though. We've never really discussed Dan, even though he was in the AD all the time. But personally, I think Dan is just what they need. The only thing I can see that would prevent him from even being considered is if an MCAS teacher applies for the job.

[Max Main]

Don't care for palembizio. didn't at rogers, don't now. Buscher sounds good. It would be nice to have some fresh blood around here. Palembizio ain't it.

[Ang]

Well no, Polumbizio has an extremely concieted attitude. He is very full of himself and I'm not afraid to admit that. Sometimes he can be a real pain in the butt and when you see him coming, you hope that you can start moving in the opposite direction before he sees you. But, Bobby Knight has a really crappy personality too. When looking at Coach, their personality is somewhat moot (not totally moot, mind you but it's not extremely important). The main concern is, "Can he motivate these kids to be winners?" I think Dan Polumbizio can do that. I don't know if you know much about track, but the coach for girls track and girls cross country is one of the most difficult men I have ever had to deal with. He is demanding and condescending. He wines when he doesn't get his way, and can be very sharp with the tongue. BUT, he is one of the best coaches I've ever known. He has taken girls who have no hope for a viable future and shown them how to be winners. Not only on the field, but in life as well.

[Max Main]

Ah, yes, coach bumber... I have seen some real success stories from his program, some girls I knew from cross country and track in grade school.

Palembizio? No. At a three-on-three tournament some years ago, his team played our guys. They were the dirtiest bunch there, all elbows and knees. they lost, by the way, but there were quite a few people that came over to watch the game, and ALL of them wanted Palembizio's team to get beat. In his personal life, there are some questions whether he should be in charge of anything. MC can do much better than this cad. It would be a real shame if mcas actually considers hiring him, o even settles for him.