BG loses in Muncie....
Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2026 6:29 pm
Ball St 82-67 winner...BG now 13-12, 5-8 MAC. I'm beginning to think Coach Chmiel isn't the person to lead the program. 
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Proof that hiring someone from a top program doesn't guarantee anything. I think the hope was getting someone from the South Carolina coaching tree would equal access to better recruits, but it has simply not transpired. Not following the Fralick model was a mistake as that's exactly what BG needs to be doing when looking for the next HC, whenever that may be.
Hiring Ashland’s coach once before worked out. I had wondered if they would go back to that well with Kari Pickens when Fralick left, but they went in a different direction. Pickens is STILL at Ashland at the moment.jpfalcon09 wrote: ↑Mon Feb 16, 2026 3:16 pmProof that hiring someone from a top program doesn't guarantee anything. I think the hope was getting someone from the South Carolina coaching tree would equal access to better recruits, but it has simply not transpired. Not following the Fralick model was a mistake as that's exactly what BG needs to be doing when looking for the next HC, whenever that may be.
Considering that pretty much all his other coaching hires have been current head coaches, it always surprises me that van der Merwe didn't go that route on this hire as well.jpfalcon09 wrote: ↑Mon Feb 16, 2026 3:16 pm Not following the Fralick model was a mistake as that's exactly what BG needs to be doing when looking for the next HC, whenever that may be.
Betting man would say he got a bit blinded by the South Carolina resume and decided to take a calculated risk on this one. It was worth a shot given the background. Nothing can equal the experience of running a program however and despite Chmiel's being a part of the Gamecocks' impressive run.BGFalconfromCincy wrote: ↑Tue Feb 17, 2026 1:26 pmConsidering that pretty much all his other coaching hires have been current head coaches, it always surprises me that van der Merwe didn't go that route on this hire as well.jpfalcon09 wrote: ↑Mon Feb 16, 2026 3:16 pm Not following the Fralick model was a mistake as that's exactly what BG needs to be doing when looking for the next HC, whenever that may be.