By Sean Kennedy (@PhillyFastBreak)
While their city rivals were gearing up for conference tournaments this week, the Drexel Dragons made waves Monday by announcing the firing of head coach Bruiser Flint. After 15 seasons at Drexel, Flint had accumulated a 245-217 (.530) record, a stretch of longevity enough to make him the all-time school leader in wins.
However, recent times have been tough west of the Schuylkill. The DAC was a ghost town this past season, as the Dragons stumbled to a 6-25 record, representing the most losses in both Bruiser Flint’s coaching career and Drexel school history. It wasn’t a one-year blip either, as over the last four years, the team has averaged just 11.5 wins per season. Drexel had even finished this season fairly strong, winning 3 of their final 5 games, but Flint’s departure was seemingly already written in stone a while back.
Per sources, fundraising for Flint’s buyout began in late January. This was in the works for a while.
— Adam Hermann (@adamwhermann) March 7, 2016
People will point to the transfer of Damion Lee to Louisville prior to this season as the main reason for the downfall of the Dragons. While there’s no replacing a star scorer like Lee, the fact remains that Flint never made the NCAA Tournament during his 15-year tenure. The closest the Dragons came was when they were robbed of a bid in 2011-12. Following a conference regular season title, Drexel lost in the CAA tournament final and was denied an at-large spot in the field; Drexel finished that season 29-7. It was one of only three seasons out of fifteen where Flint’s squad won at least 20 games. In today’s “what have you done for me lately” sports environment, that’s a longer period of time than most coaches receive anymore without a sustained stretch of excellence.
Drexel officially announces Bruiser Flint and school have "parted ways." National search to be led by Parker Executive Search.
— Josh Verlin (@jmverlin) March 7, 2016
Now, with the Flint era over at Drexel, attention will shift to who will be the next person at the helm leading the Dragons. The main name floating out there was attached to a rumor about a week ago.
Former NBA vet Doug Overton being pursued by Philadelphia schools to accept college coaching job and leave 76ers analyst role. Ex-pro coach.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 1, 2016
Doug Overton played his college ball at La Salle, spent three years with the Sixers during his journeyman NBA career, and is a former assistant coach at St. Joe’s. He’s certainly well acquainted with the basketball scene in Philadelphia. Perhaps more relevant to the situation at Drexel, Doug’s son Miles will be a redshirt junior with the Dragons next fall. The younger Overton sat out this past season after transferring from Wake Forest.
Whether it’s Doug Overton or another individual assuming the reins of the Drexel program, sometimes a new face in charge is just best for everyone involved. While it will be tough to match the broad numbers Bruiser Flint put up over such a long period of time at Drexel, hopefully the next person roaming the sidelines can fly the Dragons to loftier heights.
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