Eleven years is a long time in coaching circles.
Recently deposed Baylor University head coach Dave Bliss coached at UNM for 11 years with a seemingly spotless record. It has now been discovered that during the investigation into the death of Patrick Dennehy, a former Lobo himself, Bliss allegedly asked his players to lie and say that Dennehy earned money for his college tuition by selling drugs.
The allegations came to light when an assistant coach at Baylor taped one of the conversations with Bliss when he told assistant coaches and players to lie about Dennehy's source of income.
Bliss has since acknowledged the cover up and said, "I chose the wrong way to react."
No kidding.
Not only is it a blatant violation of NCAA rules, it is an act that defies reason. Why would a well-respected coach lie to paint a murdered player in a bad way, causing more pain and grief to an already distraught family? To save his job and basketball program, that's why.
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College basketball is big business and has been for quite some time. Not only did Bliss use poor judgment, he acted in a way that was morally and ethically despicable.
Which brings into question Bliss's 11 successful years at the helm of the Lobos. During his tenure Bliss led UNM to 246-108 record with seven appearances in the NCAA tournament and was twice recognized as Western Athletic Conference Coach of the Year. He is disputably the most successful coach in the history of the University.
But his recent actions cast doubt on his years as a Lobo. He may have been successful on the court, but the question should be how successful was he off the court. As the saying goes, a leopard cannot change his spots, so does this mean Bliss used the same unethical practices at UNM as he did at Baylor? There is no evidence to suggest that, but had Patrick Dennehy not been murdered would there ever have been any evidence to suggest any wrongdoing at Baylor?
Fanatical Lobo basketball supporters need to think long and hard about how they view the "successful" years of Bliss at UNM.
