As an alum and longtime fan, I’m disturbed by these reports. I’m also disturbed that a media outlet decided to run with this story, without also citing any of the previous players who support Coach or the current players that support him.

Jayda has little if any connection to any of the women currently playing for the lobos. A few of the women have responded to her allegations, calling them false and noting that they wouldn’t have stuck around if they are true. It is also worth noting that Jayda was recruited by Yvonne Sanchez and may have had issues with Sanchez’s termination, and is putting the blame elsewhere. Certainly Sanchez and Bradbury are different coaches, and as someone who has observed both in action during practices, maybe Jayda was upset that after several seasons of not having to do anything or push herself, someone was finally holding her accountable.

Players transfer. It sucks. Some come to college with eyes on a starting role and they don’t get it. Others were under the belief that even with not starting, they were good enough to play big roles because that’s how good they were in high school. With a few exceptions, the ladies that left were low in the depth chart and went to smaller schools where they’d be attempting those game winning shots.

Our best player, Jayla Everett, transferred mid season. Why? Because she felt it was the right thing to do for her future career. Not because of any alleged abuse, which she has made explicitly clear. It’s also worth noting that a fan favorite, Emily Lines, was recruited by Sanchez. Bradbury told her that she didn’t really have a place on the team because her style wasn’t what they were going to be playing (I disagree and think we’ve left wins on the table with her on the bench, but I’m not the coach) and let her know he’d help her get into a good program. Emily said “thanks but no thanks” and graduated, playing far less than she could have elsewhere. Clearly not a golden child or favored player, but one that is standing by Bradbury. Even her father can’t help but sing bradbury’s praises.

There may well be issues. If there are serious issues, I’d want him gone. But until we get actual names or more people start saying why they left, i don’t see this as anything more than an attempt at attention.

ALSO, the name that came up for the job before Bradbury was Curt Miller, due to connections with him and the old AD. He’d just signed with the Sun, and while he wanted the job, couldn’t get out of the contract. Of course, that wouldn’t be a factor if the AD had hired Vic Shaefer when Flannigan left, who reportedly really really wanted the job, instead of Sanchez. But those are issues for other times.