Boulder – May is usually a quiet time for college basketball coaches. Not at Colorado.
In the wake of a players-only meeting with CU athletic director Mike Bohn, the resignation of an assistant coach and the transfer of a promising young forward, the Rocky Mountain News reported Friday that Bohn already had informed coach Ricardo Patton that next season will be his last, citing a source close to the program.
“That is inaccurate. There has been no decision made at this time,” Bohn said Friday. “At this time, I’m not prepared to make a long-term decision (on Patton).”
Bohn reiterated what he has said since the season ended, that he has no timetable for addressing Patton’s contract situation. Some coaches facing a potential “lame-duck” season might feel compelled to resign, but Patton told The Post he plans on coaching next season regardless of his contract status.
“We talk to our players about commitment, and I plan to honor my commitment,” Patton said. “I have nothing else to say about it. What else can I say? I’m done commenting about it. Talk to Mike Bohn.”
Bohn said he is working on completing a “10-point program” to improve the men’s basketball program. It will address facility upgrades, scheduling, fan support, student involvement and marketing.
But apparently not Patton’s contract, worth about $750,000 annually.
“What has actually been told to Ricardo Patton is that a contract extension is not part of the 10-point program to, in essence, improve all aspects of the basketball program,” Bohn said. “There could be a contract extension before next season, absolutely.
“It’s accurate to say there is no extension at this point. But that doesn’t mean there won’t be one before next season. Why would we decide now? We’re not going to (give up on next season).”
Patton, 47, is 177-140 (.558) in 10-plus seasons, including 77-94 (.450) in regular-season conference games.
Colorado went 20-10 this past season but skidded to a 5-7 finish that cost it an NCAA bid.
“In fairness to Ricardo, he needs to be evaluated on a platform of improvement, including all aspects of what we do,” Bohn said, referring to expected benefits of the 10-point plan. “That’s with the full support of our department and our efforts.”
Patton will be under pressure next season with one of the youngest rosters in the Big 12, including at least five freshmen and only two seniors. Also, Colorado may be without junior- to-be Richard Roby, the team’s leading scorer (17 points per game) who has declared for next month’s NBA draft. Roby has not hired an agent and has kept open the option of returning.
Meanwhile, the recent resignation of assistant coach Mike Frink, the transfer of 6-foot-7 freshman forward Calvin Williams and reports of a meeting between frustrated players and Bohn has raised questions about the program’s stability.
Williams, from Memphis, Tenn., said he wants to play closer to home. He said disdain for how Patton interacted with him and other players also led to his departure.
“I just don’t think this is a fit for me anymore,” Williams said.
He participated in a recent meeting Bohn had with some underclassmen. The meeting was not called by disgruntled players, Williams said, but initiated by Bohn, who has been gathering information on how to improve the program.
“He asked us what went wrong at the last part of the season,” Williams said. “We were discussing things like what can we do to change the program, to help it rebuild and be better in the future. That was it, really. It wasn’t like we went to the athletic director. He kind of grabbed us.”
The good news for CU fans is Patton’s highly touted six-man recruiting class appears loyal to the school.
The highest-rated signees, 6-6 Dale Vanwright of Houston and 6-8 Jeremy Williams of Memphis, said they will enroll in June to begin classes and workouts.
