Comments on: Fan Letter: Harry Winebunkle

By: KSamo

KSamo — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 07:21:39 +0000

I have been going to games at Poly for 18 years. True, they are a middle of the pack team but that does not mean they can’t have some wins over great teams like UCLA. Coach Callero is one of the best Coaches this school has ever had, along with the rest of his staff. I think everyone expected this year to be a rebuilding year with the losses of their senior class (David Hanson, Will Taylor, Will Donahue, Amaurys Fermin, Jordan Lewis and Matt Titchenal) but they have done an amazing job in their absence. Other guys are stepping up (Reese Morgan and Brian Bennett) and they have shown they can beat top of the conference teams like Long Beach and Hawaii. Obviously, losses to UC Davis and UCSB sting for all of the fans and the team, but the most important basketball they will play is the BWC Tourney. Any given night teams from the Big West will fall, and others will rise up and get the win, but what matters is the Tournament. Until then, they just need to keep playing well at home and get some key wins on the road.

By: Luke Johnson

Luke Johnson — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 20:26:13 +0000

Absolutely. Harry’s comments are extreme but as we thought, of value. One can see why a fan could be bummed after such an amazing beginning to the season. Losing to UC Davis is difficult for all of us, whether we agree with Harry, to swallow. Thanks for the comment.

By: Peter

Peter — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 17:51:51 +0000

Well said,…Cpalum.

Joe Callero is an outstanding coach,…ONLY good things in our future under JOE.

Ws/Ls are important to the success of any program, but, I think JOE is building a “culture” at POLY.
He recruits not only talent, but, solid citizens. For the first time in ages improvements to Mott have happened.

Steer the course JOE,…we’re all with you.

GoPOLY!!!

By: Cpalum

Cpalum — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 17:07:55 +0000

Well …it was an entertaining read and none of his comments were all that surprising.

They are a middle of the pack Big West team. The UCLA win was awesome but this is men’s college basketball; Cinderella wins a game from time to time, that is part of what makes it compelling. Joe Callero is the best coach this school has ever had.
The team lost nearly every one of its best players off of last years squad and in addition lost Mallik Love before the season even started. We have some nice juniors and seniors… O’Brien and Eversely are great but largely this is a very young team. It is because of the incredible recruiting and coaching of Joe Callero that Cal Poly is even in the hunt. Young guys like Morgan and Bennett are off the charts as far as talent and have kept Cal Poly in many games this year (Bennett at UCLA was unbelievable and Morgan had a coming out party of his own last week at UCSB).

Frankly, I thought this was a rebuilding year going into the season. Callero has done something that no other Cal Poly division I basketball coach has ever done; he has built a program and a system. I have followed Cal Poly basketball since I was a student in the early 90s and can say without any hesitation that this team and program are heading in the right direction. They’ll win a few this year….but by next year I’ll expect them to be at the top of the conference…..and talent wise possibly the best team this school has ever had.

I can understand Harry’s sentiment as a fan of three years. As a fan of 20+ my perspective is very different.