VALPARAISO | As former Valparaiso men's basketball head coach Homer Drew was passing the torch to son Bryce Drew on Tuesday morning, a group of eager observers watched from the audience.
Current and former players gathered to catch the news conference at the Harre Union while even more were watching online at the Horizon League Network.
With Bryce Drew firmly in place as the 21st head coach in program history, the excitement of the players was palpable following the announcement.
"I was really looking forward to play for the legendary coach Homer Drew, but at the same time, I'm incredibly excited about playing for coach Bryce," Virginia Tech transfer Ben Boggs said. "I knew this was a possibility when I signed here and we asked about it during our conversations. I was pleased with their responses and I'm excited to get started."
Boggs was in attendance along with sophomores Tommy Kurth and Kevin Van Wijk as well as former players Cory Johnson and Howard Little.
"It was absolutely an honor to play for Coach Drew, but Bryce has been directing a lot of the traffic the last couple of years," Kurth said. "He is absolutely ready for this and we have full confidence in everything."
Ole Miss transfer Will Bogan was following the news from home and is eager to arrive on campus later this summer. Bogan's paperwork has yet to be finalized, but his official addition to the team should be announced within the coming weeks.
"(Homer Drew retiring) wasn't something that I anticipated, but I'm excited about it," Bogan said. "Bryce was the main coach that was recruiting me and he was the one that came down to see me. "
Bogan received a joint phone call from Homer and Bryce Drew on Monday as did the other incoming recruits and all are on board with the coaching change.
While players such as Bogan and Boggs are excited about their future with Bryce Drew, outgoing senior Howard Little spent Tuesday's news conference watching with a heavy heart.
"It's an honor to say that I played on Coach Drew's last team he ever coached and these guys coming in will be able to say that they played on Coach Bryce's first ever team," Little said. "I think it will be a bit of a different approach. Coach Bryce is a little more direct, but the styles will still be the same."
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