INTERVIEW: Scout.com’s Jordan Wells
Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports
Few know the players on WKU’s football and basketball (and heck, he even tweeted some baseball recruiting a couple of months back) teams than Jordan Wells of Scout.com. Mr. Wells has written and done scout analysis for several sites before landing at Scout, and does a magnificent job. Probably the second most popular WKU twitter personality behind Chad Bishop, Jordan has an incredible knowledge, understanding, and love for Western Kentucky. He was kind enough to offer some moments of his time to answer a few questions about Petrino leaving, and what it means for recruits who were eyeing Western. (Ed. note – This interview was conducted before the hiring of Jeff Brohm as WKU’s new head coach.)
Q: Wave The Red Towel
A: Jordan Wells
Q: There seems to be a lot of calm around people who know WKU best, unlike with what we saw with Taggart leaving. Does the history of not only Petrino, but WKU coaches in general have a lot to play into that?
A: I think people were really emotionally attached to Taggart. His catch phrases like “Who’s got it better than us?” led WKU fans to go all-in. Like any emotionally-invested relationship, the breakup is tough. People knew better with Petrino.
Q: I know the plan was to have Jeff Brohm step into the head coaching role when Petrino left, but was that based on the speculation that he’d stay two or more years? If so, what’s the plan now? Is Brohm ready to take the reigns?
A: Knowing Petrino’s past, I’m sure WKU was ready for him to leave at any moment. I think people hoped he would stay 2+ years, but knew all along he’d leave for the right job. All indications point to Brohm, should only be a matter-of-time until announced.
Q: All jokes aside, I think Petrino did more good for WKU than harm. What say you?
A: Absolutely. I wrote a story about this–http://westernkentucky.
Q: With every coaching change, no matter the coach, school or conference, a shift in recruiting will take place. I’ve seen a couple of guys, like RB commit D’Andre Ferby, say that they are willing to look at other schools. How much will Bobby P leaving hurt future incoming classes.
A: I expect WKU to retain almost all their commits. Ferby is one I think Louisville will pursue, if they do, he’s likely gone. There are a couple others to keep an eye on, more information is available at WKUInsider.com
Q: Really, Petrino was on the Hill less than 15 months, so how much of a role or influence did he play in recruiting?
A: His role actually was big. Recruits want to win, and he’s a proven winner. Guys were lining up to play for him and they had to tell some recruits “no”, which you usually don’t get at a school like WKU.
Q: Will we have to wait until signing day to see the true impact of his departure?
A: No, we should know before then. Dead period ends Jan. 15, that’s when news will start to take off as coaches start making last minute in-person visits.
Q: Final Q for ya – What is the general consensus around recruits you’ve talked to, not just since the announcement, but throughout the year. Have any raised concerns about Petrino, or are they looking at WKU for the program as a whole, and not just who is the head coach?
Petrino had a big impact on their commitments, but most dived in cautiously. They knew he could leave, so most committed not just because of him, but because of excitement about the program. Most understood Brohm was a contingency plan all along, that gave them a safety net.
Thanks to Jordan for answering these questions. Hopefully he will join us again for national signing day. If you aren’t already, give him a follow on twitter – @JWellsScout – for all your WKU recruiting news, and in game updates during football and basketball games.