Goodbye Ben - Twitter Support and Silence

After Ben Howland had only classy responses in his farewell press conference today, I wanted to put up some of the goodbye comments his former players posted on the Twitters.

Thank you for everything Coach Howland. I Love You 4 making me the man I am today & Thanks for the opportunity n for bein like a father 2 me

— Lorenzo Mata(@RealMataLo) March 24, 2013

cant beleive i was coach Howlands first recruit 10 years ago ... took pride in winning and learning from him ... youtube.com/watch?v=NeVSYk…

— Arron Afflalo (@arronafflalo) March 24, 2013

Also Michael Roll posted support for Howland, but his account his protected.

I guess this is indirect, not mention Howland by name support:

Please tell me how coaching is responsible for any of this shitty play?

— Matt DeMarcus (@demarc24) March 23, 2013

Benjamin gone?? It's been a good run... Thank you for everything

— Jerime Anderson (@Jay_Bean05) March 24, 2013

But there are two sides to every story, and in Ben Howland's case, two sides to his UCLA legacy.

Woah, that's some interesting news to wake up to

— Anthony Stover (@Anth0nySt0ver) March 24, 2013

This is where I would post what the current or recent players have been saying, but not a word has been uttered. The current players may have been asked to stay out of it, but the only recent player that has said a word is Jerime Anderson (although another way to look at it is that he was the only one left...) And no, Dragovic does not have a Twitter (that he updates.)

I think that alone shows the stark divide between the first five years and the last five. Also in the last five, there has been some not so nice things mentioned about Howland in recruiting circles.

Howland was successful, but he wore on players. Talk to guys that have played in that program. Lots did not like him at all.

— Nate Jones (@JonesOnTheNBA) March 25, 2013

Curious.

@jonesonthenba believe it or not, UCLA player alums were counter recruiting: telling kids NOT to go play for him

— Amin Elhassan (@AminESPN) March 25, 2013

And curiouser.

I'm not trying to kick a man while he's down - just presenting what I thought was extremely curious so far in the responses to him being fired. There may be more in the next couple of days, but in an era of instant response, it has been very quiet.