Now that Amodio is signed, sealed and delivered to Quinnipiac, I want to offer what I believe to be good advice to Jimmy Ferry. Good, from the point of view that it will be good for him. And good, from the point of view that the Duquesne basketball community will benefit tremendously.

Here's the advice:

Step up, man, and be the face of the program.

The program killer is gone, taking with him the broken relationships with alumni, students and the press. The would-be marketing genius who actually lowered our profile, is out the door. The author of our divided fan base has said adios. Yes, he will be replaced, hopefully with someone who can actually be effective in the job, and not someone who will spend the next 5-7 years making excuses for being the anti-Larry-the-Cable-Guy ("Can't get 'er done"). If we do things the Duquesne way, the process will take months, cost more money than it would take to replace Palumbo with MSG West, cost thousands of fans, and result in the wrong person being chosen.

Actually, let's plan on that happening.

In the meantime, Jimmy Ferry must become the face of Duquesne basketball. Talk to the fans. Talk to the alumni. Talk to the students. Walk around campus. Bring a positive message. Say the right things. Do the right things. Show people why they should support you, instead of (as Amodio did) Complaining about the fact that they didn't. Engage. Inspire. Make it work.

You will make it EASIER and BETTER for Duquesne to find someone good for the AD position, and you will have made their life easier and better by the time they get here.

To be sure, you will have to continue to deal with a lot of negativity (right, Ritter's Diner?). But I think there are enough people like me who WANT to support you and the program, who were turned off by Amodio. I can't speak for others, but I will come back in a big way as a supporter.

Do it, Jimmy. Don't wait for stuff to fall into place. This is Duquesne. It doesn't fall into place; it falls on your head. Step up. Be the face of the program.

Be Duquesne basketball.