Bryce Drew was asked about the difficulty of leaving Valparaiso for Vanderbilt.
“I met with our team (Tuesday) and I was crying like a baby for a lot of the time, just because of the sensational kids they have and the relationship you build over three, four years,” Drew said Wednesday during an introductory news conference with the Commodores. “When you leave somewhere, you should have tears. That means you love what you’ve done, you love the people and you love going through that process together.
“It’s definitely difficult. Any time you’re at a place for a long time, you build deep relationships and you go through dreams together, and you accomplish some and maybe you come up short on a few. It’s definitely emotional.”
After days heading in that direction, Vanderbilt on Wednesday officially announced Drew’s hiring. Valparaiso also issued a news release, offering support and thanking Drew as he made the move.
Drew elicited several rounds of applause during the Memorial Gym news conference, which was open to the public.
One comment was particularly popular: “We would like to be that first Vanderbilt team to get to the Final Four.”
Vanderbilt athletic director David Williams said he sought to find “the best possible person we could.”
He believes the Commodores found that person in Drew, with his combination of head coaching experience, winning track record and overall fit.
Drew, 41, said he and his wife, Tara, prayed about the decision.
“There’s been a lot of different opportunities in the past that I’ve looked at, but none of them brought the full package that Vanderbilt brings,” Drew said.
“You get to compete at the highest level athletically, but yet you get to learn at the highest level academically. Just from being here a couple hours, I can feel the energy. You can feel how this is a special place.”
Drew consistently said it would take a very special opportunity for him to leave the Crusaders.
“We wish Bryce Drew and his family the best as they prepare for this next step in their journey,” Valparaiso athletics director Mark LaBarbera said in a statement. “It’s been a blessing to work with a man who embodies such character and faith.
“Bryce is an exceptional young coach who has been an integral part of the men’s basketball team’s success. We are confident we will continue to build on his success and look forward to the future.”
Drew’s iconic “The Shot” against Mississippi in the 1998 NCAA Tournament highlighted the Crusaders’ only Sweet 16 run. He was named Indiana’s Mr. Basketball at Valparaiso High in 1994.
The Crusaders went to the NCAA Tournament twice, the NIT twice — including this season’s championship game appearance — and the CIT once. They won four Horizon League regular-season titles, with Drew becoming the conference coach of the year three times.
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Basketball has been part of Valparaiso for 100 years. With Drew’s departure, the Crusaders will be embarking on a new era in that history.
Drew was 124-49 in five seasons as coach. He spent six seasons on his father Homer’s staff, the final five as associate head coach before succeeding his father in 2011. A member of the Drew family coached Valparaiso for 28 consecutive seasons, with Homer for 22 and Scott for one.
“The Drew family has made significant contributions to build upon Valpo’s storied tradition, growing it into a national brand that celebrates a winning combination of athleticism, teamwork, quality academics, character, integrity and faith,” Valparaiso president Mark Heckler said in a statement. “We are certainly saddened to see Bryce Drew move on, yet we are thrilled that one of our own alumni has achieved this level of national recognition and success.
“Valpo has provided a wonderful platform for Homer, Scott and now Bryce Drew to each hone their skills as coaches and develop national reputations, and we look forward to working with our next coach to build upon that same platform.”
How far the Crusaders stray from their family to find their next coach remains to be seen.
Sources said assistant Roger Powell was considered their top choice, but the key recruiter is expected to join Drew’s Vanderbilt staff.
Attention has shifted to three-year assistant and former Stanford standout Matt Lottich, according to sources.
Twitter @MichaelOsipoff