Hey there, kids! I'm trying to get my NY tabloid headline writing on. Eh. Decent effort.

So you'll read in tomorrow's paper (March 28) that Brad Oyler is leaving the Liberty Blue Jays girls' basketball program after 11 years as head coach. Oyler, simply put, is the reason why Liberty girls' basketball is significant. Today, he reflected on what he wanted to do when he took over and he said he wanted to build Liberty into one of the elite girls programs in the metro - Bishop Miege, St. Thomas Aquinas, Blue Springs, Hickman Mills. I would say, mission accomplished.

Under Oyler, Liberty got the invite to the HyVee Shootout several times and the Blue Jays have an impressive winning record in those games. In 2007, Liberty had its most successful year ever, winning 27 games and the Missouri Class 5 state championship. Basketballheads will always remember Liberty's semifinal game against Columbia Hickman when the Blue Jays came back from 20 points in the THIRD QUARTER to win 50-49. Yes, it was completely awesome and one of those high school games that should be replayed for-ev-er.

Just two years after winning the title, Liberty struggled with consistency this season but even so, Oyler led those inexperienced girls to the state quarterfinals.

Talking to him this afternoon, it definitely sounds like he's ready for a break (key word there: "break"). You can hear it in his voice. The man's tired. But I would not doubt if you see Oyler with another team soon. Maybe not the 2009-10 season but after that. He's only 48 years old and he's a proven program builder. You just don't stop being who you are, and he's a coach. I strongly believe he'll pop up somewhere.