Maryland Coach Wants His Players to Get On With Lives

New Maryland basketball coach Bob Wade says his “first responsibility” is helping his players overcome the emotional trauma following the death of teammate Len Bias and the turmoil in the school’s athletic department.

In his first extensive interview since taking over the embattled Maryland basketball program two weeks ago from Charles (Lefty) Driesell, Wade said he is not “writing off” the upcoming season despite the departure of seven players from last year’s squad.

“It’s something that just has to die down,” Wade said of the controversy surrounding the program. “We’ve got to get off the front page and onto the sports page. It’s going to come--it just has to come with time.”

Wade said he sympathized with what his players have suffered since the June 19 cocaine intoxication death of Bias and the subsequent forced resignation of Driesell, for 17 years the Terrapins’ coach.

“They just want to get on with their lives,” Wade said during a 90-minute interview. “That’s their major concern. They can’t forget, because it’s something that’s going to be etched into their minds. But they just want to get on with the upcoming season and, most importantly, get on with their lives.”