Phelps leaves for Zona

[MU06CU10]

If we allegedly spend the second-most money on our basketball program, how is it that we lose coaches to lateral moves? Is Phelps taking a pay cut? Or do we just not get into bidding wars?

As much as I love our program, many would argue that this is not a lateral move. More importantly, there is a long lasting prior relationship between Phelps and Miller (assistants together at NC State for a number of years). Rather than assume we just didn't want to pony up the money or that we can't keep guys from making lateral moves, it might be worthwhile to consider that Phelps had an opportunity to move to one of the best programs in the country and work with a coach that he knows very well. Simply put, I doubt money was the issue, and that's not a knock on our program or head coach.

[dgies9156]

Gosh, I'm tired of the self-loathing of people here.

People, he was an assistant coach. They come and go and more often than not, the good ones go. They become head coaches or number one assistant coaches.

Sure Wojo has only a year under his belt. Buz geez, he showed a great deal of progress last year and he hung in there with a reduced squad that was young, beaten up and worn down as the year went on. With more horses this year and more experience, I'm expecting good if not great things from Wojo.

I don't care if his assistant is Bozo the Clown. Just win baby!!!!

[BCHoopster]

If I was 48 years old, do you want to be in Tuscon where the weather is great 9 months a year, and then the 3 months that are bad you are out recruiting in the summer, it really is a no
brainer for me and for sure his family.

[Lacrosse218]

Not too worried about him leaving- but was he the lead recruiter on anyone?

[TSmith34, Inc.]

I think there's little doubt that Travis will be elevated to Asst. Coach.  But I agree with the notion that an experienced veteran x and o guy would be great in the Director of Basketball Ops. position.  Pretty sure Jerry wants to stay retired but I have high regard for him.

I'd be totally on board with Travis replicating Wojo's career path. i.e., collegiate point guard returns to his alma matter where he spends 15 years as the assistant coach to a guy that leads the program to multiple national titles before somewhat reluctantly leaving said alma matter (for, let's say, Gonzaga) because said head coach isn't yet done winning national titles.

[avid1010]

all this tells me is that wojo picked a good assistant in phelps as zona/miller wouldn't be stealing him away if he wasn't a good hire.  that said, i think his skill set would be very different than damon staudemire, so i found that interesting.  i'm good with travis being on the bench, but i'll trust wojo's abilities to make that decision over mine.

[Eldon]

Opens a spot for some 5-star recruit's dad, anayna'a?

[Tums Festival]

Gosh, I'm tired of the self-loathing of people here.

People, he was an assistant coach. They come and go and more often than not, the good ones go. They become head coaches or number one assistant coaches.

Sure Wojo has only a year under his belt. Buz geez, he showed a great deal of progress last year and he hung in there with a reduced squad that was young, beaten up and worn down as the year went on. With more horses this year and more experience, I'm expecting good if not great things from Wojo.

I don't care if his assistant is Bozo the Clown. Just win baby!!!!

+1

I don't remember reading anywhere that Mark Phelps is the world's greatest assistant coach and his KSA is irreplaceable. Feeling pretty comfortable with Wojo's ability to find a quality assistant to bring on board.

[Litehouse]

Opens a spot for some 5-star recruit's dad, anayna'a?

Well, Diener's cousin was just rated one of the top 15 kids in the class of 2018 by Maxpreps, if that's close enough.

[swoopem]

Well, Diener's cousin was just rated one of the top 15 kids in the class of 2018 by Maxpreps, if that's close enough.

I'm assuming this is top 15 in the state rather than the country?

[Groin_pull]

+1

I don't remember reading anywhere that Mark Phelps is the world's greatest assistant coach and his KSA is irreplaceable. Feeling pretty comfortable with Wojo's ability to find a quality assistant to bring on board.

Christ, no one said the MU program was going to crumble. Just saying that it would be nice to have some stability. But please take that and blow it completely out of proportion.

[MattyWarrior]

I don't know from Phelps, but I think maybe Wojo goes with a guy that's older and been around CBB for awhile.

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

I don't know from Phelps, but I think maybe Wojo goes with a guy that's older and been around CBB for awhile.

Hoopaloop it is

[Litehouse]

I'm assuming this is top 15 in the state rather than the country?

John Diener from Cedarburg in the 10 more to watch, he's Tom's son.
http://www.maxpreps.com/news/b92coYV8S0CtWMCsqbIHBA/maxpreps-2014-15-boys-basketball-freshman-five.htm

[The Lens]

Christ, no one said the MU program was going to crumble. Just saying that it would be nice to have some stability. But please take that and blow it completely out of proportion.

Retaining 80% of the below is stability.   You are the one blowing things out of proportion.

Steve Wojciechowski - Head Coach
Chris Carrawell - Assistant Coach
Brett Nelson - Assistant Coach
Mark Phelps - Assistant Coach
Travis Diener - Director of Player Personnel

[Dawson Rental]

I don't know from Phelps, but I think maybe Wojo goes with a guy that's older and been around CBB for awhile.

Hoopaloop it is

Boom!

Love it.

[GGGG]

If we allegedly spend the second-most money on our basketball program, how is it that we lose coaches to lateral moves? Is Phelps taking a pay cut? Or do we just not get into bidding wars?

Maybe he didn't like Wojo.  Maybe Wojo didn't like him.

Good lord, IT IS AN ASSISTANT COACH. 

[GGGG]

Christ, no one said the MU program was going to crumble. Just saying that it would be nice to have some stability. But please take that and blow it completely out of proportion.

By calling the MU program unstable, you are the one blowing it out of proportion in the first place.

[Lennys Tap]

If we allegedly spend the second-most money on our basketball program, how is it that we lose coaches to lateral moves? Is Phelps taking a pay cut? Or do we just not get into bidding wars?

This just in: moving from the Marquette program to the Arizona program is NOT a lateral move.

[Blackhat]

Guy's a loser.   Good riddance.

[brandx]

Gosh, I'm tired of the self-loathing of people here.

People, he was an assistant coach. They come and go and more often than not, the good ones go. They become head coaches or number one assistant coaches.

Sure Wojo has only a year under his belt. Buz geez, he showed a great deal of progress last year and he hung in there with a reduced squad that was young, beaten up and worn down as the year went on. With more horses this year and more experience, I'm expecting good if not great things from Wojo.

I don't care if his assistant is Bozo the Clown. Just win baby!!!!

Agreed.

It is a good thing when an assistant leaves like this. It means he is desired at the Blue Bloods. It means Wojo is able to attract coaching talent as well as players.

Good coaches have good assistants. Other programs will look to grab them. Once we are back in the Dance a couple years. our assistants will be poached for head jobs. That's how it works - especially with relatively young assistants.

[Daniel]

Wojo' tree got shaken early. That's a good sign. Go Eijo. Go Marquette!!

[Dr. Blackheart]

I don't know from Phelps, but I think maybe Wojo goes with a guy that's older and been around CBB for awhile.

Digger is lined up.  MU saving on the name tags to pay for the highlighters now needed.

[Groin_pull]

Retaining 80% of the below is stability.   You are the one blowing things out of proportion.

Steve Wojciechowski - Head Coach
Chris Carrawell - Assistant Coach
Brett Nelson - Assistant Coach
Mark Phelps - Assistant Coach
Travis Diener - Director of Player Personnel

Sigh. This board makes my head hurt.

[The Process]

I don't know from Phelps, but I think maybe Wojo goes with a guy that's older and been around CBB for awhile.

But will there be a beer summit?