While the "mystery candidate in the NCAA tournament" has been solved as Cuonzo Martin, is there any reason why the search committee hasn't at least put out a feeler to Dwayne Stephens' people to gauge his interest since the Spartans are still playing? Or is he simply off the list as Izzo's likely successor at Michigan State? Does being a former Crean assistant hurt his chances? I prefer Howland to Martin because of the greater potential stability factor, and while Stephens may cause the same issue as Martin when Izzo decides to call it a career, I'd rather have someone whose track record has longevity with success.
Dwayne Stephens is in the mix. The school is actively considering him.
Is he head coach material? I'd he even interested in being a head coach? I don't recall him ever even being a candidate for anything.
Quote from: Chris Columbo on March 29, 2014, 09:08:02 PM
Dwayne Stephens is in the mix. The school is actively considering him.
Source?
Hiring an assistant coach screams STEPPING STONE.
Hypothetical... say Howland for whatever reason falls out of the mix. You'd rather have Martin, a guy who may be being pulled by us as much as being pushed out by Tennessee or Wardle, whom many on this board seem agreed is not ready, over Stephens?
While a great candidate, Dwayne can get his experience elsewhere, not Marquette.
Quote from: caltruda on March 29, 2014, 09:18:19 PM
Hypothetical... say Howland for whatever reason falls out of the mix. You'd rather have Martin, a guy who may be being pulled by us as much as being pushed out by Tennessee or Wardle, whom many on this board seem agreed is not ready, over Stephens?
I hope it doesn't come down to just those three as our choices. Nothing against Stephens except no head coaching experience.
Quote from: Chris Columbo on March 29, 2014, 09:08:02 PM
Dwayne Stephens is in the mix. The school is actively considering him.
Really? Marquette can and will do better.
Quote from: NavinRJohnson on March 29, 2014, 09:09:02 PM
Source?
A senior person in athletic department closely involved in process .
Quote from: Heavy Gear on March 29, 2014, 09:10:55 PM
Hiring an assistant coach screams STEPPING STONE.
This is a tired line. You could say the same things about hiring a coach after he was fired by a top program or about pulling a coach from a school tiered "below" Marquette ($$ and conference affiliation) like Wichita St. or VCU. At the end of the day, any MU hire can be explained as a "stepping stone" with one exception - a coach that leaves a BCS job because MU backs the money truck up to his house. That's no kind of prerequisite to set for our next coach.
The hire needs to be the person that projects to have the most success in the job over the next 5 years, period. Whatever happens after that regarding staying or leaving will happen. But to let an inferiority complex get the better of us, to the point that "will he dump us" becomes a major consideration is a huge mistake. Now if there are tea leaves that show a potential hire angling for a SPECIFIC other job (potentially T. Bennett at UW or Mike Hopkins at Cuse) that's another story. But the generic "stepping stone" argument puts the cart far, far before the horse.
The second Izzo retires or goes to the NBA, Dwayne Stephens will be the new Michigan State head coach.
Don't get me wrong, I think he could do fantastic here, but I would rather have Cuonzo or Benny Boy
Quote from: TAMU Eagle on March 30, 2014, 11:07:15 AM
The second Izzo retires or goes to the NBA, Dwayne Stephens will be the new Michigan State head coach.
Don't get me wrong, I think he could do fantastic here, but I would rather have Cuonzo or Benny Boy
Howland and Martin have head coaching experience. That is a plus factor in their favor. I like that Stephens is already part of our Marquette tradition, which I think gives him a selling point in recruiting . Also he is a known quantity to Cords and company.
Quote from: MUBurrow on March 30, 2014, 10:49:31 AM
This is a tired line. You could say the same things about hiring a coach after he was fired by a top program or about pulling a coach from a school tiered "below" Marquette ($$ and conference affiliation) like Wichita St. or VCU. At the end of the day, any MU hire can be explained as a "stepping stone" with one exception - a coach that leaves a BCS job because MU backs the money truck up to his house. That's no kind of prerequisite to set for our next coach.
The hire needs to be the person that projects to have the most success in the job over the next 5 years, period. Whatever happens after that regarding staying or leaving will happen. But to let an inferiority complex get the better of us, to the point that "will he dump us" becomes a major consideration is a huge mistake. Now if there are tea leaves that show a potential hire angling for a SPECIFIC other job (potentially T. Bennett at UW or Mike Hopkins at Cuse) that's another story. But the generic "stepping stone" argument puts the cart far, far before the horse.
This is well stated. It isn't all that common for a coach to last/stay more than 7 years or so. I'd rather worry about the quality of the 5-7 years than hoping a coach stays 15 years.
Quote from: TAMU Eagle on March 30, 2014, 11:07:15 AM
The second Izzo retires or goes to the NBA, Dwayne Stephens will be the new Michigan State head coach.
Don't get me wrong, I think he could do fantastic here, but I would rather have Cuonzo or Benny Boy
So what. Izzo will be at Michigan St for awhile yet and he will not go to the NBA. If he was going to the NBA, he would have went when the Cavs were interested when they had Lebron. He isn't going to coach the lowly Pistons. If Marquette thinks he is the best candidate they should pull the trigger and worry about the rest at a later date.
Aaaaaaaaaaaaand he is available.
Quote from: Heavy Gear on March 29, 2014, 09:10:55 PM
Hiring an assistant coach screams STEPPING STONE.
What is new! Must be our impact coach selection.
Its interesting how the dislike for Martin and Wardle is on two different levels.
Quote from: atk13thst on March 30, 2014, 04:14:27 PM
Its interesting how the dislike for Martin and Wardle is on two different levels.
What are the two levels you see?
Quote from: Chris Columbo on March 30, 2014, 04:49:28 PM
What are the two levels you see?
Martin: "OH HELL NO!
Wardle: "No"
Quote from: atk13thst on March 30, 2014, 05:03:09 PM
Martin: "OH HELL NO!
Wardle: "No"
We could get Wardle for a bargain and he would do just as good a job as the other coaches we are looking at.
Not too sure Stephens would be available for Marquette.
Scary summer of change awaits Spartans
March, 30, 2014
MAR 30
6:37
PM ET
By Jeff Goodman | ESPN.com
This was the year for Tom Izzo and Michigan State. Izzo knew it. Just about everyone in East Lansing was cognizant.
This was a veteran team with talent, built to cut down the nets in Dallas. When Adreian Payne decided to return to school, the Spartans became one of the favorites to win it all this season. I've said all year long that it's tough to go against Izzo in March with comparable talent and experience. But the Spartans -- who dealt with a myriad of injuries all season long -- came up short against Shabazz Napier and UConn in the Elite Eight.
What's next? Well, next season will be a major rebuilding year in East Lansing. That's if Izzo's even around to coach next year's group.
The talent drain will be notable, with Adreian Payne and Keith Appling graduating and Gary Harris a virtual lock to leave for the NBA. There's also a chance that Branden Dawson tries his hand at the NBA draft, even though he'll likely wind up playing overseas.
We all know Izzo can coach -- and he'll find a way to keep the Spartans competitive, even with a group that may be anchored by holdovers Denzel Valentine, Matt Costello, Travis Trice, Gavin Schilling and Kenny Kaminski.
Izzo has overachieved before, but that's a crew that doesn't look much more intimidating than the one that Tim Miles will trot out at Nebraska next season.
Even Izzo can only do so much.
The recruiting class is lackluster as well. Izzo and his staff have attempted to go toe-to-toe with the big boys over the last few years and come up short. They missed on Jabari Parker in the last recruiting class, and in the 2014 class lost out on Tyus Jones and Jahlil Okafor to Duke, Cliff Alexander to Kansas, Tyler Ulis and Devin Booker to Kentucky, James Blackmon, Jr. to Indiana and Kevon Looney to UCLA.
Instead, they wound up with Top 100 point guard Lourawls Nairn and a pair of fairly anonymous prospects in Marvin Clark and Javon Bess.
Izzo usually competes for a Final Four, but next season he may be competing just to get into the NCAA tournament. The 2014-15 campaign has the look and feel of the one back in 2007 that was anchored by Drew Neitzel and finished with a mark of 8-8 in Big Ten play. Will that prognosis push Izzo to examine a career move?
The speculation began months ago that he might jump to the NBA if the right situation presented itself. Remember, Izzo spurned the Cleveland Cavaliers just prior to LeBron James making The Decision. Two teams that could make a run at Izzo are the Detroit Pistons, which currently have an opening, and the Minnesota Timberwolves -- who could make a move with Rick Adelman. Timberwolves president of basketball operations Flip Saunders and Izzo are tight.
No one knows what Izzo would do if faced with the decision whether to try his hand in the NBA. He's 59 and this could be his last shot at the next level. On one hand, the timing would be ideal with Michigan State taking a significant step backward.
Most close to Izzo think he would do the dance, but that he's a Michigan State lifer -- and he won't leave the program in this shape.
There will be other Big Ten teams that will take a hit next season. Ohio State loses Aaron Craft and LaQuinton Ross. Michigan could lose Nik Stauskas, Mitch McGary and Glenn Robinson III. Indiana didn't make the postseason with Noah Vonleh and Will Sheehey. Iowa also loses Roy Devyn Marble.
But no team will lose more than Izzo and the Spartans.
I'm smart enough to understand the "Izzo Factor," which basically equates to never counting out one of the best basketball coaches in the world from the March equation.
But it's difficult to project Sparty as a factor next season -- even with Izzo.
Quote from: Heavy Gear on March 30, 2014, 06:50:18 PM
Not too sure Stephens would be available for Marquette.
Scary summer of change awaits Spartans
March, 30, 2014
MAR 30
6:37
PM ET
By Jeff Goodman | ESPN.com
This was the year for Tom Izzo and Michigan State. Izzo knew it. Just about everyone in East Lansing was cognizant.
This was a veteran team with talent, built to cut down the nets in Dallas. When Adreian Payne decided to return to school, the Spartans became one of the favorites to win it all this season. I've said all year long that it's tough to go against Izzo in March with comparable talent and experience. But the Spartans -- who dealt with a myriad of injuries all season long -- came up short against Shabazz Napier and UConn in the Elite Eight.
What's next? Well, next season will be a major rebuilding year in East Lansing. That's if Izzo's even around to coach next year's group.
The talent drain will be notable, with Adreian Payne and Keith Appling graduating and Gary Harris a virtual lock to leave for the NBA. There's also a chance that Branden Dawson tries his hand at the NBA draft, even though he'll likely wind up playing overseas.
We all know Izzo can coach -- and he'll find a way to keep the Spartans competitive, even with a group that may be anchored by holdovers Denzel Valentine, Matt Costello, Travis Trice, Gavin Schilling and Kenny Kaminski.
Izzo has overachieved before, but that's a crew that doesn't look much more intimidating than the one that Tim Miles will trot out at Nebraska next season.
Even Izzo can only do so much.
The recruiting class is lackluster as well. Izzo and his staff have attempted to go toe-to-toe with the big boys over the last few years and come up short. They missed on Jabari Parker in the last recruiting class, and in the 2014 class lost out on Tyus Jones and Jahlil Okafor to Duke, Cliff Alexander to Kansas, Tyler Ulis and Devin Booker to Kentucky, James Blackmon, Jr. to Indiana and Kevon Looney to UCLA.
Instead, they wound up with Top 100 point guard Lourawls Nairn and a pair of fairly anonymous prospects in Marvin Clark and Javon Bess.
Izzo usually competes for a Final Four, but next season he may be competing just to get into the NCAA tournament. The 2014-15 campaign has the look and feel of the one back in 2007 that was anchored by Drew Neitzel and finished with a mark of 8-8 in Big Ten play. Will that prognosis push Izzo to examine a career move?
The speculation began months ago that he might jump to the NBA if the right situation presented itself. Remember, Izzo spurned the Cleveland Cavaliers just prior to LeBron James making The Decision. Two teams that could make a run at Izzo are the Detroit Pistons, which currently have an opening, and the Minnesota Timberwolves -- who could make a move with Rick Adelman. Timberwolves president of basketball operations Flip Saunders and Izzo are tight.
No one knows what Izzo would do if faced with the decision whether to try his hand in the NBA. He's 59 and this could be his last shot at the next level. On one hand, the timing would be ideal with Michigan State taking a significant step backward.
Most close to Izzo think he would do the dance, but that he's a Michigan State lifer -- and he won't leave the program in this shape.
There will be other Big Ten teams that will take a hit next season. Ohio State loses Aaron Craft and LaQuinton Ross. Michigan could lose Nik Stauskas, Mitch McGary and Glenn Robinson III. Indiana didn't make the postseason with Noah Vonleh and Will Sheehey. Iowa also loses Roy Devyn Marble.
But no team will lose more than Izzo and the Spartans.
I'm smart enough to understand the "Izzo Factor," which basically equates to never counting out one of the best basketball coaches in the world from the March equation.
But it's difficult to project Sparty as a factor next season -- even with Izzo.
Stephens can come here and has the benefit of Our returning players and lower expectations . Being the next guy after a legend is not a great job.
We better get our coach soon if Msu is gonna be on the Marquette.... (market, get it)
not that I really care too much but Stephens did spurn MU for the same position at MSU when he was an assistant....kind of turned his back on us.