This was also in the JS today, I haven't seen it posted here but there is alot of new posts, sorry if I missed it.
The first choice was Shaka Smart, who turned the Golden Eagles down.
"I had communications with Shaka," incoming Marquette President Mike Lovell said Tuesday. "I can tell you he seems to be a pretty good guy. He's going to stay at VCU for a while and I'm not sure what he's ultimately looking for, but I think he's got something very selective in his mind."
Lovell then talked to former UCLA coach Ben Howland, who was Lovell's colleague at the University of Pittsburgh.
"Ben Howland wanted the job," Lovell said. "I talked to my friend, the chancellor at the University of Pittsburgh who ultimately hired him. And I got to talk to Ben. We shared some good memories of some good teams he had there in the early 2000s when I was there."
Marquette put him on hold.
Then the three-man search committee — interim athletic director Bill Cords, interim president Father Robert Wild and Board of Trustees vice chairman John Ferraro — brought Tennessee coach Cuonzo Martin to Lovell's attention. Those talks reached a dead end.
On Saturday, Marquette flew a scouting party to Durham. The report on Wojciechowski was so glowing that Lovell had him flown to Milwaukee on Sunday. They talked again over breakfast Monday. By the afternoon, Lovell and the other three said they knew Wojo had been the right guy all long.
"When you think about where this ended up, we couldn't be happier," Lovell said. "This is the right person at the right time at the right place."
Wait, Shaka never talked to MU.
So who was the impersonator that Lovell talked to?
Thanks for posting. That's a lot of information for the president to provide. It basically fits the overall narrative that was on MUScoop during the search (minus a Weber rumor here or there). Surprised he was even that open about things. Certainly seems they went about it the right way, particularly if they felt they had Howland as the fall back guy.
"I had communications with Shaka," incoming Marquette President Mike Lovell said Tuesday. "I can tell you he seems to be a pretty good guy. He's going to stay at VCU for a while and I'm not sure what he's ultimately looking for, but I think he's got something very selective in his mind."
Is Shaka looking for more money or a better "basketball school?"
This is great. Thank you!
Exactly what we thought about Howland to. He was just kind of there for the taking.
Quote from: Heisenberg on April 02, 2014, 12:17:30 PM
Wait, Shaka never talked to MU.
So who was the impersonator that Lovell talked to?
Holo-Shaka
Whoever said they were down in Durham on Saturday is now ineligible for "most ridiculous rumor".
I appreciate this transparency that has never before been seen at MU
Quote from: Heisenberg on April 02, 2014, 12:19:35 PM
"I had communications with Shaka," incoming Marquette President Mike Lovell said Tuesday. "I can tell you he seems to be a pretty good guy. He's going to stay at VCU for a while and I'm not sure what he's ultimately looking for, but I think he's got something very selective in his mind."
Is Shaka looking for more money or a better "basketball school?"
Perhaps he wants to go the Brad Stevens route.
Quote from: Heisenberg on April 02, 2014, 12:19:35 PM
"I had communications with Shaka," incoming Marquette President Mike Lovell said Tuesday. "I can tell you he seems to be a pretty good guy. He's going to stay at VCU for a while and I'm not sure what he's ultimately looking for, but I think he's got something very selective in his mind."
Is Shaka looking for more money or a better "basketball school?"
Wisco maybe Indiana. I'm curious, though, perhaps he's waiting for an NBA job to open up. His behavior resembles Brad Stevens in many ways.
Quote from: Pakuni on April 02, 2014, 12:24:36 PM
Perhaps he wants to go the Brad Stevens route.
So maybe he said Yes to coming to Milwaukee, and that's where things got all confusing. The Bucks might win 20 games next year with their new coach!
Quote from: Pakuni on April 02, 2014, 12:24:36 PM
Perhaps he wants to go the Brad Stevens route.
So he's waiting two more weeks for the end of the season when the Sixers fire their coach.
Quote from: chapman on April 02, 2014, 12:26:50 PM
So maybe he said Yes to coming to Milwaukee, and that's where things got all confusing. The Bucks might win 20 games next year with their new coach!
#donedeal
#herbkohlpowerbroker
Quote from: Heisenberg on April 02, 2014, 12:17:30 PM
Wait, Shaka never talked to MU.
So who was the impersonator that Lovell talked to?
The impersonator was the guy that impersonated Teo's imaginary girlfriend.
Quote from: Heisenberg on April 02, 2014, 12:19:35 PM
"I had communications with Shaka," incoming Marquette President Mike Lovell said Tuesday. "I can tell you he seems to be a pretty good guy. He's going to stay at VCU for a while and I'm not sure what he's ultimately looking for, but I think he's got something very selective in his mind."
Is Shaka looking for more money or a better "basketball school?"
I have heard he wants the Florida job if Billy D ever moves on. I don't know what his plans are for what he will do while he is waiting.
Quote from: TAMU Eagle on April 02, 2014, 02:41:05 PM
I have heard he wants the Florida job if Billy D ever moves on. I don't know what his plans are for what he will do while he is waiting.
Florida? Why? That strikes me as random. Does Shaka have a degree from there? I mean, Florida is great and all, but of all places...
Quote from: Eldon on April 02, 2014, 03:09:54 PM
Florida? Why? That strikes me as random. Does Shaka have a degree from there? I mean, Florida is great and all, but of all places...
He coached there under Donovan before going to VCU.
Quote from: Heisenberg on April 02, 2014, 12:17:30 PM
So who was the impersonator that Lovell talked to?
A UWM grad
(http://instntrply.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/vlcsnap-2011-02-06-16h45m40-960x540.jpg)
Quote from: Heisenberg on April 02, 2014, 12:17:30 PM
Wait, Shaka never talked to MU.
So who was the impersonator that Lovell talked to?
VCUInsider must have been messing with Lovell.
Quote from: Heisenberg on April 02, 2014, 12:19:35 PM
"I had communications with Shaka," incoming Marquette President Mike Lovell said Tuesday. "I can tell you he seems to be a pretty good guy. He's going to stay at VCU for a while and I'm not sure what he's ultimately looking for, but I think he's got something very selective in his mind."
Is Shaka looking for more money or a better "basketball school?"
You really don't know?
Quote from: keefe on April 02, 2014, 03:19:16 PM
A UWM grad
(http://instntrply.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/vlcsnap-2011-02-06-16h45m40-960x540.jpg)
Another UWM Grad:
(http://assets.news-gazette.com/sites/all/files/imagecache/photogallery_full/images/2012/03/09/Weberfinale13.JPG)
Quote from: MikeDeanesDarkGlasses on April 02, 2014, 08:21:01 PM
Another UWM Grad:
(http://assets.news-gazette.com/sites/all/files/imagecache/photogallery_full/images/2012/03/09/Weberfinale13.JPG)
don't pick on the ice cream shack workers. they're doin' the best they can.
Which one is you, boss?
Quote from: 4everwarriors on April 02, 2014, 08:34:46 PM
Which one is you, boss?
Got him at the wrong time. A boy scout troop just left after decimating the sh1tter. Look at Weber's face - he just caught a whiff when ZIg opened the door to the can
(http://assets.news-gazette.com/sites/all/files/imagecache/photogallery_full/images/2012/03/09/Weberfinale13.JPG)
Quote from: MUsoxfan on April 02, 2014, 12:23:59 PM
I appreciate this transparency that has never before been seen at MU
+1 Shocking, really...
Quote from: Heisenberg on April 02, 2014, 12:17:30 PM
Wait, Shaka never talked to MU.
Lovell didn't say he talked to Smart. He said he "communicated with" him. That could mean he talked to Smart's agent or to another intermediary or that the two exchanged emails.
I agree with numerous others who praise Lovell for his openness. And after reading that SI piece, I'm glad we didn't go with Howland, a retread who engenders more questions than answers.
Wojo or bust!