To all of us fanatics
https://x.com/coachshakasmart/status/1778514265973858309?s=61&t=6XPB8f4sAKmJIzxgMcsCjw
I like the timing of this considering people are starting to talk about Shaka and Kentucky since every other coach is turning them down.
Quote from: MUbiz on April 11, 2024, 03:41:59 PM
I like the timing of this considering people are starting to talk about Shaka and Kentucky since every other coach is turning them down.
If that's the case then this is probably for the recruits and team rather than the fans.
Quote from: Frenns Liquor Depot on April 11, 2024, 03:43:10 PM
If that's the case then this is probably for the recruits and team rather than the fans.
Or all of the above ........
Quote from: MUbiz on April 11, 2024, 03:41:59 PM
I like the timing of this considering people are starting to talk about Shaka and Kentucky since every other coach is turning them down.
I haven't seen much.
I don't think fans or recruits or current players were really worried about him leaving. I think he's just genuinely thankful to the fans and always looking forward.
Very nice statement.
I am not worried about Shaka leaving for a while. And certainly not to Kentucky.
The rift with Cal + Barnhardt got really back a few years ago in the Bahamas when Cal held an impromptu press conference in his hotel suite and referred to Kentucky as a basketball school. That upset Mitch and Mark Stoops. Imagine not being able to say KENTUCKY is a basketball school.
No way Shaka is running into that.
Quote from: MUbiz on April 11, 2024, 03:41:59 PM
I like the timing of this considering people are starting to talk about Shaka and Kentucky since every other coach is turning them down.
This was definitely intentional. And I love it
He gowne
according to 1070 on the radio today. It was reported that Shaka turned down the Kentucky job.
He turned down Louisville, too. Good.
Quote from: MUbiz on April 11, 2024, 03:41:59 PM
I like the timing of this considering people are starting to talk about Shaka and Kentucky since every other coach is turning them down.
Let them talk. They're dreaming of something that won't happen.
I'd be surprised if he's already been offered the Kentucky job.
I do think he turned down Louisville and Michigan.
Quote from: wadesworld on April 11, 2024, 04:55:35 PM
I'd be surprised if he's already been offered the Kentucky job.
I do think he turned down Louisville and Michigan.
There's no way Kentucky hasn't reached out. They're so effing effed at this point that no matter who they hire the fan base will meltdown.
And I am absolutely here for it.
Quote from: Hards Alumni on April 11, 2024, 05:07:12 PM
There's no way Kentucky hasn't reached out. They're so effing effed at this point that no matter who they hire the fan base will meltdown.
And I am absolutely here for it.
Yeah I would be surprised if they haven't contacted a number of coaches/their representation, including Shaka. And Shaka/his representation has maybe said he's not interested. But if Shaka became Kentucky's main target, they'd make him say no to triple his current salary. I doubt it's gotten to that point.
Quote from: wadesworld on April 11, 2024, 04:55:35 PM
I'd be surprised if he's already been offered the Kentucky job.
I do think he turned down Louisville and Michigan.
He did, and we didn't hear a peep about either.
A FAR CRY from 2011-2013 Buzz Williams, who used Jeff Goodman to link himself to any and every job.
Quote from: Don_Kojis on April 11, 2024, 04:18:14 PM
according to 1070 on the radio today. It was reported that Shaka turned down the Kentucky job.
"Turned down" as in he was offered the job and said no? No
"Turned down" as in they reached out to gauge his interest and he said "f#ck no"? Absolutely
I am not saying never. But Shaka's wife is on the faculty at MU. His mom is a reasonable drive away. His daughter has settled in. And he did not have a great experience at Texas.
So, he has a good contract and a supportive university and fanbase. If he went now, he would be outed for the same kind of hypocrisy he seems to decry.
So, I cannot picture him going to Kentucky. It is cool that he is on their second tier list after getting rejected by their first few choices. I cannot ever see Shaka taking the Kentucky job. He will definitely be on IU's short list when they part ways with Woodson.
Anyone have a ballpark on Shaka's salary? It's nice that he is turning these other programs down quickly which makes me think he got or is getting a large bump in pay soon. Seems to me he'd be underpaid at anything less than ~$4m.
Quote from: CountryRoads on April 11, 2024, 05:37:04 PM
Anyone have a ballpark on Shaka's salary? It's nice that he is turning these other programs down quickly which makes me think he got or is getting a large bump in pay soon. Seems to me he'd be underpaid at anything less than ~$4m.
I'd be totally fine significantly increasing his salary.
Of course, it's not my money, but I think 5+ would be what he is worth. The direct impact that Men's basketball has on the University is astonishing in terms of ROI.
Quote from: Hards Alumni on April 11, 2024, 05:41:29 PM
I'd be totally fine significantly increasing his salary.
Of course, it's not my money, but I think 5+ would be what he is worth. The direct impact that Men's basketball has on the University is astonishing in terms of ROI.
Absolutely.
According to Wikipedia, he makes low 3s.
Quote from: mugrad_89 on April 11, 2024, 06:17:06 PM
Is it too late to go after Wardle? 🤔
According to Flight Aware, there's a private jet heading to Peoria as we speak.
Quote from: mugrad_89 on April 11, 2024, 06:17:06 PM
Is it too late to go after Wardle? 🤔
Wardle to Kentucky.
Quote from: MU Fan in Connecticut on April 11, 2024, 06:20:26 PM
Wardle to Kentucky.
Kentucky would be my second favorite team, aina?
Quote from: Uncle Rico on April 11, 2024, 06:21:36 PM
Kentucky would be my second favorite team, aina?
Wardle to Kentucky? I'd shiiit my shorts, hey 😉
You missed the sarcsam. Kentucky goes after Gard before Wardle.
Quote from: tower912 on April 11, 2024, 05:31:18 PM
I am not saying never. But Shaka's wife is on the faculty at MU. His mom is a reasonable drive away. His daughter has settled in. And he did not have a great experience at Texas.
So, he has a good contract and a supportive university and fanbase. If he went now, he would be outed for the same kind of hypocrisy he seems to decry.
So, I cannot picture him going to Kentucky. It is cool that he is on their second tier list after getting rejected by their first few choices. I cannot ever see Shaka taking the Kentucky job. He will definitely be on IU's short list when they part ways with Woodson.
And breaking ground on a beautiful new home on Lake Michigan.....
Nice message by Shaka. If he feels this is home he will stay.
Quote from: tower912 on April 11, 2024, 07:03:56 PM
You missed the sarcsam. Kentucky goes after Gard before Wardle.
...I did. My attempt at sarcasm was from...
"Former Wis.-Green Bay player details abuse allegations
Apr 30, 2013 — Asked whether he believed Wardle knew that Bross had soiled his pants, Bross said yes because it was visible in his white shorts."
Gard knows ball. Wardle don't know sh...! (well, maybe he does, actually)
What a pleasure having Shaka lead this program. The toughest part of his tenure from a fan's perspective is the offseason feeling too long.
I am now wondering if this was put out after the rumored zoom call with Kentucky. Pre-emptive and reassuring before the rumors started.
Tower
What was the rumored zoom call? I did not see that.
Trilly said Shaka had a zoom call with Kentucky.
Pretty sure it was just to say he wasn't interested.
Quote from: Goose on April 12, 2024, 08:44:26 AM
Tower
What was the rumored zoom call? I did not see that.
This was from Trilly's discord:
<@1179798793269547048> Do you know who else has been interviewed by Kentucky? Saw Matt jones said there have been 2 that haven't been reported on
Trilly:
Shaka had a zoom interview and that's it.
He also said that it was Shaka's decision to end the interview process at that stage.
Quote from: TallTitan34 on April 12, 2024, 08:46:47 AM
Trilly said Shaka had a zoom call with Kentucky.
Pretty sure it was just to say he wasn't interested.
Yes.
Maybe a, "stop contacting my agent, I'm very much not interested," call.
Probably in that neighborhood.
Quote from: tower912 on April 12, 2024, 08:19:42 AM
I am now wondering if this was put out after the rumored zoom call with Kentucky. Pre-emptive and reassuring before the rumors started.
It was. None of these seemingly "random" coach statements are coincidental.
Shaka tweeted that at 3:03 pm, Jon Rothstein tweeted that Mark Pope had emerged as the primary candidate at 3:36 pm.
Only three meaningful coaches dropped those out-of-the-blue public statements this week: Nate Oats, Scott Drew, Shaka Smart.
I do not know how accurate this is but Trilly reported Shaka had a video call with KY and it did not go any farther after that. He reported it around 8pm last night.
Quote from: MUbiz on April 12, 2024, 10:11:19 AM
I do not know how accurate this is but Trilly reported Shaka had a video call with KY and it did not go any farther after that. He reported it around 8pm last night.
Bro
Quote from: PGsHeroes32 on April 12, 2024, 10:15:26 AM
Bro
Like I said, no clue if its true, but apparently Trilly reported it. I am very leery about any reports and take them with a grain of salt.
https://twitter.com/weaselp1/status/1778692288597635179
Quote from: MUbiz on April 12, 2024, 10:17:57 AM
Like I said, no clue if its true, but apparently Trilly reported it. I am very leery about any reports and take them with a grain of salt.
https://twitter.com/weaselp1/status/1778692288597635179
(https://th.bing.com/th/id/R.5bd5452e04baaa209b24ac1afbedbc00?rik=eHl%2fKpk6%2fe4vOA&pid=ImgRaw&r=0)
It isn't what you said. It is that you were hours late. Meh. I don't know that it is true, either. I believe it is possible.
You have to take calls like that. Basketball politics is a thing, and Shaka will be in the game for a long time. You never know where the Kentucky admin is going to end up working next. Be kind, be professional, be generous with your time, and move on.
Quote from: Skatastrophy on April 12, 2024, 12:22:04 PM
You have to take calls like that. Basketball politics is a thing, and Shaka will be in the game for a long time. You never know where the Kentucky admin is going to end up working next. Be kind, be professional, be generous with your time, and move on.
Agreed. I have no problem at all with Shaka taking the call to hear their pitch. Everyone is entitled to listen to the market when it comes to their career. And I don't even have a problem with someone like Crean deciding somebody else's offer is worth accepting. What I have an issue with is slime balls like Buzz using the media to whore themselves out to the highest bidder and implicitly crap on their current school.