The Early Leader Out of the Gates...

[chapman]

Six years ago, names on par with Howland, Marshall, and Smart were dropped as dream scenarios by posters here.  Today, they've all been dropped by credible reporters.  It would be a major disappointment this time if we settle for a Wardle, some mid-major coach with one good year, or unknown assistant.

[avid1010]

Let's be honest, we're nearing mid major status. Big names aren't dying to come here. If thy were Buzz wouldn't be going to VT. Even saying that I don't think Wardle's the guy. Just the messenger.

we spend more than anyone but duke...buzz was due to get close to 4 million...we play in an nba arena with great facilities and resources on campus...national champions...solid tourney success with ko, tc, and buzz...in a conference that had an awful year and was still pretty decent.  smart, marshall, howland in that order, but i'd be very happy with any of them.  

[warriorstrack]

Call the doctor

[ChicosBailBonds]

If Broeker is named AD, I think Wardle ends up the coach. I hope we can get Marshall or Shaka though.

Then we are thinking small time.  I like Brian, but we can get Brian tomorrow, next week, next month.

[VegasWarrior77]

A Wardle hiring would confirm a mid major attitude.

[JustinLewisFanClubPres]

Then we are thinking small time.  I like Brian, but we can get Brian tomorrow, next week, next month.

I think this is correct. Brian Wardle should always be an option for Marquette. If I was Cords, I would give him a call and let him know that he isn't ready this job just yet but it doesn't mean he won't be in the future. Let him continue to develop as a coach. If you can get Howland, Wardle might be better groomed in a few years if Howland moves on.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I think this is correct. Brian Wardle should always be an option for Marquette. If I was Cords, I would give him a call and let him know that he isn't ready this job just yet but it doesn't mean he won't be in the future. Let him continue to develop as a coach. If you can get Howland, Wardle might be better groomed in a few years if Howland moves on.

+1

I think Wardle will eventually be the coach of Marquette. If he proves himself, we hire him without much fuss, and he would NEVER leave Marquette. He would be our Chris Mack.

However, I think hiring him right now is a mistake. We need a brand name coach to right the sheep and keep recruits from bolting. Smart (unlikely), Marshall (more likely than people realize), Howland in that order for me.

However, I think the OP is right in believing that Wardle is a top candidate. One of the toughest parts of having Buzz as a coach was the constant threat of him leaving. Admins are probably tired. Wardle would never leave.

[classof70]

I think this is correct. Brian Wardle should always be an option for Marquette. If I was Cords, I would give him a call and let him know that he isn't ready this job just yet but it doesn't mean he won't be in the future. Let him continue to develop as a coach. If you can get Howland, Wardle might be better groomed in a few years if Howland moves on.

We hired Buzz and he had less experience than Wardle.   My real question is why is there such a strong reaction against Wardle?   Is there something he's done that makes him untouchable?  Didn't he recruit pretty well in Chicago?  Certainly, not the top prospects, but decent Chicago players.  Does he have connections in a city that is arguably the best high school basketball center in U. S. 

[mutrainer71]

Jim Calhoun....BC doesn't want him...lets get him.

[hairy worthen]

We hired Buzz and he had less experience than Wardle.   My real question is why is there such a strong reaction against Wardle?   Is there something he's done that makes him untouchable?  Didn't he recruit pretty well in Chicago?  Certainly, not the top prospects, but decent Chicago players.  Does he have connections in a city that is arguably the best high school basketball center in U. S. 

If his name wasn't Wardle, he didn't go to MU and you didn't know him, would what he accomplished at GB warrant him being hired at MU?
No.

 Would be a very bad mistake right now, maybe down the road, not now.

[TheFarEastMovement]

To win on a consistent basis, we need a coach that can recuit. Buzz set the standards quite high and it will be tough to find a coach that is likely going to meet those standards. My list would be smart, amaker, masielo, wardle, lavall jordan from michigan, michael hopkins from cuse and kurtis townsend from kansas.

[Goose]

Wardle is not on anyone elses list so why would he be on ours? Did not hear mentioned for Auburn or VT and we are better program.

[TheTulsaWarrior]

Thinking outside the box would Marquette consider a combination of Howland and Wardle?  The veteran head coach with an associate head coach.  Wardle is an underrated recruiter who has worked on a shoestring budget and his achievement under those circumstances should not be under valued.  He needs more grooming and Howland would be ideal for that.  I would also consider Chew for that kind of head coach in waiting role.

This approach is what SMU is doing with Larry Brown.

[Knight Commission]

KO on the bench to replace the undertaker, no matter who we bring in.

[willie warrior]

Wardle is not on anyone elses list so why would he be on ours? Did not hear mentioned for Auburn or VT and we are better program.

Goose: what makes you think he was interested in VT or Auburn? He is a Midwest guy, a MU grad (think his wife is also), has several years D1 HC experience, and is a Midwest guy. Likely has ties in Illinois.

We could do worse. He played at a high level at MU. Maybe it is about time we hired a guy that actually has player's experience along with HC experience. The last two bozos had none/1 year experience.

Howland would be fine if we could get him. Would like to know more about what went down at UCLA.

[Goose]

Willie

I like how you love MU ball, but we are bigger than Wardle by a wide margin. Think big, you never know who you can land.

[willie warrior]

To win on a consistent basis, we need a coach that can recuit. Buzz set the standards quite high and it will be tough to find a coach that is likely going to meet those standards. My list would be smart, amaker, masielo, wardle, lavall jordan from michigan, michael hopkins from cuse and kurtis townsend from kansas.

All would be good adds except Amaker who would be gone first big time opening comes available. Don't believe Smart could be had, although nobody really knows.

Howland or Wardle seem like best fit. But we should let the "experts" do the search and hiring. Hope they make this happen by end of next week, because players/recruits need to be solidified. Cords needs to start working extra hours. I am sure he will, realizing the importance. Urgency has already started.

[willie warrior]

Willie

I like how you love MU ball, but we are bigger than Wardle by a wide margin. Think big, you never know who you can land.

I am thinking big, but also the long picture. The longer we search, the harder it becomes to land the right guy. I said a week ago to some slurper's post that there may be many guys out there--we just do not know.
However, recruits and players need to be shored up quickly, so Cords must strike quickly. Load up the money/perk bag, contact the reps for the big names over next 3 days, and wrap up in 10 days. Just do not wait for a month.

Tell me this--what do you not like about Wardle's resume?

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

I am thinking big, but also the long picture. The longer we search, the harder it becomes to land the right guy. I said a week ago to some slurper's post that there may be many guys out there--we just do not know.
However, recruits and players need to be shored up quickly, so Cords must strike quickly. Load up the money/perk bag, contact the reps for the big names over next 3 days, and wrap up in 10 days. Just do not wait for a month.

Tell me this--what do you not like about Wardle's resume?

Has Wardle ever even made the NCAA tournament? Why not hire Brian Barone? Or Tony Miller?

Being a former MU Warrior should not be a consideration IMO.

[classof70]

Willie

I like how you love MU ball, but we are bigger than Wardle by a wide margin. Think big, you never know who you can land.

"
Goose:  Look I don't claim to be an expert on Wardle or his recruiting or coaching acumen, but with that caveat, I just don't see why he's so easily dismissed while Howland, fired at UCLA, or assistant coaches of whom none of us know their recruiting or coaching skills, are under consideration.   Moreover, both Crean and Williams, setting aside their departure methods, were great hires with little or no experience as a head coach.  Why weren't "we bigger" than Williams, who turned out, at least from a record perspective, pretty well.    Now, I'd be fine with Howland or several of the mentioned head and assistant coaches, but I think there should be an objective reason for dismissing Wardle, especially given his experience as a head coach and winning in WGB.  Is there something about his experience that disqualifies him?  I'd love to see an MU guy back--he'd stay.  

[willie warrior]

Neither have HC experience. Did Crean or El Buzzo ever make the NCAA tournament before their hire? No. Did McGuire? Did Majerus--did Raymonds? Did O"neil? And Green Bay should have made it this year. By the way, they beat us a couple years ago, so why write the guy off.

I am not saying Wardle is best--not sure who would be, but he would be a good fit