DePaul's new hire

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

Article about the Rosemont Horizon with a couple of good shots at DePaul.

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/morrissey/1985764,CST-SPT-morrissey12.article

Also an article about the ups and downs of their Chicago recruiting.

http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/ncb/columns/story?columnist=powers_scott&id=4817440

The stadium is certainly a challenge for them... but honestly, a lot of kids and professors were saying the same things about MU back in 1998/99.

There was a strong feeling that MU should move back to the Mecca and try to sell out every game like they used to.

Now, certainly the All-state is a bigger challenge than the Bradley Center (it's a dump, and it's farther away), but it's not insurmountable. Also, the idea that a school has to have an 8500 seat arena on campus is outdated. I know we all love the idea of small, on-campus arenas, but the truth is DePaul could make a lot of money if they could put out a good product that sold 12-15K per game at the All-State.

The stadium is an "issue", but the real issue is the product.

Step 1: Commit to having a winning product
Step 2: Hire a good, young coach
Step 3: Commit to that coach and make the necessary improvements (improve facilities, promote games, create a better in game experience, etc.)
Step 4: Recruit Chicago like crazy
Step 5: Win (most important step)

The ESPN 30 for 30 documentary on the University of Miami is a great case study for how an athletics department can be turned around.

Obviously "the U" developed a more "unique" culture under Jimmy Johnson, but under Howard Schnellenberger, the program appeared to be pretty clean and seriously upgraded the talent on the roster by locking down S. Florida recruiting.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miami_Hurricanes_football#The_Howard_Schnellenberger_Era_.281979-83.29

All of this is obviously easier said than done, but it's not rocket science if the school really wants to commit to it. In a city like Tulsa, OK, it would be very tough. In Chicago, DePaul should be able to do it (provided that they want to).

[MUrugger]

Loyolas in Baltimore, New Orleans, Southern California and Chicago have all had an impressive run or two in their long basketball history.

Interesting that the Jevvies seem committed to basketball in institutions like Marquette, Georgetown, Gonzaga, Xavier and even Boston College, Santa Clara and St. Louis U to a degree without giving any recent love to the Loyolas.

All the more reason that MU students and alums are the chosen ones.

[GGGG]

2002, I think you are right.  The basketball problem has to be fixed first before the arena problem.  But the arena problem will have to be addressed eventually. 

They need a young, energetic recruiter type.  Tracy Webster might be that guy...I'm not one to judge.  They have to generate the excitement...the victories...and the money will follow.

[mu-rara]

Let's not forget that the Al didn't come about until 2004 and ground wasn't broken until 2002.  But yes, the administration has to be on board. 

The Al may have been the most visible sign of support, but there were many others.

[Avenue Commons]

The stadium is certainly a challenge for them... but honestly, a lot of kids and professors were saying the same things about MU back in 1998/99.

There was a strong feeling that MU should move back to the Mecca and try to sell out every game like they used to.

Now, certainly the All-state is a bigger challenge than the Bradley Center (it's a dump, and it's farther away), but it's not insurmountable. Also, the idea that a school has to have an 8500 seat arena on campus is outdated. I know we all love the idea of small, on-campus arenas, but the truth is DePaul could make a lot of money if they could put out a good product that sold 12-15K per game at the All-State.

The stadium is an "issue", but the real issue is the product.

Step 1: Commit to having a winning product
Step 2: Hire a good, young coach
Step 3: Commit to that coach and make the necessary improvements (improve facilities, promote games, create a better in game experience, etc.)
Step 4: Recruit Chicago like crazy
Step 5: Win (most important step)

The ESPN 30 for 30 documentary on the University of Miami is a great case study for how an athletics department can be turned around.

Obviously "the U" developed a more "unique" culture under Jimmy Johnson, but under Howard Schnellenberger, the program appeared to be pretty clean and seriously upgraded the talent on the roster by locking down S. Florida recruiting.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miami_Hurricanes_football#The_Howard_Schnellenberger_Era_.281979-83.29

All of this is obviously easier said than done, but it's not rocket science if the school really wants to commit to it. In a city like Tulsa, OK, it would be very tough. In Chicago, DePaul should be able to do it (provided that they want to).

A++++++ post.

[Avenue Commons]

The Al may have been the most visible sign of support, but there were many others.

Bill Cords said that the plan to resurrect MU hoops was two fold: 1) get the best available young coach and give him the financial resources to get the staff he needs and 2) to build an incomparable training facility.

Mix in a little Dwyane Wade exploding on the scene, and MU's return to relative prominence only took a few years. It would be difficult to replicate so quickly, but it can be done.

DePaul will always have one thing Marquette doesn't: Chicago.

[PBRme]

What about  keeping Webster as an assistant and hiring Majerus for two years

You need someone that compete for the media attention Dennis Rodman

[GGGG]

What about  keeping Webster as an assistant and hiring Majerus for two years

1. Majerus already has a job.

2. He doesn't exactly burn up the recruiting trail.

[MU B2002]

1. Majerus already has a job.

2. He doesn't exactly burn up the recruiting trail.

3. And he sits on people.