Deja Vu from 6 Years Ago

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I think Marquette finds itself in a similar situation to what it was in 6 years ago.

6 years ago, we had hot recruiting names on the table. I believe Tony Bennett was the one the masses were clamoring for.

Today, we have more and better options (IMHO). We can go after Smart (unlikely), Marshall, and Howland.

To get one of these would assumedly minimize defections and keep our profile as an elite basketball program. But for how long? My gut tells me that any of these guys would bolt at the first chance at a better job...or retirement in Howland's case.

Six years ago, we didn't hire the brand name coach. We picked the unknown wild card, hoping for a grand slam. And as angry as we are now, we got that in Buzz Williams. 5 tournament appearances, 3 sweet 16s, 1 elite 8, and 1 Big East regular season championship was more than anyone was expecting when we hired a relatively unknown assistant named Buzz Williams. We took a risk and it panned out.

Do we make that bold choice again? The bold choice is probably Brian Wardle. A young, up and coming coach, not to mention a former player. Wardle still loves Marquette. Should we hire him and he be successful, he could end up being the longest tenured coach in Marquette history. But should he be hired and fail....it would be one of the biggest hiring mishaps in recent memory.

So low risk and a reward of another 5-10 year stud coach? Or high risk and a reward of a stud career coach who stays for 20+ years?

Personally....I want the brand name coach. I want someone who can keep the cupboard full, keep us on a positive trajectory, and make sure we are solidified as a national power. Wardle will always be there. Let him prove himself at another program and bring him in as our career coach once he has proven himself.

Just one fans opinion.

[MUMBA]

I had a chance to meet with fr wild over dinner several years ago, and I couldn't help but talk basketball.  He mentioned that the search at that time favored coaches with "energy", "spirit", "innovation", "hands on" etc.   he personally didnt want a "name" to "preside" over the program.  which explained why they went the young/untested/upside route with Buzz.  Not sure what factors they weigh heavily in this search, or if they'll Go with a similar approach to the last one.  Shaka/Howland seem to personify the split in preferences. Curious to see how it goes.   Sorry to see buzz leave, but I'm already looking ahead.

[dgies9156]

Yikes on Wardle!

Doubles yikes if you will.

If Brian Wardle were coaching at Northern Iowa or Middle Tennessee State, nobody on this board would give him a second thought, Period. But because he's a cheesehead and perhaps because he is one of us, he's a hot young coaching commodity.

I'm sure he's doing well at Green Bay. But the expectations and competitive pressures are very different in Green Bay than they are at Marquette. And, unlike Big Ten first assistants, for example, he hasn't proven he can recruit. I really would rather see us go down the road of an established "name" or a up and coming first assistant.

Besides we have been down this road before. Remember Bob Dukiet from St. Peter's. Or Mike Deane? Been there... done that!

[Silkk the Shaka]

Not to mention Wardle does a spot-on Crean imitation, which is kinda creepy to watch on the sideline.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Yikes on Wardle!

Doubles yikes if you will.

If Brian Wardle were coaching at Northern Iowa or Middle Tennessee State, nobody on this board would give him a second thought, Period. But because he's a cheesehead and perhaps because he is one of us, he's a hot young coaching commodity.

I'm sure he's doing well at Green Bay. But the expectations and competitive pressures are very different in Green Bay than they are at Marquette. And, unlike Big Ten first assistants, for example, he hasn't proven he can recruit. I really would rather see us go down the road of an established "name" or a up and coming first assistant.

Besides we have been down this road before. Remember Bob Dukiet from St. Peter's. Or Mike Deane? Been there... done that!

I'd argue that if any former player was having as good of a season as Wardle is having, he would be on our radar. No matter what team he was coaching.