IMO, it is not about the benjamins

[79Warrior]

SS turned down MU and we supposedly made him a hefty offer.

Buzz left and or was asked to leave, for less money.

I think too much is being made of what we will pay. Marquette has established itself as an institution that will pay it's basketball coach top dollar. The issues facing MU are much more than money.
Coaches want to get paid, yes. But they also want to win, or think they can.

IMO, we have several issues that  can be perceived as negatives to the position. We are a private, Catholic, urban institution located in Milwaukee. That already is a handfull.
The rules as such are different that many other schools.
We are now part of a watered down Big East, like it or not. That perception is real and could be a hindrance. For SS, is moving to MU that much of a "step up". Last year the answer was a unamious yes. Now, not as east to answer.

We will get a coach, and hopefully a really good one. But, just because we can offer fat dollars does not necessarily mean we get the big fish. I think we just witnessed that first hand.

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

SS turned down MU and we supposedly made him a hefty offer.

Buzz left and or was asked to leave, for less money.

I think too much is being made of what we will pay. Marquette has established itself as an institution that will pay it's basketball coach top dollar. The issues facing MU are much more than money.
Coaches want to get paid, yes. But they also want to win, or think they can.

IMO, we have several issues that  can be perceived as negatives to the position. We are a private, Catholic, urban institution located in Milwaukee. That already is a handfull.
The rules as such are different that many other schools.
We are now part of a watered down Big East, like it or not. That perception is real and could be a hindrance. For SS, is moving to MU that much of a "step up". Last year the answer was a unamious yes. Now, not as east to answer.

We will get a coach, and hopefully a really good one. But, just because we can offer fat dollars does not necessarily mean we get the big fish. I think we just witnessed that first hand.

To say that MU isnt a step up from VCU is just ignorant. Especially when the BE starts poaching from the A10 again.

[Pakuni]

To say that MU isnt a step up from VCU is just ignorant. Especially when the BE starts poaching from the A10 again.

Agree.
Smart didn't turn down MU because of money, Catholicism, Milwaukee or the Big East. He turned down MU because he's happy enough at VCU that he can stay there until a blueblood of his choosing - i.e. not the cesspool that was/is UCLA - comes calling.