Shaka Growing Up

[Dr. Blackheart]

I found this old article interesting that covers his early life growing up in Oregon, WI through his Final 4 team. I liked this tidbit:

His father...named him after 19th-century African warrior Shaka Zulu

https://www.google.com/amp/s/lacrossetribune.com/sports/success-is-no-shock-to-wisconsin-native-shaka-smart/article_532594f4-5a8a-11e0-a823-001cc4c03286.amp.html

[mug644]

I'll boost this thread with a slight twist: MU almost had Shaka 7 years ago. While we are not happy with the last seven years, do we feel that Shaka is a better choice now than he was back then? Is he more ready for the MU job now than he was before going to Texas? Has he "grown up" as a coach?

I think about Majerus, who needed to leave MU to become a better coach. Or guys kind of like Steve Lavin or even John Calipari, who needed to test the big time (for Lavin it was UCLA, for Calipari it was the NBA) and get knocked down before finding a better place for themselves (Lavin at St. John's (though that didn't turn out so well) and Calipari in Memphis and at Kentucky).

Are we getting a better coach now than we would've gotten 7 years ago?

[brewcity77]

I think so. He has experience recruiting at the highest level now and has shown he can have a successful defense without Havoc. I also hope he's learned some of the pitfalls of the big job and sees things that don't work. I like that his 2021 class was top-20 without any All-Americans.

[mug644]

I guess I posed the question because I'm thinking and hoping the same, Brew. It may be that his Texas experience showed his limits as a coach, but it may be that he leaves there having learned some key lessons about where he wants to be and how to be successful. He could bring new insights along with his considerable skills.

I choose to be optimistic, and fully supportive.

[GooooMarquette]

I think so. He has experience recruiting at the highest level now and has shown he can have a successful defense without Havoc. I also hope he's learned some of the pitfalls of the big job and sees things that don't work. I like that his 2021 class was top-20 without any All-Americans.

I am taking that view as well, brew. We can’t ignore the last several years, but it is fair to assume that Shaka has learned from them.

[Boozemon Barro]

He should shave his head again. All the female alumni agree.

[warriorchick]

He should shave his head again. All the female alumni agree.

Oh, really?  Who appointed you?

I am a female alumni (or properly, an alumna), and I don't agree.

[vogue65]

Now let's see if the Marquette fan base can grow up.
LUCK BE A LADY TONIGHT
My quick review of his resume shows a lot of bad luck, near misses, close calls, what could have beens.
General Eisenhower chose generals who were lucky.
They all had military educations, smarts, experience, so he chose the ones who were lucky.
Let's never forget that Al McGuire was, among other things, lucky.

[willie warrior]

Now let's see if the Marquette fan base can grow up.
LUCK BE A LADY TONIGHT
My quick review of his resume shows a lot of bad luck, near misses, close calls, what could have beens.
General Eisenhower chose generals who were lucky.
They all had military educations, smarts, experience, so he chose the ones who were lucky.
Let's never forget that Al McGuire was, among other things, lucky.

Yes, Al was lucky. He was Irish. But getting to the championship game twice along with an NIT title when that still meant something signifies more than luck. Great coach.

[muwarrior69]

Oh, really?  Who appointed you?

I am a female alumni (or properly, an alumna), and I don't agree.

I agree and we all know what happened to Samson when Delilah shaved his hair.

[muwarrior69]

Yes, Al was lucky. He was Irish. But getting to the championship game twice along with an NIT title when that still meant something signifies more than luck. Great coach.

To be coach back in the 60s/70s. He would have been fired long before his championship by today's standards.

[MUMountin]

I'll boost this thread with a slight twist: MU almost had Shaka 7 years ago. While we are not happy with the last seven years, do we feel that Shaka is a better choice now than he was back then? Is he more ready for the MU job now than he was before going to Texas? Has he "grown up" as a coach?

I think about Majerus, who needed to leave MU to become a better coach. Or guys kind of like Steve Lavin or even John Calipari, who needed to test the big time (for Lavin it was UCLA, for Calipari it was the NBA) and get knocked down before finding a better place for themselves (Lavin at St. John's (though that didn't turn out so well) and Calipari in Memphis and at Kentucky).

Are we getting a better coach now than we would've gotten 7 years ago?

Not only that he might be better for it, there is a greater likelihood that he might be willing to stick around for a lot longer, having already had he chance to test the “grass is always greener” urge.  Perhaps he has realized that the big programs/bright lights don’t always mean the best jobs and might be willing to stay and really grow MU.

The fact that he is 43 and already has that lesson and all the years of experience that go with it is perhaps the most valuable aspect of this hire.