I assume Diener doesn't know anything about Crean's character, coaching ability or importance to MU either.......
(From Fond du Lac paper)
The college basketball world was surprised Tuesday with the announcement that Marquette coach Tom Crean had agreed with Indiana to take over the Hoosiers.
Fond du Lac native Travis Diener, one of three current NBA athletes to play at Marquette under Crean, was no different.
Diener said he experienced mixed emotions in the hours after finding out that his former college coach was taking over in Bloomington.
"When I first heard it I was kind of mad. I didn't want him to ever leave Marquette, but I'm happy for him and his family," the Indiana Pacers guard said in a telephone interview Tuesday night.
"Indiana's one of the top five programs in the country," Diener added. It's kind of down right now, but as good as a coach as he is, he'll have them back up in no time."
Despite knowing Crean well, the former Golden Eagles' point guard was stunned when he heard the news.
"I was extremely shocked. I got off the plane, and I had a lot of calls and text messages (about Crean) and at first I didn't believe it," Diener said. "I didn't think it would happen. But Indiana wanted to hire a coach before the Final Four, and things like that happen fast in the coaching business."
Marquette had success on the court with Crean, but Diener said it was away from the game where the coach made the biggest impact in his life.
"I have nothing but admiration for him. He's given me things that I can use off the court every day, which is priceless," said Diener, who helped the Golden Eagles reach the Final Four in 2003, his sophomore season. "He's a great coach and great person.
"The Final Four was obviously a special moment, but I'll remember everything he did for me as a person, more so than any particular game."
In an coincidental situation, while Crean heads to Indiana this week, Diener, who plays for the Indiana Pacers, will be in Milwaukee on Friday night to play the Bucks.
