CBS58 sports report

[Big Papi]

Anybody else get to see it?  I was distracted but the report said that MU contacted Bennett but it doesn't look like he is interested.  Then they listed 4 coaches which I am drawing a blank on but then they went and talked about Buzz being a serious candidate and that they needed to talk to the board to see if the boosters wanted a more splashy name.  It was an odd report and I was distracted.

[Husker4MU]

Distracted?  I can think of only one thing to distract me and I've batted that away during key sporting moments.  Not sayin'...just sayin'

[MULS1999]

I saw this report as well, and it seemed to ring true to me.  I can't remember all four coaches on the list they flashed, but two of them were Bennett and Miller.  The report focused on Bennett and speculation that MU approached him to gauge his interest, and that we may have laid out financial terms, which were reported to possibly be a significant raise over his existing compensation package at WSU.  Then they cited to a Seattle Post-Intelligencer report that, this evening, Bennett had advised the WSU brass that he was staying -- this coming amidst speculation that he's going to get another contract re-work there, along with some help with charter plane travel, etc.  Given the timing and circumstances, it seems likely that MU pursued him aggressively (and perhaps Miller, too), but that he ultimately decided to stay put.

With Bennett and Miller seemingly out of the picture, the second part of the report focused on Buzz Williams.  It's been confirmed that he was at least extended the courtesy of a sitdown about the job, and now the question is whether he can go all the way.  I doubt that any of the powers that be are turning cartwheels at the prospect of Buzz, but he could be viewed as the pragmatist's choice.  The final piece of the 58 report wondered aloud if there could be a link between the consideration of Buzz and tomorrow's scheduled BoT meeting.

I see now that Todd Rosiak has written more or less the same story for tomorrow's paper, so I'm guessing that both outlets have it more or less right. 

As for a reaction to all of this, I guess I'm heartened by it.  Bennett and Miller should have absolutely been at the top of any list, and it appears that they are/were, and that we moved quickly and were willing to open our checkbooks.  If they both truly have declined, then it gets trickier.  I don't want to lose our coach and our class, but you have to hire Buzz only on his merits/ability to do the job, and not based on whatever relationships he has with these kids -- relationships that may ultimately prove not strong enough to get them here once all the emotion of this situation has died down.

From where I sit, after Bennett and Miller, my next two calls would be to Grant and Brownell.  I'm particularly intrigued by Grant, who I think could be a dynamic recruiter in the midwest where there are few young African-American head coaches.  That said, both he and Brownell seem to fit the profile of what we should be looking for long-term.

[DonCornholeone]

I would go...

1. Lowery (he is my, and several friends, ideal candidate at this point.)

2. Grant

3. Drew

4. Larranaga (Why not?  Even though he is 60, who says a young guy would be here 10 years anyway?  Larranaga (or even Majerus) could finish his career at MU.  We would perform no worse than we did during Crean's tenure (sans final four aberration) and when they did leave/retire, we would be in no worse position than we are now, probably even better)

Don't want Bennett's style, even though we would win... and Miller, I don't believe, would be interested in MU at this point, its a step up, bigger conference, more exposure, but it depends on what he is looking for in 5, 10 years. Plus he played at Pitt, could be waiting for that to open up someday.

[MUsoxfan]

4. Larranaga (Why not?  Even though he is 60, who says a young guy would be here 10 years anyway?  Larranaga (or even Majerus) could finish his career at MU.  We would perform no worse than we did during Crean's tenure (sans final four aberration) and when they did leave/retire, we would be in no worse position than we are now, probably even better)

I'm leaning more and more towards an older coach myself.    These young coaches have such tremendous egos it would be impossible for anyone to expect them to stick around for more than a little while.       The idea of getting a solid older coach is quite appealing to me right now.   

[DonCornholeone]

Exactly.  Any young up-and-comer we land, any promises out of his mouth of longevity will be met with cynical ears.  I too am starting prefer an elder coach, who has another 10 years in the tank.  Can someone call Larry Brown?  He could be the figurehead, the teacher, the game coach... all the soul-sucking annoyance that comes with the task of recruiting can be carried out by the assisitants.  The are coming to play for Larry Brown!  20 years coaching NBA teams, won everywhere (except the Knicks)... He could coach and teach.  Ah, to dream...

[MUsoxfan]

I'd knock Larry Brown, Majerus and O'Neill out of the equation right now.     Brown has shown zero stability over the last few jobs he's had.   He's just as likely to pick up and leave after half a season as completing a contract, plus he'd command a giant salary.    Majerus would probably love to be here, but he'd stick around for about 18mos and cite "health problems" before having to take a LOA.   O'Neill just isn't that good.   

[muarmy81]

I think Grant would be an excellent hire as well, he's done a great job at VCU

[bilsu]

35 year old caoch moves to another job in 5 years.
60 year old coach retires in 5 years.
What is the differene/
Basically most coaches are 5 years. 9 yearswas a long time. Longest since McGuire.

[CTWarrior]

4. Larranaga (Why not?  Even though he is 60, who says a young guy would be here 10 years anyway?  Larranaga (or even Majerus) could finish his career at MU.  We would perform no worse than we did during Crean's tenure (sans final four aberration) and when they did leave/retire, we would be in no worse position than we are now, probably even better)

He turned down his alma mater Providence, who was openly and very publicly courting him, and signed an extension at JMU that will take him to retirement.  He's not going anywhere. 

He's proabably too old anyway.  He'd need some serious recruiters on his staff.  The only way he'd make sense was if you were sure someone like Buzz Williams could grow into the job with his help and would be willing to be a high priced assistant for 5 years until he got the head coaching job.  As I typed that last sentence, I realized how unlikely that scenario is.

[mu_hilltopper]

The CBS58 report also implied that the BoT Meeting today was to figure out if "the boosters" would be satisfied with Buzz.

Please.

[NavinRJohnson]

I must admit that the less we hear about/from Sean Miller over time, the more intriguing that situation becomes. I have not seen a single report, statement, etc. from him or "annonymous sources" stating that MU inquired, he politely declined, etc. The more time that passes without something like this, the more I think he may be in play. Now, I would not bet money that he ends up here, but the silence seems a bit deafening.

I remain hopeful that we will hear an unexpected, surprise name announced in the next couple days - like a Phil Martelli (just an example - extremely unlikely). Something you never see coming and then, wow, what a great hire.

[Phi Iota Gamma 84]

Tim Floyd?

[MULS1999]

I doubt they would discuss it overtly, but it's a cold reality that there are constituencies beyond the university administration, the players and the recruits (and their outspoken H.S. coaches) who need to be in favor of the pick, and that certainly includes the baseketball program's biggest donors.  

I would be shocked -- especially if the choice was Buzz -- if the powers that be at MU didn't vett the idea of hiring him with a select few outside the program.  It's not right, but it happens everywhere and seems to be a perk of seven figure donations.  Just ask T. Boone Pickens; hell, he'll probably pick OSU's coach.

[muhoops1]

I must admit that the less we hear about/from Sean Miller over time, the more intriguing that situation becomes. I have not seen a single report, statement, etc. from him or "annonymous sources" stating that MU inquired, he politely declined, etc. The more time that passes without something like this, the more I think he may be in play. Now, I would not bet money that he ends up here, but the silence seems a bit deafening.

I remain hopeful that we will hear an unexpected, surprise name announced in the next couple days - like a Phil Martelli (just an example - extremely unlikely). Something you never see coming and then, wow, what a great hire.

I thought there was a post that stated a journalist from Milwaukee contacted the AD @ XU and he and Miller together stated he was not interested in the Marquette job.  In fact, they alluded to the fact that the XU job was a better job.  If its true it is a bit of a disappointment.

[ZiggysFryBoy]

Tim Floyd?

only if lil bow wow comes with.