When did MU go after ILLINI asst Howard?

[HouWarrior]

this article  indicates MU had interest in this recruiting whiz,Jerrance Howard,  apparently about to re sign with Bruce Weber's Illini (with a top 20 recruiting class)--when did MU express interest in him?
http://www.pjstar.com/sports/college/x1381052456/Illini-assistant-near-deal

Also my best friend from grade school/high school is a cousin to Bruce Weber, and apparently, Bruce has deep Milw/family  roots-- Has he ever been considered by MU?

[Blackhat]

I'd show interest in Jerrance Howard too.   Makes a HC's job a lot easier when you've got a knock down recruiter on your staff. 

[Pakuni]

That would rival, and perhaps surpass, Vander Blue for Buzz's best recruiting victory.

[GOMU1104]

When Buzz was assembling his staff, there were talks about pursuing both Josh Pastner and Howard.

[Dawson Rental]

I'm being serious now, really.  When the Illinois job opened up, there was some speculation that Crean would leave MU for Illinois, and MU would replace him with Weber.  Of course, as we now know, Weber went right past go and on to Illinois.  Now did Illinois actually consider Crean?  I honestly don't know.

[Dawson Rental]

That would rival, and perhaps surpass, Vander Blue for Buzz's best recruiting victory.

+1  Not only did Jerrance Howard go to Illinois, but he grew up nearby in Peoria, I believe.  When he leaves Illinois, he's most likely going the head coach route.

[Dr. Blackheart]

I'm being serious now, really.  When the Illinois job opened up, there was some speculation that Crean would leave MU for Illinois, and MU would replace him with Weber.  Of course, as we now know, Weber went right past go and on to Illinois.  Now did Illinois actually consider Crean?  I honestly don't know.

What is interesting in this twist is that Bruce wanted the MU job when Crean left so he could be back home--and to put the specter of Self's recruiting behind him.  Howard may have saved Bruce's job at U of I.

[Bob "Big Daddy" Wild]

When Buzz was assembling his staff, there were talks about pursuing both Josh Pastner and Howard.

Yes, I remember that.  I believe Mark Miller posted that on premium scout during the process?

There were also stories about Buzz actually meeting with Pastner in an airport or something like that.  He signed with Memphis shortly after.

Granted we did not get these guys, but I love that Buzz aims this high.  Those guys at the time were arguably two of the best (assistant) recruiters in the country.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

Bruce Weber has talked several times about growing up in the Milwaukee area and being a huge Al McGuire fan...even attending practices. As the previous poster indicated, he inquired about our job opening when Crean left. I love how Buzz has worked out...I also would have been thrilled with Bruce Weber. I think he'd be a perfect fit at MU. Again...love Buzz.

[HouWarrior]

Bruce Weber has talked several times about growing up in the Milwaukee area and being a huge Al McGuire fan...even attending practices. As the previous poster indicated, he inquired about our job opening when Crean left. I love how Buzz has worked out...I also would have been thrilled with Bruce Weber. I think he'd be a perfect fit at MU. Again...love Buzz.

He graduated Marshall HS in 74, and from UWM. He was a volunt BB asst at Madison High and an asst at MU HS BB. Deep Milw roots--Warrior/bucks golden years. He played Baseball for UWM (catcher), and tried to walk on BB at UWM

Oh,...and Bruce  always won the pick up games w/me and my buddy (his cousin) in the menomonee falls driveway--I never got him on my home driveway in tosa,though--lol

[TedBaxter]

Buzz was in his second year as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Texas A&M when Howard was hired by Billy Gillespie as an administrative assistant, Howard's first coaching staff position out of college.  Howard has credited Buzz for teaching him a ton about recruiting.

[MU B2002]

+1  Not only did Jerrance Howard go to Illinois, but he grew up nearby in Peoria, I believe.  When he leaves Illinois, he's most likely going the head coach route.

Yea.  Went to Peoria High, just like AJ Guyton and Shaun Livingston.  Jerrance is a very personable young man.

Illinois has the Peoria area covered with Jerrance, and former Peoria Manual (Frank Williams, Sergio McClain, etc) coach Wayne McClain.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Bruce Weber has talked several times about growing up in the Milwaukee area and being a huge Al McGuire fan...even attending practices. As the previous poster indicated, he inquired about our job opening when Crean left. I love how Buzz has worked out...I also would have been thrilled with Bruce Weber. I think he'd be a perfect fit at MU. Again...love Buzz.

He must have been on speed dial to get inquire so quickly in that short 48 hours.    

[Doctor V]

He must have been on speed dial to get inquire so quickly in that short 48 hours.    

HAHAHAHAHA...... not funny.

Bruce seems like a nice enough guy, but I remember a few yrs ago (around the time of Tommys departure) there were serious doubts about his recruiting ability. I believe there was a story about him not being able to recruit his own nephew.... Im not going to look it up, because Im sure bma will know. That said, his class this year and next seems to be shaping up nicely

Perhaps those responsible in the MU hiring process had Buzzsaw higher in the pecking order and didn't decide to give Bruce too much of a look- Is that supposed to be teal? No idea, others have the answers cause they know everything that went down... Tell that to an Illinois fan and they will laugh at you and say Bruce turned MU down, or would have and thats why he wasn't approached.

I really don't care, as I am happy with the 48 hr process. As a matter of fact, I have been made such a believer that I will make all my future hires in less than 48 hrs, and would suggest that MU put that in their by-laws as well

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

HAHAHAHAHA...... not funny.

Bruce seems like a nice enough guy, but I remember a few yrs ago (around the time of Tommys departure) there were serious doubts about his recruiting ability. I believe there was a story about him not being able to recruit his own nephew.... Im not going to look it up, because Im sure bma will know. That said, his class this year and next seems to be shaping up nicely

It wasn't his nephew...it was Jon Scheyer. Scheyer played for Weber's brother in high school. Weber's recruiting has been very solid, including landing Eric Gordon before Sampson stepped in.

[Dawson Rental]

I really don't care, as I am happy with the 48 hr process. As a matter of fact, I have been made such a believer that I will make all my future hires in less than 48 hrs, and would suggest that MU put that in their by-laws as well

A great idea!  Assuming, of course, that you have a Buzz Williams in the wings.

I assume that MU was able to make a decision in 48 hours without running into job opportunity posting requirements problems because they ended up hiring a foreigner (from Texas).

[brewcity77]

The Jon Scheyer recruiting was seen as a near-unforgivable sin by many Illini fans at the time. As was mentioned, Scheyer played for Weber's brother in high school, and they expected he would stay in-state and continue on to Illinois under the other Weber. In addition, Weber had the recent trip to the NCAA finals, but still couldn't get the job done. I remember hearing a number of people calling for his head at the time, but to be fair to Bruce, it seemed all along like Scheyer had his heart set on Duke, and I don't care who you are, recruiting against the likes of Krzyewski is always going to be an uphill battle.

Of course, years later, the question is whether or not Illinois made the right decision with Weber. Granted, he got them to the final (with Self's players), but they really haven't done much since then. A fringe NCAA team most of the time, but has missed the Big Dance 2 of the last 3 years. He's certainly no Bill Self.

[Lennys Tap]

Jon Scheyer was never going to Illinois. Duke was always his dream school. In addition, Weber and his brother are not what you would call close.

[Bob "Big Daddy" Wild]

The Jon Scheyer recruiting was seen as a near-unforgivable sin by many Illini fans at the time. As was mentioned, Scheyer played for Weber's brother in high school, and they expected he would stay in-state and continue on to Illinois under the other Weber. In addition, Weber had the recent trip to the NCAA finals, but still couldn't get the job done. I remember hearing a number of people calling for his head at the time, but to be fair to Bruce, it seemed all along like Scheyer had his heart set on Duke, and I don't care who you are, recruiting against the likes of Krzyewski is always going to be an uphill battle.

Of course, years later, the question is whether or not Illinois made the right decision with Weber. Granted, he got them to the final (with Self's players), but they really haven't done much since then. A fringe NCAA team most of the time, but has missed the Big Dance 2 of the last 3 years. He's certainly no Bill Self.

That question will be answered over the next two or 3 years, definitively.  Right now, Illinois' Soph & Frosh classes are loaded, and they have several excellent recruits coming in behind those guys...plus they are balanced position-wise (could probably use a bruiser though).  Bruce will have Bill Self type talent in the big 10 over the next few seasons.  I think they will make some runs with the talent...but if not, Bruce will be out and no one will doubt the decision.

I'm not the biggest McAmey/Davis/Tisdale fans so they may underachieve a bit this year, but after that, holy crap look out.

[Dawson Rental]

Marquette's overall record with Illinois is 5-9, but MU has won the last two games.  I guess its time to avoid them for a while if we want to even up the series.

[dennycrane]

There was a reason Calapari tried to hire Howard. A certain comfort level with how he works possibly?

[HouWarrior]

Here is an odd/sad MU and Bruce Weber connection. My buddy is a cousin to Bruce, and I mentioned MU board discussed him.
He said you know..when Dean Marquardt MU '82 was in a car wreck, while at MU(Raymonds era), Bruce Weber's sister was with Dean and killed in the wreck...it was rough on Bruce, and I am sure, also, on Dean. .

[MU B2002]

There was a reason Calapari tried to hire Howard. A certain comfort level with how he works possibly?

Or just maybe he was good at his job.