Belmont Abbey & Al McGuire

[WarriorHal]

Belmont University got me thinking about Belmont Abbey College

1957-58  24-3  Al McGuire
1958-59  21-2  Al McGuire
1959-60  19-5  Al McGuire
1960-61  17-6  Al McGuire
1961-62  15-8  Al McGuire
1962-63  7-21  Al McGuire
1963-64  6-18  Al McGuire

That's what you call a steady progression. I'm sure Al dazzled the administration during the interview process, but why did Marquette even consider him?

[Goose]

It was 1963. We hired a guy who told his assistant to buy him a house which indicates times were different. Funny thing is he had a better resume than Buzz.

[Tugg Speedman]

Belmont University got me thinking about Belmont Abbey College

1957-58  24-3  Al McGuire
1958-59  21-2  Al McGuire
1959-60  19-5  Al McGuire
1960-61  17-6  Al McGuire
1961-62  15-8  Al McGuire
1962-63  7-21  Al McGuire
1963-64  6-18  Al McGuire

That's what you call a steady progression. I'm sure Al dazzled the administration during the interview process, but why did Marquette even consider him?

I forgotten this ... it must have been a different era as NO ONE today would be around long enough to see their win total fall for 5 consecutive years ... let alone get a better job.

[JustinLewisFanClubPres]

Imagine the reaction if this board existed back then.  We could have all predicted how terrible Al would be as a coach.  Too bad hindsight is 20/20.

[Tugg Speedman]

Imagine the reaction if this board existed back then.  We could have all predicted how terrible Al would be as a coach.  Too bad hindsight is 20/20.

If this board existed in 1963, the faithful would have turned The Al McGuire hiring into another "Gold" debacle ... the administration would have been forced to rescind his offer.

[Lennys Tap]

Marquette has done very well with our "most risky" hires - Al, Buzz, KO, TC. Not so much with our "safest" - Deane, Dukiet. Nevertheless, some will consistently pound the drum for safety.

[Marquette84]

Marquette has done very well with our "most risky" hires - Al, Buzz, KO, TC. Not so much with our "safest" - Deane, Dukiet. Nevertheless, some will consistently pound the drum for safety.

It all depends on how you define risk.

Deane and Dukiet had come from low-major programs. They didn't know how to recruit players to a program at MU's level because they hadn't been doing it as an assistant.  They didn't see how a high-major program works--from setting up practices, to knowing how to use all available resources, to travel routines to most importantly recruiting. I'd say it was a high risk to assume that they could figure out what to do at a high-major level when they hadn't been at that level.

On the other hand, O'Neill (Arizona), Crean (Michigan State), Buzz (Marquette) had been working for high-major programs. They knew what it took to compete against other high-majors, they knew how to evaluate talent at that level, they knew all the intangibles that differentiates low- and high-major programs.

I would say that in general, any low-major head coach is going to represent a higher risk than a high-major assistant.

[MUMac]

I would say that in general, any low-major head coach is going to represent a higher risk than a high-major assistant.

Agree with your comments, but especially the one above.  A good recruing assistant from a high-major may need to learn the tecnical part of coaching.  That can be done by hiring a mentor and will have some speed bumps during the process.  Those bumps, though, are usually limited to games/seasons. 

A low major head coach may know how to coach, but may struggle recruiting at a high-major level.  That has a much longer term impact and can really harm the program.  The two coaches that MU hired, which you cited, are examples.

[Tugg Speedman]

Tony Benford anyone?
Aki Collins anyone?

[GGGG]

My recollection was that the O'Neill hiring was a slam-dunk.  Same with TC to some extent.  Both were considered amongst the top assistants in the country, coming from major programs.

[Goose]

Agreed Sultan. Both of those hires were no brainers. They were both highly known and sought after. Great hires on these guys. We struggle when we get recommendations from departing coaches.

[ringout]

Agreed Sultan. Both of those hires were no brainers. They were both highly known and sought after. Great hires on these guys. We struggle when we get recommendations from departing coaches.

Riiiight!

[Fullodds]

Al told the story about his 'resume' whem interviewing for MU job. He said he was asked to provide his record at Belmont and when he came to the last two seasons he switched the W-L numbers for 9-19 became 19-9, etc. No one ever asked him about it and no one ever called to confirm his accuracy. Typical Al.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Marquette has done very well with our "most risky" hires - Al, Buzz, KO, TC. Not so much with our "safest" - Deane, Dukiet. Nevertheless, some will consistently pound the drum for safety.

TC was a risky hire?  Please...talk about revisionist history.  Top assistant in the country from the best major program at the time

KO was a risky hire?  Please...talk about revisionist history.   Top assistant in the country from one of the 5 best programs in the country at the time.

Risky hires are done when you are at the top and taking a flier on someone that could make you fall down again. When you're already down, the risk is minimal because you can only stay the same or improve.  TC fits that category.  KO fits that category. 

Dukiet hiring was no safe reach either....it's all we could get in July.  It was him or the guy at UT-San Antonio or some guy from Arkansas Little Rock....Rick left us high and dry that Summer and we had no choice.  Hardly a "safe hire", he was the only warm body who would take the gig.

History must be fun when you get the change the facts...do you still have us winning WWII?

[Goose]

Dukiet got a job here on accident. With Rick's bizarre timed departure we had little options. Deanne hire was made out of laziness on Cord's part. KO recommended him at Cord's believed him. It is funny that Cord's gets a ton of credit for hires and conference moves and he had little to do with any it. The Bill Cord's story on here is far different from reality.

[ChicosBailBonds]

I would say that in general, any low-major head coach is going to represent a higher risk than a high-major assistant.

Unless they came from a high major as a major recruiting assistant and understand what it means to get those types of players.