Stepping stone job?

[Goose]

I am curious for those who believe MU is a stepping job is there any other top 8 BE program that also is stepping stone job? It confuses me that many believe we are not destination job yet the remainder of our conference is just that.

[MountainCreekHouse]

We are a destination job, not even a question. Marquette spends the third most on just its men's basketball program than any other school in the country. Think about that.

[Goose]

Light blue---100% agree. Seems that some of "biggest MU fans" on here feel otherwise and I do not get it. This is a first class program and school.

[nyg]

We are a destination job, not even a question. Marquette spends the third most on just its men's basketball program than any other school in the country. Think about that.
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Job coaching wise, probably all with exception of Louisville, Georgetown, Syracuse and UCONN.

[MUMac]

Somewhere in between.  It can be a destination job or a stepping stone.  Depends upon the person who is the HC.  An example is UW.  It likely is not a destination job, but has become that for Bennett and Ryan.  Perhaps the replacement to Ryan will feel the same, if it comes from his coaching tree.

I am hoping Buzz see's it as a destination job.  Perhaps down the road, a Wardle or Townsend might find it a destination job.

[Goose]

I am not sure you can be both. UW is far from stepping stone job and other than Northwestern or Penn State no Big Ten schools are stepping stone jobs.

I am sure MU would be destination job for Wardle or Townsend. Unfortunately it would be a death sentence for program if one of those two got the job.

[ChicosBailBonds]

I am curious for those who believe MU is a stepping job is there any other top 8 BE program that also is stepping stone job? It confuses me that many believe we are not destination job yet the remainder of our conference is just that.

It is obvious that the media believes we are a stepping stone job, this is why our coaches come up every time a "bigger" or even parity job opens up.  I don't think there is any doubt that is the case. 

It hasn't helped that since Hank Raymonds, only one guy lasted more than 5 years and that was Tom Crean at 9 years.  Rick left on his own for an NBA Assistant job.  KO left on his own for a WOMEN'S basketball power.  TC, though here 9 years, left on his own but fortunately for basketball royalty so it doesn't sting as much.  Deane tried to leave and get the Florida State job and threw his hat into a couple of others. 

That hasn't helped the perception.  For that reason as much as any, I hope Buzz is hear as long or longer than Crean.  Getting him to stay a decade would mean 2 coaches in 20 years and that would be wonderful for Marquette in so many ways.  If he were to leave for an Arkansas or OU, two "parity" programs, then that only adds to the perception.

[Goose]

Chico's---The media might feel that way but I feel way too many fans accept it as true. MU has to make every effort to secure Buzz for the next several years. It really is up to the school to help make that happen. It just seems to me that other upper end BE school's are not facing this issue every few years. What do they do better to make that not happen?

[Tulsa Warrior]

Brian Wardle, Todd Townsend and Jon Harris all have potential in the coaching profession.  Wardle has the edge now because he has had one season as a head coach.  He's recruited well at the Horizon League level.  We're still talking at best years down the road before any of these three would be ready for a high level D1 head coaching position.  If Cuonzo Martin moves up from Missouri State Harris might get a shot at the top job there.  Harris' star is connected with Martin and that puts him in a better position than Townsend.  Martin has a shot at the Missouri head coaching position.

[Goose]

TulsaWarrior---I think that is great for those guys and wish them well...just nowhere near MU. This is BE top tier college basketball program and even discussing those names tarnishes the program. Love all three of them but doubt if any other board in USA would be looking their way. I would rather be a stepping stone job than hand over the keys to those guys.

[KipsBayEagle]

Any job can be a stepping stone job.  It all depends on the job your comparing it to.  No one would normally consider kansas a stepping stone job, unless there is a unc vacancy.  Marquette is a stepping stone job compared to IU.  Its the program that your comparing it to that determines whther it is a stepping stone job or not.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Chico's---The media might feel that way but I feel way too many fans accept it as true. MU has to make every effort to secure Buzz for the next several years. It really is up to the school to help make that happen. It just seems to me that other upper end BE school's are not facing this issue every few years. What do they do better to make that not happen?

I disagree...the others are facing it, but we're just not as close to it because we don't see it.  Dixon has been named for jobs in each of the last 3 years.  Jay Wright has as well.  Now, of course UCONN, WVU (Huggins is an alum), G'Town (JTIII son of JT) and Syracuse don't because of who is coaching there, but the next traunch have.  Cronin was supposedly on the hot seat coming into this year, Brey if you listen to people here was on the hot seat, Lavin will certainly be named for other jobs if he does as well as he did this year. 

If MU wants to avoid this, then if Buzz leaves they need to hire someone with Midwest ties that WANTS to be here and is LIKELY to stay.  The risk in hiring guys from the East Coast or the South or the West Coast is the strong pull away from Milwaukee. 

[4everwarriors]

Again, it depends on the aspirations of the head coach. Some like chicken, some like feathers.

[Goose]

Chico's--I have no problem having our guys name mentioned, actually a good thing in some ways. I just do not want our guys leaving every three years. If Buzz stays this is a moot point and all is good. Dixon and Wright were rumored but did not leave and that is the main thing.

[Goose]

4everwarriors---I agree on knowing aspiration of the coach. Isn't that part of the vetting process done by AD, admin and deep pocket backers? I realize things change but that would be high up my list of questioning at interview process.

Agree completely with Chico's that Midwest guy has best chance of hanging around long term.

[NickelDimer]

I am not sure you can be both. UW is far from stepping stone job and other than Northwestern or Penn State no Big Ten schools are stepping stone jobs.

I am sure MU would be destination job for Wardle or Townsend. Unfortunately it would be a death sentence for program if one of those two got the job.

Totally disagree.  It completely depends on the individual.  Bill Self used IL as a stepping stone job.  Roy Williams left KU for UNC, which tells me he didn't view KU as his destination job.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Chico's--I have no problem having our guys name mentioned, actually a good thing in some ways. I just do not want our guys leaving every three years. If Buzz stays this is a moot point and all is good. Dixon and Wright were rumored but did not leave and that is the main thing.

We agree, but I think what gets fans here all wound up are the rumors.  Until the hiring processes are done, that's how fans act....based on those rumors.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Totally disagree.  It completely depends on the individual.  Bill Self used IL as a stepping stone job.  Roy Williams left KU for UNC, which tells me he didn't view KU as his destination job.

UNC was also his alma mater

[muwarrior69]

I disagree...the others are facing it, but we're just not as close to it because we don't see it.  Dixon has been named for jobs in each of the last 3 years.  Jay Wright has as well.  Now, of course UCONN, WVU (Huggins is an alum), G'Town (JTIII son of JT) and Syracuse don't because of who is coaching there, but the next traunch have.  Cronin was supposedly on the hot seat coming into this year, Brey if you listen to people here was on the hot seat, Lavin will certainly be named for other jobs if he does as well as he did this year. 

If MU wants to avoid this, then if Buzz leaves they need to hire someone with Midwest ties that WANTS to be here and is LIKELY to stay.  The risk in hiring guys from the East Coast or the South or the West Coast is the strong pull away from Milwaukee. 

Like Tom Crean?

[NickelDimer]

UNC was also his alma mater

Correct.  Point being, almost any job can be viewed as a stepping stone job.  It's all dependent upon how it's viewed by a particular coach.

[Goose]

Nickel---Obviously everyone has an alma mater, dream job or whatever but that is exception to rule. I guess my point of thread was why are we a stepping stone job if indeed we are. I think Illinois, Kansas and bunch of other places are destination spots.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Like Tom Crean?

Yup...and he gave us 9 years....more than anyone in 30 years.  If he wasn't from the Midwest, he would have gone a lot earlier most likely.  For as much of a prick that I agree he was, the thing I like more than anything is he DIDN'T leave MU after the Final Four....that would have devastated MU and solidified stepping stone mentality.  Not only didn't he leave, he reloaded two years later to give us the talent for a 4 year run that Buzz has extended.

The haters never mention this, but as much as KO saved this program from Loyola status, TC also helped make us relevant as a major player.

[NickelDimer]

Nickel---Obviously everyone has an alma mater, dream job or whatever but that is exception to rule. I guess my point of thread was why are we a stepping stone job if indeed we are. I think Illinois, Kansas and bunch of other places are destination spots.

Right, and my point is we'll be viewed as a stepping stone job by some and a destination job by others depending on the individual.  I think it's really difficult to generalize what we are.

[brewcity77]

Correct.  Point being, almost any job can be viewed as a stepping stone job.  It's all dependent upon how it's viewed by a particular coach.

That's why I think Buzz will stay. I think that he never expected to be in a position like he is now and feels like he's truly living the dream. He's got a university that backs him and is willing to give him full leeway in regards to his religion. He's coaching in the best conference in the country and has been able to recruit from the East Coast to the West Coast, from the Midwest to Texas. And the more success we have, the more I think this will be Buzz's destination job. He doesn't have a major alma mater like Kansas, Texas, or Duke. He wasn't an assistant at UNC, Kentucky, or UCLA. He didn't learn all his tactics from Boeheim, Izzo, or Calhoun.

Bottom line, Buzz left UNO because he saw an opportunity at Marquette that meant more to him than that closer-to-home job afforded. Now that he's here, he's embraced everything Marquette is about. Maybe I'm too willing to take him at his word, but I really believe Buzz is here for the long haul.

[79Warrior]

Chico's---The media might feel that way but I feel way too many fans accept it as true. MU has to make every effort to secure Buzz for the next several years. It really is up to the school to help make that happen. It just seems to me that other upper end BE school's are not facing this issue every few years. What do they do better to make that not happen?

MU will make every effort. Ultimately, Buzz decides. The school can only do so much.