What would you do

[MilTown]

I know there are lots of variables involved with $$ being the biggest in my mind. At the end of the day, I think it's safe to assume that the financial package will be significant. So, what would you do?

[rocky_warrior]

Well, I assume Crean would *at least* do what I'd do (who wouldn't  ) and talk to his family, close friends, and mentors before making a career change.  After weighing the pros and cons, I'd make a decision.

Anybody that would take a new job "in a heartbeat" would have to hate their current job. Even then it may be a bad decision to jump so quickly. 

Nonetheless, I don't think Crean hates his job.  I think UK is something that would at least have to be considered, but different people will come up with different answers.

BTW - There was a rumor last year that TC promised James, McNeal and Matthews that he would stick around until they left school.  If true, I think he's a man of his word, and is staying.  Then again, there's also a rumor about Billy Donovan and a rental car with a GPS tracking device.  So take it for what it's worth.

[4everwarriors]

while the getting is good.

[jutaw22mu]

i chose that i'd have to think about it.  i think if he wants to be the next coaching legend he should stay at marquette and continue to build the program up and put his own stamp on it.  its still a work in progress here, crean has done alot of great things for MU, but at the same time, much work remains to truly bring this program to the next level.

if he would rather recruit all americans and be in a pressure cooker, he will take the job.

[MilTown]

I think one thing that TC has to take into consideration is the expectations for next year. If our big 3 come back next year, I think most everyone would expect us to compete at the top in the BE, make the NCAA, and win at least one game. If these expectations are not met, Crean's seat at the AL may start to get a bit hot. I think if TC feels he can win at MU in the next year, he should stay, if not, I think it's in his best interest to leave. Another disappointment in the tourney next year could be potentially disastrous for Crean and his professional resume.

[MUEng92]

If TC is worried about not meeting expectations at MU, he will be eaten alive at UK before he steps off the plane.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

If TC is worried about not meeting expectations at MU, he will be eaten alive at UK before he steps off the plane.

Agreed.

Expectations are extremely high there... if he doesn't win early and often, he will be run out and probably end up at a lower level school without the nice practice facility and cushy paycheck that MU is currently offering.

I don't blame him if he takes it, but he is risking a lot... success isn't guaranteed and failure will lead to a up-hill battle to get back to being considered an elite coach. Tubby is the acceptation, Lavin, Guthridge, Daugherty, Mike Davis, etc. are probably more the rule.

[NYWarrior]

... if he doesn't win early and often, he will be run out and probably end up at a lower level school without the nice practice facility and cushy paycheck that MU is currently offering.

Lets look at the last 2 UK head coaches who were run outta Lexington: 1) Eddie Sutton -- he landed a Big Eight (soon Twelve job) and did just fine despite leaving the Wildcats on friggin probation; 2) Tubby gets $1.8M at a Big 10 school.

The perception of downside is just that.......perception. This is one of the most prestigious jobs in the sport - - grab the brass ring and see what u can do.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

... if he doesn't win early and often, he will be run out and probably end up at a lower level school without the nice practice facility and cushy paycheck that MU is currently offering.

Lets look at the last 2 UK head coaches who were run outta Lexington: 1) Eddie Sutton -- he landed a Big Eight (soon Twelve job) and did just fine despite leaving the Wildcats on friggin probation; 2) Tubby gets $1.8M at a Big 10 school.

The perception of downside is just that.......perception. This is one of the most prestigious jobs in the sport - - grab the brass ring and see what u can do.

Well, I can't disagree that Eddie and Tubby landed on their feet. But, I would argue that more often then not, coaches who fail at these "dream jobs" (KU, UNC, UCLA, IU, UK etc.) often have to work their way back up the coaching ranks.

I think Tubby and Eddie are acceptions to the rule. Lavin, Daugherty, Guthridge, Mike Davis, (and I'm sure there are more) have landed significantly less glamorous jobs and/or are out of coaching all together.

Like I said, I wouldn't blame Crean for trying, I just don't think it's a "nothing to lose" situation. If UK doesn't work out, there probably won't be an MU situation waiting for him.

If he reaches for the "brass ring" and misses... the fall could be very hard.

[Final Four or Bust]

One of the mischaracterizations that I think is being made is that the MU job is "safe" and "long term" while the UK job should be a rocket ship or crash and burn.  While I agree with the characterization of the UK job, I don't think Crean's job is as safe as everyone thinks it is at MU (contract notwithstanding).  He has to produce result, and frankly despite some of the spin on this site and others, the years after the Final Four have been a disappointment, and his last two one and dones in the tournament aren't good ends to the season.  He does have a few more years, but if he doesn't win he will feel the pressure at MU given the support he receives and his paycheck.  At the end of the day, he shouldn't stay at MU because he thinks it is a safe and guaranteed paycheck for a number of years.  Many of us expect results -- and most notably postseason results -- as well.

As for me, if offered I take it and run. The upside potential is too great to pass.

[NYWarrior]

I think Tubby and Eddie are acceptions to the rule. Lavin, Daugherty, Guthridge, Mike Davis, (and I'm sure there are more) have landed significantly less glamorous jobs and/or are out of coaching all together.

- Guthridge doesn't fit -- he was keeping the seat warm for Roy as part of his entitlement for manning the bench with Dean Smith for so long.  He did well at UNC (Final four) but his lack of longevity for the job hurt the program, not him.  He was never gonna coach anywhere else.
-- Doherty - true, but UNC did him no favors. Roy was still lingering, Brown and Karl were pissed that they were not asked.  The family turned against him and his lack of a longer head coaching tenure hurt his chances to land a bigger job. Family spats are ugly.
- Lavin - he's hardly pursued anything else (has he at all other than Purdue?) -- must enjoy TV
- Mike Davis -as Al said, the guy who follows a dictator is always assasinated.  And he'd never been a collegiate head coach before -- it showed.

TC has a track record now that is better than any of the above coaches.......unless he has a losing season at UK, he'd land on his feet.

[tower912]

Going into a situation where the majority of fans already hate you and are predicting and even rooting for your demise is a losing proposition.   We have our nut jobs who hate TC and want him gone from MU.   But we are Mayberry compared to New York City when it comes to numbers of people who literally live and die based on the success of our program.   Having people track what hotel I am in, what rental car I have, staking out schools that my wife may be checking out for our kids..... f it.    But that is just me and I don't define myself by how prestigious my next job may be.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

TC has a track record now that is better than any of the above coaches.......unless he has a losing season at UK, he'd land on his feet.

You could be right... I think TC might do well at UK... but I'm just not sold on another job as good as MU waiting for him if he doesn't do well at UK.

I think he has done great at MU, but there is still a large contingent that believes "wade made crean".

If he doesn't produce at UK, the mark will be something like "he never did anything without wade, and he couldn't get top talent at UK" or something like that...

[LovinCrowder]

Going into a situation where the majority of fans already hate you and are predicting and even rooting for your demise is a losing proposition.   We have our nut jobs who hate TC and want him gone from MU.   But we are Mayberry compared to New York City when it comes to numbers of people who literally live and die based on the success of our program.   Having people track what hotel I am in, what rental car I have, staking out schools that my wife may be checking out for our kids..... f it.    But that is just me and I don't define myself by how prestigious my next job may be.

You obviously have been spending some time reading the UK message boards, as I have.  I agree with what you have stated.  I think that TC would obviously not care what a core group of naysayers on a message board would think - but I'll tell you one thing, I wouldn't want to go into the environment that these UK people would create if he should choose to go there.  I have never seen such mean spirited people in my life.  I pity the person who does take this job -- to be in that type of pressure cooker.  No thank you.  I shudder to think how any coach (and possibility his family) would be treated if he did not meet the expectations of these people. 

I seriously hope that TC realizes just how good he has it here!!.  I love TC  - I think he has done a hell of a lot for Marquette University and their basketball program.  I do not want him to leave.  If he does choose to go elsewhere, there will be a lot of coaches who would love to have what Marquette offers.  JMO

[Virginia Warrior 77]

With TC's emphasis on the MU family, I would expect him to do what's best for his own family.   If he and his wife agree that the KY job is in the best interests of his family, then he will (and should)take it.  If not, then he should stay put.  I wonder if he will want to uproot his children (especially his 11 year old) for the uncertainty of the KY job?  While it might be something to think about and consider, IMO even if offered, he says no to UK.  At least, I hope so.

[bma725]

TC has a track record now that is better than any of the above coaches.......unless he has a losing season at UK, he'd land on his feet.

Not true.  Guthridge may have used Smith's players, but in 3 years as a head coach, he guided his team to 2 Final Fours, won a regular season ACC championship, an ACC tournament championship and won the Naismith National Coach of the Year award in 1998.  TC can't compare to that yet.

[mugrack]

If Crean takes the Kentucky job he will be there about four years until he is fired for not winning a national championship.  Then he will be coaching somewhere like Towsend State the next year.