Here's how I see it playing out (just a guess). Donovan says no

[mu_hilltopper]

Admittedly, I don't know about the relationships between AD and coach .. but I don't think it's a reach to believe the current or future coach at MU would have his run of the place.   I'd suspect the MU AD is mostly managing the other sports and making TC's dreams come true via execution. 

It could be spun as a positive for the "next" coach, i.e., he's #1.  He gets approval over the AD MU hires.

Let's hope it doesn't come to that.

[mu03eng]

Let's say Donovan goes to KY.  Isn't it likely that Crean will be on Forida's "List" ?  If that happens, MU will be looking to hire a coach in May....

'85, if Donovan takes the UK job I have no fear of Crean leaving for Florida.  The only reason Crean goes to UK, is because it is one of the top 5 jobs in the country.  Florida is going to have a bare cuboard, high expectations, and other than BD no long lasting tradition.  At MU Crean has the run of the program, a top 15 team for next year, and the administration wrapped around his finger.  Basically, BD can solve my worry by taking the Kentucky job.

[Marquette84]

If it's Crean, MU then has to hire a coach when we don't even have an Athletic Director....not good. 

There is some good . . . 

First, if had we brought in a replacement for Cords right away, there's a good chance that his experience in hiring coaches at a high-major level would be lacking.  For instance, some have floated the NIU AD as a potential hire.  Hiring a coach at MU would have to be considered just a tad bit bigger than finding a new Huskies football or basketball coach. This decision shouldn't be the first thing a new AD does.

Second, if we had brought in an AD right away, our choice of coaching prospects may have been limited--some guys just wont work for certain people.  Say we brought in a guy who [Stallings/Majerus/Lowery/Krueger] just wouldn't work for under any circumstances.  We lose out a potentially great coaching hire because we rushed an AD choice.

I have to think that MU and Cords agreed that he would come back out of retirment to lead a search if it occurred this year.  Recall that when Cords annouced his retirement it was becuase he felt the future was secure.  I can't belive he wants his legacy to unravel within months of his departure. 

I fully expect that if needed, Cords will come back and lead the search effort.

Lets just hope its not necessary.

BTW, I have to disagree with the notion that Majeurs would be a good interim pick.  I think the negative recruting would get even worse--instead of questioning whether Crean would be there until they graduate, rival coaches would question whether recruits could count on Majerus being there in January of their freshman year.   

The only way that makes sense is if his replacement is hired as an assitant at the same time, and a firm end date is established -- similar to Painter at Purdue.
Majerus' tenure absolutely cannot be open ended, and we have to lock up his replacment--otherwise it will be a disaster.

[jage]

Let's say Donovan goes to KY.  Isn't it likely that Crean will be on Forida's "List" ?  If that happens, MU will be looking to hire a coach in May....

keep in mind that next year's florida team will have completely different personnel and verbally committed recruits are more likely to follow donovan to UK than take a chance on a new system. billy donovan is florida basketball. the marquette job is a better job than florida without billy donovan. in my opinion. neither are exactly basketball hotbeds, but you have more traditional recruiting centers here, with chicago, milwaukee, twin-cities, etc. if crean doesn't go to kentucky, i don't think he goes anywhere. i'm sure all his eggs are sitting it that basket.

[jage]

just a thought...

is there any chance that mu didn't hire a replacement for cords right away because they wanted crean to have a say in the next hire (to ensure compatibility)? maybe crean has no intention of leaving period. but why not say something publicly?

does anyone else think that maybe he hasn't called a press conference or given interviews about this situation because he doesn't want the UK job?

i think he refrains from saying that he'll stay or go because somewhere down the line he is going to go, but i think there's only one job in the country he would leave for and that's msu? maybe i'm being naive, but silence is not always a bad thing.

let's just look at what his future has here...

next year - everyone returns w/ addition of an athletic big man (mbakwe) that can play alongside ousmane and a super outside shooter in christopherson, who reminds me of travis diener while he was in high school. mu is a lock for top 15, maybe top 10 preseason.

'08 - potentially the best all around and largest recruiting class crean has ever recruited in terms of number and quality of prospects. scout.com prospects include 1 five star (jamychal green...not coming, but hasn't committed anywhere yet), 2 four stars...nick williams (committed to mu), renaldo woolridge (pf), and 9 three-stars, 7 of which are big men.

no one knows what he would or could have an kentucky, but i don't believe sacrificing what he has established here is worth any amount of potential at any other program. he has the opportunity to be the face of this program, just as al mcguire was before crean's success. he has the opportunity to be our coach k, our dean smith, our tom izzo...why coach in the shadow of adolph rupp when you can be adolph rupp to this university?

[TheNightOwl]

One thing I have not seen discussed - what about the hefty buy-out clause in Crean's contract?  Is this just an afterthought given the size of UK's program and its boosters?

[Niv Berkowitz]

Jage - one other point.

Sure, you can say Crean not saying anything means he must be interested.

But, just the fact people are discussing him puts attention on not only him, but on Marquette. Maybe he has no intentions of leaving but likes the attention (selfishly for personal reasons, and also for the program). And, if he does like the attention, so what? It's still better for the program than no attention at all.

[Pardner]

I can see TC saying yes to Kentucky, but it won't be a warm reception.  Saw some reports that TC already asking for MU control which AD is backing away from (true or not).  Kruger may be in play at either Kentucky or back home in Florida.  I think Pephrey in play at either too with roots at both. 

TC stated he didn't want the MU AD job (maybe because his father-in-law would report to him--or he was hoping he'd get it).  Maybe they could get Ulice to take a pay cut and move into that role.  Only coach options I think are Rick or Jimmy Boylan.