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

[ChicosBailBonds]

Despite 4ever's claim, Donovan says no.  Barnes is offered, but he decides to stay at Texas.  Kentucky is then in a real crap storm trying to figure out if they go after Crean (who wants the job) or Pelphrey (who the BlueBloods will accept because he's one of them).

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

Majerus is the easy fall back and would at least hold things together short term, but is he willing to get out there and recruit?  He better hire an incredible recruiter.

If not Majerus, I would love to make a play on Stallings who may finally feel the need to get out of Vanderbilt (especially with the SEC the way it is and Tennessee coming on strong in his own state).


Donovan is now saying he wants to wait until the 14th to do anything and that causes the dominos to fall very late as well as put other institutions in scrambling mode if changes do occur.

Some of gents at CrackedSidewalks have been discussing Crean's long term prospects beyond this year anyway.  There is a growing sense if not this year, next year he might leave regardless (either because we do well and it's time to cash out or we flame out and people push him out because there at least 49 John Woodens in waiting that can't wait to coach MU    )

Any way this shakes out, I would be shocked if Crean isn't "in play" on all of this.  He's on "the list" whether it's number 3 or number 5 or number 1...he's on the list.

Let's just hope our athletic department has a "list" of their own.

[ilovefreeway]

Where would Fran Franschilla be on our list?

[Dish]

Great post Chicos, and I completely agree with what you're saying. A few points:

-If Kentucky ends up hiring Pelphrey, a coach that was almost fired a year ago at South Alabama, and who was turned down for a second interview at South Florida, then all I have to say is "you can't spell laughingstock without UK". Their rivals board is clamoring for Pelphrey as a Plan B. If that's the best Kentucky can do, enjoy the second coming of Matt Doherty I say.

-I was thinking the same thing that if Crean left, MU is screwed in it's current position. No AD=big mess.

-I threw this out there a while ago, and I can't imagine the demands of both job being able to work this out, but what about Crean as AD/Head Coach? I know Alvarez did it for a year(s?). With his father-in-law in the dept. already, it seems it might have a chance to work out.

[NYWarrior]

dont forget about Travis Ford as another viable candidate......he already won at EKU and has done a nice job at UMass.  He'd get one heck of an endorsement from Pitino -- and he too is a blueblood

[TallTitan34]

I threw this out there a while ago, and I can't imagine the demands of both job being able to work this out, but what about Crean as AD/Head Coach? I know Alvarez did it for a year(s?). With his father-in-law in the dept. already, it seems it might have a chance to work out.

I'd rather Crean be able to focus on basketball and Marquette have a seperate AD to take care of the other stuff.

[Dish]

I'd rather have a seperate AD and coach as well. Crean has built MU basketball (and the university) brand equity to all time high's. I'd hate to see him go, and if it meant giving him both posts to keep him here, I'd be for it.

[Niv Berkowitz]

Crean's not an A.D. He's a coach.

If Crean turns this down/is not offered, let's look to next year. What high profile jobs look to be on shaky ground. Anything that he's already been considered for/turned down? Let's look at the options:

You know he's turning down anything in the Big Ten unless it's MSU.
Turns down anything from the B.East too
Out of the traditional premium jobs, there's Kentucky (set)
Kansas (possibly ready for a change if Self flames out again with all that talent)
UCLA (set)
Duke (set...and who cares)
UNC (set)

Personally, I don't see any jobs for next year on the college level that would hold the acclaim the KY job offers this year. There's always the pros, but who knows about that or if he wants that.

My guess, if Crean is on next year, it's at least two more seasons here minimu. I really think there's a chance he'll be at MU until the day Izzo calls it quits (or moves on, himself).

[Dish]

Crean is a coach, you're absolutely right. One could argue Crean has been an assistant AD from the time he set foot on MU's campus though. Men's basketball is king at Marquette, Crean is at the top of that throne, and his power over the Marquette program is at/near the top of anyone's in college basketball, period.

In his time at Marquette, he has learned all of the qualifications to make him a successful AD. Scheduling, facilities, conference affiliation, fundraising...check, check, check, and check. He's a bright guy, his father-in-law is already in the department, Cords didn't even stay until the year was over with. Connect the dots, Crean would know how to do the job in a heartbeat.

It's an outside the box idea, no doubt. Is it going to happen, most likely not. Is it a good idea? If he could coach and do the AD job, I think so, no question. Who has been most responsible for building the brand that is Marquette? Would you want that man to leave? Would you give him more power if you could and make him his own boss? If he wanted it, and he could do both successfully, I would.

[Coobeys Oil Depot]

Not sure on the personality dynamics but they could set up a situation where Majerus is some sort of caretaker coach for 1-3 seasons, Coach Rab stays on as the lead recruiter, they hire an AD during the interim, and by that time it may be appropriate to give Coach Rab the second chance we tend to give to others. He would have put plenty of time in the program and he's been successful dealing with Crean so why not reward him with the appointment?

[tonyreeder]

Good post Chicos.  If no Donovan/Barnes says no then it gets real interesting. However, I think Kentucky looks elsewhere and does not hire Crean.   Did Gillespie ever come out and say that he re-upped at A&M?  I'm not sure he's out of the picture.  The fan base will revolt if they hire Crean--it would be a very unpopular hire at Kentucky.  The AD certainly seems to like Crean but he might get ran out of town right along with Crean if that hire happens.  I think Crean would do very well there but I don't think the AD will go that route.  I also agree Crean's time at MU may be up.  If they make a decent run next year I think he'll feel like he's taken Marquette about as far as he can and he'll look for another challenge.   Maybe this is just plain naive on my part but I'd like to think that Marquette has made the commitment to make its basketball program successful and that commitment would continue with or without Crean.  Crean's not bigger than Marquette basketball. It was here before him and will go on after him.  If he chooses to not be a part of it-see ya.  It would be a heckuva lot better if he decides that next year after an AD is in place though.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Dual positions just doesn't work anymore.  At UW-Madison under Barry I would say it didn't work either.  Many off the field problems, academics, etc.  It's just too much for one person.

In the 1960's...yes, but not today.

I've heard this "Pelphrey" almost fired last year on their boards and honestly I don't see where this is coming from.

South Alabama was 23-6 last year and made the NCAA Tournament.

[Dish]

My point is this: Marquette realistically doesn't have the financial means to increase Crean's salary above what it currently is. I think he is vital to what Marquette has done, on and especially off the basketball court. Considering the position Marquette is in, and at the juncture in time where Crean is with his employment at Marquette, why not "reward" him with this position, even if it was a title position?

The only two job promotions within Marquette that Crean can get are to be athletic director and university president. Unless the Jesuits get real radical, I don't see the latter happening.

I point out his father-in-law being in the department, because I think that is a huge resource, and would be the key to making this work. Without Jack there, I wouldn't even be throwing this out there.

[Chili]

My point is this: Marquette realistically doesn't have the financial means to increase Crean's salary above what it currently is.

No, but the booster(s) who pay(s) his salary do. If the right people are on board, MU can compete with most schools in the nation in reguard to money and perks.

[Dish]

My point is this: Marquette realistically doesn't have the financial means to increase Crean's salary above what it currently is.

No, but the booster(s) who pay(s) his salary do. If the right people are on board, MU can compete with most schools in the nation in reguard to money and perks.

Hopefully we won't have to find out soon if this is true.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

Pretty interesting thoughts... and probably similar to how it will play out, but there are lots of variables and egos at this point, so it's tough to predict what will actually happen.

Couple of thoughts:

#1 I hope MU has 2 good candidates in mind if/when Crean takes the UK position. I really hope Rick gets the job and finds a younger assistant who can recruit his ass off. We know Rick can teach the game if he can get somebody else to find him some talent (that's not a knock on Rick as a recruiter, just saying given his lifestyle and career, I'm not sure if he wants to travel all summer recruiting kids).

#2 How big of a boost would MU get if UK publically offers the job and Crean declines? I'm sure some people on this board would say UK never really offered the job... But, the majority of people in the country and in MU land would see that Crean is really commited to bringing a winner to MU.

I'm not saying it will happen... but it would be pretty frickin' sweet if it did.

How excited do you think alumni and students would be then?

[mu03eng]

If Crean goes to UK(50/50 I think, based on whether UK offers or not), I think we are in serious trouble.  Donovan has already seemed to indicate he is going to wait at least two weeks to even discuss it.  That means UK is absolutely going to wait for BD.  If after two weeks BD turns them down, UK turns to the next on the list.  I have a feeling Crean is 3 or 4 on that list behind BD, Gillespie, and Barnes.  Those three have a real chance to all turn UK down.  We are looking at toward the end of April before UK comes calling to Crean.  If Crean goes, we are awlful late in the game to go find a top flight coach.  Making it worse, we have no AD.


If Crean goes, I think we are looking at Rick as seat warm for a year or two, or an unproven assistant like Crean was.  I would prefer the unproven assistant for consistancy and recruiting, but can we catch lightening in a bottle twice???

[Dish]

Outstanding post 2002, your second point is right on the money.

Having spent some time at Kentucky's rival's board, and hearing what they think of Crean, I would love it if they offered it to Crean and he turned it down to stay at MU. It would be GREAT if both Donovan and Crean said no to them.

After reading the things they've said about Crean, I'd take pleasure in throwing it back in their face, and it would be sweet for Marquette!

[TheNightOwl]

I think the "no AD" thing is a red herring.  Cottingham is no dummy.  He'll pick up the phone and have Mr. Cords head a special committee to select the next coach if needed.

[NYWarrior]

I think the "no AD" thing is a red herring.  Cottingham is no dummy.  He'll pick up the phone and have Mr. Cords head a special committee to select the next coach if needed.

Yes, but if a prospective head coach were considering MU and didnt know who the permanent AD would be, that'd be a strike against MU.

An uncertain administration is not a recipe for attracting the best available talent.

[Niv Berkowitz]

More great points 2002 and NYW.

The lack of an A.D. may make it harder, I think, for an established coach to come in here (not named Majerus). An established winner knows he'll probably get other opportunities. But an assistant may want to jump at finally getting his chance, regardless of who the A.D. is.

Think about it. If Rabs were to get hired, assuming nobody transfers out, they still have a top 15 team coming back next year on paper. If they make the tourney and win a game or two in it, then that guy's spot is solidified at least in the short term. Then, if someone outstanding becomes available, go that route.

I still say if Crean goes, you throw it all after Kruger at UNLV.

[Dish]

Kruger? Throw it "all" at him? You state in your same post, "The lack of an A.D. may make it harder, I think, for an established coach to come in here (not named Majerus). An established winner knows he'll probably get other opportunities."

That's Lon Kruger in a nut shell. No thanks.

[coach85]

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....

[ChicosBailBonds]

More great points 2002 and NYW.

The lack of an A.D. may make it harder, I think, for an established coach to come in here (not named Majerus). An established winner knows he'll probably get other opportunities. But an assistant may want to jump at finally getting his chance, regardless of who the A.D. is.

Think about it. If Rabs were to get hired, assuming nobody transfers out, they still have a top 15 team coming back next year on paper. If they make the tourney and win a game or two in it, then that guy's spot is solidified at least in the short term. Then, if someone outstanding becomes available, go that route.

I still say if Crean goes, you throw it all after Kruger at UNLV.

I don't think Rabs would be hired.  He's done a very nice job for Crean but I would think the administration would look elsewhere.

[ChicosBailBonds]

I think the "no AD" thing is a red herring.  Cottingham is no dummy.  He'll pick up the phone and have Mr. Cords head a special committee to select the next coach if needed.

There's more to it then "selecting" the next coach.  The coach has to know the AD backs him and will be in his corner...no coach will know this if the AD isn't here to hire the guy in the first place.

http://marquettebasketball.blogspot.com/2007/03/mu-vulnerable-you-bet-what-if.html

[Niv Berkowitz]

MU Dish - don't mean to sound contradictory (even though I did).

Would I throw it all at Kruger and see if the fish bites? yes
Would I expect to get him? Realistically, no. He'd follow the format I laid out.