Why do so many believe Crean would go to MSU if offered?

[Coach Norman Dale]

With all due respect, why do so many assume Crean would jump at the MSU gig when it comes open?  It will always be Jud Heathcote's, Tom Izzo's, etc.  Crean risks being viewed as a caretaker.  Why maintain a legacy when you can create one of your own?  (The legacy at Marquette is the re-birth of a program.  No one can say he maintained Al's baby.)  Isn't this what Crean, the ego-maniac he is alleged to be by some of his detractors, should want -- just what he has at Marquette?

I posted this once on the ahoya board, but what really is Crean's connection to MSU -- a place where he and many others were assistants?  He did not go to school there.  He did not grow up in love with the program.  Remember the story of his writing to Marquette and requesting (and receiving) a media guide each year?

I have had a number of jobs that I enjoyed, had success with, etc., but now I am self-employed.  In one or more of my previous jobs I can guarantee there were times when I had a

repuation as a difficult employee

Now my business partner and I run the show -- when we first started we put up the funds, arranged the additional financing, etc., and now we decide what work we do, we hire people we like and can do the work, we get the credit when things go right, and the blame when things do not.  {Fortunately, for us there has been more of the former than the latter  }  We have created our own mini-legacy, rather than advancing someone else's.

Would I ever go back to any of my previous employers for the same or more money than I am making now?  No Way!  MY ego would not allow it!

I am not saying that Crean is like me because I do not know, but I do know what it takes to succeed in a public profession and so I do not think it can just be assumed by anyone that Tom Crean would leave Marquette for MSU.

[LastWarrior]

I agree... the longer Coach Crean stays at Marquette, the more he is building up his legacy and making the program his.  He'll always have Al in the shadows but it wouldn't be as daunting as following up Izzo at MSU.  The way I see it, MU is Tom Crean's program... if he leaves for MSU, I would still see it as the program Jud & Izzo built.  I know the Al folks will be upset but his success was 30 years ago and Crean has really salvaged this program and helped it become re-born.

[OneMadWarrior]

I agree to a point. I believe he grew up in Michigan which may be enough. I always thought he would leave for two jobs, Kentucky (where he played college basketball)
or Michigan (where his mother lives and he was an assistant coach) But neither were 100 %. I guess many are realizing that not every coach wants to leave to go somewhere bigger and better. Some would like to Build their own legacies for example (Calhoun, Boeheim, John Thompson Jr., Billy Donovan) Crean's name will always be mention because some people cannot understand why anyone would choose to live in Milwaukee.  The few of us that understand this knwo why he continues to stay.

[Dry White Toast]

I posted the same question in a different thread, and I still don't see an answer below.  So many people say that TC would leave for MSU if offered.  I just don't see why.

[ozmetal71]

Crean went to Central Michigan University, and I'm not sure he even played basketball there.

I don't think he would leave for MSU either.  Despite the wishes of some, I think Crean is in for the long haul.  His opportunity to leave was after the Final Four, and he stayed.

[Litehouse]

Kentucky (where he played college basketball)

Who are you talking about here?  Did Crean even play HS basketball?

Anyway, I agree with the OP, I just don't see Crean automatically heading to MSU.  He's been at MU now about twice as long as he was at MSU.  

[OneMadWarrior]

Yeah My bad, I know he has some connections to Kentucky but most of them are through Joanie's family. He spent a few years coaching in Kentucky though.

[mviale]

I think the OP just killed the MSU fear.  It is the same thing that happened to little Rick when he took the reins at MU

[brewpaul]

I live in Michigan and as a season tix holder for MSU football spend a lot of time chatting about MSU hoops.  I really don't hear much "Crean is next" chatter any more.  First, most MSU fans feel Izzo is a lifer.  The guy is literally the KING of Michigan hoops.  Second, most MSU fans are very observant followers of Izzo's "tree" and they are aware of how established Crean has become in the Milwaukee community.  Most MSU fans three favorite teams are:

• Michigan State
• Any team playing UofM
• Marquette

That said, i have no doubt should the need arise that MSU would look into Crean, but I have reservations that he is automatically their top choice OR that MSU is Crean's

[Niv Berkowitz]

It will all come down to timing and a few other issues for when/if he takes over at MSU when Izzo leaves.

One, Crean's from just up the road (Mt. Pleasant). MSU was the nearest big basketball university (sorry Chippewa fans, you don't count).

Second, Crean's close w/the current coach there and they both talk a lot and both even admit to feeling a bit involved in building each other's program. I don't think you can discount that. I'm sure there's some of Crean that feels he's left at MSU working for Izzo, and some that Izzo's left on MU by being Tom's friend and mentor.

Third, timing, timing, timing. I don't know when the time will be right or wrong, but it will depend on that precise moment, that precise year, and where things are at w/both programs. From a long-term standpoint, MU has more of a rich history than MSU does (by a little). From a shorter-term standpoint (15-years), MSU has been one of the most successful programs in the land. Yes, Izzo took over from Heathcoate, but MSU wasn't a national power under Jud. They were a very good program, but not "elite" (I know...subjective word). Under Izzo, they are now elite. MU isn't quite there. I equate MU now to when Heathcoate was at MSU. Respected, good, nationally recognized.

Is it a slam dunk he'd go? I think it's about 90% certain and I wouldn't be surprised. Again, it depends on timing the most, though.

Like coach Norm Dale said, in his case, he'd never go back to working under someone else's shadow. To each their own. I can't say what I'd do. But, if my shadow were that of a well-respected coach like Izzo and a program like that, you may be inclined. Mix in the fact it's a semi-homecoming for Izzo and it seems like it would be a good fit. Also, Joani Crean (Harbaugh) is familiar w/Michigan and one day, her brother will probably be coaching in Ann Arbor.

The one thing I hope Crean is not be denied is having some say in his predecessor. That, to me, is the biggest piece of respect a university (or any employer) can give an employee. If they respect you so much that they want YOU to be the one in charge of selecting the torch bearer for YOUR legacy, that says something. And because of that last issue, I think that's why so many people see Izzo and Crean semi-linked at the hip. Right or wrong.

[Nukem2]

Its difficult to "Go Back Home" in any profession.  Times change and people change.  For most people, moving on is the best choice.  Its hard to re-create the past.

[Niv Berkowitz]

BrewPaul,

No offense, but the Sparty people I know are too stupid to realize that as a Spartan fan, you want MU to be successful as it shows well on Izzo and that program.

You touch on one other thing, though, and that is...like it or not, by not having football, Marquette will almost always be at a disadvantage from a PR standpoint in national prominence. Unless they win another national title.

[BigSky]

I have never thought Crean would leave Marquette for Michigan St. if Izzo ever left. 

[77ncaachamps]

Answer: Because Crean said so.

I can recall the negotiations with Crean's extension and language (I believe) was created to allow him to vie and leave for the MSU position when it became available.

[Nukem2]

Bill Cords specifically stated that there was no such clause the last time TC's contract was renewed/extended.  Probably not necessary as there is probably an exit fee to cover any such eventuality.

[Marquette84]

Yeah My bad, I know he has some connections to Kentucky but most of them are through Joanie's family. He spent a few years coaching in Kentucky though.

Crean was an assistant at WESTERN Kentucky--where Jack Harbaugh coached football for 14 years.

I don't think either one has any ties to UK in Lexington.

[OneMadWarrior]

I meant the State of Kentucky I knwo Jack was the head Coach there for a time.

[tower912]

Because Izzo has been so successful and developed his own 'tree' of assistants, it has always been assumed that his successor would be from that tree, a la the Carolina or Duke 'families'.   Right now, TC is the most successful of those assistants, he was raised just up the road, his wife went to high school in Michigan (two years behind me at my high school, in my brother's class), ..... in other words, he has strong ties here and would seem to be the most logical candidate, if Sparty was going to replace Izzo from inside the 'family'.     
It is beginning to appear that TC is actually focused on building his own legacy at MU.   And we are all the beneficiaries.

[Virginia Warrior 77]

I agree, tower912, that Crean seems to be focused on building his own legacy at MU.  IMO, he is much more complex that $ and where he's from.  Also in the mix:  his loyalty to MU and his players; his family; his control over the program; and probably others we don't know about.  IMHO there's much more than money and being from Michigan at play here.  And I also agree, we are all the beneficiaries.

[Marquette84]

I meant the State of Kentucky I knwo Jack was the head Coach there for a time.

Sorry for the misunderstanding.

But still, do WKU partisans have the same love for UK? 

I can't imagine a mutual admiration society between Michgan and Michigan State.  Or Illlinois and Illinois State.  Why would Crean's ties to Western Kentucky make UK an attractive proposition?

[The Lens]

Worrying about TC to MSU is like worrying about KO to Arizona. 

[Murffieus]

My understanding is that at one time TC had a clause in his contract which allowed him to go unincumbered to MSU if that job opened----I don't know it this is still the case or not. However when mother calls the boy normally comes home!

[77ncaachamps]

Worrying about TC to MSU is like worrying about KO to Arizona. 

That's not correct because KO is making his in the League. Being the greedy, egotistical guy he is, why would he leave the notoriety?!?

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

I think we all just need to keep in mind that this is all speculative at best.

We all know (in the ballpark) what Crean makes, we listen to the radio shows, we see him on TV, we read about him from Katz, DeCourcy, etc.

BUT, at the end of the day, only coach Crean and his family really know what he wants, whats in his contract, what his goals are, etc, ... and even any of those can change over time. What he had planned 3 years ago might be different now.

The longer he stays at MU, I think it becomes more likely that he stays for a long time (that's a little yogi-esque, I know, but I think you get the idea).

But, something could change in his life or in the program that make him want something different than MU. If/when he leaves I won't take that as a slap to MU or Milwaukee, I will just take it as a coach moving on to another phase in his career. Most coaches are that way. Very few stay more than 10 years at a high D1 level, and even fewer for more than 15.

I'll just continue enjoy what Crean has put together and enjoy MU hoops while he is here. Hopefully, if/when he leaves, MU will find an appropriate replacement that will keep MU at its current level (or higher). I would hate another hibernation for MU, and I think that would cost the school a lot of money and publicity in the long run.

Hoops has proven to the be a marketing "wet dream" for MU, and it is important for MU to have continued success to keep the schools profile at its current level.