The Reality

[keefe]

Is that the program will be in much better shape 12 months from now. Marquette hires Howland and we will have forgotten about BW. Press on.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Is that the program will be in much better shape 12 months from now. Marquette hires Howland and we will have forgotten about BW. Press on.

+1

I don't know if Howland will be the pick. But if it's him...or someone on his level, we will be in great shape.

[mu_hilltopper]

What's happened over the past few years that gives you confidence MU will make a quality decision here?   

Cottingham .. LW .. Fr. Pilarz.  Not to mention the wasteland of interim deans that make up the leadership at MU.

MU hasn't caught a break in 5+ years.   At best, one could say "we're due."

[Ellenson Guerrero]

What's happened over the past few years that gives you confidence MU will make a quality decision here?   

Cottingham .. LW .. Fr. Pilarz.  Not to mention the wasteland of interim deans that make up the leadership at MU.

MU hasn't caught a break in 5+ years.   At best, one could say "we're due."

Howland wants the job and we have a bag of $. This isn't rocket science.

[NYWarrior]

What's happened over the past few years that gives you confidence MU will make a quality decision here?   

Cottingham .. LW .. Fr. Pilarz.  Not to mention the wasteland of interim deans that make up the leadership at MU.

MU hasn't caught a break in 5+ years.   At best, one could say "we're due."

True.  MU consistently struggles with high profile decision-making across the institution and has for years.  Silver lining could be that Cords will lead the way w the hire.  His track record exceeds that of the institution.

[Goose]

Keefe


Spot on. Time to look forward and find way to get Stone to wear Warrior uniform.

[nyg]

Keefe


Spot on. Time to look forward and find way to get Stone to wear Warrior uniform.

And keep the assistant who recruited Hill.  Guess that would be Chew.  A coach with ties to  national AAU programs and has the working knowledge of them/contacts. 

[Marquette_g]

Given that we are going to continue playing in a mid-major conference I'm not sure that the future is real bright.

We might get a better coach but we aren't going to get better conference competition.

[NotAnAlum]

I'm content to be stuck in the same mess as Villanova and Georgetown

[ecompt]

I'm content to be stuck in the same mess as Villanova and Georgetown

beats the crap out of the situation UConn is in.

[Pakuni]

What's happened over the past few years that gives you confidence MU will make a quality decision here?   

Cottingham .. LW .. Fr. Pilarz.  Not to mention the wasteland of interim deans that make up the leadership at MU.

MU hasn't caught a break in 5+ years.   At best, one could say "we're due."

Isn't this similar to the stuff we heard six years ago? Cords was gone, Crean was gone and now we had this geek lawyer Cottingham in the AD's office who had no experience making such a monumental decision. He panicked and hired a no-name assistant, etc., etc.
Turned out OK,  no?

MU is a very attractive job. The fact that Howland already is lobbying for the gig and someone like Gregg Marshall is being mentioned as a realistic candidate affirms this.
There's obviously no guarantee that MU will get the right guy, but the notion we're doomed seems a little overly dramatic. Fact is, MU has hit on three of its last four hires. Chances are, MU will be fine.

[BCHoopster]

Howland wants the job and we have a bag of $. This isn't rocket science.

Howland coaches a boring style of basketball, MU fans will not be happy playing slow ball like the Badgers did in past years.  Bill Walton hated his style, it would not be much better here.  Need
a coach who is young, plays an exciting brand of BB, Howland does none of that.   MU can have the pick of litter on coaches, the pay is out of site, facility is first class, private plane, first class hotels.  I like a big time recruiter as I think that is the hardest part of this job.  I really would like an up incoming assistant like they have done in the past who has shown to be a great recruiter.

[State Street Warrior]

Is that the program will be in much better shape 12 months from now. Marquette hires Howland and we will have forgotten about BW. Press on.

Keefe, since when does this board forget about coaches that have left?  We won't forget about Buzz, most likely there will be two former coaches bashed in each thread instead of just one.

[79Warrior]

Howland coaches a boring style of basketball, MU fans will not be happy playing slow ball like the Badgers did in past years.  Bill Walton hated his style, it would not be much better here.  Need
a coach who is young, plays an exciting brand of BB, Howland does none of that.   MU can have the pick of litter on coaches, the pay is out of site, facility is first class, private plane, first class hotels.  I like a big time recruiter as I think that is the hardest part of this job.  I really would like an up incoming assistant like they have done in the past who has shown to be a great recruiter.

I disagree we get "the pick of the litter". Keep hiring assistants and you will keep looking for coaches. Keep hiring assistants and you will be perceived as a steeping stone, not a destination.

[keefe]

What's happened over the past few years that gives you confidence MU will make a quality decision here?   

Cottingham .. LW .. Fr. Pilarz.  Not to mention the wasteland of interim deans that make up the leadership at MU.

MU hasn't caught a break in 5+ years.   At best, one could say "we're due."

Bill Cords?

[willie warrior]

Bill Cords?

Agreed. If Cords is handling the hiring, MU will be best off.

[Blackhat]

I'd be more comfortable with Broeker making the basketball hire.   He's at least been on the scene and plugged in the past 5+ years. 

[keefe]

+1

I don't know if Howland will be the pick. But if it's him...or someone on his level, we will be in great shape.

I'm not saying it has to be Howland, though that would be my realistic preference. But I think this hire is too damned important strategically. Hiring a coach with a proven track record of accomplishment sends a strong message that Marquette is a destination, we are committed to excellence, and we want to win now.

Howland has  won at every level and, Chico will appreciate this, he is a Zag!

[keefe]

Keefe, since when does this board forget about coaches that have left?  We won't forget about Buzz, most likely there will be two former coaches bashed in each thread instead of just one.

Rick Majerus was beloved. Dukiet was appreciated for his all too human imperfections. KO's acerbic wit and casual bonhomie makes him a preferred drinking partner. Mike Deane knows the X &O's better than anyone and who better to talk hoops with over a beer or six.

Am I forgetting anyone?

[LAZER]

I'm not saying it has to be Howland, though that would be my realistic preference. But I think this hire is too damned important strategically. Hiring a coach with a proven track record of accomplishment sends a strong message that Marquette is a destination, we are committed to excellence, and we want to win now.

Howland has  won at every level and, Chico will appreciate this, he is a Zag!

What's the deal with Howland's recruiting ties?  I'd imagine most are out on the West Coast.

[MUEng92]

Dukiet was appreciated

I can honestly say I have never read those words in the same sentence.

[LastWarrior]

What's happened over the past few years that gives you confidence MU will make a quality decision here?   

Cords will be making the decision!

[ChicosBailBonds]

I'm not saying it has to be Howland, though that would be my realistic preference. But I think this hire is too damned important strategically. Hiring a coach with a proven track record of accomplishment sends a strong message that Marquette is a destination, we are committed to excellence, and we want to win now.

Howland has  won at every level and, Chico will appreciate this, he is a Zag!

Howland went to Weber State.  I realize he had a brief stint as an assistant at Gonzaga and earned his masters there.  I've spent some time with Ben.  Just not sure the MU faithful will like his style

[ChicosBailBonds]

Cords will be making the decision!

I'm not convinced of that.  I believe it will be a committee decision, much like Crean hire was.

[Windyplayer]

Howland wants the job and we have a bag of $. This isn't rocket science.

How dare you simplify things. This is a process and MU officials will eventually talk themselves out of wanting Howland.