Goodman: MU and Wake have contacted Shaka

[Tugg Speedman]

less than 5 minutes old.  Just confirms what we speculated here

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/10665268/marquette-golden-eagles-wake-forest-demon-deacons-reach-vcu-rams-coach-shaka-smart?src=mobile

Marquette and Wake Forest have both reached out and expressed interest to VCU coach Shaka Smart, multiple sources told ESPN.

Marquette coach Buzz Williams left for Virginia Tech last week after a six-year run that included five NCAA tournament appearances. Smart, 36, is a Wisconsin native who grew up just outside of Madison.

The Golden Eagles were set to pay Williams in excess of $3 million this coming season -- and could offer Smart an extremely lucrative contract in excess of what Williams was earning. Marquette has also reached out to several other candidates, according to sources -- including ex-UCLA coach Ben Howland.

One issue that could hinder Marquette's chances to land Smart is the fact that the Golden Eagles have both an interim president and athletic director.

Wake Forest athletic director Ron Wellman parted ways with Jeff Bzdelik after four forgettable seasons. The Demon Deacons are in what's projected to be the dominant basketball conference in the country, the ACC, and have experienced success in the past decade under the late Skip Prosser and former coach Dino Gaudio.

Smart completed his fifth season as the head coach at VCU and is 137-46 in his tenure. He was an assistant at Akron, Clemson and Florida before former VCU athletic director Norwood Teague hired him in 2009.

Attempts to reach Smart by ESPN.com were unsuccessful.

The Rams finished 26-9 this past season and were 12-4 in the A-10 before losing to Stephen F. Austin in the second round of the NCAA tournament last week.

[MUfan12]

Goody probably got this article from what was speculated here.

[Eldon]

Goody probably got this article from what was speculated here.

Yup.  He is probably "ScoopReader" from yesterday

[4everwarriors]

Probably have to give him somethin' north of 4 large, aina?

[Freeport Warrior]

Howland pushing hard, Shaka hasn't said no. Trying to sell him. So he's either using MU as leverage, or he's going to take it. Otherwise he would have already said no. Howland is #2 choice.

[Wade for President]

Offering Shaka "an extremely lucrative contract in excess of what Williams was making" would be a subtle slap in the face for Buzz.

Sidenote: Assuming remains of Malaysian flight 370 are soon to be identified, can the world dedicate time, resources, and media scrutiny into our coaching search?

My refresh button on my browser is getting worn out.

[Fullodds]

Shaka's twitter feed has little action but he does follow Mike Broeker....case closed--Shaka to MU.

[Eldon]

Anybody else see the ACC mention as totally unnecessary?

Maybe it's my strong bias against them, but I thought it was a cheap plug.

[Wade for President]

Shaka's twitter feed has little action but he does follow Mike Broeker....case closed--Shaka to MU.

Nice sluething.  Collectively, the MUScoop community is quite the resourceful group.

[Wojo'sMojo]

Probably have to give him somethin' north of 4 large, aina?

I think 3.5 would get it done. How deep are our pockets?

[🏀]

Offering Shaka "an extremely lucrative contract in excess of what Williams was making" would be a subtle slap in the face for Buzz.

I don't think so. That money was there for Buzz if he wanted it.

If Shaka comes, Buzz is going to look like a bumblef uck redneck.

[Eldon]

Shaka's twitter feed has little action but he does follow Mike Broeker....case closed--Shaka to MU.

Is he following Wake's AD, too?

[Goose]

Good thing is that MU has the dough to pay what is needed to get the guy they want.

[statnik]

I'd like it if Shaka ended up being the choice, but I remember an article or documentary that described Shaka's life growing up, and it sounded like he wanted to distance himself from childhood memories.  He was bullied if I remember the content correctly, so I am not sure whether being close to home would be seen as a positive.

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

Yea, im not worried about MU having the resources. They could pay coach K if need be.

[mufansince72]

I don't think so. That money was there for Buzz if he wanted it.

If Shaka comes, Buzz is going to look like a bumblef uck redneck.

Wouldn't mind seeing that!

[jesmu84]

Heisenberg - I think you win the record for most threads started in a 7 days period. by far.

[MU82]

I'd like it if Shaka ended up being the choice, but I remember an article or documentary that described Shaka's life growing up, and it sounded like he wanted to distance himself from childhood memories.  He was bullied if I remember the content correctly, so I am not sure whether being close to home would be seen as a positive.

It would be sweet revenge for him to come here and bully Bucky every December!

[Tugg Speedman]

Heisenberg - I think you win the record for most threads started in a 7 days period. by far.

That and polls ... it's what I do!

[hairy worthen]

If Shaka comes, Buzz is going to look like a bumblef uck redneck.

More than he already does?

[Mods, Delete me please. 8/26/2020]

I'd like it if Shaka ended up being the choice, but I remember an article or documentary that described Shaka's life growing up, and it sounded like he wanted to distance himself from childhood memories.  He was bullied if I remember the content correctly, so I am not sure whether being close to home would be seen as a positive.

TOTALLY. 

[Blackhat]

[chapman]

I'd like it if Shaka ended up being the choice, but I remember an article or documentary that described Shaka's life growing up, and it sounded like he wanted to distance himself from childhood memories.  He was bullied if I remember the content correctly, so I am not sure whether being close to home would be seen as a positive.

Or if we're lucky he just wants to beat the crap out of the Badgers.

[mujivitz06]

That could work in our favor...maybe he has a deep hatred for Badger Red and that is the intangible motivation to come here and dominate.

[MUEng92]

I think 3.5 would get it done. How deep are our pockets?

I don't know about you, but I still have a clear view to the bottom of my pockets.  If he ends up buying a house in the western subarbs, I would be willing to drive him into MKE on occasion if that will help.