Where is IWB

[Coleman]

I really hope his jump-the-gun tweet didn't actually cost us Smart

This is my fear as well

[4everwarriors]

So, was Josh Lepak (intern) the source of Ganzer's info?

[Dawson Rental]

I really hope his jump-the-gun tweet didn't actually cost us Smart

4ever, given the enormous amount of gnashing of teeth, the least you can do is to put together a MU fan special for dental implants.  

[MDMU04]

I'm not saying it did or that I hope it did! I just REALLY hope it didn't!

Nah, not a chance. Think about it. He throws enough caution to the wind to take a job at a school where two of his direct supervisors are open positions. Then calls the whole thing off because someone tweets something about him taking a job there? Not a chance.

And even if it were the case, that behavior would be so childish and temperamental that it would make our previous coach appear stoic and straitlaced.

Either it will happen, or it won't. But the tweet will have nothing to do with the outcome either way.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Reminds me of Breaking Bad...

Reminds me of Al Haig

[MUfan12]

These things are fluid, and his track record suggests that he wouldn't have gone public without what he thought was rock solid info. If Shaka ends up staying at VCU, he wouldn't be the first guy who had the rug pulled out in a coaching hire. And he wouldn't be the last.

Piling on at this point is silly, and unfair IMO. It took some stones to run with the info before the national guys. He has more riding on it than they do.

Let's wait and see who the coach is.

[Skatastrophy]

[MU82]

OK ... now I'll show my ignorance (again).

Who is IWB and why are we supposed to wait breathlessly for his every missive on this and other subjects of MU hoops importance?

I'm too damn lazy to go through past Scoop posts to see who he is and I haven't been around Scoop long enough to know everybody from our long and storied history as a fan board.

[Wojo'sMojo]

These things are fluid, and his track record suggests that he wouldn't have gone public without what he thought was rock solid info. If Shaka ends up staying at VCU, he wouldn't be the first guy who had the rug pulled out in a coaching hire. And he wouldn't be the last.

Piling on at this point is silly, and unfair IMO. It took some stones to run with the info before the national guys. He has more riding on it than they do.

Let's wait and see who the coach is.

I disagree...I don't think it took stones, it was a reckless and not very well thought out in my opinion. Could he have been trying to be the first person to break it, and thus able to pimp his premium board even more?

[mu_hilltopper]

Here's what I believe, my theory:

1. MU and Coach Smart discussed a contract.  Yesterday, Coach Smart gave indications that he was highly interested in the job, and perhaps had even "agreed in principle."

2.  This very positive sign that a deal was imminent percolated thru Marquette's division of Sources and Rumors, including famous guys who've been in the news commenting on Buzz's departure these past 48 hours.

3. IWB communicated with one of these highly regarded sources who said, unequivocally, that MU and Smart had a deal.    So he tweeted it with confidence.

I don't fault IWB for any of that.  Hell, how many bits of "information" came out yesterday from "sources"?  

IWB's only (possible) fault was that he communicated with someone he believed was well placed to be authoritative, who was confident, so IWB was confident.   He could have said something less absolute, "Looks good, Coach Smart to MU" but he went with something that was resolute.

The story is still being written.     It would not surprise me if Coach Smart is announced as MU's coach this week .. it would not surprise me if VCU extended his contract, exposing Smart's gambit with MU as a way to enhance his salary.   His salary is in the $1m range, and MU was undoubtedly doubling+ that offer.

Won't know until we know.

[Coleman]

OK ... now I'll show my ignorance (again).

Who is IWB and why are we supposed to wait breathlessly for his every missive on this and other subjects of MU hoops importance?

I'm too damn lazy to go through past Scoop posts to see who he is and I haven't been around Scoop long enough to know everybody from our long and storied history as a fan board.

It doesn't take stones to throw out a tweet.

[Hards Alumni]

It doesn't take stones to throw out a tweet.

If it puts your entire career on the line, yes, yes it does.

[Gopher+RamFan]

Here's what I believe, my theory:

1. MU and Coach Smart discussed a contract.  Yesterday, Coach Smart gave indications that he was highly interested in the job, and perhaps had even "agreed in principle."

2.  This very positive sign that a deal was imminent percolated thru Marquette's division of Sources and Rumors, including famous guys who've been in the news commenting on Buzz's departure these past 48 hours.

3. IWB communicated with one of these highly regarded sources who said, unequivocally, that MU and Smart had a deal.    So he tweeted it with confidence.

I don't fault IWB for any of that.  Hell, how many bits of "information" came out yesterday from "sources"?  

IWB's only (possible) fault was that he communicated with someone he believed was well placed to be authoritative, who was confident, so IWB was confident.   He could have said something less absolute, "Looks good, Coach Smart to MU" but he went with something that was resolute.

The story is still being written.     It would not surprise me if Coach Smart is announced as MU's coach this week .. it would not surprise me if VCU extended his contract, exposing Smart's gambit with MU as a way to enhance his salary.   His salary is in the $1m range, and MU was undoubtedly doubling+ that offer.

Won't know until we know.

His salary is 1.6 Million. He negotiates for facilities upgrades, assistant coaches salaries, and a larger recruiting budget. I'm sure Marquette has all these things, but Smart seems to see the VCU program as the child he raised.

[Windyplayer]

Journalist have to walk the tight rope all of the time as far as when to break a story based on concrete information and beating their competitors. The good journalist have a feel for when they've reached that threshold of sufficient information to run with it and when do hold off to protect their long-term reputation. Sometimes the pressures of competition and perhaps ego, cause even the best in the business to jump the gun especially with a bigger-than-usual story. I have no doubt that IWB had rock-solid sources telling him it's a done deal, and if it doesn't happen with Smart, he'll be doing some Monday morning quarterbacking. But I trust IWB made a calculated decision to send the tweet based on his information, and weighed his reputation against the sufficiency and reliability of information given to him. However, when you're dealing with sources, and not a signed piece of paper, there is ALWAYS a risk that it isn't a done deal. If IWB has any regrets, it will be his definitive terminology. But who knows, he may have been right all along.

[Wojo'sMojo]

His salary is 1.6 Million. He negotiates for facilities upgrades, assistant coaches salaries, and a larger recruiting budget. I'm sure Marquette has all these things, but Smart seems to see the VCU program as the child he raised.

You're sure we have these things? We have the 2nd highest basketball budget in the country!! You said you were leaving over an hour ago...what's the holdup?

[Hards Alumni]

Journalist have to walk the tight rope all of the time as far as when to break a story based on concrete information and beating their competitors. The good journalist have a feel for when they've reached that threshold of sufficient information to run with it and when do hold off to protect their long-term reputation. Sometimes the pressures of competition and perhaps ego, cause even the best in the business to jump the gun especially with a bigger-than-usual story. I have no doubt that IWB had rock-solid sources telling him it's a done deal, and if it doesn't happen with Smart, he'll be doing some Monday morning quarterbacking. But I trust IWB made a calculated decision to send the tweet based on his information, and weighed his reputation against the sufficiency and reliability of information given to him. However, when you're dealing with sources, and not a signed piece of paper, there is ALWAYS a risk that it isn't a done deal. If IWB has any regrets, it will be his definitive terminology. But who knows, he may have been right all along.

you said it better than me.

[LastWarrior]

Piling on at this point is silly, and unfair IMO. It took some stones to run with the info before the national guys. He has more riding on it than they do.

Let's wait and see who the coach is.

Since he's historically been such an impeccable source that he needs to be accurate on such a big story before running with it.  Pretty sure if he is wrong, not many folks will pay attention to him.  No matter how many times his predictions on recruits are accurate.

[Silkk the Shaka]

His salary is 1.6 Million. He negotiates for facilities upgrades, assistant coaches salaries, and a larger recruiting budget. I'm sure Marquette has all these things, but Smart seems to see the VCU program as the child he raised.

So he uses it as a reconnaissance mission to find out what the budget is for all of these things at one of if not the top spending programs in the country, brings it back to his own A.D., and they set the strategic budget for the next 3-5 years based on this info? Dude is crazy like a fox. I hope MU can hire him!

[mu_hilltopper]

His salary is 1.6 Million. He negotiates for facilities upgrades, assistant coaches salaries, and a larger recruiting budget. I'm sure Marquette has all these things, but Smart seems to see the VCU program as the child he raised.

"In March 2013, Smart signed a 10-year extension with VCU that will pay him a base salary of $450,000 (with incentives totaling upwards of $1.5 million) through 2028."

Or this. from 12 months ago:
"Smart, under contract until 2019, will make $1.15 million this season. Additionally, he has about $125,000 coming in bonus money for making the NCAA tournament and winning the first game as well as for national television appearances and beating crosstown rival Richmond. That bumps his salary to about $1.285 million if you count the clothing allowance.

Each NCAA tournament win is worth $37,500.

If he leaves VCU for another job before April 30, he or the school that hires him owes VCU $800,000. After April 30, his buyout drops to $700,000 (the amount decreases by $100,000 yearly).

Smart has $180,000 tied up in deferred compensation that he would stand to lose by leaving before April 15. He loses $90,000 if he leaves on or after that date."

[muwarrior69]

It's better to be first than right.

[Class71]

This is my fear as well

Think about it. Millions are on the line and someone backs out because of a comment? How many comments would it take for you to back out of say a $20M deal? If he does not come it is not because of a reporter. Sit tight and we will find out soon enough.

[Tugg Speedman]

Reminds me of Breaking Bad...

I'm not in danger ... I am the danger!

[Spotcheck Billy]

If someone leaking his hire on twitter was enough reason for him to not take the MU job then why the hell would we ever want someone that thin skinned to lead this basketball program??

Lord help us if said coach ever reads Scoop!