MU admin flying to Richmond today

[StCroix64]

Any major coach like Shaka would use something like this to get a raise. No doubt in my mind.

That hasn't happened yet. Until it does, or MU hires someone else, I have no reason to believe he's not interested.

THIS.  Shaka parlayed all the talk last year into more money.  No reason to think he wouldn't do it again.

[chapman]

THIS.  Shaka parlayed all the talk last year into more money.  No reason to think he wouldn't do it again.

Well, he could do this again for a modest raise, or he could give into the talk and double up, or better.

[Spotcheck Billy]

^ well as long as he donates some to the Blue and Gold fund like Archie...

[Wisco]

Warrior Ram -  How does this process differ from what you guys observed the past couple of years with Minnesota and UCLA.  Specifically in terms of timing definitiveness  or statements acknowledging  his willingness to stay at VCU. Seems to me Shakas inability to decide is causing this whole thing to be delayed.  Meaning there still is a chance

I'll leave that up to Gopher to answer, if he so chooses. I think he would know better.

[humanlung]

Why is MU busting its collective @ss to land someone who clearly needs a ton of convincing to come here when there is a more highly accomplished candidate, with a long-term track record of success and putting players in the NBA, openly saying he WANTS to be at Marquette?

Oh...and this candidate already did his dance at the "blue blood" school, has a chip on his shoulder from the way it ended, and is highly unlikely (in my opinion) to want to go down that road again, meaning he doesn't view MU as a stepping stone job.  How is THIS not the most attractive prospect?

Anyone?

[Hards Alumni]

Why is MU busting its collective @ss to land someone who clearly needs a ton of convincing to come here when there is a more highly accomplished candidate, with a long-term track record of success and putting players in the NBA, openly saying he WANTS to be at Marquette?

Oh...and this candidate already did his dance at the "blue blood" school, has a chip on his shoulder from the way it ended, and is highly unlikely (in my opinion) to want to go down that road again, meaning he doesn't view MU as a stepping stone job.  How is THIS not the most attractive prospect?

Anyone?

If Ben Howland was the sexiest candidate, he'd have been hired last year somewhere.

[chapman]

If Ben Howland was the sexiest candidate, he'd have been hired last year somewhere.

He made $2.3M to go fishing this year. 

[NickelDimer]

If Ben Howland was the sexiest candidate, he'd have been hired last year somewhere.

Actually he was paid last year to fly fish.  He would've been a fool to work!

edit: damnit chapman!

[NavinRJohnson]

If Ben Howland was the sexiest candidate, he'd have been hired last year somewhere.

Not sure that's true. By most accounts he was happy to have the year off to count his (UCLA's) money.

[Tums Festival]

Not that this matters much but are we sure DR is still on the BOT? My source, seriously a source, indicated that he resigned his spot.

Seriously? We're questioning whether Doc is still on the BoT or not?

As much as no national media outlet has said SS is interested in the MU job, no national media has said he isn't either.

I can understand that VCU fans don't want to lose SS, but their credibility is almost zero when they report things like MU called SS to gauge his interest and he hung up the phone on them.

I think a fair assumption at this point is SS has interest in the MU job, not sure to what degree, and he's giving MU shot to alleviate his concerns vis-a-vis the school presidency.

[wadesworld]

This is, indeed, happening.

I have a *hunch* we will have a yes or no from Shaka by this afternoon. May not be made public, but I have a feeling this is the "take it or leave it" meeting.

[GoldenWarrior11]

After I saw Brad Stevens leave Butler last summer, a coach that was so entrenched and committed to Butler and Indiana basketball, I was convinced that Buzz was not going to stay here for the long haul.  The eras of the Jim Calhouns, Jim Boeheims, Mike Kryszewskis, and Tom Izzos are over.  Coaches do not stay long term anymore.  The challenge of building something new (and possibly better) at another school or different team is too great not to pass up.  Coaching windows are as small as ever in today's world.

I can definitely state that Shaka Smart WILL leave for another job - it may not be a Marquette, but it will be somewhere else.

[WesMatthewsFanClub]

Oh...and this candidate already did his dance at the "blue blood" school, has a chip on his shoulder from the way it ended, and is highly unlikely (in my opinion) to want to go down that road again, meaning he doesn't view MU as a stepping stone job.  How is THIS not the most attractive prospect?

Anyone?

Fair point, but how can you be sure BH wouldn't leave if the "right" job opened up? It's a lovely thought to think he would be here for the long haul, but how realistic is that? Doesn't everyone have a price?

And this speculation that SS needs "a ton of convincing" is just that.  Do we truly know anything at this point?  I guess we should just respect the process...

[NavinRJohnson]

Why is MU busting its collective @ss to land someone who clearly needs a ton of convincing to come here when there is a more highly accomplished candidate, with a long-term track record of success and putting players in the NBA, openly saying he WANTS to be at Marquette?

Oh...and this candidate already did his dance at the "blue blood" school, has a chip on his shoulder from the way it ended, and is highly unlikely (in my opinion) to want to go down that road again, meaning he doesn't view MU as a stepping stone job.  How is THIS not the most attractive prospect?

Anyone?

I don't necessarily disagree. I'm a Howland guy, but short answer would be that MU believes Smart is the best option. Longer answer...it isn't nearly as black and white/cut and dried as you make it out to be.

Bigger question my mind, is if Smart decides to stay put, do they immediately move on Howland, or are they not actually interested in him?

[humanlung]

If Ben Howland was the sexiest candidate, he'd have been hired last year somewhere.

A few years ago, Indiana hired the "sexiest" candidate.  Looks like they'd like to have a do-over on that one.

Given me solid. proven, motivated, and accomplished over sexy every day.  Just my opinion.

[T-Bone]

Flight aware shows this over Richmond.

[wadesworld]

Fair point, but how can you be sure BH wouldn't leave if the "right" job opened up? It's a lovely thought to think he would be here for the long haul, but how realistic is that? Doesn't everyone have a price?

And this speculation that SS needs "a ton of convincing" is just that.  Do we truly know anything at this point?  I guess we should just respect the process...

Thank you, Wesley. You have always understood the process and look where it landed you. People need to look at you as an example.

[NavinRJohnson]

Flight aware shows this over Richmond Kenosha.

[MU_Hoop]

Almost makes one wish for the old days, pre-social media.

Coming from a College of Comm alumnus - so much of this.

[Skatastrophy]

Respect the Paul.

[humanlung]

You guys are totally right, no one outside a tight circle at MU knows with certainty what is going on.

I formed my opinion, and it's just that, an opinion, based on what Smart has done over the last few years while flirting with other offers and what has transpired this go-round with MU.  Again, much of this is based on speculation.  I give you that.

That said, Howland flat out said he wanted to be here.  That appears to be fact.  It gets back to my first post, when a guy who made his bones at UCLA stacking up THREE final fours and he WANTS to be here...  Man, hard not to jump at that.

I have faith MU will get this right and I do respect the process.  I just don't understand the process from my seat outside looking in.

[wadesworld]

I don't necessarily disagree. I'm a Howland guy, but short answer would be that MU believes Smart is the best option. Longer answer...it isn't nearly as black and white/cut and dried as you make it out to be.

Bigger question my mind, is if Smart decides to stay put, do they immediately move on Howland, or are they not actually interested in him?

There is interest in Howland. There *may* be someone we are more interested in than Howland, but less than Shaka.

[MomofMUltiples]

Warrior Ram -  How does this process differ from what you guys observed the past couple of years with Minnesota and UCLA.  Specifically in terms of timing definitiveness  or statements acknowledging  his willingness to stay at VCU. Seems to me Shakas inability to decide is causing this whole thing to be delayed.  Meaning there still is a chance

The Minnesota process was very different. The administration put a tight lid on communications and it was mostly wild/certain speculation Shaka would come because of his relationship with AD Norwood Teague. It was clear pretty fast that Shaka wasn't coming. Then radio silence for like three weeks. And then They announced - Richard Pitino. Who hasn't turned out to be that bad a coach, despite the fact that he looks like a student manager.  I predict five years from now he'll be the new Shaka, and the blue bloods will come calling.

[ChicosBailBonds]

If Ben Howland was the sexiest candidate, he'd have been hired last year somewhere.

No benefit to signing last year, he made several million NOT to coach.   Pure business decision

[StCroix64]

Warrior Ram -  How does this process differ from what you guys observed the past couple of years with Minnesota and UCLA.  Specifically in terms of timing definitiveness  or statements acknowledging  his willingness to stay at VCU. Seems to me Shakas inability to decide is causing this whole thing to be delayed.  Meaning there still is a chance

The difference last year was that ALL of the speculation and flight tracking was perpetuated from some asshat called VCUinsider or something of that ilk.  When it all went down and Teague made the announcement, it was never, ever confirmed if the talks went anywhere past Teague making a call to his former hire to see if he was interested...thats it.  We had all the same flighttracker crap, tweets and media in a tizzy...on something Teague never confirmed, not denied any of it at all happened.

The "common sense" thought at Minnesota was that the connection between Teague and SS would lure him to Minnesota.

Like I have said a number of times...all the posting by supposed insiders that KNEW is so similar, its funny.

I live in Wisconsin, grew up with Minnesota season tix and many of my family members graduates of the U.  MY Wisconsin school has ALWAYS been MU...I am by no stretch a Badger fan and can't stand Ryan.  As we always say, "better dead, than red"