Is There A Better Option Than Shaka and Ben?

[Benny B]

So we got no movement from the press conference today... could it be that MU is targeting someone who is still coaching, perhaps someone who would be an even bigger impact than Shaka or Howland?

Other than Tony -- who I hope they at least kick the tires there -- what coach has a team that still playing that and could be attracted to MU under the right circumstances...  (my answers are bolded)

Billy D - Just extended at Florida.
S Miller - AZ seems to be happy with their renaissance, but has ties to Pitt and WI.  If BE invites Dayton, why wouldn't he dismiss a chance to coach against his brother twice a year?
A Miller - Just extended at Dayton; however, Google "Alford" "New Mexico" and "Extension".  Not impact, though.
Izzo - If he isn't going to the NBA, he's certainly not going to MU.
Pitino - Going to die in Kentucky.  One way or another.
Drew - Midwestern guy.  Butler grad.  Devout Christian.  Recent Success.
Beilein - Jesuit-educated? Check.  Impact? Check. 
Calipari - Not unless we want that NCAA investigation
Martin - Already speculated... not anywhere near the impact of Shaka or Howland
Bo - Not unless MU is being rolled into the WI pension system
Alford - I suppose after doing what he did to UNM, he could do the same to UCLA and come back to the Midwest?  Though we run the risk of eventually losing another coach to IU.
Hoiberg - If I didn't say IA State, would you even know who this was?
Ollie - Handpicked successor to Calhoun; way too entrenched in Storrs.
Fisher - I suppose he's more of a local guy to MU than SDSU, but a guy turning 70 soon really isn't going to be an impact hire.  More of a stopgap.
Dawkins - Probably going to succeed Coach K at Duke eventually (if Wojie doesn't get it).

[4everwarriors]

Phil Jackson is probably out too, aina?

[MDMU04]

Steve Alford is probably the last person that this university, or any for that matter, should want involved with their basketball program. Especially in light of the highly publicized allegations which occurred under the previous coaching staff. Alford is despicable trash.

[drewm88]

 I'd think Hoiberg and Dawkins would be above Alford and Drew. I also don't think any of the four would be the guy.

[mr.MUskie]

Waiting for the Bulls season to end so they can hire Thibs.

[texaswarrior74]

There is stink all over the Baylor program- no way I'd want Drew.

[We R Final Four]

Billy Donovan's not coming now?
Wait til he gets the title then he'll reconsider.

[AlumKCof93]

Had Wichita State advanced to the Sweet Sixteen, what percent of those on this board would assume Marquette was waiting on Marshall?

It would seem the intent of the press conference today was to buy time - it doesn't seem an announcement is coming in the next day or two - and gives credence to the thought that maybe Bennett is a candidate.  It would be interesting to see how his style of play would go over.  It would also be interesting to see if he has expressed some interest through backchannels now, to see if that interest would be maintained if Virginia advanced to the Final Four or beyond.  Not beyond the realm of possibility - a very good team this year.

In regard to Holland, its been reported that he is very interested in the job.  How do we know that he is asking for too much money?  If he is, what other available openings are there that would pay him more?  From the beginning, he's seemed to make the most sense.  A guy with very good credentials who wouldn't necessarily leave to go back to a blue blood program.  While the issues he endured at UCLA are troubling, how much of those troubles would be due to the culture unique at UCLA and not translate to Milwaukee.

[Eldon]

Ben > Shaka > Dixon > Brey

(I recall early threads throwing Dixon and Brey in the mix)

Anyone like Weber, Martin, a Cuse assistant, etc., and I will be disappointed

[TJ]

Sean Miller is not leaving Arizona to come to Marquette
Steve Alford is not leaving UCLA to come to Marquette
John Beilein is not leaving Michigan to come to Marquette

Why does this post even need to be typed?  Everyone... stop the madness.  It makes all of us look foolish.

[NotAnAlum]

How come you never hear Josh Pastner name in the mix.  Memphis is in a worse conference situation than we are so it could be viewed as an upgrade.  Josh has a rep as a great recruiter from his AZ days, in fact he's beating us on a few guys like Tarik Black.  Teams been relatively successful.  Young lots of energy.
Warrants a call in my book.

[TJ]

Ben > Shaka > Dixon > Brey

(I recall early threads throwing Dixon and Brey in the mix)

Anyone like Weber, Martin, a Cuse assistant, etc., and I will be disappointed

Jaime Dixon is not leaving Pittsburgh to come to Marquette.
Mike Brey is not leaving Notre Dame to come to Marquette.

[We R Final Four]

You didn't mention Billy D is not coming......hmmmm.

[chapman]

Of the bolds: we're not stealing a coach from a blue blood (S Miller, Alford), Drew is a scumbag, I'd hire a garbage can over Martin, Beilein is 61 which makes Howland look youthful.  Archie is the only option that doesn't suck, but he is not better than Shaka or Howland.

How come you never hear Josh Pastner name in the mix.  Memphis is in a worse conference situation than we are so it could be viewed as an upgrade.  Josh has a rep as a great recruiter from his AZ days, in fact he's beating us on a few guys like Tarik Black.  Teams been relatively successful.  Young lots of energy.
Warrants a call in my book.

And we can get Aki Collins back as an assistant!  

[ATLmarquettefan]

Benny B you are making one bold assumption, and that's the mystery candidate is a head coach. Could easily be an assistant.

[Ahoya06]

Jaime Dixon is not leaving Pittsburgh to come to Marquette.
Mike Brey is not leaving Notre Dame to come to Marquette.

FWIW, these two both crossed my mind as possibilities if the top tier didn't work out. Wouldn't be the most far fetched thing that either of these coaches would want back into the Big East, especially since their schools are going to be middle of the pack ACC at best.

Longshots, sure, but not completely unrealistic, IMO.

[TJ]

You didn't mention Billy D is not coming......hmmmm.

It wasn't bold in the OP, but if you really need it:

Billy Donovan is not coming.
Rick Pitino is not coming.
Anyone else who finished in the top 3/4 of the ACC (probably including Virginia) is not coming.
Anyone in the Big 10 is not coming.
Anyone who made the tournament from the Big 12 is not coming, aside from possibly but probably not Scott Drew and Bruce Weber.
Anyone who finished in the top half of the Pac-12 is not coming.
Anyone who finished in the top half of the SEC is not coming, aside from maybe Martin.

Get the pattern?  This is a conservative list and not to be considered complete.  Please, stop the madness.

[TJ]

FWIW, these two both crossed my mind as possibilities if the top tier didn't work out. Wouldn't be the most far fetched thing that either of these coaches would want back into the Big East, especially since their schools are going to be middle of the pack ACC at best.

Longshots, sure, but not completely unrealistic, IMO.

I'd say Brey is highly, highly doubtful and Dixon is no chance in hell.

[GoldenWarrior11]

Out of curiosity, was the unnamed current coach, that is still coaching in the tournament, revealed as a head coach?  Could it be an assistant?

[Windyplayer]

Waiting for the Bulls season to end so they can hire Thibs.

Mike D'Antoni

[Eldon]

It wasn't bold in the OP, but if you really need it:

Billy Donovan is not coming.
Rick Pitino is not coming.
Anyone else who finished in the top 3/4 of the ACC (probably including Virginia) is not coming.
Anyone in the Big 10 is not coming.
Anyone who made the tournament from the Big 12 is not coming, aside from possibly but probably not Scott Drew and Bruce Weber.
Anyone who finished in the top half of the Pac-12 is not coming.
Anyone who finished in the top half of the SEC is not coming, aside from maybe Martin.

Get the pattern?  This is a conservative list and not to be considered complete.  Please, stop the madness.

Ok, bud.  You just lost any credibility that you had.

[79Warrior]

Sean Miller is not leaving Arizona to come to Marquette
Steve Alford is not leaving UCLA to come to Marquette
John Beilein is not leaving Michigan to come to Marquette

Why does this post even need to be typed?  Everyone... stop the madness.  It makes all of us look foolish.

Jeez, no kidding. Marquette has NO SHOT at any of those three nor would they EVER be interested.

[Galway Eagle]

Jim Larranga?

[humanlung]

No, there isn't. 

[denverMU]

Out of curiosity, was the unnamed current coach, that is still coaching in the tournament, revealed as a head coach?  Could it be an assistant?

Virginia head coach Tony Bennett