Jeff Goodman's ESPN Insider post on Marquette

[WadeATKBurton]

D. Stephens, MSU.   Still my out of the box candidate.

Chords said this is not a stepping stone job. Therefore, I think we will get an already established coach.

[Aughnanure]

Because Shaka comes from the Donovan tree, and their styles are similar. He could take Donovan's players and not miss a beat. His style of play translates well to the SEC, and he has ties down to Florida going back to his assistant days.

Not saying he would reject an offer from Duke or Cuse outright, but if I had to bet my savings on one program where I think both sides would come to a quick resolution and he would become coach: it's Florida without a doubt.

Did you completely miss my point? WHEN IS DONOVAN LEAVING FLORIDA? He's not even 50! Shaka isn't "waiting" for that job. Could be waiting for 20 years.

[Jet915]

Just hire Howland.

He WANTS to be here.  It seems that sets him apart, perhaps, from other big names thrown about on here.

Oh...and he's MUCH more accomplished than EVERY other name considered.

I agree, Shaka ain't happening.....Howland is better than Cuonzo or Wardle or anyone left except Marshall who MU seems is not interested in.

[Freeport Warrior]

If MU is really offering $3MM+ and Shaka is currently at $1.2MM, how much more can VCU even offer?  VCU is a State school, right?  Would they even be able to get his salary up to $2MM?

I know this will sound strange to some, but with him it's not all about money. It's about EVERYTHING. Every single detail will be scrutinized. I can't stress this fact enough.

[NavinRJohnson]

OK, without the guessing game,and using logic and common sense, then it comes down to Martin or Bennett as the mystery man.

I'm sorry, what exactly makes those two logical, and more than guessing?

[SWARM!]

Just guessing on my part. i don't think i heard it anywhere else, though for no real reason, I would wager a lot that MU is looking at him.

Got word that Cuonzo contacted MU and not the other way around. Would make sense if word is out there that we want a black coach.

[mu03eng]

I know this will sound strange to some, but with him it's not all about money. It's about EVERYTHING. Every single detail will be scrutinized. I can't stress this fact enough.

+1 and this is why things are done in public that don't entirely make sense now.

[Gopher+RamFan]

Did you completely miss my point? WHEN IS DONOVAN LEAVING FLORIDA? He's not even 50! Shaka isn't "waiting" for that job. Could be waiting for 20 years.

I got your point, responding to your quote was just because I had to respond to someone's.

Donovan just re-upped for 5 years, just don't know if the Association is in his future. After going through multiple programs trying to grab Smart, and seeing what he demands of VCU each time, one can reasonably see where his priorities may be.

Some here keep stating "return home". Home is a double edged sword, he knows Wisconsin well, and had a rough time in his upbringing. MU brings a lot to the table, money, facilities, the will to win at the highest level with the assets to do so. Hes obviously very engaged with VCU and doesn't take leaving very lightly.

When he was a DIII point guard, his coach his program. Listening to his speeches (there was a great speech of his at Kenyon college, it was about an hour, was on YouTube but since taken down due to revealing some personal aspects of our players- ones parents died when he was young in a car crash) you can see that it will always be hard for him to leave players who he has committed to. VCU was just lucky to have an administration, and the Villa 7, and knew he'd do fairly well. If someone else had hired him, I think he'd have just as hard a time leaving, as long as the program kept committing itself to the basketball side of operations.

[NavinRJohnson]

Got word that Cuonzo contacted MU and not the other way around. Would make sense if word is out there that we want a black coach.

Good grief...seriously? Got word. Who got word? From whom? Was he on the plane to Richmond too? You'll forgive me if I am a touch skeptical after the past few days.

[Freeport Warrior]

I thought I made it clear in my post that I believed there was a possibility Shaka engaged in discussion. My point was that I believed his intention all along was to gain leverage...nothing more.

Again, though, your post begs the question: why should I weigh the validity of your sources over mine? Just because you say so? The bolded part makes no sense. My train of thought assumes the status quo. That has been the safest bet the whole time here.

You posted the other day: "Also just confirmed Shaka!!!!" Obviously, that didn't turn out to be true. Why should I trust that the people you have been speaking with are in the know? Your position assumes quite a bit more than mine.

I simply passed on yet-to-be corroborated by IWB tweet early. Things have changed since then. There are a few here who know the actual guys in the room. Time will tell.

[NotAnAlum]

D. Stephens, MSU.   Still my out of the box candidate.

I haven't heard much about Stephens since he left MU.  Is he the associate head coach or just an assistant?  As I recall when working for Crean he was considered a good recruiter and we felt he was good with Post Player Development.
If MU is going to take a chance on a assistant he'd have to be a very hot commodity.  The last to guys I can remember who had that can't miss rep were Crean and Pastner.  But when we took Crean we had to take a chance like that.  Unless Cords just thinks he has the midas touch hiring an assistant would be risking and we'd probably take a hit in the short term

[texaswarrior74]

Got word that Cuonzo contacted MU and not the other way around. Would make sense if word is out there that we want a black coach.

Cuonzo is feeling very unloved right now.

The fact that Pearl still lives in Knoxville, was/is very popular around town and is still missed by a great majority of the Vol fans has been tough on Martin.

This was a big topic of discussion on both ESPN and CBS sports radio within the last few days and all feel he is being very unfairly treated. This alone would explain reaching out to MU.

[Wisco]

I simply passed on yet-to-be corroborated by IWB tweet early. Things have changed since then. There are a few here who know the actual guys in the room. Time will tell.

Fair enough. I'll respect the process. I probably need to back away from the keyboard for a while, like many others here.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Chords said this is not a stepping stone job. Therefore, I think we will get an already established coach.

The point of stepping stone job is the guys that leave for bigger gigs.  I realize the younger you are, the more likely you are to leave and then it becomes "stepping stone" criteria.  To a large extent, every job is a stepping stone in athletics sans a handful.  To me it matters where they go next. If you leave MU for a blueblood program, God Bless you..it is what it is.  If you leave for Tennessee or Va. Tech, that's a different animal.

Also, at some point I don't want to take an established coach jut for the same of taking an established coach if I think an assistant will do a bang up job.  Don't get me wrong, assistants are way down my list this time around just as they were in 2008, I want MU to act like a big boy and hope that is the case....but not if it means hiring someone that isn't going to cut it.  There's a point where you look at a few assistants as well.

[brandx]

Garbage, won't come, is called the Mayor of Ames, and a hair above Wardle.

Hoiberg is an excellent coach who I would love to have. But the only way he ever leaves ISU is for the NBA.

[ChicosBailBonds]

I haven't heard much about Stephens since he left MU.  Is he the associate head coach or just an assistant?  As I recall when working for Crean he was considered a good recruiter and we felt he was good with Post Player Development.
If MU is going to take a chance on a assistant he'd have to be a very hot commodity.  The last to guys I can remember who had that can't miss rep were Crean and Pastner.  But when we took Crean we had to take a chance like that.  Unless Cords just thinks he has the midas touch hiring an assistant would be risking and we'd probably take a hit in the short term

He was promoted to associate head coach two years ago. 

http://www.msuspartans.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/061212aaa.html

[Rockmic87]

Welcome to MU Dwayne Stephens!!!!!   Woooooooo!

[StillWarriors]

Hoiberg is an excellent coach who I would love to have. But the only way he ever leaves ISU is for the NBA.

Completely agree. He is loaded with talent at ISU, and he walks on water there. They'll throw more money at him after this season I'm sure. ISU was a legit title contender before Niang broke his foot in the tourney; could still see them making the Final Four. I could see him taking an NBA job at some point, and he will certainly have options there going forward.

[buckchuckler]

Hoiberg is an excellent coach who I would love to have. But the only way he ever leaves ISU is for the NBA.

Go after Steve Kerr!  He has always just been a better version of Hoiberg! 

[Dawson Rental]

Duane Stevens? I lobbed that out too and it got crushed.

Well, if you misspelled both his first and last names like you did there, you could have confused people.  Heck, some people might have thought you meant Brad Stevens.  At least he fits the spelling of the last name you used.  BTW, it's Dwayne Stephens.

[Tums Festival]

D. Stephens, MSU.   Still my out of the box candidate.

With candidates like Ben Howland available. why would MU hire an unproven assistant with no head coaching experience?

[rocket surgeon]

Bennett turned us down repeatedly in the past and appears to be very entrenched at UV. No way he's our next coach.

plus he might have badger blood in him if he crosses the state line unless $$ are right, i guess that could trump all.  i believe however, he is pretty comfy where he is, acc and all

[reinko]

Maybe the secret coach is Bo Ryan.

/mic drop

[Rockmic87]

Just name Wainwright the new MU HC...

[Dawson Rental]

I know this will sound strange to some, but with him it's not all about money. It's about EVERYTHING. Every single detail will be scrutinized. I can't stress this fact enough.

I agree.  I believe that all the misunderstanding on Monday was due to Shaka and MU agreeing on money and years and (at least) one person at Marquette not realizing that for Shaka that was just the start of the process.