Assistant Coaching Staff

[brewcity77]

So there's a rumor that Marquette assistant Brett Nelson may take over as head coach at Drake. Nelson was previously an assistant at Drake. The Drake AD Brian Hardin came from Marquette's athletic department. Hardin and Nelson also worked together at Ball State.

That got me thinking about possible replacements. Wojo usually looks to former players, but I wonder if he'd consider a former head coach. A few names came to mind:

Mark Fox: Total dream hire, but unlikely. He'll probably have mid major offers, but it's possible MU could pay more. Fox is a solid defensive coach and also successfully recruited Ashton Hagans to Georgia.

Bob Walsh: Walsh has a previous relationship with Mike Broeker. He didn't have a great team but did improve Maine's defensive efficiency every year and was formerly a Big East assistant at Providence.

Matthew Graves: Graves was a long time assistant at Butler and just lost his job as head coach at South Alabama. He was highly regarded as an assistant and puts an emphasis on culture and defense.

[dw3dw3dw3]

Crap, we will need a new lead Twitter follower for Joseph Chartouny.

Yeah Fox if he can get Hagans, but I would think that would be a stretch on both sides. Id hope wojo has a feeling for what he's missing, sort of necessary as a leader. No idea if any of those guys would be a fit, but a defensive minded specialist seems like it's obviously needed. Maybe Wojo doesn't feel the same though.

[Daniel]

If true, would be a great opportunity to bring in defensive help. Can only help

[wadesworld]

I'd be worried if Wojo doesn't have a list of potential coaches for his bench at all times.

Maybe Tony Bennett can take over the Bucks for his day job and assist Wojo as a second source of income?

[SaveOD238]

Nelson is the shooting guru that helped Greg and Jamal with their 3pt-ers and Matt and Theo with their FTs, right?  Shooting is a position of strength, but it hurts to lose a key unrecognized component of that strength.

[Dr. Blackheart]

Nelson has been a primary recruiter but recent Carawell has been hitting the road.  Good for Coach Nelson.

[brewcity77]

And it's not a done deal yet, but if you search "Brett Nelson Drake" there's a ton of talk. Also some very complimentary words from Hardin there.

[Jay Bee]

The homie Dave Thorson may convert by dropping the "interim" label, but would be happy for Nelson if that's how it goes.

[We R Final Four]

Crap, we will need a new lead Twitter follower for Joseph Chartouny.

Yeah Fox if he can get Hagans, but I would think that would be a stretch on both sides. Id hope wojo has a feeling for what he's missing, sort of necessary as a leader. No idea if any of those guys would be a fit, but a defensive minded specialist seems like it's obviously needed. Maybe Wojo doesn't feel the same though.

Maybe the defensive minded specialist Wojo can hire a defensive minded specialist to assist in teaching this team defense.

[Mr. Nielsen]

And it's not a done deal yet, but if you search "Brett Nelson Drake" there's a ton of talk. Also some very complimentary words from Hardin there.

Brian Hardin loves me. I should apply for the Drake job. 

[mugrack]

Can we trade Nelson for Sr. Jean?????

[JakeBarnes]

So there's a rumor that Marquette assistant Brett Nelson may take over as head coach at Drake. Nelson was previously an assistant at Drake. The Drake AD Brian Hardin came from Marquette's athletic department. Hardin and Nelson also worked together at Ball State.

That got me thinking about possible replacements. Wojo usually looks to former players, but I wonder if he'd consider a former head coach. A few names came to mind:

Mark Fox: Total dream hire, but unlikely. He'll probably have mid major offers, but it's possible MU could pay more. Fox is a solid defensive coach and also successfully recruited Ashton Hagans to Georgia.

Bob Walsh: Walsh has a previous relationship with Mike Broeker. He didn't have a great team but did improve Maine's defensive efficiency every year and was formerly a Big East assistant at Providence.

Matthew Graves: Graves was a long time assistant at Butler and just lost his job as head coach at South Alabama. He was highly regarded as an assistant and puts an emphasis on culture and defense.

Great list. I personally would hope for Fox, if only because it would be nice to leverage the Hagans relationship in combination with defensive know how. Treat it more like an Adam Gase type hire (we know you're gonna be a HC somewhere, but for now head here?)

[GoldenWarrior11]

If Nelson goes to Drake - which would be a great opportunity for him - I would hope Wojo seriously looks at John Giannini (formerly of La Salle) for an assistant role.  He is from Chicago, has strong Midwestern ties, has had postseason success as a head coach, and would likely provide valuable experience to the staff.  Additionally, he might be interested in a one-year stop-gap as an assistant at a well-know program in order to prepare for his (probable) last head coaching opportunity next offseason.

[dw3dw3dw3]

Also seems to be some Nelson as a new Florida assistant talk.  I'd guess if Wojo was sick for a game, Stan would get the call right now. 4 years in, probably time to see if he can move up somewhere. I feel like we don't get much info on Carrawell, would be a good piece for Steele to go in depth on in the off-season. 

[WindyCityGoldenEagle]

I feel like we don't get much info on Carrawell, would be a good piece for Steele to go in depth on in the off-season.

I fear that might be a very short read.

Wojo needs to follow beilen's lead: put the ego aside and admit you stink at coaching defense, find someone who's good at it and stay out of their way letting them be the essential defensive coordinator.

[2TimeWarrior]

Anyone know if Steve Novak has any interest in entering the coaching ranks?

[MU82]

Anyone know if Steve Novak has any interest in entering the coaching ranks?

As "defensive coordinator"? That would be interesting - ha!

Maybe what we really need to do is find out who Chartouny's favorite person in the world is and hire that person for a year!

[Jay Bee]

Adding my pick: Dave Thorson

[mubb3434]

Jeff Goodman just tweeted that a Creighton assistant is the frontrunner for the Drake job.

[CreightonWarrior]

Jeff Goodman just tweeted that a Creighton assistant is the frontrunner for the Drake job.

its a #donedeal, was with Creighton for 20 years.

[Loose Cannon]

its a #donedeal, was with Creighton for 20 years.

Thanks

[Silkk the Shaka]

Adding my pick: Dave Thorson

Our version of Luke Yaklich?

I know he knows Sacar... but how bout Suggs & Hurt? Any Carton connection from Iowa?

[cheebs09]

Adding my pick: Dave Thorson

Is there some Wojo connection to Drake or is it a stepping stone for assistant coaches? Phelps and Nelson both spent time at Drake.

[brewcity77]

Is there some Wojo connection to Drake or is it a stepping stone for assistant coaches? Phelps and Nelson both spent time at Drake.

The connection was between Wojo and Phelps, as I recall. Phelps was an ACC assistant (NC State, I think) and got to know Wojo then. Wojo brought Phelps in and that was the connection to Nelson. Also believe Nelson was then the connection that brought Stan in.

[GGGG]

Adding my pick: Dave Thorson

Is he not following the former coach to CSU?

It's too bad for Nelson but he's been a good assistant IMO.