Who is the second best coach in the Big East?

[Small Orange Soda]

'Best coach' seems like a waste of time with a guy who's won 2 national championships in the running.  But how does everyone else stack up? Vote y'all.

[brewcity77]

Honestly, they all have some serious issues. I voted Cooley, though his teams struggle with consistency and haven't done anything significant in the NCAA Tournament. McDermott is pretty good, but only seems to be able to coach one end of the floor and also hasn't done anything of note in March. Willard is similar in that he never seems to maximize his talent and has one 8/9 victory to his career.

Wojo could be put in this conversation, which honestly is an indictment on the rest of the league as much as anything. With Mack and Holtmann gone, there really just aren't many proven coaches outside of Wright. I guess Anderson, but it's hard to vote for a guy who has one year on the job and hasn't been past the first weekend in over a decade (though it's more than the rest of the league?).

[Uncle Rico]

I voted for Mike Anderson.  I think in the long run, it’ll be Dan Hurley.

Cooley and Willard have probably taken Providence and Seton Hall as far as they can on a regular basis.  If March is a measuring stick, neither have made a second weekend.

McDermott is fine for Creighton and an interesting case.  I think it took some time for him to adjust to the type of players and talent he needed to compete in the Big East.  I give him credit and the staff credit for operating on the fringes

[muguru]

Honestly, they all have some serious issues. I voted Cooley, though his teams struggle with consistency and haven't done anything significant in the NCAA Tournament. McDermott is pretty good, but only seems to be able to coach one end of the floor and also hasn't done anything of note in March. Willard is similar in that he never seems to maximize his talent and has one 8/9 victory to his career.

Wojo could be put in this conversation, which honestly is an indictment on the rest of the league as much as anything. With Mack and Holtmann gone, there really just aren't many proven coaches outside of Wright. I guess Anderson, but it's hard to vote for a guy who has one year on the job and hasn't been past the first weekend in over a decade (though it's more than the rest of the league?).

I think you're spot on Brew..outside of Wright, I watch BE games/Coaches and overall I am just not that impressed. We have to remember, recruiting is also part of the equation(at east for me it is for something like this), and who in that regard has "wow'd" anyone?? Honestly, (and everyone knows my reservations about Wojo), he might get the nod over all the others as far as his recruiting ability. But as far as overall..to me this would be like picking the tallest midget.

That being said..if someone picks Leitao, you need to show yourselves. 

[#UnleashSean]

With this league, not sure. A lot of coaches have massive flaws. I went for Cooley, the 6 who went for Wojo, what yall smoking?

[brewcity77]

With this league, not sure. A lot of coaches have massive flaws. I went for Cooley, the 6 who went for Wojo, what yall smoking?

I do think Wojo is the best recruiter of them. From the theory of "if you get the talent, eventually results will follow" it would seem like he might have the highest upside. Further, he's had success at every level of recruiting, from impact high school players like Ellenson, Howard, the Hausers, and Garcia to impact traditional transfers like Morrow, McEwen, and Carton (all highly regarded at the time of transfer) to impact grad transfers like Carlino, Reinhardt, (we thought at the time) Chartouny, and Jayce.

He hasn't yet delivered results with all the on-paper talent he's brought in, but so far I think it's an easier sell that Cooley, McDermott, and Willard have peaked at their programs than it would be to say Wojo has peaked.

Though, being Scoop, I'm sure some of those are sarcastic votes as well.

[ATL MU Warrior]

With this league, not sure. A lot of coaches have massive flaws. I went for Cooley, the 6 who went for Wojo, what yall smoking?

Until this year I probably would have agreed with you on Cooley. However, the atrocious start to this past season with that team was unforgivable and knocked him down a few pegs for me.  If we had had that start, what would you be saying about our coach? 

Don’t think it is Wojo but I don’t think there is much separation between 2 thru 6 either.

[muguru]

Alright, who's the smart ass that voted for Leitao??   

[GoldenWarrior11]

For all the continuous talk on here about tournament wins and deep runs on Scoop, I am not at all amazed the it is a two horse race between Cooley and McDermott for 2nd.

I voted for Anderson for right now, who has never had a losing season in nearly 20 years as a head coach and had the most 20 win seasons outside of Wright (not to mention a S16 and E8 appearance with two different programs).

Long-term, it will be Hurley (as #2).

[MU82]

Not necessarily saying Wojo is the second-best, but I do think one could make a pretty good case for Wojo over any of the other 9.

For example, a little while back, we had a troll who insisted that Hurley was better. But several of us who rely on something annoying like facts had a pretty easy time showing how Hurley had not accomplished any more than Wojo has.

Go up and down the list, and the same is true of every single one who isn't named Wright.

Anderson certainly is more accomplished than Wojo, with an E8 run at Mizzou and a S16 run at UAB, but it's hard to argue that his time at Arkansas was very successful -- 3 NCAA appearances in 8 years, only two tourney wins in that time, and total flameout his last season. I thought when St. John's hired him it was a good choice.

McDermott would also seem to have been more accomplished, but in 2 decades as a D1 head coach he somehow has never managed to reach the S16 a single time -- not even when he had the national player of the year. And those who believe Wojo mishandled a couple of game-ending situations ... nobody ever handled one worse than McDermott did in that loss to MU a couple years ago.

In other words, the Big East is not exactly a coaching wonderland these days.

[dgies9156]

Alright, who's the smart ass that voted for Leitao??   

I didn’t know Jean Ponsetto was on Scoop!

What’s her ID: Loserlady79, SquanderedQueen01?

[Dawson Rental]

Alright, who's the smart ass that voted for Leitao??   

Who was the guy who said DePaul had passed MU by after nonconference last year?  That’s my guess.

[brewcity77]

For all the continuous talk on here about tournament wins and deep runs on Scoop, I am not at all amazed the it is a two horse race between Cooley and McDermott for 2nd.

I voted for Anderson for right now, who has never had a losing season in nearly 20 years as a head coach and had the most 20 win seasons outside of Wright (not to mention a S16 and E8 appearance with two different programs).

Long-term, it will be Hurley (as #2).

Maybe it will be Hurley. But he hasn't been beyond the first weekend either and we'll see if he can turn the Big East positioning into top-flight recruiting. Anderson is a fair vote, I didn't pick him mainly because he hasn't done it here yet and he was generally just a middle-of-the-SEC coach before he was fired.

I think the real consensus is that there is no clear #2 after Jay Wright. Lots of generally solid programs, but no one who's broken through to the next level.

[Herman Cain]

It is a close call between Cooley and McDermott. Which is kind of interesting since they are reputed to be good friends.

Very rare for a Cooley team not to come prepared. Providence not the easiest  place to recruit and yet Cooley has made the tournament 5 years ( Probably would have been 6 this year). He appears to get the most possible out of his team every year.   T

This year was a classic demonstration of Cooley's coaching ability , after getting out to the bad start in non conference,Cooley & Company went 12-6 in a strong Big East Conference. Cooley is very strong at working the refs. 

McDermott has done an excellent job of building the Creighton brand of basketball. His teams are fun to watch and the teams show great chemistry on the offensive end. When they miked up McDermott for a whole game,he was very actively encouraging the guys to move the ball to the open man. It is really a big part of their culture.

Creighton also not an easy place to recruit and McDermott's brand of basketball has enabled Creighton to attract a steady stream of quality recruits and transfers. The Creighton program is now in a mode where in their off years they reload versus rebuild. McDermott has essentially extended the Creighton program from being strong in the Missouri Valley to strong in the Big East .

 

[#UnleashSean]

In other words, the Big East is not exactly a coaching wonderland these days.

Maybe Buzz was right.

[Newsdreams]

Maybe Buzz was right.

Yeah being a top 3 conference is terrible 

[wadesworld]

Yeah being a top 3 conference us terrible 

He’s a big fan of emotional overreactions and not a fan of facts.

[tower912]

Where is the 'Jay Wright' option?

[bilsu]

Where is the 'Jay Wright' option?

I would of posted this without teal You are only as good as your last season. I would of voted Jay Wright second.

[GooooMarquette]

Wojo is the best recruiter among the bunch, but I had to go with McDermott as the best overall coach. He brings decent players into Creighton, and does the best job of getting the most out of them. I would put Wojo at number 3.

Willard and Cooley both are good coaches, but they both have far more D1 head-coaching experience than Wojo (Cooley 14 seasons and Willard 13; one NCAA win each) and I think both have taken their programs as far as they likely will.

[willie warrior]

Wojo is the best recruiter among the bunch, but I had to go with McDermott as the best overall coach. He brings decent players into Creighton, and does the best job of getting the most out of them. I would put Wojo at number 3.

Willard and Cooley both are good coaches, but they both have far more D1 head-coaching experience than Wojo (Cooley 14 seasons and Willard 13; one NCAA win each) and I think both have taken their programs as far as they likely will.

I'll have what he is smoking.

[ATL MU Warrior]

It is a close call between Cooley and McDermott. Which is kind of interesting since they are reputed to be good friends.

Very rare for a Cooley team not to come prepared. Providence not the easiest  place to recruit and yet Cooley has made the tournament 5 years ( Probably would have been 6 this year). He appears to get the most possible out of his team every year.   T

This year was a classic demonstration of Cooley's coaching ability , after getting out to the bad start in non conference,Cooley & Company went 12-6 in a strong Big East Conference. Cooley is very strong at working the refs. 

McDermott has done an excellent job of building the Creighton brand of basketball. His teams are fun to watch and the teams show great chemistry on the offensive end. When they miked up McDermott for a whole game,he was very actively encouraging the guys to move the ball to the open man. It is really a big part of their culture.

Creighton also not an easy place to recruit and McDermott's brand of basketball has enabled Creighton to attract a steady stream of quality recruits and transfers. The Creighton program is now in a mode where in their off years they reload versus rebuild. McDermott has essentially extended the Creighton program from being strong in the Missouri Valley to strong in the Big East .

Providence sucked during the non-con.  Was that also a demonstration of Cooley’s coaching ability or not?

[Lennys Tap]

Providence sucked during the non-con.  Was that also a demonstration of Cooley’s coaching ability or not?

As Harry Caray used to say, “The big possums walk late”. Taking a team that sucks in November and turning it into one that’s to be reckoned with and playing its best basketball in March is the epitome of good coaching.

Team’s win in November due to talent, experience or a combination of both. A good coach’s team plays its best ball down the stretch - that’s Cooley this year. A not so good coach stumbles at the end because the good ones have figured his team out. Look no further than us the last two years.

[ATL MU Warrior]

As Harry Caray used to say, “The big possums walk late”. Taking a team that sucks in November and turning it into one that’s to be reckoned with and playing its best basketball in March is the epitome of good coaching.

Team’s win in November due to talent, experience or a combination of both. A good coach’s team plays its best ball down the stretch - that’s Cooley this year. A not so good coach stumbles at the end because the good ones have figured his team out. Look no further than us the last two years.

Lol. Providence had talent and experience but couldn’t win in November.  Must have been due to the excellent coaching.

[wadesworld]

As Harry Caray used to say, “The big possums walk late”. Taking a team that sucks in November and turning it into one that’s to be reckoned with and playing its best basketball in March is the epitome of good coaching.

Team’s win in November due to talent, experience or a combination of both. A good coach’s team plays its best ball down the stretch - that’s Cooley this year. A not so good coach stumbles at the end because the good ones have figured his team out. Look no further than us the last two years.

Ed has a total of 1 NCAA Tournament win in 14 seasons as an NCAA head coach. 6 (including this season) Tournament appearances in 14 seasons.

Not sure how Cooley would be considered a “good” coach if Wojo is considered a “not so good” coach.

[Small Orange Soda]

As Harry Caray used to say, “The big possums walk late”. Taking a team that sucks in November and turning it into one that’s to be reckoned with and playing its best basketball in March is the epitome of good coaching.

Team’s win in November due to talent, experience or a combination of both. A good coach’s team plays its best ball down the stretch - that’s Cooley this year. A not so good coach stumbles at the end because the good ones have figured his team out. Look no further than us the last two years.

Yup.  Everyone criticizing you is defending a coach who hasn't won a tournament game.

[wadesworld]

Yup.  Everyone criticizing you is defending a coach who hasn't won a tournament game.

And you’re defending a coach who’s been a head coach for over twice as long and has a whopping 1 NCAA Tournament win...

[Small Orange Soda]

And you’re defending a coach who’s been a head coach for over twice as long and has a whopping 1 NCAA Tournament win...

Oh wow, sorry if you thought I was defending him.  I certainly wasn't.  In six years do you think a coach should've won a tournament game? Since we're obviously not Duke Lite (freaking LOL), are you going to show some humility and admit you were hilariously wrong, or just keep spewing the same garbage?  I think we both know the answer. 

[Lennys Tap]

Yup.  Everyone criticizing you is defending a coach who hasn't won a tournament game.

No worries, Soda. What ATL knows about college basketball would fill a thimble. Wades is Chico Lite. Pretty smart guy, but when he’s obviously on the losing side of an argument it’s just not in his nature to say “Uncle”. He’ll nitpick, move the goalposts and wear you down with volume and intentional misrepresentations. With some folks a longer discussion can actually find common ground. My experience with Wades is he’s not interested in that.

[MU82]

As Harry Caray used to say, “The big possums walk late”. Taking a team that sucks in November and turning it into one that’s to be reckoned with and playing its best basketball in March is the epitome of good coaching.

Team’s win in November due to talent, experience or a combination of both. A good coach’s team plays its best ball down the stretch - that’s Cooley this year. A not so good coach stumbles at the end because the good ones have figured his team out. Look no further than us the last two years.

In 2015-16, when he had a team full of effen studs, Cooley started out 14-1 and got into the top 5 only to close out 10-9 -- including two losses to Wojo.

I don't think that "proves" Wojo is better than Cooley, does it?

The following year, Cooley started 10-2 and finished 10-11. The following year, Cooley started out 10-4 and finished 11-10. And in 2018-19, Cooley started out 10-3 and finished 8-13 (with 2 more losses to Wojo).

So was he a not-so-good coach for years and years before figuring things out this past season? If so, I think there's hope for Wojo, given that last season was Cooley's 14th in D1 and 9th at Providence.

FWIW, Cooley and Wojo are 6-6 head-to-head.

This is NOT me saying Wojo is better than Cooley or that I am satisfied with what Wojo has accomplished. But it is me saying that it doesn't seem to be some no-brainer choice of Cooley (who in 14 years has won 1 NCAA tournament game) over Wojo (who has won none in 6 years).

[wadesworld]

Oh wow, sorry if you thought I was defending him.  I certainly wasn't.  In six years do you think a coach should've won a tournament game? Since we're obviously not Duke Lite (freaking LOL), are you going to show some humility and admit you were hilariously wrong, or just keep spewing the same garbage?  I think we both know the answer.

You were doing what you call “defending” Wojo for Cooley. So by your definition, yes.

What “garbage” do I “keep spewing?”

Somebody got called out on a false statement and didn’t like it. Now he’s all upset. Sad!

[geps]

Here's another question. Would you rather have any of these coaches at MU instead of Wojo? I would say no.

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

Here's another question. Would you rather have any of these coaches at MU instead of Wojo? I would say no.

I think the jury is still out on Jordan and Steele - so put them aside.  I think Cooley And McDermott with better resources that we provide at MU could be really interesting.  I would take Hurley and obviously wright in a heartbeat. 

[ATL MU Warrior]

Yup.  Everyone criticizing you is defending a coach who hasn't won a tournament game.

Who is defending anybody?  This has nothing to do with Wojo. 

Ed Cooley couldn’t coach his team to wins against powerhouse programs Northwestern (#132 in Ken Pom), Penn (#141) and Long Beach State (#297!!) while returning 70%+ of minutes, scoring, rebounding and assists from the previous season. They had talent.  They certainly had experience and continuity.  To me, that is suspect and is certainly not the sign of some great coaching. 

Lenny thinks all that doesn’t matter because they got better later in the year. They could hardly have gotten worse so I guess I am not impressed.  They should have been playing like they played during the conference season the entire year if Cooley was so great. Instead, he gets a pass to suck for 1/3 or the year. Funny.

[Lennys Tap]

In 2015-16, when he had a team full of effen studs, Cooley started out 14-1 and got into the top 5 only to close out 10-9 -- including two losses to Wojo.

I don't think that "proves" Wojo is better than Cooley, does it?

The following year, Cooley started 10-2 and finished 10-11. The following year, Cooley started out 10-4 and finished 11-10. And in 2018-19, Cooley started out 10-3 and finished 8-13 (with 2 more losses to Wojo).

So was he a not-so-good coach for years and years before figuring things out this past season? If so, I think there's hope for Wojo, given that last season was Cooley's 14th in D1 and 9th at Providence.

FWIW, Cooley and Wojo are 6-6 head-to-head.

This is NOT me saying Wojo is better than Cooley or that I am satisfied with what Wojo has accomplished. But it is me saying that it doesn't seem to be some no-brainer choice of Cooley (who in 14 years has won 1 NCAA tournament game) over Wojo (who has won none in 6 years).

Mike

I’ll address this to you because you because fairness/being reasonable doesn’t go against your nature.

1. Counting Cooley’s lack of NCAA wins at a low mid major is patently unfair. You know that.
2. The program at Providence that Cooley took over had made 0 NCAA appearances in the previous 4 years, 1in the previous 9 and 2 in the previous 13. Over those 13 years it had 0 tournament wins.
3. Conversely, the program that Wojo took over at MU had made 3 NCAA appearances in the previous 4 years, 8 in the previous 9 and 10 in the previous 13. Over those 13 years it had 13 NCAA tournament wins, including 2 S16s, 1 E8 and 1 FF.

That Cooley’s record at Providence is similar to Wojo’s at MU is beside the point. If the coach at wake Forest produced approximately the same results as the coach at Syracuse would you consider them equal? How about Oregon St and Washington? Minnesota and Ohio St?

I could go on and on but you get my drift. The Providence program that Cooley took over was vastly inferior to the MU program Wojo took over. Similar results given that are indicative of superior coaching. One would need prescription blue and gold goggles to not see the obvious.

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

1. Wright





2.  Anderson - mostly based on past performance..."not indicative of future results"
3. Cooley
4. McDermott
5. Wojo
6. Willard
7. Steele - largely unproven
8. Jordan - largely unproven
9. Ewing
10.  Leitao

[MU82]

Mike

I’ll address this to you because you because fairness/being reasonable doesn’t go against your nature.

1. Counting Cooley’s lack of NCAA wins at a low mid major is patently unfair. You know that.
2. The program at Providence that Cooley took over had made 0 NCAA appearances in the previous 4 years, 1in the previous 9 and 2 in the previous 13. Over those 13 years it had 0 tournament wins.
3. Conversely, the program that Wojo took over at MU had made 3 NCAA appearances in the previous 4 years, 8 in the previous 9 and 10 in the previous 13. Over those 13 years it had 13 NCAA tournament wins, including 2 S16s, 1 E8 and 1 FF.

That Cooley’s record at Providence is similar to Wojo’s at MU is beside the point. If the coach at wake Forest produced approximately the same results as the coach at Syracuse would you consider them equal? How about Oregon St and Washington? Minnesota and Ohio St?

I could go on and on but you get my drift. The Providence program that Cooley took over was vastly inferior to the MU program Wojo took over. Similar results given that are indicative of superior coaching. One would need prescription blue and gold goggles to not see the obvious.

1. All good points.

2. Like you, I always expect our Warriors coach to do much better than the Providence coach, whoever both are. Like you, I am disappointed that Wojo has not significantly outperformed Cooley.

3. Still ... Cooley has not been a particularly good "closer" during his time at Providence, and he has had next to no postseason success. So I'm not sure how he could be classified as a good coach. I wouldn't classy Wojo as such either.

4. Have a great day!

[Elonsmusk]

Wright

Cooley
Anderson
Willard
McDermott
Jordan
Wojo
Leiato
Steele
Ewing

[muguru]

To me, the MU program, given the resources, facilities, make up of the conference etc, SHOULD be a perennial top 3-4 conference finisher every year, consistently. When this new Big East was formed, those were my expectations..minimum. The fact that now if they finish top 3-4 is reason to celebrate, is more of an indictment as to where the program truly is, as opposed to the strides the other programs have made. That's the reality of things unfortunately.

[ATL MU Warrior]

1. Wright





2.  Anderson - mostly based on past performance..."not indicative of future results"
3. Cooley
4. McDermott
5. Wojo
6. Willard
7. Steele - largely unproven
8. Jordan - largely unproven
9. Ewing
10.  Leitao

I’d flip 3 and 4 but otherwise agree with this

[Uncle Rico]

Some thoughts on Ed Cooley.  Cooley has done great work at Providence but I’d wager he’s hit his ceiling there.  The program he took over was a mess and had been largely inconsistent at best after Pete Gillen left.

He came in and energized the alumni and fan base and has done a remarkable job making them a consistent tournament team.  That’s what they are and it isn’t easy to maintain that at Providence with all the other local competition they have.

That said, they’ve plateaued. His best season was 2016 when he had a lottery pick and they were 27th in KenPom.  Since then, last years squad that finished 40th overall was the next best season for the Friars and Cooley.

To his credit, the team rallied last season after one of the worst non-conference seasons in recent Big East memory.  That’s an admirable accomplishment.

His offenses have become pretty mediocre.  Even with Kris Dunn, the offense was average. 

I think Ed Cooley has done great work at Providence.  I don’t know if that translates at a school with more resources/pedigree.  That’s why I struggle with “rating” him.  All I know is, if I were a Friar fan, I’d be nervous as hell if he left.

[Lennys Tap]

1. Wright





2.  Anderson - mostly based on past performance..."not indicative of future results"
3. Cooley
4. McDermott
5. Wojo
6. Willard
7. Steele - largely unproven
8. Jordan - largely unproven
9. Ewing
10.  Leitao

Fluff

This nails it though Willard’s recent success puts him at least on an even plane with Wojo IMO.

[Lennys Tap]

Some thoughts on Ed Cooley.  Cooley has done great work at Providence but I’d wager he’s hit his ceiling there.  The program he took over was a mess and had been largely inconsistent at best after Pete Gillen left.

He came in and energized the alumni and fan base and has done a remarkable job making them a consistent tournament team.  That’s what they are and it isn’t easy to maintain that at Providence with all the other local competition they have.

That said, they’ve plateaued. His best season was 2016 when he had a lottery pick and they were 27th in KenPom.  Since then, last years squad that finished 40th overall was the next best season for the Friars and Cooley.

To his credit, the team rallied last season after one of the worst non-conference seasons in recent Big East memory.  That’s an admirable accomplishment.

His offenses have become pretty mediocre.  Even with Kris Dunn, the offense was average. 

I think Ed Cooley has done great work at Providence.  I don’t know if that translates at a school with more resources/pedigree.  That’s why I struggle with “rating” him.  All I know is, if I were a Friar fan, I’d be nervous as hell if he left.

Solid analysis, Rico.

[wadesworld]

I think the overall takeaway is, much like programs in the Big East, there is one clear coach at the top, two clear coaches at the bottom, and then 7 (now 8) coaches whose ranking probably changes from one season to the next.

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

Fluff

This nails it though Willard’s recent success puts him at least on an even plane with Wojo IMO.

Yeah I just don’t think either are much more than slightly above average.

[GooooMarquette]

Ed has a total of 1 NCAA Tournament win in 14 seasons as an NCAA head coach. 6 (including this season) Tournament appearances in 14 seasons.

Not sure how Cooley would be considered a “good” coach if Wojo is considered a “not so good” coach.

Yep. And Cooley's one and only tournament win came in his tenth season as a DI head coach.

[Small Orange Soda]

You were doing what you call “defending” Wojo for Cooley. So by your definition, yes.

What “garbage” do I “keep spewing?”

Somebody got called out on a false statement and didn’t like it. Now he’s all upset. Sad!

What false statement?  I never defended Cooley.  You claimed Wojo was gonna build Duke Lite.  You have, unfortunately, been wildly wrong.  You're going to nitpick every Anti-Wojo post from here on out, which I get.  You obviously can't defend the results.  Bummer is you're not decent enough to eat the humble pie you deserve.

[Herman Cain]

It is a close call between Cooley and McDermott. Which is kind of interesting since they are reputed to be good friends.

Very rare for a Cooley team not to come prepared. Providence not the easiest  place to recruit and yet Cooley has made the tournament 5 years ( Probably would have been 6 this year). He appears to get the most possible out of his team every year.   T

This year was a classic demonstration of Cooley's coaching ability , after getting out to the bad start in non conference,Cooley & Company went 12-6 in a strong Big East Conference. Cooley is very strong at working the refs. 

McDermott has done an excellent job of building the Creighton brand of basketball. His teams are fun to watch and the teams show great chemistry on the offensive end. When they miked up McDermott for a whole game,he was very actively encouraging the guys to move the ball to the open man. It is really a big part of their culture.

Creighton also not an easy place to recruit and McDermott's brand of basketball has enabled Creighton to attract a steady stream of quality recruits and transfers. The Creighton program is now in a mode where in their off years they reload versus rebuild. McDermott has essentially extended the Creighton program from being strong in the Missouri Valley to strong in the Big East .

Although close, I voted for McDermott,  primarily because he has demonstrated an ability to build his Creighton program at multiple levels, mid and high major. Also McDermott has built up his team 3 times into the top 10. The teams with his son, The 2016-17 team ( until Maurice Watson got hurt late in the season) and this years team.
https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/coaches/greg-mcdermott-1.html

 

[willie warrior]

Providence sucked during the non-con.  Was that also a demonstration of Cooley’s coaching ability or not?

MU crapped all over the floor down the stretch the last two years. That certainly was a demonstration of Wojo's coaching ability---just the facts.

[willie warrior]

Wright

Cooley
Anderson
Willard
McDermott
Jordan
Wojo
Leiato
Steele
Ewing

This is about right. Would put McDermott higher, and drop Wojo below Leiato, simply because Wojo has much more to work with than Leiato, and has done squat with it.

[WarriorFan]

Some thoughts on Ed Cooley.  Cooley has done great work at Providence but I’d wager he’s hit his ceiling there.  The program he took over was a mess and had been largely inconsistent at best after Pete Gillen left.

He came in and energized the alumni and fan base and has done a remarkable job making them a consistent tournament team.  That’s what they are and it isn’t easy to maintain that at Providence with all the other local competition they have.

That said, they’ve plateaued. His best season was 2016 when he had a lottery pick and they were 27th in KenPom.  Since then, last years squad that finished 40th overall was the next best season for the Friars and Cooley.

To his credit, the team rallied last season after one of the worst non-conference seasons in recent Big East memory.  That’s an admirable accomplishment.

His offenses have become pretty mediocre.  Even with Kris Dunn, the offense was average. 

I think Ed Cooley has done great work at Providence.  I don’t know if that translates at a school with more resources/pedigree.  That’s why I struggle with “rating” him.  All I know is, if I were a Friar fan, I’d be nervous as hell if he left.

Good points... I agree.
I also think there's the issue of resources like practice facility, where the home games are played, overall budget, etc.  I think if Cooley had MU's budget and facilities he'd reach a new level.  Rembember, part of that budget pays assistant coaches who can and should bring in offensive schemes that would work in the Big East.

[WarriorFan]

By the way, it looks like MU budget is about $11.8m while PC budget is about $6.1m.

[5DollarPitcher]

I certainly hope the Wojo votes are trolls.

[Class71]

Maybe Buzz was right.

I do not worry about the BE  but I do worry about Wojo's weaknesses.