If You're Wojo...

[Galway Eagle]

To be real tho, Duke is under .500 and is going to miss the tournament.  Maybe K hangs it up and we all get lucky here.

Doubt it. He'll try to interview I'm sure but Duke stakeholders would flip a $hit about his hiring now days.

Honestly outside of the Pros I'm unsure there's any "coach in waiting" anymore at Duke

[MU82]

I'm going to go out on a limb and its just a hunch, but I think Woj bolts from MU and....lands on his feet with a better gig than Marquette. Just sayin', hey?

This hunch, in general, could be right. Here's hoping. But I agree with other Scoopers who are asking where he would go that would be considered "better" than Marquette.

I acknowledge that I am biased toward Marquette, but ... are BC and Penn State "better" basketball situations than Marquette just because they are in the ACC and B14, respectively? Or are you talkin' 'bout something else?

But sure, yes, him deciding to leave would be best for all.

[Hards Alumni]

This hunch, in general, could be right. Here's hoping. But I agree with other Scoopers who are asking where he would go that would be considered "better" than Marquette.

I acknowledge that I am biased toward Marquette, but ... are BC and Penn State "better" basketball situations than Marquette just because they are in the ACC and B14, respectively? Or are you talkin' 'bout something else?

But sure, yes, him deciding to leave would be best for all.

A "better gig", in my opinion, would mean going to a P6 conference and coaching a basement team where expectations are low and the pay is similar.  He can pull recruits, and that is enough to get him a couple more wins than people expect from a basement program.  He can stick around a couple of years and then become an announcer or whatever K finds for him at Duke.

[MU82]

A "better gig", in my opinion, would mean going to a P6 conference and coaching a basement team where expectations are low and the pay is similar.  He can pull recruits, and that is enough to get him a couple more wins than people expect from a basement program.  He can stick around a couple of years and then become an announcer or whatever K finds for him at Duke.

Then I guess BC and Penn State would be "better."

They are every bit as good as Virginia Tech was when Buzz left, I suppose.

Cool. Hope he leaves for one of them.

[brewcity77]

Same hunch. Lewis, Mitchell, and Aidoo would likely follow him, especially if he goes out east. Worst case scenario is he cleans out our good players and leaves the admin caught off guard and scrambling in a few weeks. I'm on the fire him today train because of this possibility. Wojo is the one that should be scrambling.

If he leaves, however it happens, I'm counting on every player leaving. Every one. If any stay, it's a bonus and that's on the new coach. I still want him gone because I think the longer he stays the more damage it can do to the Marquette brand. Let the new guy start over with a clean slate and the ability to build something on his own.

[Vino-D]

The men's b-ball program drives sports revenue for MU, so this is the question that the admin needs to come to grips with. Wojo is at best a mediocre coach (7 year track record, and heading south, not north) so do we keep him, and relegate the program to a middle of the pack mentality, or move on. If the admin wants to be competitive, and compete for BE championships, and the associated revenue from NCAA tournament appearances, and the revenue generated and tied directly to a competitive program (increased ticket sales, gear, etc.), there's only one option, he's got to be cut loose.

This is an old school reference, but Wojo is a classic example of the "Peter Principle", which states, "employees are promoted based on their success in previous jobs until they reach a level at which they are no longer competent, as skills in one job do not necessarily translate to another". Wojo was probably a good assistant under K, but doesn't possess the skill set for being a head coach, and he's reinforcing that with each passing year. He's shown no growth as a HC, and the individual player's growth is more tied to their individual work habits and growth as athletes, and not from the apparent lack of coaching. The repetition of the same mistakes, not only from game to game, but year to year is so obvious to all of us that love and are passionate about MU B-ball. I constantly scream at the TV, teach him how to set a screen without moving (Theo), throw the pass away from the defender, not toward the defender, and actually look before you throw the pass (almost the whole team), how to box out, and play defense by moving your feet, and not using the matador whiff. Just the lack of basic fundamental coaching that is magnified when MU plays Nova, and we see the results of a great coach, exploiting a mediocre coach.

So, does MU want to compete, or just be an "also ran". There just comes a point where you need to make a decision based on the obvious, because straddling the fence just leaves you with chaffed nuts!

[Galway Eagle]

If he leaves, however it happens, I'm counting on every player leaving. Every one. If any stay, it's a bonus and that's on the new coach. I still want him gone because I think the longer he stays the more damage it can do to the Marquette brand. Let the new guy start over with a clean slate and the ability to build something on his own.

Yeah one thing about Wojo's guys is not many have committed because they love Milwaukee or marquette it's always the players and relationship with the coaches. I'd agree pretty much everyone would go unless they've found some beauty around Milwaukee that'd keep them here.

[wyoMUfan]

He has to be antsy, I hope he leaves although it would be a nice statement by the University if they fired his ass.
I don't understand the financial strain MU is going through, but I do understand Basketball makes up a BIG slice of the Branding PIE.

If I'm a 17 year old looking at Jesuit institutions to continue my higher learning and enjoy fun/quality Basketball MU is plummeting down the list!
As an alum I've hung my MU flag out front about twice the past two seasons. I don't like to publicly support mediocrity, or deal with opposing fans rubbing it in.
If I were a Milwaukee Area Alumni I would not renew my tickets, why bother?

If players leave as a result of Wojo going, I'm ok with that. Honestly I can't believe some haven't jumped ship already or at least had a yelling match with him on the sideline.

[CountryRoads]

If he leaves, however it happens, I'm counting on every player leaving. Every one. If any stay, it's a bonus and that's on the new coach. I still want him gone because I think the longer he stays the more damage it can do to the Marquette brand. Let the new guy start over with a clean slate and the ability to build something on his own.

I agree completely and don't think that's a bad thing at all. I didn't mention Carton and Garcia because I don't see them following Wojo. The rest may be better suited going down a level anyway.

[Scoop Snoop]

To be real tho, Duke is under .500 and is going to miss the tournament.  Maybe K hangs it up and we all get lucky here.

Love it!

Let's give Wojo credit for one thing. There was a lot of chatter when he was hired about making Marquette "Duke North". This year it looks like he has finally made that come true.

[We R Final Four]

The risk of players leaving due to the coach leaving/firing is always a concern.
However, the upcoming year is unlike any other. The (hopeful) new coach will be afforded the ability to field a team with immediate transfers from a pool that maybe the largest in history.
That is huge.
If the choice is new recruits along with DJ and DG staying at MU vs. Wojo leaving....I'd choose the latter.

[Galway Eagle]

I agree completely and don't think that's a bad thing at all. I didn't mention Carton and Garcia because I don't see them following Wojo. The rest may be better suited going down a level anyway.

Carton I don't see following him but he won't be sticking around for another coach either.

[MU82]

Let's give Wojo credit for one thing. There was a lot of chatter when he was hired about making Marquette "Duke North". This year it looks like he has finally made that come true.

Made me chuckle.

The risk of players leaving due to the coach leaving/firing is always a concern.
However, the upcoming year is unlike any other. The (hopeful) new coach will be afforded the ability to field a team with immediate transfers from a pool that maybe the largest in history.
That is huge.
If the choice is new recruits along with DJ and DG staying at MU vs. Wojo leaving....I'd choose the latter.

You're right. Schools simply can't worry about this kind of thing if you decide the coach has to go.

[willie warrior]

Doubt it. He'll try to interview I'm sure but Duke stakeholders would flip a $hit about his hiring now days.

Honestly outside of the Pros I'm unsure there's any "coach in waiting" anymore at Duke

Aint no way Duke hires the slug. They would have their pick of the country.

[The Sultan]

They would have their pick of the country.

I think you will be surprised how hard that position will be to fill.

[willie warrior]

If he leaves, however it happens, I'm counting on every player leaving. Every one. If any stay, it's a bonus and that's on the new coach. I still want him gone because I think the longer he stays the more damage it can do to the Marquette brand. Let the new guy start over with a clean slate and the ability to build something on his own.

Agree on this. If every player leaves, it will be frustrating and disappointing but the school must cut bait

[willie warrior]

I think you will be surprised how hard that position will be to fill.

No It will be a piece of cake. Duke is currently the Mecca of college bb and may take a while to hire because they would likely cast a wide net, but will not lack for very talented suitors.

[The Sultan]

No It will be a piece of cake. Duke is currently the Mecca of college bb and may take a while to hire because they would likely cast a wide net, but will not lack for very talented suitors.

That's what North Carolina and UCLA both thought.  Following Coach K is going to be extremely difficult.  Good coaches, who are set up well, aren't going to want to risk that for the microscope that the Duke job will bring.

[Warrior 77]

New to this and sorry for the random jump in.  Anyone know if Travis Diener has ever been approached about being MU head coach?  Or is he too content living in Italy?  Just curious.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

New to this and sorry for the random jump in.  Anyone know if Travis Diener has ever been approached about being MU head coach?  Or is he too content living in Italy?  Just curious.

No he has never been approached. But it has nothing to do with Diener being content living in Italy. He doesn't remotely have the credentials to be hired for any D1 head coaching gig, let alone a P6 job.

[franklinjerry]

Always amazed by the Travis Diener toss up (who I doubt returned to Italy after taking the last plane out before Italy shut down for the virus). Never heard him express any interest in coaching as a career.  Never seemed very interested when standing on the sidelines with Wojo.  Doesn't strike me as the tireless, always be recruiting personality. Yet his name constantly pops up. If that's the route we desire, Wardle is out there with coaching and recruiting experience.

[Silent Verbal]

I think you will be surprised how hard that position will be to fill.

I agree, but don't think they'll have to worry about it for a while.  Coach K will be the next Paterno.  He's too arrogant to step down and will coach into his 80s.

[MUfan12]

I believe Travis is working with Joe Chapman at the training facility. I think that type of coaching gets him going, not so much the recruiting/other nonsense.

[79Warrior]

If he leaves, however it happens, I'm counting on every player leaving. Every one. If any stay, it's a bonus and that's on the new coach. I still want him gone because I think the longer he stays the more damage it can do to the Marquette brand. Let the new guy start over with a clean slate and the ability to build something on his own.

Name a program where every player left in a coaching change?

[brewcity77]

Name a program where every player left in a coaching change?

New transfer rules make it easy, but like I said, any that stay are a bonus. Will they all leave? Probably not. But I'm not counting on any of them staying. And that's fine.