The Wojo Question

[JimsTimeOutFan]

Greetings,
First time poster. Long time Reader.

As the leaves fall on another disappointing Marquette season we eye a long dark winter of despair with a growing ambivalence of the state of affairs for Marquette Basketball.  I am concerned that the University is in financial trouble. Vertiginous tuition rise, declining birth rate, less enthusiasm for the traditional four year college prurience/undergrad degree, a surplus of private colleges offering similar experiences, and of course COVID have all coalesced to hinder enrollment. 

As an out of state alum my interest in the school was sparked by the D-wade era of excellent basketball and NCAA tourney runs. My tenure at the school saw great success with the HOOPS team under Buzz Williams leading to 5 straight NCAA tourneys and culminating in an elite 8 run.

My primary concern is that now more than ever Marquette needs an exciting and at least competitive B Ball team to keep people interested in attending the school.  Marquette is an excellent school that provides a great education/social experience and that has a lot more to offer than just basketball, but without a viable team many students probably won't jump at the opportunity to attend in my opinion.

In summary, I think Marquette needs to end the WOJO experiment and move in a new direction for the good of the university.  Curious what your thoughts are. Lets not forget his all time coaching record in the big east conference : 59–68 (46.5%).  And to to the WOJO Defenders, what are the compelling reasons to keep him here?

comparatively for all coaches who have been there since start of new BE 2013
( providence) ED COOLEY 92–89 (50.1)
(Creighton) Greg Mcdermott (82–63 (56.6)
(nova) Jay wright 217–115 (65.4)
(SH) Kevin Willard 94-105 (47.2)
Depaul Dave Leiato 51–102 (.333)
Former x coach (included bc 5 season sample size) Chris MAck1 05–49 (.682)   



Ill hang up and listen.

[nyg]

Greetings new poster, but this is the 153rd Wojo thread.  I am sure you have read the same position/analysis discussed. 

[Herman Cain]

Thanks for the thoughtful initial post.  Was interesting to hear that the Basketball program during the D Wade era sparked your interest in MU. Also nice to know you had a good experience.

Hopefully , The Athletic Department and Administration will take into account the view point of individuals,  like You, who have meaningful ties to the University.

[Goose]

MU needs the men's basketball program to be successful, now more than ever. It is the best advertising tool they have on a national basis. I will never say it is now or never, but I would not let grass grow under my feet if I was Lovell and his posse.

[Boston Warrior]

Basketball lost ~10 million because of covid attendance restrictions

University enrollment down ~30%

Wojo buyout ~2.5 million shouldn't be difficult if you buy in that a great basketball team helps the above metrics

Marquette, fiserv and bucks and the big East could attract a big time coach if Marquette so desires

Go big!

[Galway Eagle]

Basketball lost ~10 million because of covid attendance restrictions

University enrollment down ~30%

Wojo buyout ~2.5 million shouldn't be difficult if you buy in that a great basketball team helps the above metrics

Marquette, fiserv and bucks and the big East could attract a big time coach if Marquette so desires

Go big!

Things we said last time?

[cheebs09]

Things we said last time?

To be fair, I don't think Fiserv was very far along or more than a thought at the Time Wojo was hired.

I think the $2.5M number is much lower than the actual number. If it was $2.5M, I think they'd actually fire him.

[muwarrior69]

Greetings,
First time poster. Long time Reader.

As the leaves fall on another disappointing Marquette season we eye a long dark winter of despair with a growing ambivalence of the state of affairs for Marquette Basketball.  I am concerned that the University is in financial trouble. Vertiginous tuition rise, declining birth rate, less enthusiasm for the traditional four year college prurience/undergrad degree, a surplus of private colleges offering similar experiences, and of course COVID have all coalesced to hinder enrollment. 

As an out of state alum my interest in the school was sparked by the D-wade era of excellent basketball and NCAA tourney runs. My tenure at the school saw great success with the HOOPS team under Buzz Williams leading to 5 straight NCAA tourneys and culminating in an elite 8 run.

My primary concern is that now more than ever Marquette needs an exciting and at least competitive B Ball team to keep people interested in attending the school.  Marquette is an excellent school that provides a great education/social experience and that has a lot more to offer than just basketball, but without a viable team many students probably won't jump at the opportunity to attend in my opinion.

In summary, I think Marquette needs to end the WOJO experiment and move in a new direction for the good of the university.  Curious what your thoughts are. Lets not forget his all time coaching record in the big east conference : 59–68 (46.5%).  And to to the WOJO Defenders, what are the compelling reasons to keep him here?

comparatively for all coaches who have been there since start of new BE 2013
( providence) ED COOLEY 92–89 (50.1)
(Creighton) Greg Mcdermott (82–63 (56.6)
(nova) Jay wright 217–115 (65.4)
(SH) Kevin Willard 94-105 (47.2)
Depaul Dave Leiato 51–102 (.333)
Former x coach (included bc 5 season sample size) Chris MAck1 05–49 (.682)   



Ill hang up and listen.

Hmm....you really think most students pick MU because of the basketball program? If so that is pretty sad. I know I didn't.

[muwarrior69]

MU needs the men's basketball program to be successful, now more than ever. It is the best advertising tool they have on a national basis. I will never say it is now or never, but I would not let grass grow under my feet if I was Lovell and his posse.

The basketball program is MU's primary PR tool, but if you want change Wojo is not the only one that should go; Lovell should get the boot as well. The season is over what are they waiting for.

[Goose]

warrior69

I would like to Lovell replaced every bit as much as I want Wojo booted. I agree with your assessment.

[panda]

Hmm....you really think most students pick MU because of the basketball program? If so that is pretty sad.

I agree it shouldn't be a deciding factor, but it most certainly is a factor. Social life is a huge consideration and without a football team, MU leans heavily on hoops as their marketing tool. With hoops down the drain, that's one less factor high schoolers may consider when looking at school.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Basketball lost ~10 million because of covid attendance restrictions

University enrollment down ~30%

Wojo buyout ~2.5 million shouldn't be difficult if you buy in that a great basketball team helps the above metrics

Marquette, fiserv and bucks and the big East could attract a big time coach if Marquette so desires

Go big!

Where did you get that number?

[JimsTimeOutFan]

Hmm....you really think most students pick MU because of the basketball program? If so that is pretty sad. I know I didn't.

No- not because of it. But it's an attractive feature that makes Marquette stand out among other private Midwestern schools. It also provides school spirit, a social outlet, and pride. And lastly, success on the court increases publicity for the school which May open the door for students  who had not heard of mU before. If your deciding between one 40K tution private Midwestern catholic school and the other and you maybe you'll pick the one with the better basketball team and more chance to have fun and enjoy the college athletic experience (as another poster pointed out no football) in any case- to offer a peremptory rejection of that that argument is foolish! In my opinion 

[THEbig0]

Here is an idea, to save face on the budgetary front as that is a problem at MU right now and everyone says the buyout is what is forcing MU's hand.   MU just lays Wojo off as part of the layoffs/budget cuts.  Most people won't care or even know about the buyout.  They hire a slightly less expensive coach - if that is possible - and they claim all of it is in terms of cost savings but we really know why.  A little easier to save face and make the decision.  Especially if the buyout could be donor funded.

Not sure I want Wojo to leave myself, kind of like him and think the future will be bright, but an idea...

[Babybluejeans]

Grew up on the east coast and had never really heard of MU until I saw them on TV playing in the NCAA tourney. A small Jesuit school that can hoop (just like my high school) made me look into it more. I ended up choosing MU when the bball program served as the tie-breaker; the way it impacted school spirit and alumni pride were things I wanted to be a part of. And it played out the way I hoped--I'm very, very glad I chose MU, for many reasons that extend beyond basketball. But it wouldn't have happened in the first place without basketball. 

[naginiF]

Here is an idea, to save face on the budgetary front as that is a problem at MU right now and everyone says the buyout is what is forcing MU's hand.   MU just lays Wojo off as part of the layoffs/budget cuts.  Most people won't care or even know about the buyout.  They hire a slightly less expensive coach - if that is possible - and they claim all of it is in terms of cost savings but we really know why.  A little easier to save face and make the decision.  Especially if the buyout could be donor funded.

Not sure I want Wojo to leave myself, kind of like him and think the future will be bright, but an idea...

0% chance that isn't covered in his contract which probably states that if they end his employment for any reason other than criminal and maybe conduct unbecoming an employee he gets the buyout. Depending on the 'conduct unbecoming' he'd probably get the buyout anyway. It would be easier to put a dead hooker in his hotel room than it would be to lay him off to avoid the buyout.

100% chance even casual fans know that there is a buyout clause in his contract

[willie warrior]

End all the speculation, excuses and other extraneous Bull shice about Wojo-Dukiet. He has taken the program into a deep slide. We are now no better than a mid major. AT BEST.
Cut bait, There is nothing left to talk about.

[Stretchdeltsig]

MU needs the men's basketball program to be successful, now more than ever. It is the best advertising tool they have on a national basis. I will never say it is now or never, but I would not let grass grow under my feet if I was Lovell and his posse.

I second Goose. Wojo is a nice guy but he is not a successful coach. Seven years is plenty of time for him to prove his case. It is time to move on. We must find a dominant coach who hates to lose fiercely.

[Boston Warrior]

Michigan state with new college ground now sponsored by rocket mortgage...

Marquette golden eagles presented by Baird, or northwestern life is probably not far behind!

[Silent Verbal]

Why does everyone say Wojo's a nice guy?  What are you basing that off of?  In terms of coaching archetypes, he fits the bland jock mold.  To me, he doesn't seem any "nicer" than any other coach.

[Steve Buscemi]

Why does everyone say Wojo's a nice guy?  What are you basing that off of?  In terms of coaching archetypes, he fits the bland jock mold.  To me, he doesn't seem any "nicer" than any other coach.

Comes off as a prick in some interviews and post games, too.  A lot of it is his image, IMO.  He's a pretty boy, so he's automatically a greet ambassador for MU.

[We R Final Four]

End all the speculation, excuses and other extraneous Bull shice about Wojo-Dukiet. He has taken the program into a deep slide. We are now no better than a mid major. AT BEST.
Cut bait, There is nothing left to talk about.

A mid major like Gonzaga?
We are on par with Gonzaga....this is worse than I thought. Thanks Mazos.

[MU82]

Greetings,
First time poster. Long time Reader.

As the leaves fall on another disappointing Marquette season we eye a long dark winter of despair with a growing ambivalence of the state of affairs for Marquette Basketball.  I am concerned that the University is in financial trouble. Vertiginous tuition rise, declining birth rate, less enthusiasm for the traditional four year college prurience/undergrad degree, a surplus of private colleges offering similar experiences, and of course COVID have all coalesced to hinder enrollment. 

As an out of state alum my interest in the school was sparked by the D-wade era of excellent basketball and NCAA tourney runs. My tenure at the school saw great success with the HOOPS team under Buzz Williams leading to 5 straight NCAA tourneys and culminating in an elite 8 run.

My primary concern is that now more than ever Marquette needs an exciting and at least competitive B Ball team to keep people interested in attending the school.  Marquette is an excellent school that provides a great education/social experience and that has a lot more to offer than just basketball, but without a viable team many students probably won't jump at the opportunity to attend in my opinion.

In summary, I think Marquette needs to end the WOJO experiment and move in a new direction for the good of the university.  Curious what your thoughts are. Lets not forget his all time coaching record in the big east conference : 59–68 (46.5%).  And to to the WOJO Defenders, what are the compelling reasons to keep him here?

comparatively for all coaches who have been there since start of new BE 2013
( providence) ED COOLEY 92–89 (50.1)
(Creighton) Greg Mcdermott (82–63 (56.6)
(nova) Jay wright 217–115 (65.4)
(SH) Kevin Willard 94-105 (47.2)
Depaul Dave Leiato 51–102 (.333)
Former x coach (included bc 5 season sample size) Chris MAck1 05–49 (.682)   



Ill hang up and listen.

Buyout is more than double $2.5M.

Where are all these WOJO Defenders? If Scoop still has a half-dozen of them, I couldn't name them.

Thank goodness we have another thread to join the previous 533 "fire Wojo" threads.

Make sure you get your Arby's Corned Beef Reuben for St. Paddy's.

[Silkk the Shaka]

Buyout is more than double $2.5M.

If that's true, and I shudder to think it is, I hope all the big swinging dicks in the meat summit/underboard are prepared to voltron a massive cash pile to get this S.O.B. outta here ASAP and save the program.

[WarriorHal]

Hmm....you really think most students pick MU because of the basketball program? If so that is pretty sad. I know I didn't.

I'm a 1977 MU grad who grew up in western New York state. If not for McGuire & his highly ranked teams, I never would have heard of MU. Basketball wasn't the main reason I ultimately picked MU. But I would not have looked into what academic programs MU offered if I hadn't become a Warrior fan as a high school freshman.