Perspective 2025

[CTWarrior]

We won early because our starters were fresh and they were terrific.  Remember that lull that let our opponents back into the game when we went to the bench pretty much every game pre-Big East season?  And how our starters would re-establish superiority when they went back in?

As a whole we are slight in size (with a few exceptions), combine that with big minutes early and we seemed to just wear down (including nagging minor injuries) as the season progressed.  That was compounded a little by a back-loaded Big East schedule, which made it look worse. 

I think the way to combat that moving forward is more size (bulk) and more a playable bench from early on.  Not a particularly earth shattering revelation.

I am more than good with Shaka, but we need more muscle to go deep in March.

[StillAWarrior]

To gain a little perspective, I've considered a post I made four years ago:

What the hell...this may age badly, but I'll give it a shot.

I predict that five years from today, the following will be true:

• MU will have finished in the top half of the Big East at least four times. Check.
• MU will have finished top three in the Big East at least twice. Check.
• MU will have played in the BET semi finals at least twice. Check.
• MU will have played in the BET finals at least once. Check.
• MU will have qualified for the NCAA tournament at least three times. Check.
• MU will have won at least three NCAA games. Check.
• MU will have been at least a four seed. Check.
• MU will have been ranked in at least two seasons. Check.
• Most fans will be really happy with Shaka as our coach. Notwithstanding some grumbling, I feel confident marking this as a check.

Overly optimistic. Probably. But we've got this.

Around the end of December, I was really looking forward to triumphantly reposting this prediction in March, but I've been dreading it for the last few days. What a difference a couple of months make.

But, I am forced to remind myself that Shaka has accomplished every single item that was on this list which I considered quite optimistic at the time. The only one I was even waiting on this year was the first -- which by definition required four years to assess.

There's no sense denying that I'm disappointed by how the season finished. And I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little apprehensive about next season. But for right now, Shaka has exceeded the expectations I had for him four years ago. I'm absolutely looking forward to the next four.

We Are Marquette!

[Fieldhouse Flyer]

To gain a little perspective, I've considered a post I made four years ago:

Around the end of December, I was really looking forward to triumphantly reposting this prediction in March, but I've been dreading it for the last few days. What a difference a couple of months make.

But, I am forced to remind myself that Shaka has accomplished every single item that was on this list which I considered quite optimistic at the time. The only one I was even waiting on this year was the first -- which by definition required four years to assess.

There's no sense denying that I'm disappointed by how the season finished. And I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little apprehensive about next season. But for right now, Shaka has exceeded the expectations I had for him four years ago. I'm absolutely looking forward to the next four.

We Are Marquette!

Excellent post StillAWarrior. I agree that Shaka Smart  was a great hire for Marquette.

Grading college basketball's 2021 coaching carousel – Matt Norlander, CBS Sports – April 30, 2025

Grading 2021's high-major hires

Mark Adams, Texas Tech  •  Grade: D+
Chris Beard, Texas  • Grade: D+
Hubert Davis, North Carolina • Grade: C+
Earl Grant, Boston College • Grade: C-
Ben Johnson, Minnesota • Grade: C-
Tommy Lloyd, Arizona • Grade: B+
Wes Miller, Cincinnati • Grade: C
Porter Moser, Oklahoma  • Grade: C+
T.J. Otzelberger, Iowa State • Grade: A-
Micah Shrewsberry, Penn State • Grade: B+


Shaka Smart, Marquette

When Steve Wojciechowski was fired in 2021, Marquette fans were only asking for a reasonable standard to be met. Bring in a guy who can make the NCAA Tournament just about every year, and keep Marquette in the conversation every few years to compete for a league title. Through four tours in Milwaukee, Smart's done the job — and remember, he quietly dipped out of Texas in order to get this gig. When news broke he was next up at MU, it was a semi-stunner. Smart is 98-41 (.705), has captured two Big East championship trophies, made a Sweet 16 and brought the Golden Eagles back to consistent relevance. Marquette's been ranked for 54 weeks in the past four seasons, amounting to nearly 75% of the time since Smart came on. And he's done it with minimal portal assistance. That dogma will be put to its toughest test yet next season. Grade: B+

Tony Stubblefield, DePaul • Grade: D+
Craig Smith, Utah • Grade: C-
Mike Woodson, Indiana • Grade: C+

Men's Basketball Head Coach Salaries 2024-25 – SportsData.USAtoday – March 13, 2025

1 • Bill Self • Kansas • $8,803,800* • Big 12
  2 • John Calipari • Arkansas • $8,000,000* • SEC
  3 • Dan Hurley • UConn • $7,775,000 • Big East
  4 • Tom Izzo • Michigan State • $6,196,879* • Big 10
  5 • Mick Cronin • UCLA • $6,100,000* • Big 10
  6 • Bruce Pearl • Auburn • $5,958,852 • SEC
  7 • Rick Barnes • Tennessee • $5,800,000 • SEC
  8 • Scott Drew • Baylor • $5,410,061 • Big 12
  9 • Tommy Lloyd • Arizona • $5,250,000 • Big 12 ==> Matt Norlander's Grade: B+
10 • Nate Oats • Alabama • $5,018,045 • SEC

11 • Mark Pope • Kentucky • $5,000,000* • SEC
12 • Chris Beard • Ole Miss • $5,000,000* • SEC
13 • Matt Painter • Purdue • $4,850,000* • Big 10
14 • Brad Underwood • Illinois • $4,800,000* • Big 10
15 • Fred Hoiberg • Nebraska • $4,750,000* • Big 10
16 • Kelvin Sampson • Houston • $4,604,000 • Big 12
17 • Buzz Williams • Texas A&M • $4,600,000 • SEC
18 • Chris Jans • Mississippi State • $4,200,000* • SEC
19 • Mike Woodson • Indiana • $4,200,000* • Big 10 ==> Matt Norlander's Grade: C+
20 • Jamie Dixon • TCU • $4,106,441 • Big 12

21 • Dennis Gates • Missouri • $4,100,000 • SEC
22 • Kevin Willard • Maryland • $4,100,000 • Big 10
23 • Dana Altman • Oregon • $4,007,000* • Big 10
24 • Grant McCasland • Texas Tech • $3,900,000 • Big 12
25 • Greg Gard • Wisconsin • $3,875,375 • Big 10
26 • Steve Pikiell • Rutgers • $3,800,000 • Big 10
27 • Lamont Paris • South Carolina • $3,750,000 •SEC
28 • Hubert Davis • North Carolina • $3,750,000  • ACC ==> Matt Norlander's Grade: C+
29 • Jerome Tang • Kansas State • $3,700,000* • Big 12
30 • Kevin Keatts • North Carolina State • $3,668,265* • ACC

31 • Danny Sprinkle • Washington • $3,650,029* • Big 10
32 • Dusty May • Michigan • $3,625,000* • Big 10
33 • Mike White • Georgia • $3,610,000 • SEC
34 • Todd Golden • Florida • $3,600,000* • SEC
35 • Jeff Capel • Pittsburgh • $3,590,613 • ACC
36 • Bobby Hurley • Arizona State • $3,536,000* • Big 12
37 • Brad Brownell • Clemson • $3,505,200 • ACC
38 • T.J. Otzelberger • Iowa State • $3,500,000* • Big 12 ==> Matt Norlander's Grade: A-
39 • Mike Rhoades • Penn State • $3,500,000* • Big 10[/b]
40 • Fran McCaffery • Iowa • $3,402,000 • Big 10

41 • Chris Collins • Northwestern • $3,283,348 • Big 10
42 • Porter Moser • Oklahoma • $3,200,000* • SEC ==> Matt Norlander's Grade: C+
43 • Steve Forbesb • Wake Forest • $3,113,433 • ACC
44 • Shaka Smart • Marquette • $3,040,784 • Big East ==> Matt Norlander's Grade: B+
45 • Rodney Terry • Texas • $3,001,500 • SEC
46 • Greg McDermott • Creighton • $2,939,696 • Big East
47 • Jim Larranaga • Miami (FL) • $2,904,041* • ACC
48 • Darian DeVries • West Virginia • $2,900,000* • Big 12
49 • Mark Few • Gonzaga • $2,812,394 • WCC
50 • Matt McMahon • LSU • $2,805,000 • SEC

51 • Mark Madsen • California • $2,800,000 • ACC
52 • Mike Young • Virginia Tech • $2,750,000 • ACC
53 • Wes Miller • Cincinnati • $2,600,000 • Big 12 ==> Matt Norlander's Grade: C
54 • Tad Boyle • Colorado • $2,503,500 • Big 12
55 • Jake Diebler • Ohio State • $2,500,000 • Big 10
56 • Brian Dutcher • San Diego State • $2,421,640 • MWC
57 • Steve Lutz • Oklahoma State • $2,400,000* • Big 12
58 • Pat Kelsey • Louisville • $2,367,418* • ACC
59 • Craig Smith • Utah • $2,300,000* • Big 12 ==> Matt Norlander's Grade: C-
60 • Leonard Hamilton • Florida State • $2,250,000* • ACC

61 • Damon Stoudamire • Georgia Tech • $2,200,000 • ACC
62 • Earl Grant • Boston College • $2,169,331 • ACC ==> Matt Norlander's Grade: C-
63 • Ben Johnson • Minnesota • $2,079,315*• Big 10 ==> Matt Norlander's Grade: C-
64 • Johnny Dawkins • UCF • $2,000,000* • Big 12
65 • Ryan Odom • VCU • $1,812,375 • A10
66 • Jon Scheyer • Duke • $1,711,114* • ACC
67 • Steve Alford • Nevada • $1,553,500* • MWC
68 • Bryce Drew • Grand Canyon • $1,374,363 • WAC
69 • Ron Sanchez • Virginia • $1,350,000* • ACC
70 • Randy Bennett • Saint Mary's • $1,340,319 • WCC

71 • Kyle Neptune • Villanova • $1,254,491* • Big East
72 • Leon Rice • Boise State • $1,000,000* • MWC
73 • Jerrod Calhoun • Utah State • $1,000,000* • MWC

Marquette would be well-advised to push Shaka Smart's salary further up the Head Coach Salary Chart, as he will likely become a major target for bigger fish after another successful season or two at MU. Smart is probably MU's biggest asset, and should be treated accordingly.

Shaka Smart to become $22 million man Associated Press – May 11, 2015

University of Texas System regents are set to approve new men's basketball coach Shaka Smart's nearly $22 million contract, with most of that money guaranteed. Smart is set to get a seven-year contract, with six years of guaranteed salary starting at $2.8 million in the first year and rising to $3.3 million by Year 6. The contract includes an optional seventh year at $3.4 million. The deal also includes a $500,000 payment to VCU.

Shaka's salary, Wojo's buyout and other notes from Marquette's 2023 tax filings –  Andrei Greska, Paint Touches – May 28, 2024

Shaka Smart has a base pay of $2,791,853 with bonuses of $154,000, for a total of just under $3million at $2,945,853. That's up over 37% compared to 2022.

In 2023, 2 years after his firing, Marquette paid Wojo $4.6M to not coach the team, which means that over the last 2 years, MU paid him over $10M to leave. That is a huge number and part of why I didn't think a change could be made after the 2021 season.

Shaka Smart, Marquette – Salary History 2011-2025 – USA Today –  March 13, 2025

Year • School   • Total Pay

2025 • Marquette • $3,040,784
2024 • Marquette • $2,217,259
2023 • Marquette • - ? -
2022 • Marquette • - ?  -

2021 • Texas • $3,067,479
2020 • Texas • $3,300,989
2019 • Texas • $3,200,000
2018 • Texas • $3,100,000
2017 • Texas • $2,900,000
2016 • Texas • $2,805,000

2015 • VCU • $1,578,500
2014 • VCU • $1,530,000
2013 • VCU • $1,380,000
2012 • VCU • $1,210,000
2011 •   VCU • $424,000

Why did Shaka Smart leave Texas? How former Longhorns coach came to Marquette basketball to the Sweet 16 – John Leuzzi, USA Today Network – March 29, 2024

[tower912]

Tl;dr

[MU82]

Relieved to hear that FF believes Shaka was a good hire for Marquette. I was sweating that one out.

He'll next give Gonzaga advice on how to keep the even more poorly compensated Mark Few from leaving Spokane for greener pastures.

[Scoop Snoop]

Relieved to hear that FF believes Shaka was a good hire for Marquette. I was sweating that one out.

He'll next give Gonzaga advice on how to keep the even more poorly compensated Mark Few from leaving Spokane for greener pastures.

I keep hoping Rocky will tell us soon that Fieldhouse Flyer is gone forever.

[panda2.0]

Great hire - disappointing season.

[Uncle Rico]

Excellent post StillAWarrior. I agree that Shaka Smart  was a great hire for Marquette.

Grading college basketball's 2021 coaching carousel – Matt Norlander, CBS Sports – April 30, 2025
Men's Basketball Head Coach Salaries 2024-25 – SportsData.USAtoday – March 13, 2025
Marquette would be well-advised to push Shaka Smart's salary further up the Head Coach Salary Chart, as he will likely become a major target for bigger fish after another successful season or two at MU. Smart is probably MU's biggest asset, and should be treated accordingly.

Shaka Smart to become $22 million man Associated Press – May 11, 2015
Shaka's salary, Wojo's buyout and other notes from Marquette's 2023 tax filings –  Andrei Greska, Paint Touches – May 28, 2024
Shaka Smart, Marquette – Salary History 2011-2025 – USA Today –  March 13, 2025
Why did Shaka Smart leave Texas? How former Longhorns coach came to Marquette basketball to the Sweet 16 – John Leuzzi, USA Today Network – March 29, 2024

Dayton sucks

[muwarrior69]

Shaka's salary, Wojo's buyout and other notes from Marquette's 2023 tax filings –  Andrei Greska, Paint Touches – May 28, 2024

We know Wojo's buyout and Shaka's salary from MU tax filing. In the future will players compensation be reflected in MU's tax filings? If so, this will take out any speculation on the "earnings" of each player.

[Jay Bee]

Shaka's salary, Wojo's buyout and other notes from Marquette's 2023 tax filings –  Andrei Greska, Paint Touches – May 28, 2024

We know Wojo's buyout and Shaka's salary from MU tax filing. In the future will players compensation be reflected in MU's tax filings? If so, this will take out any speculation on the "earnings" of each player.

No