What would make you show Shaka the door in March?

[Mu8891]

Warrior - I agree. I think when the season ends w / 20 ish losses, from the worst team since KO resurrected the program I think SS will only dig in his heels even more. And I think the
" leadership " at MU will allow it ...

I hope I'm wrong. but it seems nothing in his make up would allow any admission that he F'd up big time.

[Viper]

I think it makes total sense to be upset at this season's results.

I think it makes no sense to fire shaka solely based on this horrible season.

Give the guy time to fix his mistake. If he's unable or unwilling, then firing makes total sense.

last season, January on, MU was loosing altitude quickly. Engine trouble. We landed safely, but the engines weren't checked out. This season we are stalled on the tarmac. Might as well cancel the flight. If Air Marquette isn't hangared with an engine overhaul, this crate ain't gettin' off the ground. Pilot-in-Command is responsible. The current POC will have until March '27 to get things air worthy. If still grounded, he should hopefully have the integrity to resign. Agree to a settlement and walk. Turn in his wings. Or, completely overhaul the engines starting around April 1st so a safe departure can commence on Oct 15 or thereabouts. Either way, it will be interesting to see how this trip plays out.

[MarquetteMike1977]

Would Shaka rather build relationships than a basketball team lol

[jesmu84]

If we're still going by exclusively on the court results..

Nothing.

[1SE]

last season, January on, MU was loosing altitude quickly. Engine trouble. We landed safely, but the engines weren't checked out. This season we are stalled on the tarmac. Might as well cancel the flight. If Air Marquette isn't hangared with an engine overhaul, this crate ain't gettin' off the ground. Pilot-in-Command is responsible. The current POC will have until March '27 to get things air worthy. If still grounded, he should hopefully have the integrity to resign. Agree to a settlement and walk. Turn in his wings. Or, completely overhaul the engines starting around April 1st so a safe departure can commence on Oct 15 or thereabouts. Either way, it will be interesting to see how this trip plays out.

We're not stalled on the tarmac - the engines exploded on the ground and we're burning down the hangar.

[WellsstreetWanderer]

Would Shaka rather build relationships than a basketball team lol

I dontsee this  team hanging together for another year if we finish with 20 losses
some will want to leave this particularly ifthey arent getting playing time

[WhiteTrash]

I dontsee this  team hanging together for another year if we finish with 20 losses
some will want to leave this particularly ifthey arent getting playing time

Good pay PLUS winning has to be part of the equation for theses players, right?

[wisblue]

I don't see Shaka being fired this year unless there is some type of issue that has nothing to do with Won-loss record.

But, while I don't necessarily think it will come this year, I wouldn't be surprised if Shaka's tenure at MU ends because he decides that at this stage of his life and career, he isn't interested in taking part in what high major college basketball has become.

He might decide he is better suited for a coaching job at something like an Ivy League school where the issues of NIL and transferring are lower priorities.

Tommy Amaker has made a good career and life for himself at Harvard after unsuccessful stints at Michigan and Seton Hall. I could see Shaka following a similar path after having his taste of the big time.

[rocky_warrior]

I wouldn't be surprised if Shaka's tenure at MU ends because he decides that at this stage of his life and career, he isn't interested in taking part in what high major college basketball has become.

I haven't kept track of who has been saying what, but I feel like I've seen a few people with this opinion.  I for one, have a hard time imaging Shaka just stepping away.  He could have "pulled a Wojo" when leaving Texas, but didn't.

[Viper]

I haven't kept track of who has been saying what, but I feel like I've seen a few people with this opinion.  I for one, have a hard time imaging Shaka just stepping away.  He could have "pulled a Wojo" when leaving Texas, but didn't.

a few weeks ago I would have agreed with you. Since the Purdue game I'm leaning that Shaka departs at year end. College kids w/agents, wild west portal, doesn't seem like his cup of tea. And, he's seems exasperated trying to figure out a lineup. Maybe Shaka feels this year was gonna happen, and things will shake out just fine next year. But, that seems very improbable, obviously, right now.

[MU82]

I haven't kept track of who has been saying what, but I feel like I've seen a few people with this opinion.  I for one, have a hard time imaging Shaka just stepping away.  He could have "pulled a Wojo" when leaving Texas, but didn't.

The circumstances are quite a bit different now than when Shaka was ready to leave Texas (and they were more than ready to have him leave). The NIL/portal situation is much different now, even more wild-wild-westish than many thought it would be. Shaka also had a job from a good basketball school to step right into; nobody was beating down the door for Wojo.

That said, none of us knows what's going on in Shaka's head. He obviously has to make a decision at season's end, and he has three choices as I see it:

1. Keep on keepin' on, no matter what anybody says, to see if recruit-retain-develop sans portal can work.

2. Alter his philosophy, finding a way to tell kids and their parents he's still all about RGV even as he recruits over a couple/few players by adding transfers. This could involve convincing some current players to go elsewhere, or maybe he'll be lucky and some of our less-accomplished players will decide to leave on their own.

3. Sail off into the sunset, either going to a conference that doesn't emphasize NIL/portal, or taking time off to be a TV analyst or whatever.

[CountryRoads]

That said, none of us knows what's going on in Shaka's head. He obviously has to make a decision at season's end, and he has three choices as I see it:

1. Keep on keepin' on, no matter what anybody says, to see if recruit-retain-develop sans portal can work.

2. Alter his philosophy, finding a way to tell kids and their parents he's still all about RGV even as he recruits over a couple/few players by adding transfers. This could involve convincing some current players to go elsewhere, or maybe he'll be lucky and some of our less-accomplished players will decide to leave on their own.

3. Sail off into the sunset, either going to a conference that doesn't emphasize NIL/portal, or taking time off to be a TV analyst or whatever.

What's the best option here and what should a good fan be hoping for? I hope that someday Shaka speaks more candidly about why things fell short this year. Right now it's a bit hard to support Shaka when it's just canned RGV slop time after time. I don't think that is resonating well with anyone and I think it's the primary reason that support has seemingly fallen off a cliff.

[tower912]

You really need to listen to his press conferences and media availabilties. In his own way, he says exactly what has gone wrong this season.   Gentler, more diplomatic than here, and always with an eye toward working and getting better.  But if you pay attention, he says it.

He called out his stars more in season's past, and I think he is still trying to shield these players somewhat because he gets the frustration and anger, but he says where the individual players and team need to do better.

[79Warrior]

Wow. Tough fanbase. Be careful what you wish for.

I am in the no effing way he is not coming back camp.

[Shooter McGavin]

Agree 79. Hope he comes back.  Think this sorts itself out in the offseason.

Hopefully Shaka doesn't take offense to decreased attendance which will inevitably occur. He always said the team has to give the fans energy not the other way around.  When there are 5,000-7,000 people in the stadium come March he'll just have to understand that's on him.  Hopefully it motivates him rather than sours him on Marquette.  He has to know this level of incompetence would not be rewarded by even the most loyal of fan bases.

[Markusquette]

Agree 79. Hope he comes back.  Think this sorts itself out in the offseason.

Hopefully Shaka doesn't take offense to decreased attendance which will inevitably occur. He always said the team has to give the fans energy not the other way around.  When there are 5,000-7,000 people in the stadium come March he'll just have to understand that's on him.  Hopefully it motivates him rather than sours him on Marquette.  He has to know this level of incompetence would not be rewarded by even the most loyal of fan bases.

He has to sort it out.

[WhiteTrash]

Wow. Tough fanbase. Be careful what you wish for.

I am in the no effing way he is not coming back camp.

I think there is a very real possibility MU doesn't have a say in him coming back.

Personally,  I'd welcome him back. I think MU feels the same.

[Pakuni]

I think there is a very real possibility MU doesn't have a say in him coming back.

Personally,  I'd welcome him back. I think MU feels the same.

Where's he going?

[MU82]

Where's he going?

He could choose option 3 that I listed in my previous post. I don't think he will, but he could.

[Pakuni]

He could choose option 3 that I listed in my previous post. I don't think he will, but he could.

Don't see him as the "things didn't go my way for a year so I quit" kind of guy. It's not like he's a Domer.

Walk away from millions of dollars at age 48 to spend five months a year either in a studio in Bristol or on the road in Manhattan, Kansas and Blacksburg, Virginia would certainly be a choice. I'm sure Mrs. Smart would love it.

[Elonsmusk]

Don't see him as the "things didn't go my way for a year so I quit" kind of guy. It's not like he's a Domer.

Walk away from millions of dollars at age 48 to spend five months a year either in a studio in Bristol or on the road in Manhattan, Kansas and Blacksburg, Virginia would certainly be a choice. I'm sure Mrs. Smart would love it.

Why would Shaka want to stay at a program with a fanbase that has gotten out the pitchforks in just 2 months, after doing an amazing job the 4 years prior?  I suppose there could be some satisfaction in staying to shut the idiots up, and then bolt after his next successful season.

Lot of character revealed about our fanbase this season - and that character has been when the going gets tough, we turn our back on our head coach.  So, from my perspective he's entitled to do the same thing and bolt MU....and if he does, good luck MU. 

[Vander Blue Man Group]

Right now it's a bit hard to support Shaka when it's just canned RGV slop time after time. I don't think that is resonating well with anyone and I think it's the primary reason that support has seemingly fallen off a cliff.

This is ludicrous. Or at least should be.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

Why would Shaka want to stay at a program with a fanbase that has gotten out the pitchforks in just 2 months, after doing an amazing job the 4 years prior?  I suppose there could be some satisfaction in staying to shut the idiots up, and then bolt after his next successful season.

Lot of character revealed about our fanbase this season - and that character has been when the going gets tough, we turn our back on our head coach.  So, from my perspective he's entitled to do the same thing and bolt MU....and if he does, good luck MU. 

If Shaka packs it up because of dipsh*t fans that would say as much about him as those fans.

I'd be absolutely shocked if he walks away.

[Pakuni]

Why would Shaka want to stay at a program with a fanbase that has gotten out the pitchforks in just 2 months, after doing an amazing job the 4 years prior?  I suppose there could be some satisfaction in staying to shut the idiots up, and then bolt after his next successful season.

Lot of character revealed about our fanbase this season - and that character has been when the going gets tough, we turn our back on our head coach.  So, from my perspective he's entitled to do the same thing and bolt MU....and if he does, good luck MU. 

Is this real? Holy fanboy.
My guy, criticism comes with the job. Shaka is enough of a grown ass man to understand that. And when a program is on pace to produce its worst season in nearly 40 years, the coach is going to face heat for that. Shaka also understands that. He's not curling up in bed at night crying about message boards.

There's not one program of Marquette's stature in the country where the coach wouldn't be getting criticized for a season like this. Not one.

Character revealed? Good Lord. Sports fandom is not a test of one's character. It's entertainment. You're not tough and brave for enduring sh*tty basketball.

If Shaka were to rage quit because his feels got hurt by fans not politely applauding a historically bad season, I have little doubt Marquette basketball will have a brighter future than he does.