Zaide Didn’t Travel With Team

[Jay Bee]

Marquette University paid former head coach Steve Wojciechowski over $10 million in total buyout payments following his firing in March 2021.
Key details regarding the buyout include:
Total Amount: The payments made to Wojciechowski to not coach the team totaled over $10 million in the 2022 and 2023 fiscal years.
Payment Breakdown: In 2023 alone, two years after his firing, the school paid him $4.6 million.
Context: While the initial reported buyout figure was around $6 million in 2021, subsequent tax filings revealed the total amount exceeded $10 million.
Total Earnings: Over his nine years associated with the school, including salary and buyouts, he received over $25 million.

Where's the part where you try to argue what you said ("around $14m") is anywhere close to correct? lol

[ghostofcorms77]

Where's the part where you try to argue what you said ("around $14m") is anywhere close to correct? lol

The article says over $10m. I had heard the number was closer to $14m w/ someone more familiar with his contract structure.

Even if we take $10.3, that's till significant in trying to lure another coach. As you have to pay a buyout. Which is why we got Shaka, because Texas waived his buyout close so he could leave.

[Jay Bee]

The article says over $10m. I had heard the number was closer to $14m w/ someone more familiar with his contract structure.

Even if we take $10.3, that's till significant in trying to lure another coach. As you have to pay a buyout. Which is why we got Shaka, because Texas waived his buyout close so he could leave.

"Even if" it's $10.3M, saying around $14M is stupid and wrong. Don't know who your "source" who's "more familiar with" the contract, but we can see it's nowhere near $14M via a review of tax filings. You're just wrong, my guy.

[WhiteTrash]

I fully expected a re-building year, hopeful the team could get to bubble status.  I'd be a slightly disappointed, but still a content fan if that were transpiring.

This year is far worse.  Calling it a "down year" is like wondering why the smoke detector is going off when flames are shooting out of the windows.

I agree with this. 2 weeks ago I was in the 'down year' camp, but this is a full fledged disaster. Anyone still framing this as a 'down year' is being dishonest.

If this year continues on the same trajectory, it will be discussed and referenced for decades in MU circles, right? None of Wojo's years will ever be remembered as this historic. 

But, if Shaka wants to continue coaching, and coaching at MU, and is willing to reengage 100%, I want him back even with the 20+ loses this year.

[ghostofcorms77]

"Even if" it's $10.3M, saying around $14M is stupid and wrong. Don't know who your "source" who's "more familiar with" the contract, but we can see it's nowhere near $14M via a review of tax filings. You're just wrong, my guy.

I'm sorry. I was told his contract was fully guaranteed, and we had to pay other staff members, which brought the number closer to 14m.

Haynes was hired at $420k just for clarity sake.

[jesmu84]

When we won the Big East regular season and Tournament title and got our first NCAA Tournament win in over a decade our season was "a wash at best?" When we made a Sweet 16 our season was "a wash at best" because of seeds and Vegas spreads? The reward for being awesome in the regular season is playing worse teams earlier in the Tournament. Trying to discredit seasons because of a single result is crazy, but MU fans will be MU fans.

I genuinely wonder how Marquette fans get this attitude that we are above Sweet Sixteens and can turn our nose up on those. We have 17 Sweet Sixteen appearances in the history of the program. 11 of those came before 1980. We are not the program that a decent amount of Scoopers think we are.

Thanks for this

1SEs post is peak insanity

[Newsdreams]

I always feared we couldn't compete in this new era of college athletics. But...

I can promise you, we're in the T40. Between the initial investment, the proposed practice facility, and our NIL... we are in the T40. The only reason we aren't in the T40, would be a result of the coach not using all the resources available to him, which is the rumor atm.

Finances aren't a problem, when the boosters are in unison. I do believe, if there ever is a situation where Shaka were to leave, and Marquette didn't have a buyout to pay... you'd be surprised at who we'd call, and the resources that'd be afforded to the new coach.

LOL

[Newsdreams]

Marquette University paid former head coach Steve Wojciechowski over $10 million in total buyout payments following his firing in March 2021.
Key details regarding the buyout include:
Total Amount: The payments made to Wojciechowski to not coach the team totaled over $10 million in the 2022 and 2023 fiscal years.
Payment Breakdown: In 2023 alone, two years after his firing, the school paid him $4.6 million.
Context: While the initial reported buyout figure was around $6 million in 2021, subsequent tax filings revealed the total amount exceeded $10 million.
Total Earnings: Over his nine years associated with the school, including salary and buyouts, he received over $25 million.

LOL alternative facts

[Newsdreams]

The article says over $10m. I had heard the number was closer to $14m w/ someone more familiar with his contract structure.

Even if we take $10.3, that's till significant in trying to lure another coach. As you have to pay a buyout. Which is why we got Shaka, because Texas waived his buyout close so he could leave.

MU in reality didn't pay

[Johnny B]

I do not expect MU to can Shaka at the end of the season, but I'm surprised at those who simply call this a "down" year. Missing the NCAAs would be a down year. Finishing last in the BE and playing the way MU is playing is a disaster. The team is clueless on both ends of the floor. If MU goes winless in the BE, I'd suspect Shaka's job security would be
D

I do not expect MU to can Shaka at the end of the season, but I'm surprised at those who simply call this a "down" year. Missing the NCAAs would be a down year. Finishing last in the BE and playing the way MU is playing is a disaster. The team is clueless on both ends of the floor. If MU goes winless in the BE, I'd suspect Shaka's job security would be shaky at best.




Don't really matter if they finish .500 or .250. People gotta go. Gota bring in new guys. In the time of the portal you turn things around in a single off season

[BM1090]

When we won the Big East regular season and Tournament title and got our first NCAA Tournament win in over a decade our season was "a wash at best?" When we made a Sweet 16 our season was "a wash at best" because of seeds and Vegas spreads? The reward for being awesome in the regular season is playing worse teams earlier in the Tournament. Trying to discredit seasons because of a single result is crazy, but MU fans will be MU fans.

I genuinely wonder how Marquette fans get this attitude that we are above Sweet Sixteens and can turn our nose up on those. We have 17 Sweet Sixteen appearances in the history of the program. 11 of those came before 1980. We are not the program that a decent amount of Scoopers think we are.

Also, the spread against CU bounced between 3.5 and 4.5 on gameday. It was a cover for my ticket, and at worst it was a loss by 0.5. It's a terrible argument.

[1SE]

Thanks for this

1SEs post is peak insanity

Hey you're cool with 3 total NCAAT wins from two 2 seeds (and three total NCAAT wins in 5 seasons) - more power to you.

[wadesworld]

Hey you're cool with 3 total NCAAT wins from two 2 seeds (and three total NCAAT wins in 5 seasons) - more power to you.

Like Galway said, if you're under 55 years old you are old enough to remember just two runs further than what Shaka has provided in your lifetime. Why you think this program is above a Sweet Sixteen loss is beyond me.

We all hoped for deeper runs. To scoff at that? Some fans need to check in on what program they're rooting for.

[GoldenEagles03]

Like Galway said, if you're under 55 years old you are old enough to remember just two runs further than what Shaka has provided in your lifetime. Why you think this program is above a Sweet Sixteen loss is beyond me.

We all hoped for deeper runs. To scoff at that? Some fans need to check in on what program they're rooting for.

And one of the two quite literally took having arguably a top 25 basketball player the game has ever seen posting a triple double along the way.

[Pakuni]

Like Galway said, if you're under 55 years old you are old enough to remember just two runs further than what Shaka has provided in your lifetime. Why you think this program is above a Sweet Sixteen loss is beyond me.

We all hoped for deeper runs. To scoff at that? Some fans need to check in on what program they're rooting for.

A Sweet 16 run is a big success and should be celebrated.
One Sweet 16 run in five seasons shouldn't be celebrated as Marquette basketball at its zenith. It should be treated as an expectation.
And more importantly, Shaka Smart is not uniquely gifted with the ability to have success at Marquette, as at least one person here seems to believe. Kevin O'Neill had success here. Tom Crean had success here. Buzz Williams had success here. We're not some bottom feeder program rescued from the college basketball wasteland by a miracle worker named Shaka. We weren't Gonzaga before Dan Monson, or - perhaps a better comparison -Houston before Kelvin Sampson. There have been ups and downs over the past 40 years, but it's been a mostly successful, respected program since Dukiet.
Shaka's had a great run at Marquette, and that's earned him an opportunity to fix the mess he's made this season. But if he's unwilling or incapable of doing that, I have no doubt MU can find someone else to run a successful program.  MU basketball is bigger than one coach.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

A Sweet 16 run is a big success and should be celebrated.
One Sweet 16 run in five seasons shouldn't be celebrated as Marquette basketball at its zenith. It should be treated as an expectation.
And more importantly, Shaka Smart is not uniquely gifted with the ability to have success at Marquette, as at least one person here seems to believe. Kevin O'Neill had success here. Tom Crean had success here. Buzz Williams had success here. We're not some bottom feeder program rescued from the college basketball wasteland by a miracle worker named Shaka. We weren't Gonzaga before Dan Monson, or - perhaps a better comparison -Houston before Kelvin Sampson. There have been ups and downs over the past 40 years, but it's been a mostly successful, respected program since Dukiet.
Shaka's had a great run at Marquette, and that's earned him an opportunity to fix the mess he's made this season. But if he's unwilling or incapable of doing that, I have no doubt MU can find someone else to run a successful program.  MU basketball is bigger than one coach.

The difference between Shaka and his predecessors is there were plenty of signs he wanted to make this his long-term and perhaps last stop.

I think most here would want that kind of stability, which does assume consistent success.

Obviously, the results this season are completely unacceptable and Shaka has some significant decisions to make once the season ends.

If either side moves on, if feels like we'll be back to being a perpetual stepping stone, where we either fire someone if they don't succeed or someone moves on in 5-6 years if they're successful.

That's why I'm more inclined to give Shaka a bit more leeway to clean up this mess.

[Jay Bee]

I'm sorry. I was told his contract was fully guaranteed, and we had to pay other staff members, which brought the number closer to 14m.

Haynes was hired at $420k just for clarity sake.

You're a lying, ignorant piece of sh1t. FOH

[1SE]

A Sweet 16 run is a big success and should be celebrated.
One Sweet 16 run in five seasons shouldn't be celebrated as Marquette basketball at its zenith. It should be treated as an expectation.
And more importantly, Shaka Smart is not uniquely gifted with the ability to have success at Marquette, as at least one person here seems to believe. Kevin O'Neill had success here. Tom Crean had success here. Buzz Williams had success here. We're not some bottom feeder program rescued from the college basketball wasteland by a miracle worker named Shaka. We weren't Gonzaga before Dan Monson, or - perhaps a better comparison -Houston before Kelvin Sampson. There have been ups and downs over the past 40 years, but it's been a mostly successful, respected program since Dukiet.
Shaka's had a great run at Marquette, and that's earned him an opportunity to fix the mess he's made this season. But if he's unwilling or incapable of doing that, I have no doubt MU can find someone else to run a successful program.  MU basketball is bigger than one coach.

Right, and between 2000-2001 and Wojo a "down year" was still a winning record and a NIT invite.

And I didn't realize/recall that Few has NEVER missed the tourney.

If this is our Nova 2011-2012 year then we can all have a good chuckle some day. But also Jay was coming off 7 (not 4) straight tourney appearances with 2 S16s, an EE and a FF. That's serious money in the bank.

As I and others have said so many years times, this isn't a run of the mill down year - which most expected and could have stomached. This is a historically bad year in which it looks like Shaka has forgotten how to 1) evaluate talent 2) put together winning rotations 3) be any sort of in-game coach. And as the season has progressed these issues have gotten worse rather than better.

[jesmu84]

Hey you're cool with 3 total NCAAT wins from two 2 seeds (and three total NCAAT wins in 5 seasons) - more power to you.

I'm cool with the totality of what shaka had accomplished prior to this season.

I don't consider only NCAA tourney success in whether I think about coach or program is succeeding

[Pakuni]

The difference between Shaka and his predecessors is there were plenty of signs he wanted to make this his long-term and perhaps last stop. 

Are you suggesting Buzz was being disingenuous when he said he'd be at Marquette as long as they'd have him?

I don't know whether Shaka would or wouldn't make this his last stop. But I think the standards and expectations should be the same regardless.

[Warrior of Law]

As I and others have said so many years times, this isn't a run of the mill down year - which most expected and could have stomached. This is a historically bad year in which it looks like Shaka has forgotten how to 1) evaluate talent 2) put together winning rotations 3) be any sort of in-game coach. And as the season has progressed these issues have gotten worse rather than better.

This. From an optimism and hope standpoint, it is void. Fans have no confidence that the team can beat anyone, either due to the moribund roster, poor coaching or both. The worst part is that there is absolutely no light at the end of the tunnel. Fans can tough out a bad stretch if they believe things will improve. Things haven't improved; they worsened. The empty seats at FF are pretty clear proof.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

Are you suggesting Buzz was being disingenuous when he said he'd be at Marquette as long as they'd have him?

I don't know whether Shaka would or wouldn't make this his last stop. But I think the standards and expectations should be the same regardless.

Yes, I think Buzz was disingenuous and his path since leaving Marquette sure seems to support that.

Yes, standards should remain high but not considering additional context and looking at things in a vacuum would be shortsighted.

[Billy Hoyle]

This. From an optimism and hope standpoint, it is void. Fans have no confidence that the team can beat anyone, either due to the moribund roster, poor coaching or both. The worst part is that there is absolutely no light at the end of the tunnel. Fans can tough out a bad stretch if they believe things will improve. Things haven't improved; they worsened. The empty seats at FF are pretty clear proof.

It's one thing if it were just talent evaluation and a moribund roster (word of the day calendar?), But it's how he got there - his insistence on eschewing the Portal, the Portal, and not just protecting, but further promoting the RVG brand. Any of us who have friends who are fans of Minnesota Football know how annoyed they were the the "Row The Boat" stuff Fleck promoted, but one wasn't overwhelmed with merchandise with the catch phrase when shopping for Golden Gophers gear like we are RVG. And "Row the Boat" didn't dictate his roster building strategy.

What is Shaka's top priority? Winning or being known as the coach who doesn't take transfers while building the RVG brand?

[Galway Eagle]

Are you suggesting Buzz was being disingenuous when he said he'd be at Marquette as long as they'd have him?

Is this sarcasm? Because i think everyone realized that pretty quickly lol.

A Sweet 16 run is a big success and should be celebrated.
One Sweet 16 run in five seasons shouldn't be celebrated as Marquette basketball at its zenith. It should be treated as an expectation.

Then Marquette has not been at its zenith since Raymonds. You're posting like we've had the tournament success Xavier had where they were in like every over sweet 16.

And more importantly, Shaka Smart is not uniquely gifted with the ability to have success at Marquette, as at least one person here seems to believe. Kevin O'Neill had success here. Tom Crean had success here. Buzz Williams had success here. We're not some bottom feeder program rescued from the college basketball wasteland by a miracle worker named Shaka. We weren't Gonzaga before Dan Monson, or - perhaps a better comparison -Houston before Kelvin Sampson. There have been ups and downs over the past 40 years, but it's been a mostly successful, respected program since Dukiet.
Shaka's had a great run at Marquette, and that's earned him an opportunity to fix the mess he's made this season. But if he's unwilling or incapable of doing that, I have no doubt MU can find someone else to run a successful program.  MU basketball is bigger than one coach.

Yes this, shakas done great over 4 years, this is not a down year it's a bottom falling out year and pro Shaka need to call it what it is. Then due to his previous statements people are right to panic about the next year as well rather than expect a pivot. If he pivots and gets back to respectable program then as 1SE put it great we'll all laugh about it but if he doesn't then as you put it he's not uniquely gifted at having success here

[Pakuni]

Is this sarcasm? Because i think everyone realized that pretty quickly lol.

Yes, obviously. Didn't think teal was needed for that one.

Then Marquette has not been at its zenith since Raymonds. You're posting like we've had the tournament success Xavier had where they were in like every over sweet 16.

If you're thinking making one Sweet 16 every five years is the absolute best Marquette can ever hope for, then we disagree. I mean, Buzz made three in three years, yet one in 5 years is peak Marquette? How does that make sense?
Marquette isn't Duke or Kansas, where anything less than an Elite 8 is a terrible season. But a goal of advancing to the second weekend just 20% of the time doesn't seem outlandish to me.
Why should Marquette should set its standards lower than Xavier? Or Creighton? Or Nova?