...but I guess I was severely mistaken. The news of Crean's departure was honestly the LAST thing in the world I thought I would be forced to deal with today.
As an incredibly passionate MU grad (from southern Indiana), the number of text messages I've received in the last few hours has to have my wireless plan maxed out. Messages from fellow MU fans voicing their disbelief, messages from IU fans gloating about their new hire, and all in between.
Obviously everyone who visit's this board (whether they post or not) is emotionally committed to the success of Marquette basketball. Hell, if you're anything like me, MU bball is addiction...and at times, an unhealthy addiction.
With all of that being said, I'm incredibly shocked, disappointed, angry and let down. I can't even begin to imagine what Wes, DJ, and Jerel are feeling right now.
I think the most difficult thing for me to grasp (and for most people on this board) is the impressions that this leaves on the MU program. Yes, we're heading in the right direction, great conference, The Al, etc.....but we just lost a coach who we thought was committed to the program. A coach who was committed to resurrecting the standard that Al set in the 70's.
After giving Crean EVERYTHING...he still left. I was raised a Hoosiers fan, but this isn't my Dad's Hoosiers team. This is a program that is riddled with potential sanctions and is but a shadow of it's old self.
This isn't Darrin Horn leaving Western Kentucky...this isn't Jim Larranaga leaving George Mason. Those schools unfortunately have to face the fact that you make a good run in the tourney and you could lose your coach. With regards to the UNC's, Duke's, UCLA's of the world...I just thought we were past that.
At the end of the day Tom Crean, all I have to ask is why?