James: Showing his leadership, the balls Crean doesn't have, and he's a janitor

[77ncaachamps]

...cuz he's cleaning up Crean's mess.

MILWAUKEE (AP) -- Dominic James hopes next year's recruiting class will stay true to Marquette despite the departure of coach Tom Crean.

But the Golden Eagles' floor leader says that decision should be left up to the players, not the school.

"They're already family," James said. "Most of them have signed their letters and everything. But if the head coach leaves, obviously that's probably their No. 1 reason for coming. I feel like those guys should be able to re-evaluate their decision."

A recruit who has signed a national letter of intent to attend a school must honor his commitment or sit out a year -- even if the coach who recruited him leaves to take another job, as Crean did at Indiana this week.

A recruit can ask to be released, but the school doesn't have to do so.

The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reported Wednesday that at least one Marquette recruit, guard Tyshawn Taylor, will ask for his release in the wake of Crean's exit.

James plans to call all of the incoming recruits to ease their concerns, but said they should be given the chance to play for another school if that's what they want.

"This is our future," James said. "They placed their future in the hands of coach Crean. They shouldn't be able to have somebody else put their future in somebody else's hands that they have no clue (about), and probably never talked to before in their lives."

Marquette athletic director Steve Cottingham said the school will wait until after hiring a new coach to make decisions on any recruits' requests to be released.

"That's really premature at this point," Cottingham said. "We will get a new coach hired, and then they and the coach will have the opportunity to meet and understand each other."

The school made a commitment of its own to the four players who signed letters of intent in November, agreeing to reserve scholarship spots for them.

According to the national letter of intent Web site, the letter players sign contains the following provision: "If the coach leaves the institution or the sports program (or is not retained), I remain bound by the provisions of this NLI. I understand it is not uncommon for a coach to leave his or her coaching position."

Cottingham said Marquette is moving aggressively to find Crean's replacement, but the school doesn't have a firm timeline.

Marquette's recruiting class includes forward Joseph Fulce, a junior-college transfer; center Chris Otule from Richmond, Texas; guard Nick Williams from Mobile, Ala.; and Taylor. The Golden Eagles also reportedly received an oral commitment from forward Erik Williams of Cypress, Texas.

Cottingham said all the recruits had been contacted as of Wednesday.

"We're reaching out to them," Cottingham said. "They understand that this is a great university, it's a great basketball program."

James said he knows the recruits are hurt by Crean's departure.

"I'm going to give them a call personally, just to let them know that whoever's (replacing Crean) is going to be the same way, going to be the same guy with the same character," James said. "And he has big shoes to fill. But Marquette, that's what it's known for: Having great people involved in the program. And they're not going to do anything differently hiring a new coach."

As for James' own future, he plans to step away from basketball for a while before deciding whether to enter the NBA draft or return for his senior season.

"Obviously, I want to see who's coming," James said. "It's just, it's crazy, just thinking about somebody else being my head coach. I never thought that. The first reason I came here was because of coach Crean. With him gone, it's kind of hard thinking about somebody else coaching on the sideline."

Fellow guard Jerel McNeal also could opt for the draft instead of returning to Marquette. The deadline for early entry to the NBA draft is April 27.

But for now, McNeal and James are talking about the possibilities of next season at Marquette.

"I think we have the experience and maturity now to handle something like this and not let it set us back," McNeal said.

James said he is open to learning a new coach and a new system.

"I'm still a Marquette player," James said. "That's the way I feel. That's what I'm thinking about. I'm still thinking about next season, how good we can be and things like that. So obviously, I'm ready. My mind is still on Marquette, it's not on the NBA."

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

I will never question James again. Awesome article!

[muarmy81]

What a classy individual.  Anyone who doubts his character is absolutely clueless.  We are very fortunate to have someone like DJ in our program...best post I've seen in about 3 days

[muarmy81]

I will never question James again. Awesome article!

AGREED

[mwbauer7]

I'm going to cry the day Dominic, Jerel and Wesley graduate...

[ChicosBailBonds]

I will never question James again. Awesome article!

I'm glad Crean brought him to MU.....see, there's always a silver lining.   

[mosarsour]

I have to admit I am pleasantly surprised by DJ's take on the entire situation. I agree, I will never question this kid's class and heart ever again.

[Marquette_g]

Count me in as a FORMER James hater, and now a huge supporter.  I think this is exactly the type of leadership we've been hoping to see and he is delivering when it matters most. 

[Pardner]

Retire his number now.  Put the #1 up in the place of the GAS banner.

[nyg]

I'll pay his phone bill.

[Tampa Warrior]

Count me in as a FORMER James hater, and now a huge supporter.  I think this is exactly the type of leadership we've been hoping to see and he is delivering when it matters most. 

So if he declares for the draft, are you going back to hater mode? 

[77ncaachamps]

Count me in as a FORMER James hater, and now a huge supporter.  I think this is exactly the type of leadership we've been hoping to see and he is delivering when it matters most. 

I, too, was a lukewarm DJ fan.

But what he said indicated his maturity and comfort as MU's leader.

Let's give those guys our unfettered support for their last whole season!

[Chicago_inferiority_complexes]

All class. Wow.

[Marquette_g]

Count me in as a FORMER James hater, and now a huge supporter.  I think this is exactly the type of leadership we've been hoping to see and he is delivering when it matters most. 

So if he declares for the draft, are you going back to hater mode? 

I will not.  He still has to make the right decision for himself.  This would have been a really easy time for him to say ..."heck with it, I'm going pro anyway, why bother with worrying about this" and he didn't.  That is enough.

[jaybilaswho?]

I have to admit I am pleasantly surprised by DJ's take on the entire situation. I agree, I will never question this kid's class and heart ever again.

As much as I was a Dom Hater before... I have to take it back now. He has certainly matured since he has come into this University/Program. This article exudes the class that we are all proud of saying our program has instilled in its players.

We are Marquette, Biatches!!!!!

[Tampa Warrior]

I will not.  He still has to make the right decision for himself.  This would have been a really easy time for him to say ..."heck with it, I'm going pro anyway, why bother with worrying about this" and he didn't.  That is enough.

Good! I'm absolutely impressed with how he and the other players have handled this. Proud of them.

[TallTitan34]

Thank you Mr. James.

[rocky_warrior]

I hate to be the ass here...ok maybe I don't...but he seems to be a bit of a hypocrite to me.  Read these four paragraphs...

Dominic James hopes next year's recruiting class will stay true to Marquette despite the departure of coach Tom Crean.

...

"I'm going to give them a call personally, just to let them know that whoever's (replacing Crean) is going to be the same way, going to be the same guy with the same character," James said. "And he has big shoes to fill. But Marquette, that's what it's known for: Having great people involved in the program. And they're not going to do anything differently hiring a new coach."

As for James' own future, he plans to step away from basketball for a while before deciding whether to enter the NBA draft or return for his senior season.

"Obviously, I want to see who's coming," James said. "It's just, it's crazy, just thinking about somebody else being my head coach. I never thought that. The first reason I came here was because of coach Crean. With him gone, it's kind of hard thinking about somebody else coaching on the sideline."

Soo...the recruits should stay because Marquette will hire someone good, and very similar to Tom.  But James will decide whether he's going to stay based on who they hire.

I'm glad he's providing some more leadership.  But it doesn't sound like he's convinced himself of the things he's telling recruits.

[77ncaachamps]

It seems like it, but there's a difference: DJ experienced Coach Crean on the sideline, the recruits haven't.

DJ seems to know that he represents the University everytime someone asks him anything about the Crean situation, so he sounds really diplomatic.

That last paragraph is more of a reflection on what once was and what will be (from a player's perspective).

[MUEng92]

I'll pay his phone bill.

Great, now we are going to have violations like IU!

[Marquette06]

I'm proud of James.  He just scored some points in my book.

[Gwaki]

Ill be proud of him the instant he returns here for his senior year

[Tampa Warrior]

Ill be proud of him the instant he returns here for his senior year

I'm proud of him now, regardless. Though I have my own opinion of whether he should return, I would respect his decision either way.

[MUfan12]

The leadership of the senior class and Lazar have really, really impressed me the last couple of days. We really do have outstanding individuals in our program. They're showing everyone what "We Are Marquette" means.

[Avenue Commons]

I will never question James again. Awesome article!

Thought the same thing. My opinions of Crean and DJ each took a 180 degree turn. One down, one up.