Christopher's Dilemma

[xavier71]

Does Greg Christopher take Travis Steele (as some people want) because it's worked in the past with Miller and Mack, or does he get a successful experienced coach such as when we got Matta from Butler. Difference this time is that when Miller and Mack were promoted it was an Atlantic 10 job. I'm sure there were some outside resumes then, but probably no where near the number they are probably getting now. This is a coaching position in one of the best conferences in the country at a school that regularly makes the NCAA tourney. I'm not against T Steele. I'm only hoping the GC explores all options and hopefully makes the right decision for Xavier.

[mumuskie87]

Does Greg Christopher take Travis Steele (as some people want) because it's worked in the past with Miller and Mack, or does he get a successful experienced coach such as when we got Matta from Butler. Difference this time is that when Miller and Mack were promoted it was an Atlantic 10 job. I'm sure there were some outside resumes then, but probably no where near the number they are probably getting now. This is a coaching position in one of the best conferences in the country at a school that regularly makes the NCAA tourney. I'm not against T Steele. I'm only hoping the GC explores all options and hopefully makes the right decision for Xavier.

Uhhh...Matta had 1 year of head coaching experience when he came to X.
Interesting if you look at the 5 hires made in the new BE
Marquette - Wojo - his 1st HC job after being an assistant at Duke for years
St Johns - Mullin - zero HC experience. Blast from the past
Gtown - Ewing - zero HC experience. Tons of experience as an assistant in the NBA. Another blast from the past
Butler - 1st Holtman after the Brandon Miller fiasco Maybe a couple of years of HC experience and then Jordan - 1 year of HC experience
My point is that the recent history hasn't been to hire successful experienced coaches.
BE schools don't have the deep pockets like some of the more successful Power conference schools have with strong football programs

[XU80]

What I am most disappointed about in this search is what appears to be a protracted process. This possible exit for Mack has been discussed for many months since Pitino left Louisville. Christopher had a clear view on Steele this year. If he takes over a week to hire Steele, why?? Never should have lost the Dartmouth transfer.

On the otherhand, if there is a surprise choice and it is taking a few extra days to complete the contract, ok since the new coach will bring his credentials and 2019 recruits with him.

I have to believe we will know the next coach by next Tuesday or Wednesday. After that, it starts looking bad with either option.

[mumuskie87]

Woukd have thought that GC would have had a short list already in pocket when Mack announced.
Can't imagine that was a surprise to GC - if it was then would be very concerning
As a comparison - Holtman took the OSU job on June 9th last year and Jordan was hired on June 12th
And there is no mention anywhere of anyone being interviewed at this point
Or requests to schools to talk with any candidates
More on GC on a different thread

[muskieman]

What I am most disappointed about in this search is what appears to be a protracted process. This possible exit for Mack has been discussed for many months since Pitino left Louisville. Christopher had a clear view on Steele this year. If he takes over a week to hire Steele, why?? Never should have lost the Dartmouth transfer.

On the otherhand, if there is a surprise choice and it is taking a few extra days to complete the contract, ok since the new coach will bring his credentials and 2019 recruits with him.

I have to believe we will know the next coach by next Tuesday or Wednesday. After that, it starts looking bad with either option.

if there is that surprise choice I hope and pray he is from a high power school because recruits from a mid major might not do in the big East. When X moved to the A-10 half the team was A-10 caliber and half were not. When X moved to the BE some of the players were not BE caliber...no knock on them because just like when X moved to the A-10 is was a high quality league X was going to with players more suited to the previous league. Taking the "coach for the day" does not make a good choice everytime and taking the recuits along with them doesn't do anything but fill positions. We have seen teams with a good starting five but a big fall off when the second team comes in and very few times was it a success but Mack developed depth so we need a coach that has those same insights.

[JTG]

Woukd have thought that GC would have had a short list already in pocket when Mack announced.
Can't imagine that was a surprise to GC - if it was then would be very concerning
As a comparison - Holtman took the OSU job on June 9th last year and Jordan was hired on June 12th
And there is no mention anywhere of anyone being interviewed at this point
Or requests to schools to talk with any candidates
More on GC on a different thread

March 28 to March 31, same timeframe. The Dartmouth guy could have waited 72 hours, signing day isn't for 2 weeks. Go find another Kanter.

[ChitownSteve]

March 28 to March 31, same timeframe. The Dartmouth guy could have waited 72 hours, signing day isn't for 2 weeks. Go find another Kanter.

Indeed, patience is in very short supply in today's world.

[Anti-Homer]

Kudos to GC. His resume before X was not very impressive, and my eyebrows raised a few years back when he hired Louis Orr, a very nice man, but not a good coach. However, his options were very limited I'm sure considering he was at BG. He was also gracious and impressive during his presser when announcing CM's departure, and didn't cave into picky the shiniest coins with guys like Alford, and other big name D-1 coaches who threw their hat in the ring.