Chris Mack discussion

[D-West & PO-Z]

Dang it.

Hey, you have the 1,000th reply to the original post!

[stammina0721]

Better do some fact checking, Matta made it to 2 FF and one NC game, far from nothing.

Not gonna lie i don't remember Matta making 2 final fours after X but if you say so I'll believe you. Even if that is right then 2 final fours in 40 years from ex-x coaches still not a good record

[IM4X]

[QUOTE=IM4X;620281]

Look at all of the names in your last paragraph. Not one of them are in the game right now. They come from an era in basketball that is light years away from today's game. It is easy for a Chaney to stay at Temple when the difference between his job and the top jobs was significantly smaller than the pay between a Xavier and top jobs now. You can stay at a place when the difference between top jobs is only a few hundred thousand as opposed to today where the difference is millions.

Let me ask you this. Would you say Temple is a better program than Xavier because they kept Chaney his entire life? Would you say St. John's is a better program because they kept Carneseca his entire life? I would hope you agree that both of those schools are nowhere near the caliber program of Xavier so then my question becomes, Why would keeping a coach forever be the judging stick for how good a program is?

Look I am not looking to put you on blast, but I don't understand your logic. Before Chris Mack showed up, if Xavier and Duke were going for the same recruit the Duke always wins. Always has in the past and always will in the future. However, Xavier has proven to compete with and beat out the likes of Michigan State, Indiana, Purdue, and even UCLA for recruits in the recent past. Xavier has been getting into better players homes for decades now due to the steady success of the program. Chris Mack is a part of that but he sure isn't the cause of that.

When you make a comment like that it implies that the Xavier brand IS Chris Mack. That is not the case. For the last 40 years Xavier has built a program that can compete with the best in the country. They will continue to do so well into the future with or without Chris Mack. So if he leaves it says nothing about our program. It didn't say anything when Guillen, Prosser, Matta, or Miller left so why would Mack leaving be any different? Two or three years from now a kid isn't going to reject X cause Mack left or pick X cause Mack is there. They are going to pick or reject X based on the brand and style of play and if X can help that kid reach his goals. The brand has not ever or will ever be about one guy

Interesting how you claim certain coaches I brought up to prove your "Only 6 destination jobs" theory is not accurate are somehow deemed irrelevant by you because they have retired... and yet at the same time you forgot to bring up the two active coaches I've mentioned (Few and Wright) who also poke holes in your 6 destination jobs theory.

Second, I never made the point "Mack Is the Xavier brand." I said the perception is different if he leaves compared to any of the previous X coaches who were brought up... coaches who were neither Xavier graduates nor Xavier players. Mack claimed this was his dream job.

If Mack leaves his alma mater for a university with which he has no affiliation... one that engages in unethical and illegal practices just to get ahead... it would be a shame and it would create the perception that even one of Xavier's own thinks being the coach at Louisville with its tarnished reputation is a better gig than being the coach at his own distinguished alma mater... which proved finishing ranked in the top 5 is possible, winnning the BE tournament regular season title is possible, becoming a #1 seed in the NCAA tournament is possible and landing a top 15 ranked class of recruits is possible).

I am simply saying that if Mack leaves, the perceived status and reputation of X will take a hit (at least temporarily). Maybe it won't be a big hit, but it will change - even if in a small way - how recruits and outsiders and college applicants and even Xavier students and alumni perceive the program and the school. The perception will be that X is not even a destination job for an alumnus. Yet, if Mack stays (and says no to Louisville), Xavier's status and reputation gets a bump (again if only temporarily) and it would create a perception that Xavier has enough of everything a coach needs to be happy and succeed and therefore make it a destination job.

I hope Mack stays, but I also believe a new coach can continue to elevate the program to a higher status should he leave. History has proven as much. But staying makes Mack a hero of sorts... a champion of loyalty... a man perceived as doing a selfless act that would benefit the greater good of others including his alma mater and his community - while at the same time allowing him and his family to stay where they are and live a rich life (figurative and literally) amongst those he cares about and who care for him.

If Mack leaves X and the $3 million a year behind... it suggssts that MFing big cheaters still win in today's world over the small guys who do things the right way...sending the message that big tainted money talks and loyalty walks... right out the door.

[xuinmd]

I am a big mac fan but I don't understand how u of l becomes your dream job. I could see duke, even nc perhaps uk but u of l. How do you explain wanting to follow the tradition of denny crum and rick pitino?

[bleedXblue]

This thing has been way too quiet. I'm not optimistic at this point. Feels like things are in motion behind the scenes getting this all lined up.

[xukeith]

This thing has been way too quiet. I'm not optimistic at this point. Feels like things are in motion behind the scenes getting this all lined up.

Probably no decision until after the NCAA championship game.

We shall stew for awhile.

[GoMuskies]

I'm sure Louisville would like to have something announced before the Final Four, if possible.

[muethibp]

Probably no decision until after the NCAA championship game.

We shall stew for awhile.

I doubt that very much. Suspect we will know one way or the other in the next 24 hours.

[Muskie]

I'm sure Louisville would like to have something announced before the Final Four, if possible.

The original timeline I saw quoted was that Louisville wanted a hire to parade around at the Final 4. IF that's the timeline, today or tomorrow is the reckoning.

[Caf]

Not gonna lie i don't remember Matta making 2 final fours after X but if you say so I'll believe you. Even if that is right then 2 final fours in 40 years from ex-x coaches still not a good record

Not to crap on X, but 2 final fours in 40 years for ex-X coaches is a lot better than 0 in forever for X coaches...

[danaandvictory]

The original timeline I saw quoted was that Louisville wanted a hire to parade around at the Final 4. IF that's the timeline, today or tomorrow is the reckoning.

Also I think X goes out on Easter Break on Wednesday and I would think if Mack is leaving he would want to have a meeting with the team before it becomes official.

[Muskie]

Also I think X goes out on Easter Break on Wednesday and I would think if Mack is leaving he would want to have a meeting with the team before it becomes official.

Yes, that would be my hope as well. If it happens.

[94GRAD]

I am a big mac fan but I don't understand how u of l becomes your dream job. I could see duke, even nc perhaps uk but u of l. How do you explain wanting to follow the tradition of denny crum and rick pitino?

Big Boy everyday of the week and twice on Sundays!

[Xville]

Interim ad Tyra should be named permanent ad today. If that happens I'd expect an announcement on Mack tomorrow or Wednesday at the latest whatever announcement that may be.

[MuskieFan5]

Interim ad Tyra should be named permanent ad today. If that happens I'd expect an announcement on Mack tomorrow or Wednesday at the latest whatever announcement that may be.

Hopefully just a false rumor, but this guy does have 10,000 followers...

https://twitter.com/kenttaylorwave/status/978282008332914688?s=12

[SemajParlor]

Pretty slimy if this is true if we're being fair here.

https://twitter.com/KentTaylorWAVE/status/978282008332914688

[GoMuskies]

Pretty slimy if this is true if we're being fair here.

https://twitter.com/KentTaylorWAVE/status/978282008332914688

Well, if he's going to leave, it's nice of him to do some shady shit on the way out so that we can be pissed instead of sad. Much more satisfying emotionally.

[dubbledxu]

Pretty slimy if this is true if we're being fair here.

https://twitter.com/KentTaylorWAVE/status/978282008332914688


Well, if he's going to leave, it's nice of him to do some shady shit on the way out so that we can be pissed instead of sad. Much more satisfying emotionally.


Read the first reply on that thread. Welcome to scumville, IU trolls are in full effect.

[SemajParlor]

I guess its time for the people who ridiculously tried to equate Mack leaving like it is "just like any other job" to apply their thoughts on the business ethics here.

[GoMuskies]

Read the first reply on that thread. Welcome to scumville, IU trolls are in full effect.

IU fans are adamant that their AD is an idiot. It's kind of weird.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Hopefully just a false rumor, but this guy does have 10,000 followers...

https://twitter.com/kenttaylorwave/status/978282008332914688?s=12


Pretty slimy if this is true if we're being fair here.

https://twitter.com/KentTaylorWAVE/status/978282008332914688

Saw this earlier. Mack cant be that stupid/slimy can he? Not sure I buy it.

[SemajParlor]

Yeah, I will personally be giving Mack the benefit of the doubt on this until I hear other sources or some sort of confirmation.

[Caf]

Yeah, I will personally be giving Mack the benefit of the doubt on this until I hear other sources or some sort of confirmation.

The sheer amount of chatter about this move has made it pretty difficult to give him the benefit IMHO. 1) We've been hearing this is where he'd go for years. 2) There were rumors at the start of the tournament that it was a done deal. 3) Now this.

Any of those taken on their own face would make me write them off. But the culmination has me convinced that this has been in the making for awhile.

[Xville]

I'm 99% sure mack is gone. But, always a chance. If this is true though about the recruit, that is douchery beyond all douchery.

[IM4X]

Pretty slimy if this is true if we're being fair here.

https://twitter.com/KentTaylorWAVE/status/978282008332914688


Saw a thread started on this Louisville message board saying something similar.

https://247sports.com/college/louisville/Board/59439/Contents/REPORT-Mack-recruiting-for-Louisville-116701161

It's either....

A) something completely bogus that a Louisville fan made up

or

B) something that is true and Mack (or a coach he plans to take with him if he leaves) is checking to see if recruits were still planning to commit to Louisville

or

C) a clever strategy Mack is using to get to know Louisville recruits better, so if he ultimately decides to stay at X, he will have a better shot at getting them to come to X instead.

[AviatorX]

IU fans are adamant that their AD is an idiot. It's kind of weird.

Fred Glass? I mean he hasn’t exactly knocked it out of the park with respect to the two sports the average fan actually cares about.

Overall he’s doing fine though.

[GoMuskies]

Fred Glass? I mean he hasn’t exactly knocked it out of the park with respect to the two sports the average fan actually cares about.

Overall he’s doing fine though.

They're adamant that they never approached Mack at all before hiring Miller. Which, of course, would make Glass an idiot.

[MITTENMUSKIE16]

The sheer amount of chatter about this move has made it pretty difficult to give him the benefit IMHO. 1) We've been hearing this is where he'd go for years. 2) There were rumors at the start of the tournament, that it was a done deal. 3) Now this.

Any of those taken on their own face would make me write them off. But the culmination has me convinced that this has been in the making for awhile.

Whenever this ordeal inevitably comes to an end, I hope there is nothing that directly comes out that could concretely point to it upsetting the last month of the Xavier season (i.e. players hearing more than rumblings that their leader is leaving for 'greener pastures'). If this will have been a done deal for as long as some say, that's incredibly unfortunate and makes the optics of the end of the Mack era shift quite a bit. As said before, would make it a much more bitter pill to swallow.


Just let this be over by this work week. Nothing like ripping off a band-aid as slowly as we've done since last Sunday.

[AviatorX]

They're adamant that they never approached Mack at all before hiring Miller. Which, of course, would make Glass an idiot.

Gotcha. Yeah, I think the smart IU fans (we exist) know that's not the case and in reality it was a 1A/1B situation where timing just ended up working toward Miller (while X was playing through the Elite 8).

The InsideTheHall/Alex Bozich wing of moron IU fans think Glass wouldn't have touched Mack bc of culture issues - which is crazy, but look at the article his dad wrote over the weekend...

[AviatorX]

Whenever this ordeal inevitably comes to an end, I hope there is nothing that directly comes out that could concretely point to it upsetting the last month of the Xavier season (i.e. players hearing more than rumblings that their leader is leaving for 'greener pastures'). If this will have been a done deal for as long as some say, that's incredibly unfortunate and makes the optics of the end of the Mack era shift quite a bit. As said before, would make it a much more bitter pill to swallow.


Just let this be over by this work week. Nothing like ripping off a band-aid as slowly as we've done since last Sunday.

The optics of the end of the Mack era already suck. The highest seeded team in X history lost to Leonard Freakin' Hamilton while their entire side of the bracket crumbled.

[MITTENMUSKIE16]

Lol, fair point. But they would suck even more if it comes out that a contributing factor in losing to said Leonard Hamilton coached team was Mack having a foot halfway out the door.


Watching the Michigan v FSU game Saturday with Michigan friends was horrendous. I know Michigan's defense is good, but... I've seen better sets run, and more effectively, in CYO games.

[OTRMUSKIE]

I think we will all be very thankful in a few years that Mack left. I really do. I think Louisville fans are going to be calling for his head in the near future. It’s time for X and Mack to move on. He was a good coach that achieved some
Success while at X. I just don’t think he is the guy to get this team over the hump. Thanks Mack for all you have done, you were a great ambassador to the university and I wish you well in Louisville.

[D-West & PO-Z]

The sheer amount of chatter about this move has made it pretty difficult to give him the benefit IMHO. 1) We've been hearing this is where he'd go for years. 2) There were rumors at the start of the tournament that it was a done deal. 3) Now this.

Any of those taken on their own face would make me write them off. But the culmination has me convinced that this has been in the making for awhile.

I was meaning it was hard to believe he was talking to recruits about Louisville. That is slimy as hell. Not that he is actually going to Louisville.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Saw a thread started on this Louisville message board saying something similar.

https://247sports.com/college/louisville/Board/59439/Contents/REPORT-Mack-recruiting-for-Louisville-116701161

It's either....

A) something completely bogus that a Louisville fan made up

or

B) something that is true and Mack (or a coach he plans to take with him if he leaves) is checking to see if recruits were still planning to commit to Louisville

or

C) a clever strategy Mack is using to get to know Louisville recruits better, so if he ultimately decides to stay at X, he will have a better shot at getting them to come to X instead.

You are making it seem like its guys Louisville has been recruiting. I think it is guys Mack and staff had been recruiting already FOR XAVIER.

I hope it isnt true.

[MITTENMUSKIE16]

I think we will all be very thankful in a few years that Mack left. I really do. I think Louisville fans are going to be calling for his head in the near future. It’s time for X and Mack to move on. He was a good coach that achieved some
Success while at X. I just don’t think he is the guy to get this team over the hump. Thanks Mack for all you have done, you were a great ambassador to the university and I wish you well in Louisville.

The irony of it is that Louisville fans are already calling for his head because of the loss to a Hamilton-coached team.

To the other point, I don't think there is anything to point to say he isn't the one to get us over the hump and into the Final Four and beyond. At least as to compared to whoever ultimately replaces him. However, I hope you're right (as to the next guy getting us over the hump).

[markchal]

Eh, I'm fine with him telling/taking recruits. Happened with Miller, happens with a lot of coaches. It's more fair to a kid than committing to a school with no coach and no assurance that whoever replaces him will still offer them. There's no guarantee there, so I'm fine with Mack and/or assistants taking them to Louisville. It's the nature of the beast.

I just wish it had played out differently (mainly, that we were still playing). Just sucks to go from such a program high (I never imagined us getting a #1 seed) to the first weekend choke, followed by the whole bracket/tournament looking a heck of a lot more winnable than anyone would've thought, and then losing our best coach to cap it all off.

[muethibp]

I think we will all be very thankful in a few years that Mack left. I really do. I think Louisville fans are going to be calling for his head in the near future. It’s time for X and Mack to move on. He was a good coach that achieved some
Success while at X. I just don’t think he is the guy to get this team over the hump. Thanks Mack for all you have done, you were a great ambassador to the university and I wish you well in Louisville.

Working through the stages of grief, I see.

[Caveat]

You are making it seem like its guys Louisville has been recruiting. I think it is guys Mack and staff had been recruiting already FOR XAVIER.

I hope it isnt true.

If Mack leaves, he's already telling the world (in not so many words) "My alma mater isn't good enough for me." Any recruiting nonsense he engages in on the way out the door pales in comparison to just that, IMO.

[xuwin]

Eh, I'm fine with him telling/taking recruits. Happened with Miller, happens with a lot of coaches. It's more fair to a kid than committing to a school with no coach and no assurance that whoever replaces him will still offer them. There's no guarantee there, so I'm fine with Mack and/or assistants taking them to Louisville. It's the nature of the beast.

I just wish it had played out differently (mainly, that we were still playing). Just sucks to go from such a program high (I never imagined us getting a #1 seed) to the first weekend choke, followed by the whole bracket/tournament looking a heck of a lot more winnable than anyone would've thought, and then losing our best coach to cap it all off.

The problem is not that he may be taking recruits with him. The problem would be if he is recruiting them to Louisville while he is still an employee of Xavier.

[D-West & PO-Z]

The problem is not that he may be taking recruits with him. The problem would be if he is recruiting them to Louisville while he is still an employee of Xavier.

Yes, exactly.

[dubbledxu]

i find it VERY hard to believe mack is actively recruiting right now. Hes kept a very low profile the last few days (kind of rare for him), so this would be a weird move. If Murray is the coach in question, I cant blame him as much as I would if it was Mack. I also find it hard to believe that coach would say "were now recruiting for UL." Recruiting is so damn sketchy as it is, nothing would surprise me tho.

[KFX]

Yes, exactly.

I'm off the Mack bandwagon. Maybe Xavier should fire his ass if this is true.

[dubbledxu]

I'm off the Mack bandwagon. Maybe Xavier should fire his ass if this is true.

Cant do that, thatd be too expensive :)

[IM4X]

You are making it seem like its guys Louisville has been recruiting. I think it is guys Mack and staff had been recruiting already FOR XAVIER.

I hope it isnt true.

Oh yeah... good point. It wasn't clear in that tweet and I read it as Mack was reaching out to Louisville recruits. Now I see how it could suggest he is in fact reaching out to already committed X players and other potential X prospects too. Well, at least if it is true, it's not like a bunch of 4/5 star recruits are committed for this year that we fought elite schools off to get. Though, it still would be good to keep the current commits.

Now if he were to leave and try to take current X players with him.... oh boy... he might be hated more than Miller was when he departed for Arizona.

Hoping this is all just some bogus info and Mack is like... "Relax... I am staying... and now about to go buy a new summer home with some
of that $3 million from my new annual contract at X."

[KFX]

Cant do that, thatd be too expensive :)

yeah but it would feel good.

[OTRMUSKIE]

Working through the stages of grief, I see.


Ha !!! Yes sir!!!! I never was a fan of his hiring. He proved me wrong a lot of times and he proved me right way too many times. He did his part at Xavier. He got us to the next level. Now there is one more level we need to reach. I honestly believe The Man of Steele is that guy. I really think we are going to be going nuts in 8 years when he moves on. What stage am I on now?

[KFX]

That makes sense. I just feel jilted already and like Meuth said maybe processing grief!

[dubbledxu]

You are making it seem like its guys Louisville has been recruiting. I think it is guys Mack and staff had been recruiting already FOR XAVIER.

I hope it isnt true.

Most likely that kid from David Johnson kid from Trinity that de-committed to UL and had an offer from XU

[GoMuskies]

First shoe has dropped. Tyra has been named permanent AD.

As to what recruit they might be contacting, Johnson makes sense. Romeo Langford would also make sense as he will certainly be the number one priority for whomever is Louisville's next coach.

[KFX]

First shoe has dropped. Tyra has been named permanent AD.

As to what recruit they might be contacting, Johnson makes sense. Romeo Langford would also make sense as he will certainly be the number one priority for whomever is Louisville's next coach.


not trolling. do you see anything wrong with that, if true?

[Cheesehead]

This thing has been way too quiet. I'm not optimistic at this point. Feels like things are in motion behind the scenes getting this all lined up.

my thoughts too

[Caveat]

my thoughts too

It feels like things have been lined up for a long time (weeks/months), if we're being honest.

[GoMuskies]

It feels like things have been lined up for a long time (weeks/months), if we're being honest.

The way it's playing out, yep. Seems to have been smooth sailing for Louisville with Mack.

[SemajParlor]

Yep, this thing is all but over.

[KFX]

I'm concerned about the recruit thing. I can't believe Mack or staff would contact a recruit and tell him they were recruiting for Louisville, while still ostensibly on Xavier's payroll. It bothers me that this seems to be a possibility. Why not radio silence for a few days and then make your pitch?

Anyway, this seems to be a done deal and it makes me wonder if this was all but done when we got beat by FSU. Mack's half time nonchalance was weirdly out of character.

[Xville]

Well tyra is now official ad...tomorrow or Wednesday will be judgement day for mack.

I have been hearing (all rumors since not mack himself) that mack agreed with Louisville on Saturday.

[GoMuskies]

I have been hearing (all rumors since not mack himself) that mack agreed with Louisville on Saturday.

I thought we decided the meeting didn't happen until Sunday?

[GoMuskies]

https://twitter.com/jdemling/status/978322437929689089

Vince Tyra says he expects to have Louisville's next basketball coach in San Antonio this coming weekend for the Final Four.

I guess "officially" would be a key word to add to this one:

https://twitter.com/jdemling/status/978321787476946944

Vince Tyra says he has not offered the men's basketball coaching position to anyone yet.

[Blue Blooded-05]

https://youtu.be/fc6OLmoa6LM

“You keep using me just like a stepping stone...”

[Xville]

I thought we decided the meeting didn't happen until Sunday?

Just passing along the rumor that I heard...don't know anything about sunday.

[Xville]

https://twitter.com/jdemling/status/978322437929689089

Vince Tyra says he expects to have Louisville's next basketball coach in San Antonio this coming weekend for the Final Four.

I guess "officially" would be a key word to add to this one:

https://twitter.com/jdemling/status/978321787476946944

Vince Tyra says he has not offered the men's basketball coaching position to anyone yet.

If this is the case, it absolutely has to be mack...unless they did a double secret probation interview with someone else already.

[AviatorX]

First shoe has dropped. Tyra has been named permanent AD.

As to what recruit they might be contacting, Johnson makes sense. Romeo Langford would also make sense as he will certainly be the number one priority for whomever is Louisville's next coach.

Romeo indicated to Evan Daniels in an interview he’s not interested in adding Louisville back in.

It’ll be KU, Vandy, or IU.

[GoMuskies]

Romeo indicated to Evan Daniels in an interview he’s not interested in adding Louisville back in.

It’ll be KU, Vandy, or IU.

Whether that's how Langford feels or not, the next Louisville coach HAS to come out firing on Langford. You can't let a talent like that who can essentially see your arena from his home get away without making a serious push.

[MITTENMUSKIE16]

I'm concerned about the recruit thing. I can't believe Mack or staff would contact a recruit and tell him they were recruiting for Louisville, while still ostensibly on Xavier's payroll. It bothers me that this seems to be a possibility. Why not radio silence for a few days and then make your pitch?

Anyway, this seems to be a done deal and it makes me wonder if this was all but done when we got beat by FSU. Mack's half time nonchalance was weirdly out of character.

This.

I think we all pretty safely assumed someone in the Louisville camp had previously reached out to Mack's agent during the season, just hard to measure what kind of impact this had on Mack alone, and if there was any way that it ever got out to players/rest of the staff. The longer this drags out the exponentially more it will bother.

[AviatorX]

Whether that's how Langford feels or not, the next Louisville coach HAS to come out firing on Langford. You can't let a talent like that who can essentially see your arena from his home get away without making a serious push.

Totally agree. If Mack doesn’t at least call and get told no, he should be fired (and come back to x)

[JTG]

Totally agree. If Mack doesn’t at least call and get told no, he should be fired (and come back to x)

The Langford ship has sailed. He's down to Kansas, Vandy, and IU. And most think it's between Vandy and IU.

[GoMuskies]

I don't doubt that's true. But Mack definitely has to make a run. 17 year old kids have been known to change their minds. Maybe he really likes Call Me Maybe videos and will be swayed by the one the Macks did with their girls. Maybe someone reminds him of who Sherron Wilkerson is and it scares him off IU. Who can tell? Maybe Brien Hanley threatens to eat him if he doesn't consider Louisville.

[boozehound]

I don't doubt that's true. But Mack definitely has to make a run. 17 year old kids have been known to change their minds. Maybe he really likes Call Me Maybe videos and will be swayed by the one the Macks did with their girls. Maybe someone reminds him of who Sherron Wilkerson is and it scares him off IU. Who can tell? Maybe Brien Hanley threatens to eat him if he doesn't consider Louisville.

Maybe Hookers?

[GoMuskies]

Maybe Hookers?

Maybe $100k AND hookers.

[dubbledxu]

This.

I think we all pretty safely assumed someone in the Louisville camp had previously reached out to Mack's agent during the season, just hard to measure what kind of impact this had on Mack alone, and if there was any way that it ever got out to players/rest of the staff. The longer this drags out the exponentially more it will bother.

Agreed. And ive heard it was "well known" a follow up meeting during the BET in NYC.

[MITTENMUSKIE16]

Agreed. And ive heard it was "well known" a follow up meeting during the BET in NYC.

Had heard when I was in town for the Nova game, but didn't want to believe in the slightest, that the foot was halfway out the door. That someone with day-to-day access around program said Steele was "running the show" and Mack would occasionally be in the back of a meeting refreshing the Louisville score.

Up until maybe Thursday, when the meeting was confirmed (?) I convinced myself that the information was wrong/embellished.

[drudy23]

C'mon...I don't believe for a second that Mack has been hanging out in the shadows the second half of the season because he's simply waiting to get to Louisville.

I saw Mack and staff out and about today in Xavier country and all were decked out head to toe in Xavier gear. Doesn't mean he's not leaving, but there's no way these guys are out recruiting for Louisville. These type of rumors have to be completely made up.

If Mack is leaving, he's not hiding from it (it was a well populated, very public part of town where anyone could have had access to him).

[IM4X]

I'm concerned about the recruit thing. I can't believe Mack or staff would contact a recruit and tell him they were recruiting for Louisville, while still ostensibly on Xavier's payroll. It bothers me that this seems to be a possibility. Why not radio silence for a few days and then make your pitch?

Anyway, this seems to be a done deal and it makes me wonder if this was all but done when we got beat by FSU. Mack's half time nonchalance was weirdly out of character.

I have to admit that to this day I have been unable to get that moment out of my head.

It felt weird to me too. Though why would a coach not be all-in, regardless of whether a deal is in place or not. If you have a team that was capable of making a final four or even go further, being able to achieve such a goal would just give him greater leverage to make any deal sweeter.

[AviatorX]

C'mon...I don't believe for a second that Mack has been hanging out in the shadows the second half of the season because he's simply waiting to get to Louisville.

I saw Mack and staff out and about today in Xavier country and all were decked out head to toe in Xavier gear. Doesn't mean he's not leaving, but there's no way these guys are out recruiting for Louisville. These type of rumors have to be completely made up.

If Mack is leaving, he's not hiding from it (it was a well populated, very public part of town where anyone could have had access to him).

Agree with all of this. Mack is gone, but don’t think for a second he quit on X. Even if you don’t think he was loyal to the school, it’s beyond obvious how much he loves and respects the seniors

[bleedXblue]

C'mon...I don't believe for a second that Mack has been hanging out in the shadows the second half of the season because he's simply waiting to get to Louisville.

I saw Mack and staff out and about today in Xavier country and all were decked out head to toe in Xavier gear. Doesn't mean he's not leaving, but there's no way these guys are out recruiting for Louisville. These type of rumors have to be completely made up.

If Mack is leaving, he's not hiding from it (it was a well populated, very public part of town where anyone could have had access to him).

Please elaborate......you saw him today with his staff?

[MITTENMUSKIE16]

Agree with all of this. Mack is gone, but don’t think for a second he quit on X. Even if you don’t think he was loyal to the school, it’s beyond obvious how much he loves and respects the seniors


I don't think Coach Mack quit on X during the season, and definitely not on the players. But I think the whole thing just had a different feeling once this all started to come closer to fruition, regardless of the fact that Mack didn't want that to be the case. We did not lose to FSU because Coach Mack might've talked to someone at Lville (at the very least, he definitely would've discussed these things with his agent).

But as many have pointed out, this has moved quickly and with only one real name floated out there (Payne notwithstanding), and that has happened for a reason.

[dubbledxu]

Please elaborate......you saw him today with his staff?

Yes. They were huddled by the pay phones wearing those funny mustache customes and holding their recruit phone books and a bag of quarters.

[bjf123]

On WLW, Seg just said the Tyra hopes to have his new head coach with him in San Antonio. Might be grasping at straws here, but if the wording was accurate, that implies it’s not yet a done deal.


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[klark]

Without saying too much, a very close family member of mine talked to his wife on Saturday along with her Mom. The conversation left the impression it is his if he wants it. From other parts of the conversation there was talk of being in Louisville and her mom smiled. Saw both on Sunday decked out in X gear, which probably means nothing but suffice to say it was pretty obvious where wife and MIL want to be.

[SemajParlor]

We can say a lot of things about Coach Mack, saying he quit on his team and JP and Tre and all the guys that he loved. Come on, that's ridiculous. His goal was getting to a Final 4 and I'm willing to bet anything he busted his ass to try and do that.

[Caveat]

We can say a lot of things about Coach Mack, saying he quit on his team and JP and Tre and all the guys that he loved. Come on, that's ridiculous. His goal was getting to a Final 4 and I'm willing to bet anything he busted his ass to try and do that.

Even if you discount everything else, he'd want to win just to increase the amount of money he could demand from Louisville to leave.

[murray87]

How do you spell SLEAZE??

https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/college/louisville/2018/03/23/louisville-basketball-scandal-katina-powell-andre-mcgee-tim-sullivan/452635002/

[X-band '01]

On WLW, Seg just said the Tyra hopes to have his new head coach with him in San Antonio. Might be grasping at straws here, but if the wording was accurate, that implies it’s not yet a done deal.


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The NABC coaches' convention will be taking place in San Antonio during the Final Four festivities - don't think it would be a problem for Tyra to be able to announce a head coach on-site in such an event.

[dubbledxu]

The NABC coaches' convention will be taking place in San Antonio during the Final Four festivities - don't think it would be a problem for Tyra to be able to announce a head coach on-site in such an event.

One would assume you’d want an announcement before that, so he could dominate the press leading up to the games and have member(s) of his staff down there with him. The AD already said he’d be in Columbus this weekend watching the women play.

[GoMuskies]

Don't ever give up!

Did Creighton give up when Dana Altman left for Arkansas?
Did Winthrop give up when Gregg Marshall left for College of Charleston?
Did Florida give up when Billy Donovan left for the Hawks?
Did Winthrop give up again when Pat Kelsey left for UMess?

[JTG]

If this isn't announced tomorrow it's gonna get ugly. He'll, it already is ugly. Counter recruiting, family members in public in X gear. Rumors this has been going on since October. What a shit storm. Just get it over with. This is by far the worst move ever. Gillen, Prosser, Miller, all went down quickly and quietly. This is like parading a person around town for 4 days before an execution.

[GoMuskies]

I feel like Miller dragged out forever, but maybe it didn't take that long. The Louisville boards seem to think Wednesday is the day. I don't think one more day will make a difference.

[STL_XUfan]

Don't ever give up!

Did Creighton give up when Dana Altman left for Arkansas?
Did Winthrop give up when Gregg Marshall left for College of Charleston?
Did Florida give up when Billy Donovan left for the Hawks?
Did Winthrop give up again when Pat Kelsey left for UMess?
Did the US Give up when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/fLZubB22edw/maxresdefault.jpg

[SemajParlor]

Didn't Louisville end their season like 5 days ago? This is not that long haha. Actually it's been pretty straight forward and a smooth ride. I don't think there has been much straying away from the plan here.

[MITTENMUSKIE16]

Hoping on hope here that Coach Mack is still in the process of weighing the benefits and drawbacks to each potential decision. It's more than likely that each side has already made its respective offer, and are patiently waiting by the phone, right? If we make it past Wednesday I feel like that means he is very much still on the fence. Feel like in the next 24 hours, we will either have: 1) another press conference scheduled or 2) some other name come to light regarding an interview. How long does Louisville give him to weigh this decision?

[drudy23]

Please elaborate......you saw him today with his staff?

Yep...eating lunch.

Feel weird about posting this, like I'm spying lol.

I just don't want people to give any credence to these stupid rumors. They've all been great coaches and administrators for X and I don't like these rumors, which are probably completely made up, to sour guys like Mario and Mack who have spent a long time here doing very good work. I'd find it very hard to believe they'd do Xavier like that, especially sitting there head to toe in Xavier gear.

That kind of stuff is trying to damage their reputations, and that doesn't sit well. Like I said, if he's leaving, he's not hiding from it. Thankfully, no one bothered them and publicly put him on the spot (because that would have been super awkward), but it certainly could have happened.

[Mel Cooley XU'81]

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/fLZubB22edw/maxresdefault.jpg

Don’t stop him. He’s rolling.


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[Xavier]

I feel like Miller dragged out forever, but maybe it didn't take that long. .

I feel like I remember flight paths being followed with Miller. Crazy

[STL_XUfan]

I feel like I remember flight paths being followed with Miller. Crazy

I am not going to believe anything until I see a flight aware link.

[JTG]

I feel like I remember flight paths being followed with Miller. Crazy

He went to Zona on Sat and move was announced Mon. afternoon. I was with Andy Katz when it happened.

[xnatic03]

As to the assistant coaches going with him situation...generally, the it's assumed that the coaches follow him with the understanding that if one gets the head coaching job, he would stay here and hire his own staff. If said assistant does not get the job, he has an assistant job waiting for him down at Louisville. My guess is that Steele will get an interview, most likely end up with the job, and Mario will likely stay (he's been here for 4 coaching staffs). Travis isn't turning down MTSU and Evansville to stay as an assistant at another school. He's hoping to get the job here. I have no problems with any of it.

[GoMuskies]

He went to Zona on Sat and move was announced Mon. afternoon. I was with Andy Katz when it happened.

But that was his SECOND meeting with Zona as I recall. After the first one, he supposedly turned them down. So it drug on.

[klark]

Yep...eating lunch.

Feel weird about posting this, like I'm spying lol.

I just don't want people to give any credence to these stupid rumors. They've all been great coaches and administrators for X and I don't like these rumors, which are probably completely made up, to sour guys like Mario and Mack who have spent a long time here doing very good work. I'd find it very hard to believe they'd do Xavier like that, especially sitting there head to toe in Xavier gear.

That kind of stuff is trying to damage their reputations, and that doesn't sit well. Like I said, if he's leaving, he's not hiding from it. Thankfully, no one bothered them and publicly put him on the spot (because that would have been super awkward), but it certainly could have happened.

I agree, I posted the high level details of a discussion with some of his family. I don't know if it made me or anyone else feel better knowing, the program has survived numerous coaches leaving. I thought this was the year the breakthrough happened, something told me all day Sunday that was not happening. It sucks, but me personally I hope none of this is true about the rumors, he seems like a good guy as I see him all the time at his kids games.

I would just like some continuity in the program with someone saying, this is a place to be and stay.

[GoMuskies]

Here's the Arizona/Miller timeline for people like me with bad memories. It appears it DID all happen rather quickly. Just seemed like it took forever because it was so painful, I suppose.

http://www.wildcatuniverse.com/2015/04/06/never-forget-timeline-of-2009-arizona-basketball-coaching-search-on-anniversary-of-sean-millers-hire/

[xnatic03]

I have zero issue with him deciding that he feels this is a better opportunity for him. We have done well in the past in our coaching changes. This is a great job (hopefully for Travis this time). He's given us a great 9 year run, and he's being given the opportunity to take over one of the top 10 programs of all time. I get to tell the story that I got to coach against him when our daughters played against each other 2 years ago. Lainee ended up crying because our girls were playing tough defense on her. Chris and Christi basically told her to suck it up. His daughter's a tough player too, and his team manhandled us. He was Joe Cool on the sidelines, and was very cordial in the handshake line. It was right before the Crosstown Shootout that year, and I told him to do me a favor and wipe the smug smile off Mick's face. He laughed pretty hard at that.

[D-West & PO-Z]

On WLW, Seg just said the Tyra hopes to have his new head coach with him in San Antonio. Might be grasping at straws here, but if the wording was accurate, that implies it’s not yet a done deal.


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I heard Tyra wants his new HC in San Antonio but that Trya himself will be in Columbus for the women's final four.

[Jesuit4Life]

I both want to move past this right now and want it to continue to drag on in the faintest of hope that Mack has some reservations about leaving.

[OTRMUSKIE]

I don’t want Mack at this point. If he was staying we would have known by now. He is 99.9999% gone. I won’t hate the man but I am disappointed that he left. But he has to do what is best for him. Maybe he realizes he is an avg coach and that another coach will do better then him at X. Go to ville get paid take them to a few NIT’s and a handful of sweet 16’s and then get fired and retire. I mean after the dust settles we will all still like him and wish him well. I really believe it is time for him to move on. I think he did all he could do at X, lets see how he can do at ville. I’m eXcited for the new coach. I really feel like we are going to be the next Loyola(ha) Never thought I would ever say that.

[dubbledxu]

I hope Mack can still be as "human" as he was while coaching X. The vids with his kids, clips on twitter, etc are what made him so likable. I could see where they would be easy fodder if he loses his first few to UK. I also hope he finds himself a watering hole down there like Longnecks where he can crush a few after the game w.o being hounded.

[bjf123]

Yep...eating lunch.

Feel weird about posting this, like I'm spying lol.

I just don't want people to give any credence to these stupid rumors. They've all been great coaches and administrators for X and I don't like these rumors, which are probably completely made up, to sour guys like Mario and Mack who have spent a long time here doing very good work. I'd find it very hard to believe they'd do Xavier like that, especially sitting there head to toe in Xavier gear.

That kind of stuff is trying to damage their reputations, and that doesn't sit well. Like I said, if he's leaving, he's not hiding from it. Thankfully, no one bothered them and publicly put him on the spot (because that would have been super awkward), but it certainly could have happened.

Then again, if he was seen having lunch with his staff and they weren’t wearing X gear, it would be seen as confirmation that he’s already UL’s head coach. Can’t win for losing.


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[DDXav11]

I bet Chris Mack is living the worst days of his life right now. In my opinion, there is a certain arrogance and swagger to Chris Mack. All of that swagger has to do with him being a "regular guy" who mocks the selection show, doesn't care about anything other than the "next game", doesn't like the attention of being the winning coach in X history, etc.. I'm sure if you asked him if he saw himself as John Calipari or as a Mark Few- he'd say Mark Few. I know I view him that way at least, because for some reason I will feel " betrayed" or "duped" If he does leave. I know that's not fair to him, I get it. I'm sure the Louisville job offer has been a nice, secret fantasy of his for some time. With its high stature, large fanbase, unmatchable pay, proximity to his hometown, and being the home of his wife's family- I bet he's always viewed Louisville as the ONE program he could leave X for. But now that the offer is on the table, Chris has to publicly make a decision that is counter-intuitive to the way that many fans perceive him, and perhaps how he may even perceive himself. I doubt that's easy. And I wouldn't be surprised if he's lost some sleep over it in the last week. I wouldn't doubt that he's made a hard decision yet. Of course I've never met Chris, this is all just speculation of his public character. What do you guys think?

[bjf123]

I think you’re probably right. This has to be tough on Chris.


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[Xavier]

I think it was a tough decision because I bet Mack has dreamed about being the one to take X to first final four. Other than that, I disagree with that entire post. I think he has a certain swagger about himself and it isn't because of where he was coaching. He has a great personality and will be seen the same exact way at Louisville as he was at Xavier.

[xubrew]

I bet Chris Mack is living the worst days of his life right now. In my opinion, there is a certain arrogance and swagger to Chris Mack. All of that swagger has to do with him being a "regular guy" who mocks the selection show, doesn't care about anything other than the "next game", doesn't like the attention of being the winning coach in X history, etc.. I'm sure if you asked him if he saw himself as John Calipari or as a Mark Few- he'd say Mark Few. I know I view him that way at least, because for some reason I will feel " betrayed" or "duped" If he does leave. I know that's not fair to him, I get it. I'm sure the Louisville job offer has been a nice, secret fantasy of his for some time. With its high stature, large fanbase, unmatchable pay, proximity to his hometown, and being the home of his wife's family- I bet he's always viewed Louisville as the ONE program he could leave X for. But now that the offer is on the table, Chris has to publicly make a decision that is counter-intuitive to the way that many fans perceive him, and perhaps how he may even perceive himself. I doubt that's easy. And I wouldn't be surprised if he's lost some sleep over it in the last week. I wouldn't doubt that he's made a hard decision yet. Of course I've never met Chris, this is all just speculation of his public character. What do you guys think?

When a college basketball or football coach makes a change, they make a lot of people they've never met very upset. There aren't many jobs where that is the case, but it is the case with coaches. But at the end of the day, they gotta do what they feel is best. Only they can answer what that is. And the fact of the matter is that if someone is afraid to make a decision because they they think people will be upset with them, then chances are they're not cut out to be a successful coach anyway. A big part of the job is making decisions that not everyone is going to like. If he has this opportunity, then it's his decision, and his only.

[Cincypunk.org]

Is Mack still our coach or did he leave?

[xubrew]

Is Mack still our coach or did he leave?

Correct

[bleedXblue]

This fuc*(ING sucks.

[xu82]

I feel confident that if and when this happens, Chris Mack will do it with far more finesse and class than the last couple of guys who left. He had to have learned from watching that. I have no ill will toward any of them. Life is full of difficult circumstances and mixed emotions. They just barely pay this well.....

[MHettel]

I remember Chris Mack from when he was a player. He sold his team issued shoes to the RA on my floor when I was a Freshman. In accordance with NCAA rules.

Whatever dude. Just go. Hope you fail.

[xeus]

I remember Chris Mack from when he was a player. He sold his team issued shoes to the RA on my floor when I was a Freshman. In accordance with NCAA rules.

Whatever dude. Just go. Hope you fail.

Wow, that was what, 28 years ago? Have you been carrying that angst around all these years?

[Xville]

I feel confident that if and when this happens, Chris Mack will do it with far more finesse and class than the last couple of guys who left. He had to have learned from watching that. I have no ill will toward any of them. Life is full of difficult circumstances and mixed emotions. They just barely pay this well.....

I have no problem with him leaving. 1.) Because while i think he is a good coach, it's not great in my opinion and can be replaced. 2.) He can do whatever the hell he wants..and I don't blame.him for taking more money and going to run a top 10 program.

However, if he does leave, the stuff that really irks me is the lying. Don't say things like dream job and destination job when it comes to x. I don't give a crap if it was ten years ago. It was a lie then, and it's a lie now and it pisses me off.

[Xavier]

I don't know, I feel like you can have multiple dream jobs. I don't listen to that stuff its all coach speak anyways- would you rather him say "It is a great job it will really propel me to my dream gig" ?

[X4LIFE]

I am curious. And not trying to start rumors. But, if Mack really is taking his entire staff with him could this somehow be linked to how the X administration handled the news from the FBI investigation? I get the idea of Louisville wanting to completely distance itself from Pitino but, the timing of Macks interest seems off to me. He was a candidate before Padgett, Louisville hires Padgett maybe because Mack let it be known he wasn't interested. Then the story about Sumner comes out and the administration handles it wrong. It just seems suspicious that if the rumors are true and he takes his staff with him that more may be going on. I don't remember ever hearing about a coach taking his entire staff with them.

[Backyard Champ]

That's a huge stretch. And typically coaches will bring most, if not all, of their staff with them.

[OTRMUSKIE]

Did Mack get in trouble while at Mount Notre Dame? I feel like he did something that led to him going elsewhere. Did I just dream that?

[Xville]

I don't know, I feel like you can have multiple dream jobs. I don't listen to that stuff its all coach speak anyways- would you rather him say "It is a great job it will really propel me to my dream gig" ?

Just say I'm happy to be here and ny goal is to propel the program forward. Done and done.

[xavierj]

I am curious. And not trying to start rumors. But, if Mack really is taking his entire staff with him could this somehow be linked to how the X administration handled the news from the FBI investigation? I get the idea of Louisville wanting to completely distance itself from Pitino but, the timing of Macks interest seems off to me. He was a candidate before Padgett, Louisville hires Padgett maybe because Mack let it be known he wasn't interested. Then the story about Sumner comes out and the administration handles it wrong. It just seems suspicious that if the rumors are true and he takes his staff with him that more may be going on. I don't remember ever hearing about a coach taking his entire staff with them.

When Skip left he took his entire staff. Matta brought in his own staff, mostly from Butler I believe.

[LadyMuskie]

Did Mack get in trouble while at Mount Notre Dame? I feel like he did something that led to him going elsewhere. Did I just dream that?

No, he didn't. Yes, you did.

[Muskie in dayton]

I remember the good old days when coaches would just lie repeatedly or call us a Buick on the way out.

Fuck me. Up the asshole.

[xu82]

I remember the good old days when coaches would just lie repeatedly or call us a Buick on the way out.

Fuck me. Up the asshole.

Ummm, thanks for the invitation, but I think I’ll pass.

[dubbledxu]

That's a huge stretch. And typically coaches will bring most, if not all, of their staff with them.

And by staff, that usually includes the strength coach, dir bball ops, equipment guys, etc. Not just the 3-4 assistant coaches

[xu82]

And by staff, that usually includes the strength coach, dir bball ops, equipment guys, etc. Not just the 3-4 assistant coaches

I don’t like to judge, but your enjoyment here makes you look petty and childish. I hope the rest of your life is better than your posts.

[Masterofreality]

And by staff, that usually includes the strength coach, dir bball ops, equipment guys, etc. Not just the 3-4 assistant coaches

And I am REALLY going to miss Matt Jennings. Dude is a stud S & C Coach.

[dubbledxu]

I don’t like to judge, but your enjoyment here makes you look petty and childish. I hope the rest of your life is better than your posts.

is he serious?

[XUGRAD80]

Dreams can change.....do you have the same hopes, dreams, and aspirations you did 10 years ago? He is 48 now, he was 38 then. His life has changed in many ways over those 10 years. I've known several coaches that returned to the HS they graduated from and declared it their "dream" to coach there. A few years later, it was no longer their dream. Been there, done that, got the t-shirt. Move on. Doesn't mean that they were not 100% sincere when they made the statement those many years ago. Doesn't mean it wasn't a true statement then. Only means that it is no longer true for them NOW.

If Mack leaves it probably won't be because he doesn't like Xavier anymore. It could be because he just wants something different. Not even necessarily "better", just different. Maybe he has a new "dream". Some people were not made to just do the same job, at the same place, over and over and over again, for 30-40 years. They need new challenges and a change of scenery from time to time. it keeps them motivated and interested.

[Xville]

Dreams can change.....do you have the same hopes, dreams, and aspirations you did 10 years ago? He is 48 now, he was 38 then. His life has changed in many ways over those 10 years. I've known several coaches that returned to the HS they graduated from and declared it their "dream" to coach there. A few years later, it was no longer their dream. Been there, done that, got the t-shirt. Move on. Doesn't mean that they were not 100% sincere when they made the statement those many years ago. Doesn't mean it wasn't a true statement then. Only means that it is no longer true for them NOW.

If Mack leaves it probably won't be because he doesn't like Xavier anymore. It could be because he just wants something different. Not even necessarily "better", just different. Maybe he has a new "dream". Some people were not made to just do the same job, at the same place, over and over and over again, for 30-40 years. They need new challenges and a change of scenery from time to time. it keeps them motivated and interested.

I understand agree with most of this but I don't believe that your end goal in coaching really changes...you are either wired like a mark few, or you are wired like 90% of the other coaches who are in the game to climb the ladder as much as possible with the end game coaching a blue blood. I don't think that part of you really changes, so I don't think I can buy just because it was 10 years ago, he gets a pass.

[Lloyd Braun]

Realistically we are butthurt because we want our team to advance to the next level. I hate the term “blue bloods” so I won’t use that but to be in the top tier of programs certain things need to happen. Most notably making multiple final fours and winning a national championship. Those things don’t happen at schools with a moderate turnover rate of coaches, or really any turnover rate of coaches. Chris leaving hurts for selfish reasons. We want to win big and him leaving makes that nearly impossible anytime soon if we are being realistic. I thought moving to the Big East would allow us to keep him as long as he wanted to be here. Sure we will be “fine” but at some point a coach has to stay here and make the a true final destination job. If that’s not Chris Mack I don’t know who that will be.

[Lloyd Braun]

I understand agree with most of this but I don't believe that your end goal in coaching really changes...you are either wired like a mark few, or you are wired like 90% of the other coaches who are in the game to climb the ladder as much as possible with the end game coaching a blue blood. I don't think that part of you really changes, so I don't think I can buy just because it was 10 years ago, he gets a pass.

I don’t think Mack’s goal is to coach at a blue blood. He is an extremely competitive guy and he wants to win a championship. If he believed the best path to that was at X he would choose X. He’s not going to another school to cash a check. He wants to win.

[Lloyd Braun]

Wait... is Mario leaving too? That would be a double kick to the nuts.

[muethibp]

Wait... is Mario leaving too? That would be a double kick to the nuts.

The likelihood that some members of Mack's staff would stay is enhanced if Steele gets the job. Presumably Steele would want to keep people like Mercurio and the strength coach - and why uproot your life when you can stay in your current role and work for someone you know?

[Perma Fro]

I don’t think Mack’s goal is to coach at a blue blood. He is an extremely competitive guy and he wants to win a championship. If he believed the best path to that was at X he would choose X. He’s not going to another school to cash a check. He wants to win.

So are his actions saying that a Lexus is better than a Buick?

Just asking.

[GoMuskies]

Lexus? I was thinking more

2272

[mistabeecee41]

for anyone still in the denial camp, it's happening on twitter.

[drudy23]

Well, looks like it's time to move on. Time to get behind a new guy. Chris never took us to the Final Four. The next guy should based on our trajectory.

[dubbledxu]

The likelihood that some members of Mack's staff would stay is enhanced if Steele gets the job. Presumably Steele would want to keep people like Mercurio and the strength coach - and why uproot your life when you can stay in your current role and work for someone you know?

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

[Xville]

for anyone still in the denial camp, it's happening on twitter.

I must be missing something....what are you seeing?

[drudy23]

Rothstein basically said it's real close to being official with an announcement coming soon.

And Shannon Russell retweeted with a note that the Chris Mack era looks to be over.

[dubbledxu]

I must be missing something....what are you seeing?

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180327/a876dcc3699de6d4b0ad38332eae0c6b.jpg

Broering reporting it too, announcement tmrw

[Xville]

Got it. Thanks!

Next man up! Maybe now we can hire someone that doesn't flame out as a high seed.

[Lloyd Braun]

So are his actions saying that a Lexus is better than a Buick?

Just asking.

Yes I believe so. Fact of the matter is you need 5 star guys and he has whiffed on them coming to X. Eventually that wears on you as a coach apparently.

[Xavier]

I’d be thrilled if our next coach gets us a 1 seed.

[Muskeagle]

I like Mack a lot. I didn't expect to, but he has been terrific. If he goes to Louisville, I don't resent him for it, although I'm sad to see him go. IF he is in negotiations, I now officially hope he goes. I don't want a coach that is negotiating with another team because that tells me he's ready to move on. Thanks Chris. I will miss having you on the sidelines, but I'm ready for the next guy. At this point, just make it quick...rip off the band-aid and move over so James Posey can become our next head coach. :)

[muethibp]

Not to be sour grapes as he heads towards the door.

But there's a "eh, was he really all that successful here" case to be made. In the last 6 years:

* the team missed a tournament (12-13),

* made a tournament that would have been missed but for the expansion to 68 and lost a first four game by 15 points that wasn't even that close (13-14),

* had a team (14-15) that was very much on life support and would have missed the tournament if a 1 point win against Creighton in the last game of the season and an OT game against Butler in the first round of the BE tournament don't both go Xavier's way; and

* had a team (16-17) that was 4 points and a Depaul win from going 0-for-February and very, very much in danger of missing that tournament too.

The two seasons I don't note above -- 15-16 and 17-18 -- were legitimate achievements (not withstanding the tournament flameouts). Point being only that it's not clear to me that his tenure was a wild success or something that can't be improved upon.

[Masterofreality]

I like Mack a lot. I didn't expect to, but he has been terrific. If he goes to Louisville, I don't resent him for it, although I'm sad to see him go. IF he is in negotiations, I now officially hope he goes. I don't want a coach that is negotiating with another team because that tells me he's ready to move on. Thanks Chris. I will miss having you on the sidelines, but I'm ready for the next guy. At this point, just make it quick...rip off the band-aid and move over so James Posey can become our next head coach. :)

And NO F-ing press conference in Cincinnati.

[Xavier]

He elevated the program to highest ranking ever (#3), two highest seeds in program history, and a Big East championship. He definitely is leaving program better than he got it and if the next coach does the same it would be a home run hire

[Masterofreality]

Not to be sour grapes as he heads towards the door.

But there's a "eh, was he really all that successful here" case to be made. In the last 6 years:

* the team missed a tournament (12-13),

* made a tournament that would have been missed but for the expansion to 68 and lost a first four game by 15 points that wasn't even that close (13-14),

* had a team (14-15) that was very much on life support and would have missed the tournament if a 1 point win against Creighton in the last game of the season and an OT game against Butler in the first round of the BE tournament don't both go Xavier's way; and

* had a team (16-17) that was 4 points and a Depaul win from going 0-for-February and very, very much in danger of missing that tournament too.

The two seasons I don't note above -- 15-16 and 17-18 -- were legitimate achievements (not withstanding the tournament flameouts). Point being only that it's not clear to me that his tenure was a wild success or something that can't be improved upon.

#FactsOnly

[Drew's Crew]

Not to be sour grapes as he heads towards the door.

But there's a "eh, was he really all that successful here" case to be made. In the last 6 years:

* the team missed a tournament (12-13),

* made a tournament that would have been missed but for the expansion to 68 and lost a first four game by 15 points that wasn't even that close (13-14),

* had a team (14-15) that was very much on life support and would have missed the tournament if a 1 point win against Creighton in the last game of the season and an OT game against Butler in the first round of the BE tournament don't both go Xavier's way; and

* had a team (16-17) that was 4 points and a Depaul win from going 0-for-February and very, very much in danger of missing that tournament too.

The two seasons I don't note above -- 15-16 and 17-18 -- were legitimate achievements (not withstanding the tournament flameouts). Point being only that it's not clear to me that his tenure was a wild success or something that can't be improved upon.

Whatever you need to tell yourself man....

[Masterofreality]

Whatever you need to tell yourself man....

I think his point is that a record like that would get you fired from Louisville...and before the 7th year.

You could also add in the disappointing performance up here in Cleveland in the NCAA vs a Buzz Williams Marquette team in Tu's Senior year. That would have sent Cardinal Nation into apoplexy.

The Cincy/Alum security blanket is gone. Welcome to the Jungle.

[GoMuskies]

I think his point is that a record like that would get you fired from Louisville...and before the 7th year.

Louisville has never really fired a coach for losing, so I guess we shall see. I think he'll do fine at Louisville.

But I'm not overly worried. Good coach, did well here. But we win at Xavier. Xavier makes coaches as much as coaches make Xavier. We'll have a lot of great candidates, we'll pick someone, and we'll go on winning. Same as it ever was.

[boozehound]

Not to be sour grapes as he heads towards the door.

But there's a "eh, was he really all that successful here" case to be made. In the last 6 years:

* the team missed a tournament (12-13),

* made a tournament that would have been missed but for the expansion to 68 and lost a first four game by 15 points that wasn't even that close (13-14),

* had a team (14-15) that was very much on life support and would have missed the tournament if a 1 point win against Creighton in the last game of the season and an OT game against Butler in the first round of the BE tournament don't both go Xavier's way; and

* had a team (16-17) that was 4 points and a Depaul win from going 0-for-February and very, very much in danger of missing that tournament too.

The two seasons I don't note above -- 15-16 and 17-18 -- were legitimate achievements (not withstanding the tournament flameouts). Point being only that it's not clear to me that his tenure was a wild success or something that can't be improved upon.

This is factually accurate. One doesn't have to go back all that far to fine threads that are highly critical of Mack. Fans are hyperbolic. That's also why I'm not sure I would necessarily want Xavier matching Louisville's offer to keep him, even if that were an option financially.

I think he has been successful at Xavier, but I don't think I would call it wildly successful. If we hadn't had a pretty improbable run last year to the Elite 8, we very well could be looking at a least 3 seasons like this:

2015-2016 - Earned a 2 seed; 1 and done
2016-2017 - Missed NCAA tournament
2017-2018 - Earned a 1 seed; 1 and done

Now 2016-2017 did happen, and I've very glad / grateful that it did. Chris Mack deserves a lot of credit for turning that season around, but we shouldn't overlook flaming out as a 1 seed and a 2 seed as well. All things being equal I would prefer he says and would be OK with a moderate salary increase pushing into the $2.5MM range, but I'm not totally convinced he is the guy the take us to the promised land, so I won't be devastated when he leaves.

[IM4X]

I don’t think Mack’s goal is to coach at a blue blood. He is an extremely competitive guy and he wants to win a championship. If he believed the best path to that was at X he would choose X. He’s not going to another school to cash a check. He wants to win.

Wait... you conclude with HE WANTS TO WIN? That is why he' s leaving? He just won 29 games, the Big East regular season title and had a number #1 seed in the NCAA tournament. If that's not winning, I don't know what is. And not getting past the second round was certainly not because the team lacked enough talent to move on.

If this X season has proven anything, it's that leaving X because you can't win enough or recruit a team talented enough to compete for an NCAA tournament final four is simply BS. Does anyone on this board honestly believe this season's team was not capable of reaching the final four? Or the team when Farr was a senior? No, I would certainly not give a coach a pass for saying you can't win enough or recruit enough good players to be a final 4 contender at X... and let's not confuse "Squandered opportunities" with "teams that were not talented enough" in the tournament.

X has closed the gap significantly when it comes to recruiting top talent and competing with the best. It is much easier to sell a top 50 prospect coming to X than ever before. When outsiders (i.e. fans from other schools, Div 1 coaches and top prospects coming out of high school) think of Xavier basketball, they now think "Consistently one of the best teams from the Big East who can compete with and beat anyone in the country (okay maybe except Nova) and who regularly not only gets to the dance but advances." And now that X has a BE regular season title and #1 seed too, our reputation has only improved. I think it's important we are fair to our university and more specifically our basketball program about that point.

If Mack chooses to leave because he simply wants a huge pay check with a guaranteed obscene and buyout (should things don't go well), or if he promised his wife he'd take the job if ever offered (again), or if he thinks he looks better in red than in blue, or if he believes this is the best HE coul ever do at X and his stock is only going to drop next year (so he better cash in now), or if he simply wants to know what it's like to be a coach at a much bigger university, then that is fine.

If, on the other hand, he is going to play the Miller card and act like you can't make a final four at X and how the grass is greener at "Bigger and supposedly more elite U", well we all know that's a load of crap. Not only did Miller not make a final for at his Lexus University with all the elite recruits he landed, but Mack in fact had everything he needed this year with his X team to get to the final four and beyond... and just didn't get there. Let's please not blame our school or blame not having enough talented players for falling short of that goal.

[Xville]

Not to be sour grapes as he heads towards the door.

But there's a "eh, was he really all that successful here" case to be made. In the last 6 years:

* the team missed a tournament (12-13),

* made a tournament that would have been missed but for the expansion to 68 and lost a first four game by 15 points that wasn't even that close (13-14),

* had a team (14-15) that was very much on life support and would have missed the tournament if a 1 point win against Creighton in the last game of the season and an OT game against Butler in the first round of the BE tournament don't both go Xavier's way; and

* had a team (16-17) that was 4 points and a Depaul win from going 0-for-February and very, very much in danger of missing that tournament too.

The two seasons I don't note above -- 15-16 and 17-18 -- were legitimate achievements (not withstanding the tournament flameouts). Point being only that it's not clear to me that his tenure was a wild success or something that can't be improved upon.

yep...he did good things while here but he was also disappointing in my opinion. im not convinced he could get us to the next goal so im fine with next man up.

[Caf]

Guys all of this is just noise. This program and the conference it is in are bigger than one coach. We'll be fine. The only thing that matters now is keeping Naji Marshall and Paul Scruggs. Everyone else can go kick rocks if they don't want to be here.

[Lloyd Braun]

Wait... you conclude with HE WANTS TO WIN? That is why he' s leaving? He just won 29 games, the Big East regular season title and had a number #1 seed in the NCAA tournament. If that's not winning, I don't know what is. And not getting past the second round was certainly not because the team lacked enough talent to move on.

If this X season has proven anything, it's that leaving X because you can't win enough or recruit a team talented enough to compete for an NCAA tournament final four is simply BS. Does anyone on this board honestly believe this season's team was not capable of reaching the final four? Or the team when Farr was a senior? No, I would certainly not give a coach a pass for saying you can't win enough or recruit enough good players to be a final 4 contender at X... and let's not confuse "Squandered opportunities" with "teams that were not talented enough" in the tournament.

X has closed the gap significantly when it comes to recruiting top talent and competing with the best. It is much easier to sell a top 50 prospect coming to X than ever before. When outsiders (i.e. fans from other schools, Div 1 coaches and top prospects coming out of high school) think of Xavier basketball, they now think "Consistently one of the best teams from the Big East who can compete with and beat anyone in the country (okay maybe except Nova) and who regularly not only gets to the dance but advances." And now that X has a BE regular season title and #1 seed too, our reputation has only improved. I think it's important we are fair to our university and more specifically our basketball program about that point.

If Mack chooses to leave because he simply wants a huge pay check with a guaranteed obscene and buyout (should things don't go well), or if he promised his wife he'd take the job if ever offered (again), or if he thinks he looks better in red than in blue, or if he believes this is the best HE coul ever do at X and his stock is only going to drop next year (so he better cash in now), or if he simply wants to know what it's like to be a coach at a much bigger university, then that is fine.

If, on the other hand, he is going to play the Miller card and act like you can't make a final four at X and how the grass is greener at "Bigger and supposedly more elite U", well we all know that's a load of crap. Not only did Miller not make a final for at his Lexus University with all the elite recruits he landed, but Mack in fact had everything he needed this year with his X team to get to the final four and beyond... and just didn't get there. Let's please not blame our school or blame not having enough talented players for falling short of that goal.

So why can’t we get 5 star recruits? Is it the coach?

[Xville]

So why can’t we get 5 star recruits? Is it the coach?

what do we need 5 stars for? Villanova didnt have any when they won their championship two years ago (had plenty of 4 stars though) Butler had a bunch of 3 stars when they made their run. You need a better coach with 3-4 stars.

[SemajParlor]

What a difference a year makes.

[MITTENMUSKIE16]

Guys all of this is just noise. This program and the conference it is in are bigger than one coach. We'll be fine. The only thing that matters now is keeping Naji Marshall and Paul Scruggs. Everyone else can go kick rocks if they don't want to be here.

Yep. Although it would be nice to not lose the slim number of recruits + Boudreaux that we have coming in. Think Steele will be able to keep those two, but also think the right hire (other than Steele) would also be able to keep Naji, Paul, and the rest of them.

[dubbledxu]

Matta and Miller dominated the A10, so I can understand them wanting more of a challenge. Mack dominated A10 and has done well in the BE, but certainly not been dominant. I understand the want to win a NC, but there was/is still plenty of left to accomplish in the "wants to win" category, IMO.

However, i cant argue the contract, conference, facilities, historical ranking, family transition UL can offer.

[dubbledxu]

Guys all of this is just noise. This program and the conference it is in are bigger than one coach. We'll be fine. The only thing that matters now is keeping Naji Marshall and Paul Scruggs. Everyone else can go kick rocks if they don't want to be here.

QFT, agree

[Lloyd Braun]

what do we need 5 stars for? Villanova didnt have any when they won their championship two years ago (had plenty of 4 stars though) Butler had a bunch of 3 stars when they made their run. You need a better coach with 3-4 stars.

Ok so let’s keep hoping for a magical run/outlier season to happen. This year is ironically the outlier year to make it happen and we didn’t. You need high level talent to win. The better the talent the more likely it is to win. Easy formula....

[Caveat]

Guys all of this is just noise. This program and the conference it is in are bigger than one coach. We'll be fine. The only thing that matters now is keeping Naji Marshall and Paul Scruggs. Everyone else can go kick rocks if they don't want to be here.

Save for 3/4 super-Elite schools, every program is one bad coaching hire away from multi-year obscurity.

[GoMuskies]

Vitale on Twitter says it is done and there will be a press conference tomorrow afternoon. He would be the absolute last person in the media to know, so it must really be done.

[dubbledxu]

Save for 3/4 super-Elite schools, every program is one bad coaching hire away from multi-year obscurity.

Even U.K. had the Tubby/Gillespie years

[IM4X]

So why can’t we get 5 star recruits? Is it the coach?

You don't need 5 star players to get to the Final Four.

2 of the current 4 Final Four teams do not have a 5 star player on their roster.

Semaj was considered a 5 star by some and we had some others who were pretty close.

Now that we have won the BE regular season and gotten a 1 seed, we have two more selling points to help land one. You have to earn your way to the top. X had been steadily doing that... getting closer and closer to being in the elite conversation. I see it. My friends with no affiliation to X are saying it to me now.

If certain X fans can not appreciate how special we truly have become... well God bless them.

Let me repeat, we were a 1 seed in the NCAA tournament and just won the BE regular season title - a conference that includes a team who might win then national championship

We continue to rise. We were first invited to join the BE... then we proved we could be a top 4 team in the conference... then we were a top 2 or 3 team.

It was always Nova and then everybody else... but this year it was X and Nova... and then everybody else.

I can't tell you how many of my friends talk about X like a top basketball program even above many very good high major programs. We are a legit top 15 program now. Honestly... the sky is the limit.

I for 1 am not ever going to sell us short.

[Caveat]

Vitale on Twitter says it is done and there will be a press conference tomorrow afternoon. He would be the absolute last person in the media to know, so it must really be done.

The only thing shocking about this process is how completely routine it has been. Mack has been the only name attached to Louisville since Pitino was launched, and this has had an air of inevitability about it for months. The only question was how far Mack was gonna take us before jetting.

[markchal]

Can we please stop with all the "he wasn't that good anyway" talk? If he spurned Lou and announced he was staying, people would start building his statue tomorrow.

He did well by us, took us to new heights, all-time wins leader, highest ranking, BE title, etc. His last game at Cintas ended with him cutting down the nets for a BE title, there are worse ways to go out. He's a Xavier guy and has been a great ambassador for our program. I wish him and his family the best, and will always remember this era fondly.

Now we need to move quickly and announce our next coach. It's a big moment for Christopher, so I predict he plays it safe with Steele, but hopefully he's already been working so this doesn't take too long.

[GoMuskies]

Can we please stop with all the "he wasn't that good anyway" talk?

Negative. We need that now more than ever!

[Caveat]

Now we need to move quickly and announce our next coach. It's a big moment for Christopher, so I predict he plays it safe with Steele, but hopefully he's already been working so this doesn't take too long.

If Mack's presser is at 1:00 PM tomorrow in Louisville, I want Steele's presser at 1:30PM in Cincinnati.

Don't give the local media time to go to both pressers. Force them to be here in Cincinnati to ask questions about the future of Xaiver (vs. being in Louisville to ask questions about the past).

Don't give the national media even a second to speculate or have the rumor mill start swirling as agents put names out about the job.

Make the decision and move forward immediately.

[GoMuskies]

I'm not THAT sold on Steele. I think Xavier owes it to itself to explore a bit deeper than that.

[Caf]

I'm not THAT sold on Steele. I think Xavier owes it to itself to explore a bit deeper than that.

Agreed. The more I look the more I’m impressed with Ashley Howard’s experience. I hope he gets a real look during the search. He knows the BE, he knows X, he’s been a part of of a championship and he’s not just going to be Mack 2.0. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.


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[Caveat]

I'm not THAT sold on Steele. I think Xavier owes it to itself to explore a bit deeper than that.

Unless there is someone out there with major-conference head coaching experience, I'd much rather stick with the guy who understands the program, has connections to all the current players and (hopefully) a number of the current recruits, and who has the confidence of the current staff & administration. You bring in someone from a mid-major or some other program and it'll be back to square one with recruiting (meaning you'll probably be looking at a few lean classes) and it'll open up the door a lot wider to transfers from the current roster.

[GoMuskies]

Maybe it's Steele, but I'm definitely open to the right mid-major guy if he's out there. Those guys DO have their own recruiting pipelines, and they may well have guys who weren't THAT interested in playing for them at their mid-major but who might be open to playing at Xavier. And some of their better mid-major recruits could certainly play at Xavier, too.

Also open to other assistants at high majors.

[OTRMUSKIE]

If Mack stayed Inwould actually be disappointed. I mean what has he really accomplished at X that really makes us excited? Was it the multiple double loss seasons? The PIG loss in Dayton? The fight with UC? The #1 and #2 seed collapse? Or was it beating Lehigh and Georgia State to get to the sweet 16? How many seasons did we get lucky to even make the dance? Mack was a good coach but it is time to move on. Good luck at University 6 Mack.

[bjf123]

If it’s not Steele, I think we run a bigger risk of losing current recruits and having current players transfer.

Also, assuming Chris leaves, I think we’re back to the Buick vs. Lexus discussion. It will be much easier for him to recruit the players needed to win a national championship. He’ll also have to get used to the one and done type player that he hasn’t really had to deal with too much at X.


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[drudy23]

I want a coach that truly believes he can win a national title here. With that belief comes with the work and desire to get there.

Mack believed. He is the most accomplished coach we've had.

Prepare yourself for a potentially rough 1-2 year period.

[Xavier]

If Mack stayed Inwould actually be disappointed. I mean what has he really accomplished at X that really makes us excited? Was it the multiple double loss seasons? The PIG loss in Dayton? The fight with UC? The #1 and #2 seed collapse? Or was it beating Lehigh and Georgia State to get to the sweet 16? How many seasons did we get lucky to even make the dance? Mack was a good coach but it is time to move on. Good luck at University 6 Mack.

Well, winning the big east championship is pretty impressive. An elite 8 over Miller is one of the best wins in program history. No Xavier coach accomplished more, actually.

[GoMuskies]

If it’s not Steele, I think we run a bigger risk of losing current recruits and having current players transfer.


Well, we have to think longer term that one or two years. If Steele is the best man for the job, the fact that he can keep the roster together is a bonus. If he's not the best man for the job, the fact that he can keep our recruits/roster intact is not enough to give him the job. Frankly, this roster/pipeline isn't so good currently that we want to go out of our way to preserve it, I don't think.

[drudy23]

Someone talk to Scruggs, Q and Marshall...they are our backbone moving forward. Gates isn't going anywhere.

I would expect some turnover from the others. I think Walter still comes here.

[dubbledxu]

Mack made the tourney in 8/9 years. Made an E8, 3 S16s, round of 32 6/8 times, won a BE title, winning record vs UC, highest reg season ranking, only #1 seed, and no compliance drama (that we know of so far). He checked the boxes. But this is the new standard from which we can judge our next coach. Mack left this program in a much better place than he left it, for that we should be thankful.

Did he have some early exits? Yes. Did he get owned by Wright? Yes. Was there some drama/mouthing off w. players? Yes. But lets be real, he did a great job overall.

[MITTENMUSKIE16]

Well, we have to think longer term that one or two years. If Steele is the best man for the job, the fact that he can keep the roster together is a bonus. If he's not the best man for the job, the fact that he can keep our recruits/roster intact is not enough to give him the job. Frankly, this roster/pipeline isn't so good currently that we want to go out of our way to preserve it, I don't think.

While I think we do have to think longer term than one to two years, the current roster, specifically Naji, Paul, and to a lesser extent Q, is something I think we need to try to keep intact. Also, Steele was a big part of bringing in the top class in X history. A down recruiting cycle happens for various reasons, and I don't think there isn't a reason he can't go out and secure another couple four stars/top 100 guys for the '19 class.

As most have said, I think we need to conduct a national search, but I'm fine with that search ultimately culminating in the hire of Steele.

[OTRMUSKIE]

Yeah is beating Miller that great of an accomplishment? I mean it’s not like his Arizona teams are tough to
Beat in the tournament. And we won a Beast Championship after being smacked twice by a team in the final 4 who won the Beast Tournament title. It may say we are Big East Champs but are we? Mack has worn out his welcome and I want to thank him for taking us to the next level. It is however time to move on.

[GoMuskies]

While I think we do have to think longer term than one to two years, the current roster, specifically Naji, Paul, and to a lesser extent Q, is something I think we need to try to keep intact. Also, Steele was a big part of bringing in the top class in X history. A down recruiting cycle happens for various reasons, and I don't think there isn't a reason he can't go out and secure another couple four stars/top 100 guys for the '19 class.

As most have said, I think we need to conduct a national search, but I'm fine with that search ultimately culminating in the hire of Steele.

Our process in '09 when Mack was hired was entirely appropriate IMO. A repeat of that process would be fine from my perspective. And if they decide Steele is the guy, great. But no reason to rush. Steele will take the job tomorrow or next week or the week after if it's offered to him.

[OTRMUSKIE]

BTW I changed my avatar and I noticed that The A-10 avatars are still on our website.

[double00]

If he doesn’t want X any more then I don’t want him. Next man up.

What was it that JP said to C-Weez after the crosstown shoot out this year?

[outsideobserver11]

If it’s not Steele, I think we run a bigger risk of losing current recruits and having current players transfer.

Also, assuming Chris leaves, I think we’re back to the Buick vs. Lexus discussion. It will be much easier for him to recruit the players needed to win a national championship. He’ll also have to get used to the one and done type player that he hasn’t really had to deal with too much at X.


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It certainly leaves the program in a unique situation that hasn't been experienced before. Hiring the next assistant in line was always the right move in the past and has kept the program intact, but Xavier has also never been the top job available on the market in the past either. As a UC fan looking at things with no bias, I think you guys will be surprised at the caliber of coaches that covet this job. You are a top 3 program in one of the top conferences in the country and most coaches in their current situation can't say they have that.

It's a weird transition to experience I'm sure because in the past you were always a "mid-major looking for a new coach" where as now you are a "major program looking for a new coach." (that hurt a little bit to admit)

As a UC fan I am very glad to see Mack go because UC can't beat him.

[KFX]

You don't need 5 star players to get to the Final Four.

2 of the current 4 Final Four teams do not have a 5 star player on their roster.

Semaj was considered a 5 star by some and we had some others who were pretty close.

Now that we have won the BE regular season and gotten a 1 seed, we have two more selling points to help land one. You have to earn your way to the top. X had been steadily doing that... getting closer and closer to being in the elite conversation. I see it. My friends with no affiliation to X are saying it to me now.

If certain X fans can not appreciate how special we truly have become... well God bless them.

Let me repeat, we were a 1 seed in the NCAA tournament and just won the BE regular season title - a conference that includes a team who might win then national championship

We continue to rise. We were first invited to join the BE... then we proved we could be a top 4 team in the conference... then we were a top 2 or 3 team.

It was always Nova and then everybody else... but this year it was X and Nova... and then everybody else.

I can't tell you how many of my friends talk about X like a top basketball program even above many very good high major programs. We are a legit top 15 program now. Honestly... the sky is the limit.

I for 1 am not ever going to sell us short.

This.

Also, our last two hires were in house; Miller and Mack. Not opposed to Steele but open up the damn process and see who wants the job. Give a hard stop like tax day and make a decision. Nobody is going anywhere in the next two to three weeks. I don't want a coronation of Steele, but it is likely he will get it.

[bjf123]

Well, we have to think longer term that one or two years. If Steele is the best man for the job, the fact that he can keep the roster together is a bonus. If he's not the best man for the job, the fact that he can keep our recruits/roster intact is not enough to give him the job. Frankly, this roster/pipeline isn't so good currently that we want to go out of our way to preserve it, I don't think.

So you’d be OK with us effectively becoming DePaul for the next 1-3 years? If we lose our current commits and some combination of Naji, Q, and Paul transfer, that’s a very real possibility.

Gates is our only senior next year. Does anyone know his academic standing? Could he be a graduate transfer and immediately eligible to play? I’m guessing some here would have no problem with that.


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[SemajParlor]

I need to dig up an old 2009-2010 X Shirt. The Tradition Continues.

[drudy23]

We need Gates, but the graduate question is a good one. Didn't think of that.

[D-West & PO-Z]

I'm not THAT sold on Steele. I think Xavier owes it to itself to explore a bit deeper than that.

Agree. I am fine if they ultimately decide on Steele but I think they need to explore their options and interview other candidates first. Unless they are just absolutely sold on Steele.

[paulxu]

Man, this is a tough crowd. One minute you love a guy, the next he's dirt.

I for one think Mack did great things for our progression as a school with a good basketball program.
I'm sorry to see him go; wish him success (except when playing us), and was proud to have him and his family represent X through these 9 years.

Moving on.

[mirabilelectu]

If Mack stayed Inwould actually be disappointed. I mean what has he really accomplished at X that really makes us excited? Was it the multiple double loss seasons? The PIG loss in Dayton? The fight with UC? The #1 and #2 seed collapse? Or was it beating Lehigh and Georgia State to get to the sweet 16? How many seasons did we get lucky to even make the dance? Mack was a good coach but it is time to move on. Good luck at University 6 Mack.

Is this an attempt at trolling?

[birdman71]

Man, this is a tough crowd. One minute you love a guy, the next he's dirt.

I for one think Mack did great things for our progression as a school with a good basketball program.
I'm sorry to see him go; wish him success (except when playing us), and was proud to have him and his family represent X through these 9 years.

Moving on.
Well said, Paul.

[boozehound]

Ok so let’s keep hoping for a magical run/outlier season to happen. This year is ironically the outlier year to make it happen and we didn’t. You need high level talent to win. The better the talent the more likely it is to win. Easy formula....

I would agree, however I don't think you need a bunch of 5 stars, but you do need a roster filled with solid 4 star recruits (for the most part...). Xavier has, at times, struggled a bit on the recruiting trail which has led to (1) some lackluster recruiting classes and (2) a high degree of reliance on transfers.

[D-West & PO-Z]

So you’d be OK with us effectively becoming DePaul for the next 1-3 years? If we lose our current commits and some combination of Naji, Q, and Paul transfer, that’s a very real possibility.

Gates is our only senior next year. Does anyone know his academic standing? Could he be a graduate transfer and immediately eligible to play? I’m guessing some here would have no problem with that.


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I agree with Go. You cant be short sighted about what is best for the program. If it is Travis great, we get the added bonus of familiarity and players being comfortable. If you are more sold on someone else though who you think is/will be a better hire you have to go with that person, despite any short term consequences.

Also I dont think any of our top players will transfer regardless of who is hired. Most of these guys cant imagine sitting out a year. If they can grad transfer I would see that or if there were anyone on fence who could go pro like Brown when Miller left, but there isnt any of those guys right now.


Man, if Louisville job opened up last year instead of this year wonder what Mack would have done? Think he would have left with Tre, JP, and O'mara coming back as seniors? I bet not.

[IM4X]

This.

Also, our last two hires were in house; Miller and Mack. Not opposed to Steele but open up the damn process and see who wants the job. Give a hard stop like tax day and make a decision. Nobody is going anywhere in the next two to three weeks. I don't want a coronation of Steele, but it is likely he will get it.

I wonder if the coaching decision has already been made: Maybe Mack made sure X was okay with Steele taking over before he accepted the UL offer. One thing that should be an important focus is making sure all of the underclassmen on the roster stay at X. Q, Jones, Naji, Scruggs, Gates all have been able to experience the good (#1 seed and at least one solid win) and bad (getting knocked out earlier than they know they should have) in the NCAA tournament. To have leadership on the team that has been there, experienced it and expect to make deep runns is crucial to the continued tradition of excellence with our X team. I don't know if that means hiring Steele or hiring someone that the AD and other decision makers known the players will want to play for.

Personally, I would feel more comfortable with Steele or Murray than some mid-major coach who has been around for awhile with an uneven record of success... especially if it's true Steele (or Murray) is the many guy in on some of X's recent top recruits.

[xudash]

You don't need 5 star players to get to the Final Four.

2 of the current 4 Final Four teams do not have a 5 star player on their roster.

Semaj was considered a 5 star by some and we had some others who were pretty close.

Now that we have won the BE regular season and gotten a 1 seed, we have two more selling points to help land one. You have to earn your way to the top. X had been steadily doing that... getting closer and closer to being in the elite conversation. I see it. My friends with no affiliation to X are saying it to me now.

If certain X fans can not appreciate how special we truly have become... well God bless them.

Let me repeat, we were a 1 seed in the NCAA tournament and just won the BE regular season title - a conference that includes a team who might win then national championship

We continue to rise. We were first invited to join the BE... then we proved we could be a top 4 team in the conference... then we were a top 2 or 3 team.

It was always Nova and then everybody else... but this year it was X and Nova... and then everybody else.

I can't tell you how many of my friends talk about X like a top basketball program even above many very good high major programs. We are a legit top 15 program now. Honestly... the sky is the limit.

I for 1 am not ever going to sell us short.

I live in Jacksonville, FL. A bastion of SEC and ACC football and basketball fans. I have not met nor do I know one person down here who isn't familiar with Xavier. Seriously, some of them get the city wrong - some think Chicago and some think Philly - but they all have the perception that it is a very good school. When it comes to basketball, I get nothing but respect. I don't believe that is about them being nice to me, especially that one group of "met" with whom I obviously have no connection.

We absolutely took another giant two steps this year:

1. BE Regular Season Champion.

2. NCAAT #1 Seed.

Otherwise, regardless of how well it might have been set-up for us on paper, we crapped out in the Tournament. It happens.

We have an excellent PROGRAM. We'll move forward from here.

Two comments:

I doubt the "he'll leave soon" message can now be played against us for a few years, assuming we get the right guy and provide him the right package.

As much as I believe in continuity, perhaps some of that is already built in, insofar as, assuming it's to be Steele, that he's already been out recruiting for Xavier and has existing points of recruiting contact in play as we sit here now.

Name Steele. Keep Mario. Keep whomever else isn't interested in Hooker U, with the right pay raise in tow.

Move forward.

[Muskie in dayton]

So why can’t we get 5 star recruits? Is it the coach?

The recruiting model that Mack has successfully used does not involve 5-star recruits, but rather strong 3-Star or 4-Stars who want to stay 4 years and develop and get a degree. I don’t want 5-Star recruits. I’d rather enjoy watching the likes of Trevon and J.P. than sell our soul for some prima dona more interested in using college as a NBA minor league without concern for their school, teammates or education.

The guys Mack has recruited are exactly the type of players I want. I hope that continues with whom ever our next coach is.

[AviatorX]

The recruiting model that Mack has successfully used does not involve 5-star recruits, but rather strong 3-Star or 4-Stars who want to stay 4 years and develop and get a degree. I don’t want 5-Star recruits. I’d rather enjoy watching the likes of Trevon and J.P. than sell our soul for some prima dona more interested in using college as a NBA minor league without concern for their school, teammates or education.

The guys Mack has recruited are exactly the type of players I want. I hope that continues with whom ever our next coach is.

This is fine if you feel this way, but it’s almost inconceivable X takes the next step without landing some 5 stars.

[Muskie in dayton]

Man, this is a tough crowd. One minute you love a guy, the next he's dirt.

I for one think Mack did great things for our progression as a school with a good basketball program.
I'm sorry to see him go; wish him success (except when playing us), and was proud to have him and his family represent X through these 9 years.

Moving on.

Amen. I understand it’s a defense mechanism to point out the bad. But the good he’s done far outweighs that. This is a hard loss to swallow. But we will and we will move forward as we always have. The X Program will survive and prosper.

[Muskie in dayton]

This is fine if you feel this way, but it’s almost inconceivable X takes the next step without landing some 5 stars.

Villanova

[GoMuskies]

villanova

And LUC

[Emp]

The recruiting model that Mack has successfully used does not involve 5-star recruits, but rather strong 3-Star or 4-Stars who want to stay 4 years and develop and get a degree. I don’t want 5-Star recruits. I’d rather enjoy watching the likes of Trevon and J.P. than sell our soul for some prima dona more interested in using college as a NBA minor league without concern for their school, teammates or education.

The guys Mack has recruited are exactly the type of players I want. I hope that continues with whom ever our next coach is.

I agree generally. I like team basketball. Crawford and Summer were spectacular to watch, but everyone stood around.

The recruiting model you describe was not the one used this last season. Mack went for Big Fish After the EE and couldn't get any into the boat, especially quality center/post candidates who can block shots when the pack line breaks down. . I think that's why he's gone.

[XUGRAD80]

This is fine if you feel this way, but it’s almost inconceivable X takes the next step without landing some 5 stars.


If the next step involves walking in the mud....I’d rather X didn’t.

[Lloyd Braun]

I agree generally. I like team basketball. Crawford and Summer were spectacular to watch, but everyone stood around.

The recruiting model you describe was not the one used this last season. Mack went for Big Fish After the EE and couldn't get any into the boat, especially quality center/post candidates who can block shots when the pack line breaks down. . I think that's why he's gone.

Exactly. And to use Villanova as an example of overachieving above the recruiting rankings is laughable. They recruit and get top talent. Flash in the pans like LUC is not the goal for this program. Sure that would be nice to get to a FF but sustained success at the top tier is the goal. The FFs will occur in time with that model. CM leaving makes a FF in the near future much much less likely and that’s obvious. This is a blow.

[IM4X]

I live in Jacksonville, FL. A bastion of SEC and ACC football and basketball fans. I have not met nor do I know one person down here who isn't familiar with Xavier. Seriously, some of them get the city wrong - some think Chicago and some think Philly - but they all have the perception that it is a very good school. When it comes to basketball, I get nothing but respect. I don't believe that is about them being nice to me, especially that one group of "met" with whom I obviously have no connection.

We absolutely took another giant two steps this year:

1. BE Regular Season Champion.

2. NCAAT #1 Seed.

Otherwise, regardless of how well it might have been set-up for us on paper, we crapped out in the Tournament. It happens.

We have an excellent PROGRAM. We'll move forward from here.

Two comments:

I doubt the "he'll leave soon" message can now be played against us for a few years, assuming we get the right guy and provide him the right package.

As much as I believe in continuity, perhaps some of that is already built in, insofar as, assuming it's to be Steele, that he's already been out recruiting for Xavier and has existing points of recruiting contact in play as we sit here now.

Name Steele. Keep Mario. Keep whomever else isn't interested in Hooker U, with the right pay raise in tow.

Move forward.

Yep. That sounds about right.

I can't help but wonder who Steele would have in mind for his assistants. Could he get one of the other current assistants stay with him at X? Maybe with a nice little bump in salary and a new title of associate head coach.

If Greg Christopher knew Mack was leaving and knew he was planning to hire Steele, I'm hoping he worked it out with Mack to only take one assistant with him. Two coaches staying at X could make it a much smoother transition and it would allow Steele to be able to talk about past situations and plays with a fellow coach who was involved with those situations/plays... and it would mean one less coach for the players to have to get to know and connect with.

[MITTENMUSKIE16]

I agree generally. I like team basketball. Crawford and Summer were spectacular to watch, but everyone stood around.

The recruiting model you describe was not the one used this last season. Mack went for Big Fish After the EE and couldn't get any into the boat, especially quality center/post candidates who can block shots when the pack line breaks down. . I think that's why he's gone.



I know that we lost out on a lot of guards/wings- Swider, Locke, Hunter, Horton-Tucker, Ayo, the well-documented list goes on...



Other than Swider with Villanova, and probably Noah Locke with Florida, i don't think there is any one of these "big fish" that we were seriously in the running for that went to a bigger program.

Ayo went to Illini
THT went to Iowa State
Isaiah Mucius went to Wake
Days went to LSU

Jermaine Harris went to Rhode Island over Xavier...?

I think those misses simply say more about whatever odd things were weighing in the kids decision, rather than Xavier's inability to attract talent. Pertinently, those misses should be seen as the outlier, and not the norm, of Xavier recruiting. It's not like we went after 5* guys and very high 4* guys and every single one decided on a blueblood over us. That will never change, unfortunately.

[Xavier]

If Greg Christopher knew Mack was leaving and knew he was planning to hire Steele, I'm hoping he worked it out with Mack to only take one assistant with him. .

Why would Mack do that?

[Xville]

Villanova

Has five stars on their roster mixed in with the 3s and 4s

[kellernr]

It's pretty funny. Over on the UC boards they are saying X is taking a huge risk if they go with Steele because he will be connected with fbi probe for shady recruiting tactics. Also they think Mack is leaving because he knows X is dirty and he's getting out while he can.

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

[GoMuskies]

Also they think Mack is leaving because he knows X is dirty and he's getting out while he can.


Smart, go lay low at Louisville. Brilliant theory.

[BandAid]

It's pretty funny. Over on the UC boards they are saying X is taking a huge risk if they go with Steele because he will be connected with fbi probe for shady recruiting tactics. Also they think Mack is leaving because he knows X is dirty and he's getting out while he can.

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

Ya, well, that' just like their opinion, man.

[MITTENMUSKIE16]

I'm sure they also think Mick didn't get a call because Lville knew he would be loyal to the bearcats. Having complete amnesia about the whole UNLV thing.

[IM4X]

Why would Mack do that?

To help the school that gave him a chance to be a head coach... To show he truly wants his long time loyal assistant and his alma mater to continue to succeed and not miss a beat... to prove he isn't completely selfish.

[kellernr]

To help the school that gave him a chance to be a head coach... To show he truly wants his long time loyal assistant and his alma mater to continue to succeed and not miss a beat... to prove he isn't completely selfish.He's taking sister rose with him too.

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[Blue Blooded-05]

Also they think Mack is leaving because he knows X is dirty and he's getting out while he can.


Smart, go lay low at Louisville. Brilliant theory.

Lol, yep... reminiscent of Michael Corleone going to Sicily

[IM4X]

He's taking sister rose with him too.

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

Yes... and I heard he's planning to paraded her around in a wheelchair during the tournament... hoping it'll get him to his first final four.

[GoMuskies]

Snow says Mack just informed Xavier's team that he was taking the Louisville job. Louisville has called a press conference for tomorrow.

https://247sports.com/Article/On-Tuesday-Chris-Mack-informed-his-team-he-has-accepted-the-job-at-Louisville-116749372

[markchal]

Goodman just tweeted it too. 7 years, 4 million per. Darn.

[Blue Blooded-05]

Meh... the buildup was worse than the news. We’ll be fine.

Thanks Coach Mack, but please don’t get your butt print on the door on the way out. We have some unfinished business to take care of