The Aftermath

[muskienick]

I have zero angst, hatred, or sorrow with Coach Mack's decision to take the Louisville head coaching position. In his nine years as Xavier's head coach (Five in the Big East), he was unable to achieve the main goal of all our previous coaches: to reach the Final Four. He did make two historic achievements --- earning the most victories as a Xavier Men's basketball head coach and having one of his teams be awarded a 1-seed in the NCAA Tourney (only to have that team bow out in the Round of 32) and I salute him for those achievements!

Instead, I see this as an opportunity. An opportunity to test new waters with a coach who may not be a Matta-Miller-Mack re-tread. That does not mean that our new head coach can't be Travis Steele. Learning on the job, as Coach Steele did, does not mean emulating the game strategies and recruiting methods of the coach that preceded you. It can mean learning from his mistakes and developing different strategies to overcome the shortcomings of the past.

Greg Christopher might choose to go outside the "Xavier Family" in the naming of our next coach. I am sure that he started such a list of candidates the day that Rick Pitino was officially fired. I have every confidence that between AD Christopher and President Graham, Xavier Basketball will be just fine in the near future.

[XUGRAD80]

Excellent post!

[letskeepitreal]

Question is do you make the best short term decision by going with Steele or is there a better long term solution? Unfortunately, now is not the time and place to take a chance on someone like Posey although I do wish him luck if that’s what he wants to do. I really do not think Matta or Miller are viable options although I did like Miller as a coach, I think that there are too many potential downsides with regards to the investigations.

[UCGRAD4X]

Question is do you make the best short term decision by going with Steele or is there a better long term solution? Unfortunately, now is not the time and place to take a chance on someone like Posey although I do wish him luck if that’s what he wants to do. I really do not think Matta or Miller are viable options although I did like Miller as a coach, I think that there are too many potential downsides with regards to the investigations.

As pissed off as I am, it is important to remember that coaches come and go, players come and go, administrators come and go.

We are the constant. We are the ones that truly stick by the program. We are the forever, die-hard supporters that never, ever give up. We might be disappointed, we might be bitter, we might be pissed-off and feel like the whores that Lewdville hires, but WE are Xavier basketball. We are the ones who will never leave.

WE ARE XU.

[X-man]

I want a guy named D. West for our next coach.

[jhelmes37]

Wait?

Does this mean we're done being angry and slinging insults?

Not sure I'm ready yet...........

[American X]

Instead, I see this as an opportunity. An opportunity to test new waters with a coach who may not be a Matta-Miller-Mack re-tread.

Greg Christopher might choose to go outside the "Xavier Family" in the naming of our next coach.

Nine years ago, I thought we should have gone outside the Prosser & Matta coaching trees to seek a top assistant who had actual national championship experience. Steele may be a foregone conclusion, but I hope we at least explore outside options. Xavier is a prime job opening.

[XU 87]

After seeing the list of potential candidates, I am thinking that Steele is the best answer short term and long term. But I agree with esteemed poster American X- let's at least see what's out there.

[GoMuskies]

Wait?

Does this mean we're done being angry and slinging insults?

Not sure I'm ready yet...........

We've still got plenty of threads open for that.

[xuman87]

What about Steele as HC with Posey and West as assistants?

[flatspat]

What about Steele as HC with Posey and West as assistants?

I like that idea

[waggy]

So two guys with NBA championship rings are going to assist a guy who never played the game?

[IM4X]

What about Steele as HC with Posey and West as assistants?

Now we're talking.

Then at some point, West could take over and then there would be 3 BE schools with their all-time best player as the Head coach.

[Muskie]

I mean we could if we wanted fill an entire coaching bench with former X players. But I'm not sure that get's the results you guys are clamoring for. Could I see a D. Jackson or Darnell Williams (hell maybe even Posey) on next year's staff? But Posey and West are not the solutions here for the Head position. Let's not be Georgetown.

[D-West & PO-Z]

So two guys with NBA championship rings are going to assist a guy who never played the game?

You clearly put too much emphasis on guys being former players/NBA stars.

Just because you were a great player does not mean you will be a great coach.

[BandAid]

I don't see why Posey would leave an NBA bench for an NCAA bench

[D-West & PO-Z]

I mean we could if we wanted fill an entire coaching bench with former X players. But I'm not sure that get's the results you guys are clamoring for. Could I see a D. Jackson or Darnell Williams (hell maybe even Posey) on next year's staff? But Posey and West are not the solutions here for the Head position. Let's not be Georgetown.

Agree.

Plus why would we possibly want to taint any of their great legacies. Does anyone really want to end up disliking West or Posey or any of our former players after potentially sucking as coaches?

Mot to mention David West plays in the NBA still and is there anything to suggest he wants to coach after? Doesn't seem like a guy who wants to coach after he retires, seems like he has a lot of other interests. Also anything to suggest Posey would want to coach outside the NBA?

[GoMuskies]

Having known Posey a bit when he was at Xavier, the idea of him as one of our coaches is terrifying.

I suppose that is the same as Nigel thinking Mack was a douche when they were in school together....but it turns out that Nigel was right!

[Backyard Champ]

I am not sure the posters were serious about having all former players on the bench. Having said that, I'd welcome West and his influence around the program any time he wishes. He's a very well respected guy amongst NBA players. Known as a great locker room presence.

[throwbackmuskie]

Never understood the fascination of making former players coaches when they have never coached. I agree, Posey will be an NBA coach, only way he would come to X would be as head coach, which I don't see happening at this point. BTW Kevin Frey has been a successful AAU coach, why not him?

[xnatic03]

I wouldn't mind bringing in Thornton or Jackson (not both) as they have experience as assistants and would likely be good for midwest recruiting (paired with Travis). Outside of that, we need someone with strong East coast ties and someone that can recruit the south and southwest. We don't need to fill our coaching staff with former players just for nostalgia's sake.

[Caveat]

You clearly put too much emphasis on guys being former players/NBA stars.

Just because you were a great player does not mean you will be a great coach.

Plus, one of the main jobs of your assistant coaches is to be out there recruiting like madmen. "Can he coach" is only half the question here.

[waggy]

Either of those guys assisting Steele is fantasyland.

[xuman87]

I like the idea of Thornton, Williams, or Jackson - I had forgotten about them. I think they would bring great knowledge of the Xavier mentality plus offer unique insights.

[xuman87]

I would say it is unlikely that Ashley Howard would come back as the head assistant - that would definitely open up the East coast.

[Caveat]

Nine years ago, I thought we should have gone outside the Prosser & Matta coaching trees to seek a top assistant who had actual national championship experience. Steele may be a foregone conclusion, but I hope we at least explore outside options. Xavier is a prime job opening.

It's a prime opening, but this is also an incredibly dangerous moment in the program's history -- we're losing a ton of experience to graduation, and we've got multiple freshmen we're counting on for major minutes & production next season. Going outside the program could result in multiple transfers and turn 18/19 from a rebuilding season to an absolute dumpster fire.

If they decide to go outside the program, it needs to be a for a home-run hire -- not some guy at a mid-major who is a current "hot name." Ideally, it needs to be someone with multiple years of tournament success, some high profile wins, and a demonstrated ability to recruit above his current standing. You find that guy and I'll listen. Otherwise, you go with the guy the players (current and former) are lobbying for: Travis Steele.

ETA: I also hope "explore all (outside) options" isn't code for "take our time." Every second the Xavier job goes unfilled is time wasted that could be spent keeping the current team together, working the existing recruits, and finding new recruits / transfers to take the spots that are going to open up due to Mack's departure. I'm certain every current and future Xavier player is getting phone calls at this very second offering them other opportunities while we have no plan in place.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Either of those guys assisting Steele is fantasyland.

I agree, but only because nothing would lead any of us to believe that either wants to be a college assistant.

Also because I am not sure XU/Steele would be interested in either as assistant coaches.

[drudy23]

Why would West want to be part of the rat race of college assistant?

Special visits to teach some post moves...sure...but he's likely going to want to relax for a while.

[xnatic03]

Why would West want to be part of the rat race of college assistant?

Special visits to teach some post moves...sure...but he's likely going to want to relax for a while.

Agreed DRudy.
One thing I researched for my own sake was the time frame of the last coaching search. Everyone pretty well assumed that Chris Mack would get it, but it took 9 DAYS from Miller being named AZ's coach to Mack being named X's coach. People just need to be patient. I remember Darrin Horn being the hot name last time around too. We sure dodged a bullet there. It will likely be Steele, but X will do their due dilligence to make sure they get it right. I cannot think of anyone that is as much a slam dunk hire as Steele would be, either. I'm not sold on Brannen, and I don't want Kelsey. Moser is a no.

[GoMuskies]

I don't really remember Horn being the hot name. I remember it more as why the hell is South Carolina's coach interviewing at Xavier? Now we know. I also don't remember Mack's hiring being a fait accompli. I really thought Fran McCaffery would get the job. He was coming off a nice run at Siena and had some Xavier ties.

[Muskie]

It's a prime opening, but this is also an incredibly dangerous moment in the program's history -- we're losing a ton of experience to graduation, and we've got multiple freshmen we're counting on for major minutes & production next season. Going outside the program could result in multiple transfers and turn 18/19 from a rebuilding season to an absolute dumpster fire.

If they decide to go outside the program, it needs to be a for a home-run hire -- not some guy at a mid-major who is a current "hot name." Ideally, it needs to be someone with multiple years of tournament success, some high profile wins, and a demonstrated ability to recruit above his current standing. You find that guy and I'll listen. Otherwise, you go with the guy the players (current and former) are lobbying for: Travis Steele.

ETA: I also hope "explore all (outside) options" isn't code for "take our time." Every second the Xavier job goes unfilled is time wasted that could be spent keeping the current team together, working the existing recruits, and finding new recruits / transfers to take the spots that are going to open up due to Mack's departure. I'm certain every current and future Xavier player is getting phone calls at this very second offering them otheropportunities while we have no plan in place.

X has very limited "at-homes" with recruits left (until June) I think. So recruiting in the spring period is going to be dicey. I think they may get a few visits back, but I'm not sure. Another gift from the departing administration.

[Muskie]

I don't really remember Horn being the hot name. I remember it more as why the hell is South Carolina's coach interviewing at Xavier? Now we know. I also don't remember Mack's hiring being a fait accompli. I really thought Fran McCaffery would get the job. He was coming off a nice run at Siena and had some Xavier ties.


Darrin Horn was billed as a spoiler candidate. I think there was a decent backing of him.