Xavier Head Coaching Search 2025

But to Caveat's point, even Providence put out a statement kissing Ed Cooley's ass after he completely hosed them. So I guess it just is what it is.

Honestly, can you imagine saying this after what Cooley did? https://hoopdirt.com/providence-stat...ley-departure/

“I deeply appreciate Coach Cooley’s immense contributions to the men’s basketball program and to the PC community over the past 12 years,” Father Sicard said. “Friar fans everywhere will be forever grateful for this period of sustained excellence in our program, and I personally will continue to have the highest regard for Ed. I wish him, Nurys, and their family all the best in their future."

No question Sean is a very good coach. I do feel he asks alot of the right questions. He recognize many of the issues that need to be addressed
and he can fix most of those issues. It part of what makes him better than the vast majority of coaches. Still, it feels like he has blond spots and a few other limitations keeping him from getting to that elite level of coaching.

In fact, I think his coaching was not all that great in the game against Illinois. Too many players were out of position too often during the game. Too many 3s taken by the wrong players. Too many shots taken throughout the game with teammates continuing to be no where near the basket. Too many missed assignments again and again with little adjustments. How many times did Illinois run the same play on offense, leaving the 7 footer wide open again and again for an open three. Some lineups were not working. Too often an X guard, on fast break, would drive and score with three defenders in front of him instead of kicking it out to an open teammate on the wing.

It many sound like sour grapes, but I’m convinced there are at least a handful of mid-major coaches who coached in that tournament who could have taken those same X players and gotten a victory against Illinois.

While Sean is likely one of the 40 best coaches, I am not convinced he is a top 20 coach. There is likely a very good reason Sean has never made it to a Final Four all these years, even with the top tier talent he was getting at Arizona: he has the talent to help his teams play better but just not quite the talent to get them playing consistently at quite a high enough level.

Watching Sean coach in the Illinois game felt to me a little like Mack coaching that #1 seed X team against Florida in his final NCAA tournament game as Xavier coach. Both of them were trying to coach, all the while knowing they there about to be announced as the head coach of different school. Sean did look a bit more sedated than usual. He probably just received the offer right before the start of that game.

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Originally Posted by Caveat

What do you want them to say?

This is a business to these people, and they all operate in the same headspace. Every college coach is as loyal as the next raise or next opportunity to raise his profile. They all believe this is their right and duty to themselves / their family / whatever. Fans can get mad, but ADs and school administrators have to live in the world that exists -- not the one we all wish existed. And that world is Sean Miller leaving Xavier twice. Ed Cooley leaving Providence for Georgetown. Etc.

It's a slimy profession occupied by borderline sociopathic achievers.

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Well, not kiss his ass first of all. It's weak as shit. Don't mention him at all. Thank him? For fucking what? Just don't say shit regarding Sean at all. He's a slimy pos that doesn't deserve any ass kissing from our weak ass leadership.

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Originally Posted by IM4X

No question Sean is a very good coach. I do feel he asks alot of the right questions. He recognize many of the issues that need to be addressed
and he can fix most of those issues. It part of what makes him better than the vast majority of coaches. Still, it feels like he has blond spots and a few other limitations keeping him from getting to that elite level of coaching.

In fact, I think his coaching was not all that great in the game against Illinois. Too many players were out of position too often during the game. Too many 3s taken by the wrong players. Too many shots taken throughout the game with teammates continuing to be no where near the basket. Too many missed assignments again and again with little adjustments. How many times did Illinois run the same play on offense, leaving the 7 footer wide open again and again for an open three. Some lineups were not working. Too often an X guard, on fast break, would drive and score with three defenders in front of him instead of kicking it out to an open teammate on the wing.

It many sound like sour grapes, but I’m convinced there are at least a handful of mid-major coaches who coached in that tournament who could have taken those same X players and gotten a victory against Illinois.

While Sean is likely one of the 40 best coaches, I am not convinced he is a top 20 coach. There is likely a very good reason Sean has never made it to a Final Four all these years, even with the top tier talent he was getting at Arizona: he has the talent to help his teams play better but just not quite the talent to get them playing consistently at quite a high enough level.

Watching Sean coach in the Illinois game felt to me a little like Mack coaching that #1 seed X team against Florida in his final NCAA tournament game as Xavier coach. Both of them were trying to coach, all the while knowing they there about to be announced as the head coach of different school. Sean did look a bit more sedated than usual. He probably just received the offer right before the start of that game.

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Any consideration of Mark Schmidt of St. Bonnies; age 63. Good record, Midwest connections. Comments?

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Originally Posted by hoopster68

Any consideration of Mark Schmidt of St. Bonnies; age 63. Good record, Midwest connections. Comments?

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Mark is a great guy who did solid work on Victory Parkway for Skip. Would love him as an assistant if he's ready to leave the high stress world of college head coaching and Xavier hires a head coach without any head coaching experience.

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Originally Posted by hoopster68

Any consideration of Mark Schmidt of St. Bonnies; age 63. Good record, Midwest connections. Comments?

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No.

I think I like the San Fran coach Gerlufsen....he'd be an interesting pick...young, hungry and his team plays d and rebounds which would be a welcome change.

He'd not be my first choice, but someone to look at

I think my top choices so far are as follows:

1. Mack
2. Schertz
3. High point coach former Creighton asst

Randy Bennett on the older side but St. Mary's is getting left behind in the WCC. Honestly is probably the most surefire in the competence dept.

Does Tony Bennett have the urge to get back? Would be an upgrade.

I'm guessing no, but worth a call.