Shaka Smart to Marquette

[NJRedman]

this would completely shock me...no offense to Marquette fans, but why he would pass on UCLA last year and be willing to accept Marquette now?

some are touting this as a homecoming...according to this WP article, it seems like he endured a lot of racism growing up in Oregon, WI (suburban Madison), so I'm not sure he's nostalgic for his boyhood state

http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/vc ... story.html

Easy, winning coaches get fired from UCLA. They have an unrealistic idea about their program and standing in college basketball. Marquette is a good program that spends a TON of money on it's program and doesn't have to compete with FBS FB for revenue and support from the school. They were paying Buzz 3 mil a year and he had a private jet for recruiting purposes. Also Smart is from WI so it all makes a LOT more sense than UCLA.

Oh and if this happens then VCU's chances of joining the Big East go with him.

Shaka currently makes about 1.6 million a year, also includes the use of a private jet for recruiting. He turned down a hire contract, to increase the salary of his assistants. He was last offered 2.5 million by Illinois. I'm fairly certain he's staying, but if this decision is being made, it's not about the money and all about the location of Marquette being in Wisconsin, and being a basketball only school.

I'm sure you're fairly certain because if he leaves you guys are F'ed. Like I said, it seems he rather be at a BBall school and not a BBall/FB school.

[Gopher+RamFan]

I'm sure you're fairly certain because if he leaves you guys are F'ed. Like I said, it seems he rather be at a BBall school and not a BBall/FB school.

I'm fairly certain because there's one person I really trust has said so. Doesn't matter if you believe that or not. People said VCU was F'ed when Jeff Capel left, same with Anthony Grant. Thankfully we already have a coach in waiting, and have been paying him to stay on staff.

As to your BBall/FB school statement - VCU doesn't even sponsor an FCS team. It has a club team, just like it has a club hockey team. BE programs have established FCS teams, so I'm getting tired of re-iterating this "VCU has football" mantra. Public does not equal football.

[SJHooper]

Congrats Marquette. You guys deserve nothing but the best coaches. Can't wait to see a top 25 Marquette team crushing it while VT will never be able to join the elite ACC club of Cuse, Pitt, UNC, Duke, L'Ville.

[LeMoyne00]

I didn't think VCU sponsored football (it's not listed on their website VCUathletics.com)... and how much was Buzz making at Marquette, because I've heard 2.6, 2.8, and now 3.0 million?

[MackNova]

So I didn't see a single credible report anywhere that Smart was going to be hired by Marquette. Meyer said it was close, but he said the day before Howland was close.

I'd love Marquette to hire Smart. I think it's unlikely, but it's not exactly a pipe dream. Would be a home run hire.

[ElDonBDon]

So the very very original poster said that
1) There would be a leak on Monday evening
2) The official presser would be on Wednesday
Other reliable posters have confirmed.

The real strengh of confidence I have is that Jim Ganzer (IWB), who is extremely well connected to the Milwaukee bball scene, is basically putting his reputation on the line. He tweeted:
1) I am predicting Shaka to MU (around 3:45pmCT)
2) Shaka to MU. Done deal. (around 7ish CT)
Regarding 2, someone on Twitter asked him "who is the source of that info" he responded "I am."
Also regarding 2, he tweeted a local sports guy Tom Pipines that `Shaka to MU. Put it in Sharpie'
Tom Pipines then opened the 10pm news announcing that Shaka is indeed coming.

If Shaka doesn't come, these guys have ruined their respective careers. Seriously. And, of course, they knew that before making the announcement.

All of this gives me hope (though I must say that I am still firmly in the Howland camp).

[ElDonBDon]

Stever,

It was me. I said that HAVOC was a gimmick. Honestly (you may not believe me here) I still think it is a gimmick. You think Cotton wouldn't eat that alive? Khalif Wyatt from Temple made HAVOC look like [I can't think of anything clever]!

If Shaka comes, I will be very happy. Though I really we wish we had offered Howland. We still might and I hope it's not too late. Worst case scenario is that Shaka stays at VCU and Howland goes to Wake. The ACC gains in strength and we (MU/BEast) are left with some no-name (relatively speaking).

In any case, if Shaka does come to MU and actually implements HAVOC and it works. Well, then, I will eat serious crow--I will change my handle and avatar to whatever you want for the entirety of next season.

[HoosierPal]

Per the Richmond Times Dispatch, Marquette had not as of yesterday asked permission to talk with Smart.

http://www.timesdispatch.com/sports/college/vcu/marquette-wake-forest-interested-in-shaka-smart/article_e54dc7d0-b378-11e3-bf81-0017a43b2370.html

[Bill Marsh]

I didn't think VCU sponsored football (it's not listed on their website VCUathletics.com)... and how much was Buzz making at Marquette, because I've heard 2.6, 2.8, and now 3.0 million?

Forbes reported that UZR was making $2.8 million at Marquette as have multiple other sources. ESPN reported $3 million; I guess they rounded up.

Virginia Tech is a football-first school. Head football coach and a VT institution frank Beamer makes a reported $2.3 million annual salary. Either Beamer is getting. A big raise or Buzz will be making a lot less at VT than he was at Marquette.

[RDinNY]

This was posted on a St. John's board.


https://twitter.com/CoachSmartMU

Assuming this is his new account it looks like Shaka Smart is announcing his new job:

Shaka Smart ‏@CoachSmartMU · 3m
Excited to return home, official announcement forthcoming. Nothing but love and gratitude for my time in Richmond, VA. #mubb