Matta Out At Ohio State

[Xavier4036]

It seems like Mack is rumored for every job that opens up every year. Why is that? To me, it is a sign that he isn't entirely happy at Xavier for some reason (I have no idea what that reason is).

If he is constantly shopping for other jobs, OSU would be hard to turn down. They've got all the money in the world there. But geez, the timing sucks for Mack. He's got a really good team coming back next year....one year later and it may be a different story.

If Mack goes, does X try to rehire Matta? Small world.

I would say Mack is rumored for every job that opens because he's taken Xavier to 4 Sweet 16's, including 1 Elite 8, in 8 years at Xavier and 7 NCAA tournaments.

If he was unhappy at Xavier, he'd be coaching at Florida, Tennessee, IU, Cal, Wake Forest, Georgetown or any number of schools he's turned down or not showed interest in but was "rumored" about.

[X-man]

IMHO, we're safe. He isn't going up I-71 for that job. Especially given the mess that presently exists in Columbus.

The Flyer Faithful convinced themselves that Archie Miller would stay put at Dayton until the Ohio State job became available. Especially given the mess that exists in Bloomington.


Who is highest paid employee at Ohio State? – Dayton Daily News - February 19, 2016

Ohio State University paid men’s basketball head coach Thad Matta $5.8 million last year …

Billy Donovan (crazy), Chris Mack (not so crazy) and Ohio State's potential replacements for Thad Matta – Cleveland.com - June 5, 2017

Chris Mack, Xavier

Let's stick with the Xavier connection for a minute at talk about Mack. Of all the names you'll see here and elsewhere, he probably makes the most sense. He was born in Cleveland and grew up near Cincinnati. He's coached at Xavier with great success since 2009, and could recruit Ohio and the Midwest. He never coached with Matta, but did coach under Miller at Xavier before succeeding Miller when he went to Arizona. Mack made $1.4 million last year, according to USA Today, and Ohio State could double that without paying anything more than it paid Matta.

Likelihood of it happening: As likely as you'll find here. He'd be my pick if I were making the decision based on attainability and track record. Indiana flirted with him before picking Archie Miller, so Mack may be ready to move on from his alma mater.

In any event, I hope that Chris Mack remains at Xavier, but I have no idea of what he will decide.

Wow, I had no idea that Muddy was really a Xavier fan. Sure couldn't tell that from his days posting to the A-10 board when Xavier was in the A-10.

[Bill Marsh]

This from Land Grant Holy Land dot com:

"Per USA Today, Mack makes about $1.1 million but his position became (an) endowed (chair) in January 2015 by the biggest donation ever made to Xavier men's basketball, so it's quite likely that Mack makes more than $1.1 million per season. Mack has also proven that he can recruit well at Xavier . . . The Musketeers play in the sparkling Cintas Center, a 10,250-seat on-campus arena that opened in 2000 and also holds Xavier's practice facilities.

". . . he grew up . . . in Cincinnati, played with the Musketeers . . . Mack's wife . . . Is from Louisville, . . . about a 2 hour drive from Cincinnati. If Mack were to leave his very comfortable situation at Xavier, chances are it would . . . not (be) for Ohio State, which is at best a lateral move."

[GoldenWarrior11]

If this move was made in the Spring, and not Summer, I think the likelihood of losing one of Mack/Holtmann to an OSU would have been much higher. Today, in early June, you have coaches already in the full-swing of summer camps, recruiting and preparations for the season. Moving now not only loses all the work you have done, but also puts you behind every single one of the B1G programs entering next year. You wouldn't be able to install your full program until a year from now. That takes into account assistants, recruits, and other basketball personnel.

I just don't see Mack or Holtmann leaving for this type of opportunity right now. If/when they leave for bigger jobs, it will be one where they have more control over.

Personally, and unless OSU can finagle Donovan from OKC (which I also think is unlikely considering he didn't leave them for Indiana), I think they are looking at mid-majors for their next coach (or a current power conference assistant). They could also look at Tom Crean, but I don't believe they would be interested. They will make a run at Marshall (and get denied), they will make runs at Mack/Holtmann (and get denied), and try and get Donovan (which I think they'll be denied). I think they will end up choosing from a pool of Cronin/Crean/Capel/Jankovich crowd.

[Savannah Jay]

If this move was made in the Spring, and not Summer, I think the likelihood of losing one of Mack/Holtmann to an OSU would have been much higher. Today, in early June, you have coaches already in the full-swing of summer camps, recruiting and preparations for the season. Moving now not only loses all the work you have done, but also puts you behind every single one of the B1G programs entering next year. You wouldn't be able to install your full program until a year from now. That takes into account assistants, recruits, and other basketball personnel.

I just don't see Mack or Holtmann leaving for this type of opportunity right now. If/when they leave for bigger jobs, it will be one where they have more control over.

Personally, and unless OSU can finagle Donovan from OKC (which I also think is unlikely considering he didn't leave them for Indiana), I think they are looking at mid-majors for their next coach (or a current power conference assistant). They could also look at Tom Crean, but I don't believe they would be interested. They will make a run at Marshall (and get denied), they will make runs at Mack/Holtmann (and get denied), and try and get Donovan (which I think they'll be denied). I think they will end up choosing from a pool of Cronin/Crean/Capel/Jankovich crowd.

This makes sense to me...and both Mack and Holtmann seem like good guys who wouldn't want to leave their respective schools in such a bind by leaving now. I find it interesting that Ohio State fired their last 2 coaches in June.

And is it just me, or did the Ohio State job seem to age Matta about 30 years? Kinda hard to believe he's only 49.

Finally, I've seen Buzz Williams and Scott Drew's name bantered about, too.

[Bill Marsh]

If this move was made in the Spring, and not Summer, I think the likelihood of losing one of Mack/Holtmann to an OSU would have been much higher. Today, in early June, you have coaches already in the full-swing of summer camps, recruiting and preparations for the season. Moving now not only loses all the work you have done, but also puts you behind every single one of the B1G programs entering next year. You wouldn't be able to install your full program until a year from now. That takes into account assistants, recruits, and other basketball personnel.

I just don't see Mack or Holtmann leaving for this type of opportunity right now. If/when they leave for bigger jobs, it will be one where they have more control over.

Personally, and unless OSU can finagle Donovan from OKC (which I also think is unlikely considering he didn't leave them for Indiana), I think they are looking at mid-majors for their next coach (or a current power conference assistant). They could also look at Tom Crean, but I don't believe they would be interested. They will make a run at Marshall (and get denied), they will make runs at Mack/Holtmann (and get denied), and try and get Donovan (which I think they'll be denied). I think they will end up choosing from a pool of Cronin/Crean/Capel/Jankovich crowd.

Agree with all your points. Well said.

Smith has certainly made a mess of this. Couldn't have been a worse way to show a long time (13 years) HC the door, a coach who has done so much for the program. Who would want to work for him? The top candidates who've been mentioned certainly have better current situations and better future options, and don't have to subject themselves to working for a guy like that.

The new hire could be their own assistant Chris Jent, which would make for a smoother transition. When a coach leaves after the end of the school year, an internal hire is often the way a school goes. Former assistant Jeff Boals, HC at Stony Brook, is another possibility with similar benefits since he left only a year ago.

[BEXU]

It seems like Mack is rumored for every job that opens up every year. Why is that? To me, it is a sign that he isn't entirely happy at Xavier for some reason (I have no idea what that reason is).

If he is constantly shopping for other jobs, OSU would be hard to turn down. They've got all the money in the world there. But geez, the timing sucks for Mack. He's got a really good team coming back next year....one year later and it may be a different story.

If Mack goes, does X try to rehire Matta? Small world.

Coach Mack would be in the Top 5 for any Coaching job in the Country. Any AD that didn't try to talk to him should be fired. I don't think he has ever "shopped" for a job since he's been @ X. He has had many, many calls for sure. Did you forget already that he took a team who temporarily ( one for good) lost their two top scorers to an Elite Eight? Not happy? My guess is he is very happy coaching at his Alma Mater or he could have left multiple times for the big bucks. Matta left X on very bad terms. The Alumni hate his guts.

News from Snow:

Brian Snow‏ @BSnowScout

Going forward it sounds like Chris Mack, Archie Miller, and Sean Miller can be removed from any Ohio St coaching speculation

[Fieldhouse Flyer]

Smith has certainly made a mess of this.

Absolutely.

Ohio State made a mess of parting ways with Thad Matta - Myron Medcalf, ESPN - June 5, 2017


Ohio State men’s basketball | Who will replace Thad Matta? - The Columbus Dispatch - June 6, 2017

Ohio ties could lead Smith to Xavier coach Chris Mack or Cincinnati coach Mick Cronin, especially with Smith wanting more emphasis on in-state and Midwest recruiting.

However, those close to Mack think that if he were ever to leave Xavier, his alma mater, it would be for the job at Louisville, his wife’s hometown. He just bought a new home in northern Kentucky and seems happy at Xavier.

[pki1998]

Looking like bad news for Xavier, Chris Mack put his house up for sale yesterday:

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/2483-Legends-Way-Crestview-Hills-KY-41017/1419875_zpid/

A quick search of the Kenton County Auditor shows the house is owned by Chris and Christi Mack

http://kcor.org

Not a good day for Xavier

[JohnW22]

Looking like bad news for Xavier, Chris Mack put his house up for sale yesterday:

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/2483-Legends-Way-Crestview-Hills-KY-41017/1419875_zpid/

A quick search of the Kenton County Auditor shows the house is owned by Chris and Christi Mack

http://kcor.org

Not a good day for Xavier

He already closed on a new one also in Northern Kentucky. Brian Snow already has stated to take his name off the list. He is the guy that would know when it comes to Xavier.