Topic: Future of Marshall Hoops

[Division3sFinest]

Looking at the current state of the Men?s Basketball program and having a personal connection of being a student manager with the program right before DD got the job. I would like to drop a few points about what we should look at moving forward.

Greg Marshall, I know Coach Marshall has ties to the Herd and was super successful at Wichita State and would bring some really good players to the program but does have baggage. Do we want to clean up our dumpster fire with a guy coming off a scandal and bring a bad look to the program? I personally think he would do a phenomenal job rebuilding and getting the program back. But do we want the baggage?

John Brennan, Coach Brennan is an Alumni and has done an exception job so far in his career. Took NKU to the top and they were very good for a few years. Takes over Cincinnati and doesn?t even make it thru 2 seasons, having numerous players transfer and got himself in some deep violations and was forced out. Just like Coach Marshall he is a great ball coach and would get us some really good players and would take pride in the program.

A.W. Hamilton, I know EKU hasn?t beaten Marshall since he has been the coach there or for a long time before him. But I remember the state of the program before he got there, and I know they have struggled this past season but hear me out. He can get players, Wendell green Jr. left EKU and is Auburns go to guy. Tre King left EKU and now plays at Iowa state. He was a very good player for the Herd and was a fan favorite and went on to Hargrave Military Academy and was dominant there. I know the colonels are having a rough year but have been crushed with Covid and injuries, but his age and energy is what this program needs. We need players that are better then C-USA/Sun Belt. He can get us those players.

I hope O?Malley or whoever the next AD is reads this. I love all 3, but A.W. has to be our guy. What do you all think?

[whf]

Just a correction, Brannen did not have violations.  Just wanted to clarify that his problems were not violations.

[miltonherdfan]

If GM would come here for what we could offer him, he?s gotta be the hire.

[herdfan129]

No to Hamilton. I'm not impressed with him at all.

I would like to see us consider D2 HC Ben Howlett from West Liberty University. He runs a great style, he's young, and he has a lot of recruiting connections in Ohio.


https://hilltoppersports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/coaches/ben-howlett/391

Having posted a 99-18 (.846) record through his first four years, Howlett would be one of the fastest coaches in NCAA history to reach the 100-win plateau but that only scratches the surface of his coaching success story.

[Always THE HERD]

IMO......the majority of this group would object to anyone we hired if they were over 60 years of age, or if someone came in with baggage. Greg White was a good coach and people burned him to the stake. He played a much higher ranked teams year in an year out, ran a clean program, etc. We've had some good ones and we have had some terrible ones (at least in my opinion as a novice). I've been a MU follower since 1965. I know good coached teams, good players, and players who it is obvious are being taught right and willing to learn. We've also had some "hot-dogs" play here. I've never been a sports coach BUT I was in management over most of my career. I was transferred to many different locations with the intent to "straighten things up". I could recognize almost immediately those who wanted to be taught & lead & those who could someday replace me. Some did everything I asked and lots more, some only did what I asked and some you almost had to take club to to get them to do anything. I had no problem with getting rid of bad eggs. I had one guy I remember who pouted all the time if he didn't get his way. He would go hide so that no one could see that he wasn't working. No one liked to work with him........When I would arrive at a new location I could instantly tell if the previous manager "really" cared or if his employees cared just by how things looked from an outsider's view.................MU can be a top program..........but as a tv viewer only at this present time.......don't look at the teams play; look at how the Cam looks from a tv screen......does it look like it's and exciting place to be. Even our court is not aweing......look at the top programs, beautifully designed courts great lighting, great student sections "facing the camera"......they look exciting. We have hundred/thousands just sitting there facing the camera and appear to be bored to death. This is NOT something recent, it has been 30 or more years at least. MU has got to look outside the box in every endeaver if things are going to improve.

[herd2win]

I will say that the Cam has rocked a few times and the glow sticks were a novel item.  When we played UCF after Jones left it was crazy.  Just need to give the fans a reason to be excited.

[HoPPy785]

No to Hamilton. I'm not impressed with him at all.

I would like to see us consider D2 HC Ben Howlett from West Liberty University. He runs a great style, he's young, and he has a lot of recruiting connections in Ohio.


https://hilltoppersports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/coaches/ben-howlett/391

If this guy can recruit, I'd give him a try. I like the style of play Crutchfield had and it sounds like he has continued it. Why did he leave there? Why has he never been given a shot somewhere?

[wlf]

Gimmicks don?t hold up. There?s stalagmites down the stairs at the NE entrance!

The D?Antoni?s paid for locker room renovations. DD had a vision for elite Marshall BB facilities. I would hope he could be a part of that vision some way. Marshall BB needs the D Antoni?s.

[herd2win]

Gimmicks don?t hold up. There?s stalagmites down the stairs at the NE entrance!

The D?Antoni?s paid for locker room renovations. DD had a vision for elite Marshall BB facilities. I would hope he could be a part of that vision some way. Marshall BB needs the D Antoni?s.

Involved yes but not as coach.  A locker room will not lead to victories.  The recruiting his entire tenure has been poor.  What if Elmore was not gifted to Dan?  Would 2018 have ever happened?

[Garbanjo]

Looking at the current state of the Men?s Basketball program and having a personal connection of being a student manager with the program right before DD got the job. I would like to drop a few points about what we should look at moving forward.

Greg Marshall, I know Coach Marshall has ties to the Herd and was super successful at Wichita State and would bring some really good players to the program but does have baggage. Do we want to clean up our dumpster fire with a guy coming off a scandal and bring a bad look to the program? I personally think he would do a phenomenal job rebuilding and getting the program back. But do we want the baggage?

John Brennan, Coach Brennan is an Alumni and has done an exception job so far in his career. Took NKU to the top and they were very good for a few years. Takes over Cincinnati and doesn?t even make it thru 2 seasons, having numerous players transfer and got himself in some deep violations and was forced out. Just like Coach Marshall he is a great ball coach and would get us some really good players and would take pride in the program.

A.W. Hamilton, I know EKU hasn?t beaten Marshall since he has been the coach there or for a long time before him. But I remember the state of the program before he got there, and I know they have struggled this past season but hear me out. He can get players, Wendell green Jr. left EKU and is Auburns go to guy. Tre King left EKU and now plays at Iowa state. He was a very good player for the Herd and was a fan favorite and went on to Hargrave Military Academy and was dominant there. I know the colonels are having a rough year but have been crushed with Covid and injuries, but his age and energy is what this program needs. We need players that are better then C-USA/Sun Belt. He can get us those players.

I hope O?Malley or whoever the next AD is reads this. I love all 3, but A.W. has to be our guy. What do you all think?

Gregg Marshall would be terrific if he is ?clean?

John Brannen would be terrific as well if nothing terrible at UC

AW Hamilton is a bit questionable to me now, as he can?t beat average Marshall teams

Kevin Keatts would be my pick if NC State cans him

[svherd]

Involved yes but not as coach.  A locker room will not lead to victories.  The recruiting his entire tenure has been poor.  What if Elmore was not gifted to Dan?  Would 2018 have ever happened?

Not to hijack the thread but if Shuler wouldn?t have convinced Cato to come here, does 2014 happen?


Back to the subject, I wouldn?t mind giving Marshall a shot. We give athletes second chances, why not coaches. Brannon would be great. It will be interesting to see who this job attracts if/when it comes open.  I think it?s a solid mid major job.

[coalherd]

Herd needs to make a commitment to the basketball program, and the next coach, and make definite progress in keeping it.  Would like to see MU land a younger coach who finds success and sticks around a while.  It does happen with Mid Major programs.  Look at McKillop at Davidson; has won over 600 games there.  Won before Curry; won with Curry and has won after Curry.  Currently, the Wildcats have the country's longest winning streak, 14, and are right at the top with Dayton in the A-10!  Danny briefly reached good success with Elmore, Burks and Penava.  Has fallen off significantly due main to recruiting misses, failures and mistakes.  His approach to and emphasis on recruiting has been the biggest flaw in his Coaching approach at Marshall, IMO.  Another guy who had the same kinds of sustained success at a Mid Major was that long time Head Coach Rick Byrd down at Belmont.  Playing in the shadow of SEC Vanderbilt in Nashville, Belmont was always vying for its League championships, post season play, etc.  Another school who has had similar long run success, but under different coaches, is Murray State.

It would take a serious, and solid, longtime commitment by all involved:  the University administration, BOG, etc., the fan base, the Big Green, Locker Room support club, etc.  But I believe it can be done!

[herdfan129]

If this guy can recruit, I'd give him a try. I like the style of play Crutchfield had and it sounds like he has continued it. Why did he leave there? Why has he never been given a shot somewhere?

Crutchfield left to semi-retire in Florida. Him and his wife already had a house in Florida near the University he is currently at. His wife was a lawyer, she had just sold her law practice in Wheeling. It just worked out that he could go coach at that school and semi-retire at the same time.

What Ben has done in the meantime has been impressive. A lot of players transferred out when Crutchfield left. The first year was a major rebuilding year. Ben has rebuilt the entire team/program with his own flavor. Ben's teams are more athletic than Crutchfield teams were, and Ben presses the entire game whereas Crutchfield got away from that later in his career. The same offensive philosophies are still there that Ben learned from Crutchfield, meaning big men who can shoot from outside or put it on the floor.

Ben also plays a much tougher OOC schedule than Crutchfield used to play.

West Liberty is a lot more skilled than Marshall and it's not even close. I don't think any of our guards would start for West Liberty or Fairmont either one. I know none of our guards could guard any of theirs. The West Lib big men are what we are supposed to be seeing here at Marshall with our style of play, but we haven't seen that since Penava.

[HoPPy785]

Crutchfield left to semi-retire in Florida. Him and his wife already had a house in Florida near the University he is currently at. His wife was a lawyer, she had just sold her law practice in Wheeling. It just worked out that he could go coach at that school and semi-retire at the same time.

What Ben has done in the meantime has been impressive. A lot of players transferred out when Crutchfield left. The first year was a major rebuilding year. Ben has rebuilt the entire team/program with his own flavor. Ben's teams are more athletic than Crutchfield teams were, and Ben presses the entire game whereas Crutchfield got away from that later in his career. The same offensive philosophies are still there that Ben learned from Crutchfield, meaning big men who can shoot from outside or put it on the floor.

Ben also plays a much tougher OOC schedule than Crutchfield used to play.

West Liberty is a lot more skilled than Marshall and it's not even close. I don't think any of our guards would start for West Liberty or Fairmont either one. I know none of our guards could guard any of theirs. The West Lib big men are what we are supposed to be seeing here at Marshall with our style of play, but we haven't seen that since Penava.

Why do you think Crutchfield never got a D1 job? I feel like his name was brought up for Marshall at one point and I remember looking into him and even watching a couple of games. You'd think with the wins he stacked, someone would have given him a try.

I like what you're saying about the new guy. I doubt we can come up with the money for a sure thing name, so let's try a young guy out. Probably has a lot of fire.

[miltonherdfan]

Last time I looked, crutchfield, % wise, is the all-time winningest coach in NCAA BB history.

His name was all over these boards when we eventually hired DD.

[goherd24]

Crutchfield left to semi-retire in Florida. Him and his wife already had a house in Florida near the University he is currently at. His wife was a lawyer, she had just sold her law practice in Wheeling. It just worked out that he could go coach at that school and semi-retire at the same time.

What Ben has done in the meantime has been impressive. A lot of players transferred out when Crutchfield left. The first year was a major rebuilding year. Ben has rebuilt the entire team/program with his own flavor. Ben's teams are more athletic than Crutchfield teams were, and Ben presses the entire game whereas Crutchfield got away from that later in his career. The same offensive philosophies are still there that Ben learned from Crutchfield, meaning big men who can shoot from outside or put it on the floor.

Ben also plays a much tougher OOC schedule than Crutchfield used to play.

West Liberty is a lot more skilled than Marshall and it's not even close. I don't think any of our guards would start for West Liberty or Fairmont either one. I know none of our guards could guard any of theirs. The West Lib big men are what we are supposed to be seeing here at Marshall with our style of play, but we haven't seen that since Penava.

I think you're a little high on west liberty and discounting our team. You realize we would crush them in a game right? Even as bad as we are now.

[MicDrass1]

Greg Marshall recruits the style of players I like best

[coalherd]

Well, as to current HERD hoops and its current struggling status, I see where Coach D'Antoni in a detailed article in today's paper described himself as a "one trick pony".   Funny, I though he earlier this year said he was a "goldfish".   Hope there are no more chameleon like changes by Coach D the remainder of this season else his players get confused, receive mixed messages, etc.!!  They're already pretty "befuddled" as their 8-game losing streak readily attests!  :)

[Mako]

Greg Marshall recruits the style of players I like best

That's great.  He was being paid $3.5 mil by WSU.  He received a settlement of nearly $8 mil. The dude literally never needs to work again a day in his life.  There is no way we get him for less than $2 mil and there is no way Marshall can, even in a fantasy world, come up with that kind of coin.

[2xBison]

Not to hijack the thread but if Shuler wouldn?t have convinced Cato to come here, does 2014 happen?


Back to the subject, I wouldn?t mind giving Marshall a shot. We give athletes second chances, why not coaches. Brannon would be great. It will be interesting to see who this job attracts if/when it comes open.  I think it?s a solid mid major job.

With that schedule, talent on team and Fro here 2014 absolutely happens and it?s no question.  The only question is would Fro have blown the WKU game like Cato.


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[MarshallSteve]

Personally.....if Dan does happen to retire at seasons end I would like to see Mike Dantoni take the program over. Assuming he would be open to doing it. I think Dan has done a terrific job overall but I think Mike with his connections could take this program to a totally different level. Its all about relationships and connections in the basketball industry. Mike has all the connections and would likely be able to put together a staff that would be able to recruit great players (great shooters) to play in Mikes offensive system.

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[herdfan129]

Why do you think Crutchfield never got a D1 job? I feel like his name was brought up for Marshall at one point and I remember looking into him and even watching a couple of games. You'd think with the wins he stacked, someone would have given him a try.

I like what you're saying about the new guy. I doubt we can come up with the money for a sure thing name, so let's try a young guy out. Probably has a lot of fire.

He was offered multiple low level D1 jobs but at his age, he wasn?t going to leave for just any D1 job. Plus his wife had a successful law practice in the area. I do know he wanted the Marshall job when we hired DD and I know he did meet with our AD, but not sure if it was a ?formal? interview or not.

Either way, the man can flat out coach. Before taking over the basketball program at West Liberty he was the conference coach of the year in Tennis.

[herdfan129]

I think you're a little high on west liberty and discounting our team. You realize we would crush them in a game right? Even as bad as we are now.

Lmao? I don?t know what you base that on to be honest. I think Marshall would struggle with West Liberty or Fairmont either one. Their guards would eat us alive and their bigs are meaner than ours. I honestly think Marshall would be lucky to win either game. There?s a reason we always play Milligans and Bluefields instead of West Liberty or Fairmont.

[HoPPy785]

He was offered multiple low level D1 jobs but at his age, he wasn?t going to leave for just any D1 job. Plus his wife had a successful law practice in the area. I do know he wanted the Marshall job when we hired DD and I know he did meet with our AD, but not sure if it was a ?formal? interview or not.

Either way, the man can flat out coach. Before taking over the basketball program at West Liberty he was the conference coach of the year in Tennis.

He is who I wanted when we got Dan.

[herdfan129]

Personally.....if Dan does happen to retire at seasons end I would like to see Mike Dantoni take the program over. Assuming he would be open to doing it. I think Dan has done a terrific job overall but I think Mike with his connections could take this program to a totally different level. Its all about relationships and connections in the basketball industry. Mike has all the connections and would likely be able to put together a staff that would be able to recruit great players (great shooters) to play in Mikes offensive system.

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This would obviously be the best scenario but I?m not getting my hopes up.