On the MU-Shaka hire. Outstanding news, as it provides a much needed jolt of energy, interest and optimism into the Marquette Basketball program. So many thoughts from yesterday, so I will try and condense as much as possible.

Shaka was nearly, and by nearly - it was as close to being introduced with a press conference for the following day, named as MUBB head coach in 2014. Our (then) administration identified Shaka as our number one candidate, and there was heavy interest on both sides to seeing something get done. Ultimately, it very much sounded like Shaka, and his family, were uneasy about MU having a (then) interim President, interim AD and the long-term vision of the school and program unsettled. Shaka wanted to be here then, as much as he wanted to be here now. Sometimes life comes full circle, and it was a wonderful narrative to help the program get back on track.

MUBB, with Wojo, was not on an upward trajectory. Fans were apathetic with the program, where the two NCAAT appearances in seven years (zero wins) was not met with anger or hatred, but rather with carelessness and lack of interest. MU loves Wojo very much. Really nice guy, great family, cared about his players (who graduated) and represented the university as best as anyone could. Had MU been more consistent, his (respectfully) bland personality was very boring, uninteresting and, at times, frustrating. His coach speak after bad losses grew tiresome, especially after embarrassments (Murray State, Hausergate, Georgetown, etc.). Many MU fans genuinely want Wojo to get another opportunity at another program where he has an opportunity to be successful. I don't think he is a fit for a P5 school. I think he would do well to follow Anthony Grant and Travis Ford in the A10, as he is an East Coast guy and his a great recruiter. I do not think he should return to Duke. If anything, Wojo needs to move away from that Duke connection and perhaps learn under a different tree. The Duke style does not work every where.

For Texas, the Shaka hire was never really a fit to begin with. Shaka never coached in Texas. Texas fired Rick Barnes, a coach with numerous tournament appearances, a Final Four, two Elite Eights, two Sweet 16s and three regular season conference championships. I give Shaka a ton of credit for not attempting to duplicating HAVOC at Texas. He attempted to utilize more of an NBA-style of play to recruit higher level of players to varying degrees of success. Shaka has made the NCAAT in eight of his twelve seasons as head coach (with one being COVID). The demands of Marquette and Texas are radically different, despite somewhat similar program accomplishments; Marquette has won a National Championship (Texas has not); both have made three Final Fours; both have similar amount of NCAAT appearances (35 to 33). However, Marquette will not run out a head coach for failing to make the Final Four or Elite Eight (where Texas will). For Marquette, the expectation is to make the NCAAT most years (and if you miss it one year, the expectation should be to return the next year); if we do get a deep run (like a F4 with Wade, an E8 with Butler/Crowder or a S16 - that is icing on the cake). Texas has higher (and some would say unrealistic) demands that few can satisfy (similar to Indiana, to a much lesser extent).

Anyways, we are very excited to welcome Shaka Smart home to Marquette and to Wisconsin. Ticket sales are up, donations to the school are up, and the future of MUBB is brighter than its been it quite some time.