(St. Louis, MO) – Gregg Marshall’s name surfaces when every big time college-coaching job that comes open. This time the Wichita State Head Coach is linked to the Missouri opening.
When Frank Haith unexpectedly left Mizzou for Tulsa the immediate knee jerk reaction is for people to name Marshall, VCU’s Shaka Smart and others as the front-runners. In recent reports Marshall has been quoted as saying he has not been contacted by Missouri in regards to the job.
Here is the bigger question. Is the reigning national coach of the year long for Wichita? We hear that he is well paid with a salary north of $1.75 million and he is practically the mayor of Wichita. With a young talented team and everything working positively for the former Winthrop head man, why would he leave now?
But, is Marshall destined for a new destination? How long can he hold off the overtures of big time program after big time program? Which time will he succumb to the temptation of a ‘blue blood’ money conference team?
Marshall has shown the ability to stay long periods of time in certain locations and loves Wichita. He coached at Winthrop for about a decade and has already been with the Shockers for seven years.
He just lost his top assistant (Chris Jans) and others on his staff are rated as some of the best in the country. Marshall has a great thing going on in the Missouri Valley Conference, but how long can he say ‘no’ to the ACC, Big 10, Big 12, SEC, Big East or Pac 12? We all know an offer with a crooked number in the ‘million’ category will be coming soon.
My guess is that the Mizzou job is not the one for Marshall, but by the end of 2015 or 2016 it is more likely that he will finally yield to a program that offers him a chance to compete against the very best national programs on a nightly basis. That will be a sad day for Shocker fans and those that root for mid major schools and specifically for the Valley.
Athletic Director Dr. Eric L. Sexton should be staying close to those assistants on Marshall’s staff and paying attention to other rising coaching stars. He may need to react to a painful loss some time soon.
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