Marquette University and men's basketball coach Tom Crean reached agreement on a 10-year contract extension on Tuesday.
While that probably won't stop the nearly constant "Crean is going to (insert school looking for head coach here)" rumors, it seems to be a good move for Crean, the program and Golden Eagles fans.
With a sparkling new practice facility, a talented young roster, a top-notch conference and a former star (Dwyane Wad) who happens to be one of the bigger stars in the NBA, Marquette hoops is in a pretty good state these days. Crean's extension, the financial terms of which were not disclosed, seems to be another positive step.
In the cutthroat world of college basketball recruiting, you can bet that opposing coaches told players "Don't think about Marquette -- Crean won't be there long."
While the deal most certainly contains buyout and escape clauses, Crean and the school can use the security as leverage to continue their climb up the college basketball food chain.
In seven seasons at Marquette, Crean has led the Golden Eagles to an average of 20 wins, a conference championship, six postseason appearances, including the 2003 Final Four, the program's third trip all-time but first since 1977. Last season, he guided a young and relatively inexperienced team to the NCAA Tournament and top-four finish in the Big East Conference despite being picked 12th in the preseason coaches poll. He has an overall record of 141-76 (.650) at Marquette.
"It has always been an honor and a privilege for us to be at Marquette University," Crean, 40, said in a statement. "We are thankful for the opportunity to work at a first class institution with top-rate administrators, faculty and staff, a student body that is second to none, and high quality student-athletes. Our family has loved being a part of this community and look forward to this for many years to come."
While that probably won't stop the nearly constant "Crean is going to (insert school looking for head coach here)" rumors, it seems to be a good move for Crean, the program and Golden Eagles fans.
With a sparkling new practice facility, a talented young roster, a top-notch conference and a former star (Dwyane Wad) who happens to be one of the bigger stars in the NBA, Marquette hoops is in a pretty good state these days. Crean's extension, the financial terms of which were not disclosed, seems to be another positive step.
In the cutthroat world of college basketball recruiting, you can bet that opposing coaches told players "Don't think about Marquette -- Crean won't be there long."
While the deal most certainly contains buyout and escape clauses, Crean and the school can use the security as leverage to continue their climb up the college basketball food chain.
In seven seasons at Marquette, Crean has led the Golden Eagles to an average of 20 wins, a conference championship, six postseason appearances, including the 2003 Final Four, the program's third trip all-time but first since 1977. Last season, he guided a young and relatively inexperienced team to the NCAA Tournament and top-four finish in the Big East Conference despite being picked 12th in the preseason coaches poll. He has an overall record of 141-76 (.650) at Marquette.
"It has always been an honor and a privilege for us to be at Marquette University," Crean, 40, said in a statement. "We are thankful for the opportunity to work at a first class institution with top-rate administrators, faculty and staff, a student body that is second to none, and high quality student-athletes. Our family has loved being a part of this community and look forward to this for many years to come."
Host of “The Drew Olson Show,” which airs 1-3 p.m. weekdays on The Big 902. Sidekick on “The Mike Heller Show,” airing weekdays on The Big 920 and a statewide network including stations in Madison, Appleton and Wausau. Co-author of Bill Schroeder’s “If These Walls Could Talk: Milwaukee Brewers” on Triumph Books. Co-host of “Big 12 Sports Saturday,” which airs Saturdays during football season on WISN-12. Former senior editor at OnMilwaukee.com. Former reporter at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
