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Butler’s search for a head coach: 4 names to watch

By Chris Stone

Mar 24, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; Butler Bulldogs fans cheer on their team before the first half of a game against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the semifinals of the South Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 24, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; Butler Bulldogs fans cheer on their team before the first half of a game against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the semifinals of the South Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 7, 2017; Detroit, MI, USA; Milwaukee Panthers guard Brock Stull (3) grabs the ball against the Northern Kentucky Norse during the second half of the Horizon League Conference Tournament championship game at Joe Louis Arena. Northern Kentucky won 59-53. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 7, 2017; Detroit, MI, USA; Milwaukee Panthers guard Brock Stull (3) grabs the ball against the Northern Kentucky Norse during the second half of the Horizon League Conference Tournament championship game at Joe Louis Arena. Northern Kentucky won 59-53. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

LaVall Jordan, Wisconsin-Milwaukee head coach

Another member of the Butler family who will likely be considered for the position in LaVall Jordan. He played for the Bulldogs from 1997 to 2001, making the NCAA Tournament with the program three times during that span.

The 38-year old is currently the head coach of the Wisconsin-Milwaukee Panthers. 2016-17 was the first season Jordan was in charge of the program and the Panthers compiled an 11-24 record in the Horizon League. However, Jordan’s Milwaukee squad nearly earned a birth to the NCAA Tournament, falling just six points short in the conference tournament final. Most would expect that Jordan would have significantly more success with a roster as talented as the Bulldogs.

Jordan has plenty of coaching experience under his belt. From 2004 to 2007, he was an assistant coach with Todd Lickliter at Butler before following him to the University of Iowa until 2010. From 2010 to 2016, he was an assistant coach at the University of Michigan under John Beilein where he focused on recruiting and develop the team’s backcourt players.

Jordan is currently being earning $350,000 per season, so the jump to a major conference would likely come with a hefty raise. Holtmann, for example, was making $1.2 million per season with the Bulldogs.