Gregg Marshall will entertain Alabama basketball’s head coaching position after the season.
Over the past three years, there hasn’t been a better mid-major program in all of college basketball than the Wichita State Shockers. In the time period, the previously little-known school in the largest city in Kansas went to the Final Four in 2013, had an undefeated season going into the Round of 32 in last year’s tournament, and is currently in the midst of a run as their next test will be on March 26 against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the Sweet 16. One of the main reasons for Wichita State’s success has been because of head coach Gregg Marshall.
When mid-majors have success, the bigger-known programs tend to pluck coaches away from their programs and that’s something that could happen this offseason.
The Alabama Crimson Tide recently fired Anthony Grant and their head coaching position is currently open. High on their radar is Wichita State’s Marshall. However, despite the rumors, Marshall has said that he will want until after the season to entertain Alabama and their offer. When asked about Alabama in an interview with CBS Sports‘ Jim Rome, here’s what Marshall had to say.
"“I was a little shocked that that came out,” he said. “I have no idea where that came from, but it’s really something I don’t have to deal with. Right now it’s just rumor and conjecture. I have not spoken to Alabama. I’m coaching my team, and that’s what I’m going to do, hopefully, for another couple of weeks. And if Alabama is still interested in talking to us with some type of crazy offer at that time, then we will certainly entertain that, but it’s going to take some type of crazy offer to get us to leave Wichita State.”"
Although going to bigger program may be smart, as he would get a bigger salary and he would also have a bigger recruiting pipeline, it’s not like Wichita State is going to get worse this offseason. Junior stars Fred VanVleet and Ron Baker are likely to come back for their senior seasons and the team will also be getting three top-100 recruits this offseason. Despite all of this, Marshall hinted that he would return for next season.
"“I think we can do whatever we need to do in the basketball world at Wichita State,” Marshall added."
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