Creighton’s McDermott Retiring?
Will he or won’t he…It’s Confirmed!
Rumors-Word is spreading today that Big Mac is ‘retiring’ at Creighton University. Hmmm. Real retirement or ‘retirement/slash repositioning’ to Arizona (State)? At 61 Mac still has headcoaching gas in the tank. A year ago at the peak of his Creighton tenure, he and the U put in his succession plan – a.k.a. Coach-in-waiting Alan Huss. Huss is legacy guy: a former player (under Dana Altman), as well as a former/current assistant coach, elite recruiter, under McDermott.
Creighton sifted, plied, and relied heavily this season on a crop of Portal recruits. While an excellent portal class, overall this group was slow to pick up the system, was consistently inconsistent in execution. Creighton fell back a couple of steps this season to ‘Middlin Major’ status (15-17 overall / 9-11 Big East) after 10 straight seasons of steady successes: Ten straight 20+ wins, 6 straight seasons of top 4 conference status, 5 straight NCAA’s (3 SS, 1 EE).
This season was a huge disappointment in Omaha.
Back to the story…
If true…Creighton is in very good hands, as the succession plan was in place and Alan Huss is not only Legacy, but an excellent coach! In my view…while labeled a potential “retirement”, with the full and appreciative fanfare deserved for Greg McDermott, his accomplishments at Creighton, and a fitting legacy to his historic ‘run’ on the Hilltop. His status as the Jays all-time winningest, and modern-era Elite Eight attaining coach, is secure. This is possibly the end of the McDermott Era at Creighton; not the end of Mac’s coaching career.
Next stop: Arizona State University? No. Randy Bennett (St Marys College HC), and Arizona native has accepted the ASU job. Mac has a home in Arizona, spends considerable time in the state and it’s numerous golf courses. Leaving Creighton and setting up shop in his ‘retirement state’ as the next coach of the Sun Devil’s would’ve been an appropriate move. Other opening? We shall see.
As an aside – Providence fired Kim English…opening the door for Bobby Hurley to slide into the Big East at the Friars, alongside bro Dannyboy at UConn. Hmmm? Both Hurley’s in the BE!.
UConn’s satanic minions (fans) are ecstatic tonight. Coach Mac has owned dat butt (10-4 all-time)! The entire state of Connecticut is celebrating today. However, the ‘ownership’ of Connecticut basketball will continue folks – it’s merely a coaching change.
My guy – Coach Thad Matta is retiring at Butler. Will there be an internal promotion (likely) or an outside search for his replacement? The logical replacement is Mike Pegues. Pegues is a Chris Mack disciple (10 years), 6 years at Xavier, 4 at Louisville with Mack. The last 4 years under Matta at Butler. Knows the BE culture well and is an astute recruiter and coach. For outsiders, I’m looking at Iona/Tennessee Tech’s Tobin Anderson, fired Prov HC Kim English, Villanova’s Ashley Howard, or a national search.
Back to Mac.
A struggling P4 major program such as ASU/other is prime fodder for a top coach such as McDermott. Ripe HS recruiting fields in California, the prep school circuits, and the portal make for verdant recruiting to a state school begging for a resurgence. Should Mac conclude that he’s not done yet, whether he takes some of the CU staff or calls upon his fruitful coaching tree for new staffing would remain to be seen. There are several such available schools making for an excellent project(s) to elevate a sub-middlin major to relative prominence.
For now…It appears that Mac’s retirement on the Hilltop is legit news! Thank you Sir – for all of your committment, hard work, and well earned successes at Creighton Basketball and University. Thank you Coach Greg McDermott for your building, guiding, and contributions to Creighton University’s history, legacy, and traditions. Obvious HOF inductee at 1st available nomination. Fair winds and following seas! gtmoBlue.
Jim Harvey a.k.a @gtmoBlue
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