Marshall turned down $3 MM offer from MU

[WSUwatcher]

Until the media starting making Marshall's job decisions for him, which I suspect will happen about the time it snows in Wichita in August, there's no need to give it a second thought.

[SHOCKvalue]

PEOPLE... I am NOT saying it is something I am worried or paranoid about. I am merely voicing my annoyance with the media.

[jpshocker]

I wasn't talking about words coming directly from 3G, but about the prevalent new thrust by some in the media.

I guess it will always be the cross we bear with the national media. Kinda makes me wonder if Mark Few still gets this type of judgement. Nonetheless, the article itself implies that these words came from Marshall and I just don't think that's realistic. But I tend to take the Pollyanna viewpoint to much of this stuff too.

[Shox21]

I guess it will always be the cross we bear with the national media. Kinda makes me wonder if Mark Few still gets this type of judgement. Nonetheless, the article itself implies that these words came from Marshall and I just don't think that's realistic. But I tend to take the Pollyanna viewpoint to much of this stuff too.

"The reasons for Marshall’s decision to stay at Wichita State were simple. He’s got a great team returning led by Ron Baker, Tekele Cotton and Fred VanVleet; his son, Kellen, is a high school junior; he didn’t want to take over a program with a depleted roster and, finally, he realizes better opportunities may arise in the next year or two. Marshall simply wasn't feeling it with Missouri. And that's not a knock on the Tigers program." Nowhere in this tidbit from the article did it say that MARSHALL himself said this. We all know that he has said in the past about Kellen's senior year and that he did not want another rebuilding job. Everyone knows what great young men he has coming back so this is nothing new, but the business of him realizing "better opportunities my arise in the next year or two" could be and probably is the author's own common sense reporting-- nothing that came directly from Marshall's mouth. Marshall is much too smart, as a previous poster said, to burn unnecessary bridges and make himself open to people not liking that kind of attitude. I personally think a lot of it was the last reason: Marshall simply wasn't feeling it with Missouri.

[ShockTalk]

I guess it will always be the cross we bear with the national media. Kinda makes me wonder if Mark Few still gets this type of judgement. Nonetheless, the article itself implies that these words came from Marshall and I just don't think that's realistic. But I tend to take the Pollyanna viewpoint to much of this stuff too.

Probably not much anymore, after turning down his alma mater Oregon and now going into his 16th year as head coach of the Zags. Interesting read for making your own comparison to HCGM.

http://www.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/e...83066/34784133

Note: This article is a couple years old.

[Royals85]

Maybe the past narrative that Marshall would be here for life was inaccurate, or maybe things have changed, or maybe it's all a negotiating ploy to get a bigger contract from WSU.

Jason King is on an entirely different level than Jenn Bates or Bob Lutz. He is one of the best college basketball reporters in the nation. He lives in KC and has plenty of connections to all of the regional programs. He's been very complementary of the team, the fans, and Coach Marshall in the past. Before Bleacher Report (much more reputable site since they were bought by Turner Sports/CNN) he wrote for ESPN, Yahoo Sports, and originally the KC Star. He is easily more informed and objective on this matter than at least 99.9% of those posting on fan message boards.

Reasonable people can disagree with his opinion, but those who are joking that his sources are Tigerboard posters are just as clueless as the idiots who post on that pathetic site. It's highly possible that one of King's sources is Marshall himself or his agent. Gregg has never been shy to talk about his W2 or which jobs he's passed over. Would we even know he talked to Missouri if it wasn't for the fact that both Marshall and his agent put it out there? From Marshall's perspective, getting it out in the public that he turned down $3M is a good thing for any future negotiations he might have with WSU or any other university.

[AZ Shocker]

Consistency. Marshall's program at Wichita St. is Top-25. Competing for league titles every year. Competing in March every year. Easier to recruit to nowadays. National respect. Well compensated. Great fans. Loved in the community. Enjoys living in Wichita with his family. Etc...etc....etc...

Coach Marshall can make his legacy at Wichita St. and he knows it!!! I believe he is perfectly fine with doing so and the lure of BCS money doesn't seem to be necessarily a huge priority on his bucket list. Me thinks he LOVES competing as the "little guy" beating up on the Goliath's. As a sports fan...it is a breath of fresh air!!!

[WSUwatcher]

Maybe the past narrative that Marshall would be here for life was inaccurate, or maybe things have changed, or maybe it's all a negotiating ploy to get a bigger contract from WSU.

Jason King is on an entirely different level than Jenn Bates or Bob Lutz. He is one of the best college basketball reporters in the nation. He lives in KC and has plenty of connections to all of the regional programs. He's been very complementary of the team, the fans, and Coach Marshall in the past. Before Bleacher Report (much more reputable site since they were bought by Turner Sports/CNN) he wrote for ESPN, Yahoo Sports, and originally the KC Star. He is easily more informed and subjective on this matter than at least 99.9% of those posting on fan message boards.

Reasonable people can disagree with his opinion, but those who are joking that his sources are Tigerboard posters are just as clueless as the idiots who post on that pathetic site. It's highly possible that one of King's sources is Marshall himself or his agent. Gregg has never been shy to talk about his W2 or which jobs he's passed over. Would we even know he talked to Missouri if it wasn't for the fact that both Marshall and his agent put it out there? From Marshall's perspective, getting it out in the public that he turned down $3M is a good thing for any future negotiations he might have with WSU or any other university.

Well, thanks, Jason.

Actually, I've been impressed with Jason King too, and he's historically been very positive toward WSU -- one of the biggest Shocker appreciators, to coin a word, that ESPN had. But we've still seen no firsthand evidence (i.e., from Marshall), either in his words or his actions, that there's been a change in his narrative. The possibility you failed to mention in talking about how things may be different was speculation or inference on the part of the writer.

Which leads us to the possibility I've pointed to all along: maybe things aren't different at all. Writers sometimes like to read between the lines even when there are no lines, just to have something to write about. But this is still the coach who has said more than once, You can't buy happy -- and his coaching path is evidence that he believes it and acts accordingly. So until Marshall himself gives us reason to believe things have changed, I choose to pass on the speculation and enjoy what we have right in front us.

[WstateU]

There’s one thing that bothers me when the media mentions Marshall’s son Kellen and him beginning his senior year of high school; I believe Maggie is the forgotten one and begins high school next fall. She also shows a deep passion for Wichita State witnessed by many at the conclusion of the Kentucky game.

I speak from personal experience when I say keeping MOMMA and ‘ALL’ HER CHILDREN HAPPY is job #1! There are momma’s boys and there are also momma’s girls… and don’t ever forget daddy’s girls. A Brinks truck filled to the brim can’t buy family happiness. This simply can’t be understated. Yes, Coach Marshall is a GREAT basketball coach and will continue to be highly sought after for numerous high level jobs, however he’s also a GREAT family man and understands that money can’t buy happiness. The media likely underestimates the Marshall’s love and passion for Wichita and Wichita State University.

[WstateU]

Part II







Keep the scissors sharp!

[shocksrbest]

WstateU...I think that is the key. While Shocker fans love the Marshall's with the success and notoriety Gregg has brought, it is also equally important that the Marshall's love it here, love the passion of the supporters and have made impactful relationships with the community.

Those things are hard to replace and become more etched with each passing year. Gregg knows he can build a national dynasty here, challenge for a National Championship and recruit better high-profile players now than just a few years ago--which separates this job form what he could bring at Windthop. He has started something special and the trend appears to be going up from here.

He may not stay forever--or maybe he will. But the mutual respect of the community with the Marshall's will definitely give pause to a different situation if it presents itself. It may go from "it would take a very special situation for me to leave", to "it may take a very, very, very special situation for me to leave".

At any rate, I am glad he is here and hope he stays...until retirement.

[Dave Stalwart]

There’s one thing that bothers me when the media mentions Marshall’s son Kellen and him beginning his senior year of high school; I believe Maggie is the forgotten one and begins high school next fall. She also shows a deep passion for Wichita State witnessed by many at the conclusion of the Kentucky game.

I speak from personal experience when I say keeping MOMMA and ‘ALL’ HER CHILDREN HAPPY is job #1! There are momma’s boys and there are also momma’s girls… and don’t ever forget daddy’s girls. A Brinks truck filled to the brim can’t buy family happiness. This simply can’t be understated. Yes, Coach Marshall is a GREAT basketball coach and will continue to be highly sought after for numerous high level jobs, however he’s also a GREAT family man and understands that money can’t buy happiness. The media likely underestimates the Marshall’s love and passion for Wichita and Wichita State University.

Is it wrong if I hope his kids start flunking classes and grade levels? ...and then that they go to WSU and get 10 different degrees? He'd be here forever then, right?

[Royals85]

Well, thanks, Jason.

Actually, I've been impressed with Jason King too, and he's historically been very positive toward WSU -- one of the biggest Shocker appreciators, to coin a word, that ESPN had. But we've still seen no firsthand evidence (i.e., from Marshall), either in his words or his actions, that there's been a change in his narrative. The possibility you failed to mention in talking about how things may be different was speculation or inference on the part of the writer.

Which leads us to the possibility I've pointed to all along: maybe things aren't different at all. Writers sometimes like to read between the lines even when there are no lines, just to have something to write about. But this is still the coach who has said more than once, You can't buy happy -- and his coaching path is evidence that he believes it and acts accordingly. So until Marshall himself gives us reason to believe things have changed, I choose to pass on the speculation and enjoy what we have right in front us.

I hope Marshall will be here for at least another decade. I can also recognize that as a lifelong Wichita native and WSU alum I might not have an impartial view on the reality of the situation.

My point is that I can't think of anyone more qualified to provide an unbiased, informed opinion on Marshall's future at WSU than Jason King. Often times those in the media that speculate clearly have no awareness of the positives of being the coach at WSU. King not only has tons of respect for WSU, he also has knowledge and perspective of the greater college basketball landscape. Feel free to disagree with him, but to try and marginalize his opinion doesn't seem wise.

Everyone who wants to quote "you can't buy happy" also needs to acknowledge that Marshall's agent recently released the statement that ended with "the timing just wasn’t right to really consider leaving WSU." A reasonable person could then come to the conclusion that sometime soon the timing might be right. Hopefully that was simply a poorly worded release, but my personal confidence in Marshall being at WSU long term certainly is less now than it was a month ago.

[pie n eye]

Why is the assumption "soon"?

[Aargh]

OMG, the worry-warts in this thread are incredible. Reading every possible negative scenario into every word of every media report and every word out of Marshall's mouth seems to be par for the course for the worriers.

Want to look at it from the other direction? As long as Marshall has great players at WSU that he's connected to, the "timing" will never "be right". Marshall knows why Turgeon left. The cupboard had some bare spots. Marshall also knows what happened to Turgeon after he left. A few years at a "in addition to football, and spring football, and football recruiting season, we have a basketball team" school. Then a few years t a basketball school that could end his career - that's still Turgeon, not Marshall - for those who scan posts and ignore reading comprehension.

Marshall started his career at a very low level. He was making poverty-level wages. When Lynn introduced him to her parents, I think she said he had a great job - that was paying about $20K a year. Winthrop gave him a taste of a middle class and upper-middle-class lifestyle.

What Marshall has at WSU is something he never could have imagined would ever be possible for him. He knows that as long as he stys at WSU, he and his family are taken care of. He can earn enough at WSU to make sure his grandkids are well taken care of.

The MU job would have been a major pain with the rebuild they need, and the instability MU has had with coaching staffs. When you know you are going to be able to put away enough to make sure your grandkids are financially comfortable, why would you take on a pain in the ass situation that might make your grandkids a little more comfortable, but risks the potentially of losing some of that comfort?

Any great coach is going to have a huge ego. Those with huge egos tend to want to reach the absolute top of their profession. MU is not a step in that direction. Marshall is the unanimous CoY. He can have any job he wants. Every major BB program with an opening is going to want him. He turned down UCLA at $2.6 mill. He turned down MU at $3 mill.

Marshall has established that he can't be bought. If he accepts a position, it's not going to be because of $$. At WSU, he has established (probably) a consistent top-20 team, he's competed for national championships. He's recruiting under-the-radar guys who have great work ethics and character.

How much do any posters here think Marshall wants to go to a program where he would have to build the program to get it to the level WSU is already at? How much do any posters here think Marshall wants to go to a program where he'd have to recruit top-50 recruits who may not have the attitude, work ethic, and character that he's able to recruit to WSU?

Here's my opinion - and I bet Marshall agrees with it. If you're recruiting from the top 200 or so players, you've got 200 to look at to find 2 or 3 that fit what you want to do, have the work ethic required, and have the character you want. If you're recruiting from the top 50, you only have 50 chances to find tht type of player. Marshall seems to do very well recruiting out of the larger pool, rather than the smller pool.

If anyone wants to try to tell me that Cotton, Baker, and VanVleet haven't emerged as being in the top 50 or so players in their HS classes, I will respectfully disagree and may drop it down to top 75 or 80. Marshall is getting top-50-type players without having to take tha baggage that comes with a lot of the 4* and 5* recruits.

I don't think either Andrew Wiggins or Perry Ellis would have been the top player on the WSU roster this year.