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Report: Martin withdraws from Marquette coaching search

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According to an Associated Press report, Tennessee men’s basketball coach Cuonzo Martin, who talked with Marquette about the schools vacant men’s basketball coaching position, has now pulled his name from consideration.

Marquette is also set to talk with Duke associated head coach Steve Wojciechowski, who played four years at Duke and coached for 15 more.

Duke ironically is the only school that outspends Marquette in men’s basketball.

VCU’s Shaka Smart turned down a chance to coach at Marquette and former UCLA coach Ben Howland is still a candidate.

 

Marquette’s coaching search continues

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Reports on Monday had Shaka Smart set to take the Marquette Golden Eagle head coaching job, replacing Buzz Williams, who left to take the Virginia Tech job.

Two days later, it appears Smart is staying at Virginia Commonwealth (VCU) instead of taking the job in Milwaukee.

Marquette could have more than doubled Smart’s salary, but he’s passed on other big jobs in the past and it appears he’s set to walk away from a move to Marquette.

It leaves Marquette with former UCLA coach Ben Howland, who they have already talked to.  They could also look to interview more coaching prospects.

Marquette’s search for a new coach continues

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The search continues for Buzz Williams replacement at Marquette.  Williams was introduced as Virginia Tech’s new head coach at a Monday news conference.

It was thought last night that Marquette was set to name VCU’s Shaka Smart their next head coach, but day four of the search ended without a deal.

Smart, from Madison, is also being pursued by Wake Forest.  Marquette has also spoken with former UCLA and Pittsburgh coach Ben Howland.

Smart took VCU to the 2011 Final Four and is one of the most sought after coaches in the country.  He has already turned down job offers in recent years from Illinois, Minnesota and UCLA.

VCU gave Smart an 8-year extension that increased his yearly salary from $350,000 to $1.2-million a year.

He could make substantially more at Marquette.  Buzz Williams was set to earn almost $3-million next season.

Marquette recruit hasn’t been released from his scholarship

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After Buzz Williams announced that he was leaving Marquette to take the coaching job at Virginia Tech, recruit Sandy Cohen (Seymour) tweeted Saturday night that he had been released from his scholarship.  But interim A.D. Bill Cords said that was not the case.

Cords told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that Marquette’s all-sports policy states that no student-athlete receives a release following a coaching change until he or she has the chance to speak with the new coach.

Marquette is currently searching for Williams replacement and have reportedly already talked with former UCLA and Pittsburgh coach Ben Howland about the position.

Cohen is one of four incoming freshmen signed by Buzz Williams back in November.  All of the recruits were reportedly told by Marquette assistants to sit tight until a new coach arrives.