As you have probably heard by now, Gregg Marshall has accepted a contract extension with Wichita State. How close was Alabama landing Marshall? That’s up for you to decide. Speculation ranged from his family not being sold on the move to Tuscaloosa to Marshall playing up the offer for a higher salary at Wichita.
Personally, from what I’ve been told, I tend to believe Wichita State came in the final hour and gave Marshall an offer he couldn’t refuse. Regardless, Bill Battle is still looking for a new head coach. With Marshall off the table, let’s take a look at some coaches that Battle should be calling.
Archie Miller:
Okay so he’s still my dream hire. Despite signing a contract extension through 2022, Miller could still be had. If Alabama was offering over four million dollars per year for Marshall plus a blank check on recruiting and an upgrade in facilities, then Alabama could write a check to Dayton for Miller’s services. He was my realistic dream hire a few weeks ago and it looks like I’m circling the wagon and coming back here. In four years at Dayton, Miller has two NCAA Tournament appearances, including a trip to the Elite Eight. Miller has had success at a program where he’s done more with less and has basketball family ties with his brother, Sean, coaching at Arizona. Despite the big name in Wichita, this guy in Dayton could have just as big of an impact.
Shaka Smart
Despite rumors of Smart being interested in the Texas job, he should listen if Alabama comes calling. Despite Texas being able to offer everything Alabama can, Smart may feel more comfortable having control of this program and having less pressure from the athletic department. In six seasons as VCU’s Head Coach, Smart has tallied 163 wins and an NCAA Tournament appearance in every year except his first. Fans may be weary of Smart since he comes from the same school as former Alabama coach Anthony Grant but you can put those worries away. Smart has been able to continue to successfully build the program and implement his own system, Smart is also a coach that would have no issue being the face of a program and raising the expectation level.
Michael White
Again, another guy from my previous list. The Florida native has compiled 101 wins at Louisiana Tech in just four years. The young and energetic coach is accustomed to the SEC, playing ball at Ole Miss and fielding offers from Tennessee and Missouri over the past year. He’s just about hit his ceiling at Louisiana Tech. At Alabama, with the proper resources, White could blossom. A true lottery pick that a school will eventually take.
Next: Difficult To Totally Blame Bill Battle For His Run At Gregg Marshall
Of course, there are other possibilities. Brad Underwood from Stephen F. Austin has 61 wins in just two years, Tom Crean could use a change despite his 12 million dollar buyout, Steve Prohm has done well at Murray State and is an Alabama graduate, and current coach at Minnesota Richard Pitino has already been rumored as a candidate for the job.
Whatever Bill Battle does, he will have to sell the fans. After his Gregg Marshall or bust approach, expectations are higher than they were right after Grant was fired. Battle could go with the young and promising route such as White or he could still try and make some fireworks happen with Smart, despite it feeling like the day after July 4th. It doesn’t matter if Battle struck out with Marshall or was never at the plate, the program has to move on and quick. With Mississippi State hiring Ben Howland and Tennessee hiring Rick Barnes, Alabama can not afford to fall behind in the SEC. Then you have Bruce Pearl in the same state making more noise and you can sense the pressure mounting on the program.
Alabama is a sleeping giant just waiting to be woken up. The problem, however, is convincing a coach that this program is worth waking up.