Ok, ok you guys caught me. I have zero sources and I generally don't know dick about what's REALLY going on.
But there are facts floating abound and pieces of a puzzle for us to fit together. So since it's Friday and none of us are doing ****, let's piece them together, starting back about 30 days up until last night.
I take you back to this post from Harrillizer dated 3/25:
http://tigerboard.com/boards/missour...ssage=11715160
In it Goodman and Dade basically say Haith is gone if he can find anyone, ANYONE to take him. And IF that happens, Mizzou wants Marshall BAD. Well, he was proven right on half of it so far. Haith found his anyone by the name of Tulsa, and Mizzou seemingly happily moved on without trying to keep him. And yes Harrillizer, I was wrong. You were right.
Fast forward to this article, written by Wichita Eagle writer Bob Lutz. Regarded as having a pretty good handle on the program and Coach Marshall:
http://blogs.kansas.com/lutz/2014/04...rget-about-it/
In it, he shoots down ANY possibility of Marshall to UT. And he was right, that was never even really discussed or considered an option. In that article, he talks about how Marshall shot down the UCLA job. Then goes on to say:
"Are there any other jobs out there that might entice Marshall?
I think Missouri would be a possibility. That’s always been a gold mine, in my opinion. It’s a school with tremendous resources that has never produced to the level of those resources. And it’s a fan base that would embrace Marshall and vice versa.
But Missouri has a coach – at least for now. Frank Haith, though, will be on a definite hot seat next season and if the Tigers don’t win, and win big, he could be in trouble.
That’s one of the few jobs out there I can think of that potentially could interest Marshall, who could be the second coming of Norm Stewart in Columbia. He has that kind of personalty, that kind of charisma."
He then writes a follow up article saying similar things after Haith leaves, although he did say he thought the timing may not be right, but he wasn't sure.
Then there is this week. What we know:
1. Marshall WILL NOT TALK. If you are staying at Wichita, just say it. He won't even acknowledge it, and his agent is doing the limited interviews for him. In those interviews he is claiming no contact between him and Mizzou, but that they are open to listen to any offer, but only because they are some sort of southern gentlemen of course. Yeah right. And if there hasn't been contact, why won't Marshall just go ahead and shoot down these rumors himself? His own town's paper is writing articles about it and he and his agent are fielding media requests, he knows it is a topic.
2. Alden WILL NOT TALK. If it's Kim Anderson, why didn't we hear about it by now? Word is Anderson can be had for some canned food donations at Mizzou, so number one AIN'T Anderson. He's working something big, just like he did last time. Difference is he ain't letting us in on it this time.
3. Alden flew to Atlanta this week. No coaches worth a **** are in Atlanta. But Solomon Sports Agency IS. How convenient. How interesting. The reason he flew to Atlanta? Well, he's giving a speech in Dallas, of course. You can fly from MCI to Dallas direct all day long for cheap. He doesn't need to save $50 and waste 6 hours flying to Atlanta for a layover. BUll**** excuse, again he AIN'T TALKING.
4. There was a banquet at WSU last night. The crowd was there. A frenzy of 1,500 Shockers in attendance to celebrate their dream season. Historic season. Near the end of the banquet, Marshall takes the stage and the mic. Here is his chance. We've heard rumors all week, but those are just from dumb Missouri fans. He'd never leave WSU for Mizzou, right? He'll affirm it here, watch...
Boom. ZERO first person future references. Nada. Nothing. If he's staying, wouldn't you expect a comment such as "I can't wait to get back at it next year and take care of our unfinished business" or "we" or something? Nothing like that. Some generic thanking and then a couple comments: "There is still work to be done"
Well, ok then. There's work to be done everywhere, to be sure. Also, it has come to our attention that his family wasn't at the banquet last night. IF that's true, that's important. But maybe he just didn't want to overshadow his team's great accomplishments with "I" statements. He'll tell the media afterward that those rumors are crap right? Wrong. DECLINED INTERVIEW REQUESTS. Why?
Also, if you watched it like I did, there was a point where they recognized Marshall’s awards. He was given a standing ovation. It was awkward to watch. He seemed extremely awkward, seemingly waiting for them to stop clapping for him. He knows he’s on the way out, and felt bad that he was getting such an ovation when the news hadn’t broke yet.
4. Here we are, Friday, and still NOTHING from Marshall on him staying at WSU. NOTHING.
On candidates:
It's obvious to me that the three candidates are: Marshall, Howland, and Anderson. NO ONE from these camps are talking, which jives with Alden's apparent directive to everyone. Howland's agent won't return media calls. Anderson will say nothing. I believe Anderson is just being floated out by media to appease fans, I don't think it would ever really happen. I believe Marshall will be our next coach. Why? Besides the reasons stated above:
1. Mizzou is not a blue blood job, but it is a much better job than WSU. Widely considered a top 25 job.
2. Mizzou can pay him more. WSU has a 3 million budget for the ENTIRE BBALL PROGRAM. Mizzou ain't paying him 3 million a year, but they'll pay him 2.5 + incentives. Marshall is a confident man and believes he can hit those incentives, so the money isn't an issue. We were ready to pay Painter this amount a few years ago before the SEC cash cow.
3. Geographically, it makes sense. He likes the midwest, it fits him. Mizzou isn't far, and if his son wants to finish his last year in HS at Wichita he can. Or they can move to Columbia and be close enough to visit these great friends in Wichita they claim they have.
4. He knows he can stay at Mizzou as long as he wants. And that's important to him. He stayed at WSU and Winthrop a long time, he wants a place he can stay at a long time and win. He is confident he can win at Mizzou with the resources available, and he knows Alden ain't firing him for some stupid **** or a bad year (see: Pinkel)
5. Right down to the school colors-it makes sense. Mizzou is black and gold just like WSU. So add this on top of everything else-he's coming.
6. He's a modern day national version of Anderson/Norm in terms of style of play. He knows how well his team will be embraced with his style of play. Hell, he may have even been influenced by Norm in a past life.