Xavier Head Coaching Search 2025

[Xavier]

I’d be shocked if the other three aren’t: Murray/Huss/ ?

[xuphan]

Xavier hired a search firm for help with the coaching search. But Mack is leading candidate and supposedly 3 others.

I mean…am I wrong, why on earth is a search firm needed if it’s down to 4-5 guys? Why take the time and spend the money? Genuine question. What’s the benefit? Feels ridiculous.

I get the logic years ago to see who is interested and what not. Seems silly

What a piss take. Our AD can’t make the hire himself? Seems like a long drawn out process for a coach we need as soon as possible.

[drudy23]

What a piss take. Our AD can’t make the hire himself? Seems like a long drawn out process for a coach we need as soon as possible.

This is what corporate suits do.

Tradition, by the book, legacy practice people. Cincinnati people.

We need a visionary.

The program cannot continue to operate in status quo mode.

[xuphan]

This is what corporate suits do.

Tradition, by the book, legacy practice people. Cincinnati people.

We need a visionary.

The program cannot continue to operate in status quo mode.

The men’s program is the biggest program on campus. Every AD should have a list of replacements in case you lose your coach whether they take a different job, get fired, or retire. The fact we are taking a long drawn out process to find a head coach is extremely dangerous to our recruitment next season. We do indeed need a visionary especially if Chris Mack is the top candidate. Why support coaches who leave us high and dry the first time? Are we going to hire Steele again when he wins a MAC championship in a few years? Especially if Mack pulls a Miller. This whole thing has been handled terribly and enough is enough.

[atljar]

His coaching during Illinois was because he already accepted the Texas job dude.

Sounds a lot like a loss to FL State

[Mel Cooley XU'81]

Haven't researched the thread.

Valentine. Loyola.

[GoMuskies]

I don't think Sean wasn't trying to win or anything, but it was weird that he laughed and said something like "I hope that big guy starts missing threes" during his in-game interview. Even one of the announces said something about hoping not being a great strategy and having to actually guard the guy.

Went back and watched. The comments about "hoping" are with Illinois at the line and 6:09 left in the first half.

[Jumpin_Jamal_Forever]

Xavier hired a search firm for help with the coaching search. But Mack is leading candidate and supposedly 3 others.

I mean…am I wrong, why on earth is a search firm needed if it’s down to 4-5 guys? Why take the time and spend the money? Genuine question. What’s the benefit? Feels ridiculous.

I get the logic years ago to see who is interested and what not. Seems silly

Not silly. Using a search firm (despite the term "search") isn't to surface names. It is for due diligence. Each of these candidates must undergo a background check. They must be vetted. The search firm tries to determine whether or not there might be negative or incriminating information, from a prior job, that could surface after the candidate is hired and embarrass (or worse) Xavier. The search firm almost acts in the role of a private investigator, and it is very important.

This does slow down the hiring process as other posters have noted. But we want to avoid a critical mistake if possible. Besides, as Drudy noted, we are completely starting over. Next year is absolutely toast. The year after that may not be much better. To the extent taking more time gets us a better fit, X is better off long term. I acknowledge more time doesn't always create a better result but this is not a hire we want to rush into.

My personal opinion. Agree we need an experienced head coach, not an assistant but not Chris Mack. He absolutely screwed us over and we give him another chance after we just gave the last guy that screwed us over another chance? No thanks.

[Xavier]

It’s asinine to think in this era a season is already lost. Especially because I really think you just need 6-7 guys and some fillers. Might be slightly more difficult but I’d expect a few big time gets and a roster that is contending in the 4-6 range in the BE next year.
I expect Mack to be head coach tomorrow. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a GM hired shortly either.

I stand corrected on the search firm, thanks for clearing that up

[D-West & PO-Z]

The men’s program is the biggest program on campus. Every AD should have a list of replacements in case you lose your coach whether they take a different job, get fired, or retire. The fact we are taking a long drawn out process to find a head coach is extremely dangerous to our recruitment next season. We do indeed need a visionary especially if Chris Mack is the top candidate. Why support coaches who leave us high and dry the first time? Are we going to hire Steele again when he wins a MAC championship in a few years? Especially if Mack pulls a Miller. This whole thing has been handled terribly and enough is enough.

Who said hiring a search firm makes it a long drawn out process? My guess is they have a database with info on all the guys the AD has interest in and they can share all the details (good and bad) they have about the guy. They may have a database also about coaches with interests in certain schools or conferences from their agents etc.

I agree on the surface it seems ridiculous, however the position is the most important at Xavier, it deserves many resources to ensure the right choice is made, even if it ends up being the obvious choice.