swellafelon wrote:
What AD Watson should do NOW is assure Bryan that he is the head coach in waiting at Loyola. He should point out that Loyola HC is the better job now and for the forseeable future, and worth the wait. He should also forecast that Porter will be hired by a P5 school following the Ramblers' deep run in the 2020-21 NCAA tourney.
I doubt if this would convince Bryan to turn down the SIU job, but it's worth a shot.
I don't doubt it.
Unless Porter signs some ridiculous extension beyond the 7 (is my math right? 25-26 season right?) years he already has or tells Mullins straight up that he's not going anywhere anytime soon regardless of what opportunities open up (say until his youngest kid graduates from high school), it's a super rational decision by Mullins to stay here even an extra year rather than go to SIU.
-We'll have plenty of money to match SIU, maybe even offer more.
-On day 1, he'll walk into a team that he not only has a rapport with but is more than ready to compete for an NCAA bid.
-Our fan base will be just as happy hiring him as SIU's will.
-We have a nicer campus and brand new facilities.
-Recruiting here will probably be easier than recruiting in Carbondale.
-I don't remember, but when SIU had those NCAA tournament runs, was the Sears Tower lit in maroon like it was for our run? (seriously as someone who very well remembers the dark years, how freaking cool was it seeing the skyline lit up in maroon and gold with Go Loyola on some buildings?!)
-He's probably really comfortable here in Chicago. Heck, a move down to SIU will be a move 4-5 hours from his family out in Downers Grove.
Is is there an emotional tie to this because SIU is his alma mater? Sure. But coaches don't look at this like fans do. They look at these situations as a business decision. High School Bryan Mullins probably looked at choosing to play at SIU as a business decision too. This one would be no different for Mullins, and if he were to make a pro/con list, there are plenty of business related factors in the Loyola pro category for him to stay.