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Wichita State Basketball: 5 potential candidates to replace Gregg Marshall

By Benjamin Zacher

Feb 6, 2020; Wichita, Kansas, USA; Wichita State Shockers mascot WuShock pumps up the crowd during the second half against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Charles Koch Arena. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 6, 2020; Wichita, Kansas, USA; Wichita State Shockers mascot WuShock pumps up the crowd during the second half against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Charles Koch Arena. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Wichita State Basketball
Wichita State Basketball Dan Majerle (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images) /

Dan Majerle

  • HC experience: Grand Canyon (2013-20; 136-89)

Dan Majerle is somehow, maybe, the most outlandish suggestion on a list that includes Thad Matta and Danny Manning in 2020, but I think this would be a solid hire if the Shockers are looking to make an unusual choice.

Majerle was the first casualty of the coaching carousel this past offseason, getting booted from the head job at Grand Canyon in what could only be summarized as a shocking decision.  The former three-time NBA All-Star enjoyed a seven-year tenure with the Antelopes, being named their head coach in 2013-14 in their first year of competition at Div. I.

After going 32-30 in his first two seasons, Majerle turned on the jets from 2015-2019, going 91-42 in that four-season span.  They earned postseason bids to the CIT and CBI five of his seven years, never being able to escape the WAC with an NCAA Tournament berth – understandably, given it has been won by New Mexico State eight of the past 10 years.

This past season was the nail in the coffin, however, as Majerle endured his first losing season as a head coach, finishing 13-17 and tying for fifth in the WAC.  It was enough to cost him his job, despite recording an overall record of 136-89.

The 2015-16 team, which went 27-7 (the most wins in program history), was notably good, despite not being eligible for postseason play due to their transition.  They secured victories over 20-win San Diego State and Houston squads and were the only WAC team to defeat New Mexico State that season.

To Grand Canyon’s credit, they have done well in finding a replacement in Bryce Drew – but I think Majerle was unfairly fired, particularly after recording four 20-plus-win seasons for a program that just transitioned from Div. II.  The 2017-18 season marked the first time Grand Canyon was eligible for the postseason (WAC tournament, NCAA tournament, and NIT), and they only gave Majerle three years to reach the NCAA tourney.

Next. Ranking all 357 head coaches for 2020-21. dark

Majerle is most likely not on Wichita State’s radar – especially if Matta and Manning are reportedly being floated around – but he is a coach worth looking at.  He might not yet have proven himself at a high-major level, but if the Shockers want to take a chance on someone not that well known but successful, then Majerle should be the choice.